2010 the year of Zen
UCLAN
Friends, the sun is out, the light rain cleaned up the air, we're
getting ready to lean into a new year, and life is great! Check this
out!
Thanks to all that leant their support into my two broken guitar necks
saga. It took a while but we've got a happy ending.
The first guitar that ran into trouble was the Pat Metheny Ibanez model
en route to NYC. At the baggage claim I noticed the case was crushed
near the neck of the guitar and when I opened it up the neck was
whimpering with pain. United was totally cool on this one and
immediately said they'd replace the guitar. I ended up taking the
guitar, my good old friend that I'd played a lot of music on, down to
the SD Airport and left it with them. In a week or so after that United
sent me the money for a new axe. I searched around and found a great
Sadowsky Jim Hall arch top guitar and I actually think this might be a
better sounding guitar than the other one. Sometimes bad things lead
you to an upgraded story.
The details on the second broken guitar are a little more convoluted.
At first United said they wouldn't pay for the damage because they said
that it was "concealed damage" and the guitar case wasn't noticeably
harmed. In a really calm and sweet tone of voice I said this wasn't
going to work from my end. I told them that I had an attorney and had
plans to appeal the case. They put me on hold for a little while and
came back with a decision to pay for the repairs. I had to get
estimates and supply them with a bunch of details but all in all, good
news! That guitar is a Stevens Fender Custom guitar and only 30 of
these were made and it's value has risen from $3000 new to around
$10,000 in current times. Andy Powers (the fellow that built my twin
neck guitar) is doing the repair and he's had to saw off the neck near
the tuners and graft a new section to the old. He said it'll play
perfectly but from the bottom view you'll be able to see the repair. No
worries, it'll be a happy day to have that old comrade back into the
sonic quiver once again.
So it all ended up OK. United Airlines really put their best foot
forward to make the situation as fair as it could be. I wonder if the
whole "United Breaks Guitars" YouTube revolution forced them to
reevaluate their angle on flying guitars in the friendly skies? It kind
of felt like they didn't want me to compose a jazz version of my
predicament and launch it into the net, sending more negative spin into
their world. Maybe they we're thinking, "just pay off the fellow and
let him get on with the music." I'm good with that.
Towards the future, I'm not sure how to proceed in getting my guitars
to the gigs safely through the wicked world of airline travel. The big
Anvil type cases usually work but then the airlines hit you in the
pockets for "oversize luggage," usually around $200 each way. Maybe
I'll only take one guitar from now on and make sure it accompanies me
as carry on. One thing I know, it's good to have this episode behind me
and I'm now looking towards the New Year for more music and less time
spent in the bureaucratic tornado. Onwards and upwards!
Tomorrow night I'll be joining Kevyn and Tripp and a cool gang of young
musos for a night of music at Humphrey's in Shelter Island. Kevyn has
been working alongside Glen Fisher mentoring students and they'll be in
the loop with us sharing the good vibe of jazz. The concert is free and
I hope you can make it out.
I've got the gig schedule for January listed below and I thank you all
for being part of my life and supporting our music.
2010 the year of Zen kick out the dues it's time to transcend. It's the
moment, it is now, eyes are open, hello brown cow. Buckle my shoe,
eatin' cayenne it's all in the loop for 2010. adios, Peter
Friday January 2, 2010 Kevyn Lettau and the First Friday Club featuring
Peter Sprague Humphrey's By the Bay 2241 Shelter Island Drive San
Diego, CA 92106 (619) 523-1010 details Kevyn Lettau -- vocals Peter
Sprague -- guitar Glen Fisher -- bass Tripp Sprague -- sax Kate Sprague --
vocals and other guests 6 to 10 PM Kevyn has been working alongside
Glen Fisher with young music students from Point Loma. Their
organization is called the First Friday Club and for this night Tripp
and I are teaming up with the whole gang for a wonderful night of
music. It's free!
Wednesday January 6, 2010 Josh Nelson Group Anthology 1337 India St.
San Diego, CA 619-595-0300
Joshua Nelson -- piano Peter Sprague -- guitar Tom Catanzaro -- sax
Hamilton Price -- bass Kevin Kanner -- drums 7:30 PM Josh is one of my
favorite musos and his recording that he did last year was amazing.
Can't wait to play on his creative tunes with this fantastic band!
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Certified SPAM-free sig
Joe Finn
news:7q4h55...@mid.individual.net...
I'm just curious, but did you put anything like bubble wrap inside the case
of the second guitar that was damaged? ....joe
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Visit me on the web www.JoeFinn.net
UCLAN
> I'm just curious, but did you put anything like bubble wrap inside the case
> of the second guitar that was damaged? ....joe
Not mine, but no.
Joe Finn
I was wondering because I think something like bubble wrap would expand in
the baggage compartment due to lack of pressurization at altitude. I thought
this could possibly damage something like a guitar maybe?
Anyway, I'm glad you got the situation rectified. ...joe