UPS UPDATE: (you can't make this chit up) After being notified the guitar was in Kamloops, and sleeping like a dead man for five hours, I awake to an "exception". The guitar is now in Richmond, passed "clearing" (with an update), but the clearing is under review, and if it clears review it then has to be cleared by Customs. It's
likely going to be here Tuesday. Maybe Monday. Maybe even August.
When I shipped the Martin D12-28, to a great buyer in Edmonton, UPS handed off to Canpar in Calgary, and Canpar drove the package back to Vancouver. Then it kept going in, and out of Edmonton. The scans were mystifying. The guitar did arrive safely, the buyer (CEO of a communications company, former radio personality, a patron of the performing arts -- if you gotta let your dread's go,
this is the guy you want to get your stuff) was thrilled, and I had money to pursue that elusive ghost --
satisfaction. I've got the Larrivee
Ace in the hole, which takes the pressure off. I'm not looking for better, just different. Complimentary. That's where the rosewood quest came in.
When I had my money in hand, I contacted a shop I've dealt with before (Gibson ES-165) and tried to purchase a Larrivee OM-03r, rosewood with slotted head stock, they had for sale on their site. I told them I'd sold my Martin, and wanted to purchase the OM. Send me a bill reflection shipping. I got a dismissive email back: those guitars were special, and they didn't have one for me. I could look around and see if they had another guitar I liked, and could see if I they had one of those. I was pissed. I asked how that was different than 'bait & switch?', and got a condescending email apologizing for
my confusion. I didn't think I was confused. You advertise a guitar as being for sale -- you should have one. Mike said they frequently have guitars that are not available listed as for sale. As a reference. Reference/bait. A matter of opinion, I guess. Left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Put the Gibson up for sale, and start having thoughts outside the Larrivee arena. Felt like I was cheating on Jean though. Sinned in my mind.
With the shades all pulled down, I started looking around. Ran across something I thought was pretty special, and a lot of the guitarists I currently listen to (Candyrat types) play them. Seems to get a lot of love. They also play Larrivee. You can see the thought process. There was one within a couple hours (Kelowna kijii), and I almost committed to purchasing thru email. Ran the spec's, and while it's categorized in with OM's generally, its dimensions aren't nearly what I expected. Gorgeous but I'm not risking shoulder pain, I want a player. I located Canadian dealers, but none returned emails. I had the scent. Went to Europe. Ran into Richard, and Erno. Sun rises first at Erno's, by three hours, so by the time Richard opened, it was already a done deal. Time zone's reversed, it likely would have gone the other way. Both were prompt with customer service, spoke English fluently (Richard better
. They both had what I wanted, and what they showed on their website. Excellent prices.
High rez pic's, sound clips, videos and great value. Let's get this done --
right the first time attitudes. I was comfortable purchasing.
Need dreadnought-sized balls for international shipping of rosewood tho.
Or cookies.
In the end, I'm sure CITES will protect trees, Customs will protect our borders, and I'll get a guitar I (not to swing my pendulum ridiculously) I enjoy.
Don't think of it as a mystery greco. More of a contest. I've provided many clues. And welcome speculation on make and model. A pic would be great, but I would ask that everyone keep the editorial comments for the NGD thread. I still haven't figured out what to do about the train-wreck my last one turned into. Thinking I'll post some amazing pictures, and do the disappearing thing. Enjoy my new guitar without having to defend what I didn't say.
Used to drive past the Falkland Hotel, Electraglide, and say, "Someday that'll be me on the porch, with my bike leaning close by." I was driving a 3 ton we referred to as, "The Rocket Ship!" Pos wouldn't get out of its own way, and I had to get it thru the mountains with lambo'-required travel time paid. Did eventually have a mighty good burger on that porch tho. Dreamy. I haven't ridden since I got Healey. Sold the Buell to buy the Martins. So all I can do is sit on the indoor bike, look out the window, and make potato, potato sounds. I volunteer for the
crumple zone, and wouldn't even think of making Healey do the same. Healey's a keeper, nuts about him, and the bike's on its way out.
I think. Kinda used to it where it is. I think I'm really all done with riding tho. It's not what it used to be. Neither am I.
BSTheTech: $478.44 cdn.. Ouch. Twice what I figured, $100 less than I thought. No break down yet. Just a gimme update.
Thanks knight_yyz., but I'm easily confused. I almost bought a Larrivee o9 parlor out of Edmonton Kijiji/Reverb because
Bubinga is the funnest wood to say. jmo.
Bubinga!
Just doesn't get old.
Appreciate that jdto. I'll ad' those pic's. Shop took great ones, but I haven't asked for permission to post them yet. Maybe even an unboxing vid'. IF I can remember to hold the phone landscape mode.
The guitar's still showing the last scan as Richmond Import.
Thanks Wardo. I almost asked you for some gun advice. Cooler heads prevailed.
Time to play.
HNG^%$