Peter Huggins
From:
Van Nuys, California, USA
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Posted 20 Jul 2011 12:09 pm |
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I confess! I'm the lucky guy.  And I was very surprised to not have been outbid! 
I haven't received it yet, so I will reserve comment for when I actually get to unpack examine and finally PLAY it. But I did carefully check out the Recording King Roy Smeck that GC Hollywood in their collection, which had a great tone, perhaps a little microphonic due to the semi-hollow construction. I thought it was cheap at $499, but there was no case, and I picked up the much rarer Gibson Royaltone (2nd version) instead. I was figuring that anorher Smeck would come along, and when I saw the auction for this little beauty, with a matching amp, well I just had to bid despite the 'Local Pickup Only' designation. Packing / Shipping is going to be another $100 or so, Still, A Bargain (a previous Smeck sold recently on ebay for around $650).
The seller turns out to be a very personable man. The guitar had belonged to an uncle of his, he sent a little biographical detail:
" Dear guitarmaniax,
p.s., Just a little info on the guitar. This was owned by my uncle who passed away a few years ago. It was given to him by his father. My uncle was a wwII vet. He was a waist gunner on a B-17 and was shot down over germany. He was a p.o.w the remainder of the war. "
The economy is still very slow, and while there is some money being freely spent, there are still good people who are hurting and willing to let their treasures go cheaply. And a lot of people don't have money to spend, so it's easier to get lucky. . .
I was outbid on a few more items recently, watched while some of them jumped as much as 400 dollars, literally at the last second of the auction!  Sniper bids, I don't like 'em but they are a fact of life. I've learned to not place a bid higher than I'm willing to spend and not get caught in the feeding frenzy in the last few moments (well, mostly anyway). 
I will post pics after I get the combo. (Meanwhile, I'll be at the Marin Guitar Show this weekend, with lots of stuff, including a 1958 Gibson Skylark Custom Deluxe. NO, I am not planning on selling the Smeck anytime soon!) 
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A big THANKS to all my friends, here and everywhere ! |
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