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So a gent comes in the shop asking if we bought "used guitars". He said he was a bassist and had some 80's era guitars that he was looking to move to get holiday money. I said, sure we do buy on occasion, but lately, it really depends on whether or not the item is "interesting".
He said "I have an Ibanez bass an an 80's shredder." Now I knew The Store would have minimal interest in those items this month, but I offered to take a look anyway. The bass was a beat down Ibanez Road Gear with active pickups, missing a string, back plate, and battery terminal. Pass.
The guitar was something else....he opened the case and *cough*....it "smelled" like Rock & Roll; 30+ years of cigarette smoke & beer! However, inside the case was a gem...a 1983 Keith Roscoe Super Strat!
He asked if the store was interested and I told him probably not. He said "I'll just leave these guitars here, and come back tomorrow to give you some time to reconsider...", and he left! When he returned, he asked if the store was buying either one, and I again told him no. Then he offered the guitar to me. I need another guitar like I need a hole in my head, but this one was made here locally in Greensboro. Roscoe was the boutique/custom builder for all the rockers here in NC before boutique was even a thing. Hmmm....
I hemmed and hawed...."What would you have to have for the guitar?"
"What would you offer me?"
Oh, we were playing that game. I tossed the lowball. "Um, Christmas is coming, I can't spend much. I couldn't offer you more than...oh, I dunno...$200?"
"Sold."
Wow.
Okay....well, now I own a Roscoe. Came with a smoky hard case (cleaning that as we speak). Trans-red stain, Kahler Steeler trem, Bill Lawrence 500 XL pickup with coil tap, and the old, and I do mean old Roscoe headstock & logo.
So now I own the "holy grail" for local guitarists of my generation...a Roscoe. When I was coming up, it was the "Custom guitar" to have. Then it was Zion....where can I find one of those? Hmmm....
He said "I have an Ibanez bass an an 80's shredder." Now I knew The Store would have minimal interest in those items this month, but I offered to take a look anyway. The bass was a beat down Ibanez Road Gear with active pickups, missing a string, back plate, and battery terminal. Pass.
The guitar was something else....he opened the case and *cough*....it "smelled" like Rock & Roll; 30+ years of cigarette smoke & beer! However, inside the case was a gem...a 1983 Keith Roscoe Super Strat!
He asked if the store was interested and I told him probably not. He said "I'll just leave these guitars here, and come back tomorrow to give you some time to reconsider...", and he left! When he returned, he asked if the store was buying either one, and I again told him no. Then he offered the guitar to me. I need another guitar like I need a hole in my head, but this one was made here locally in Greensboro. Roscoe was the boutique/custom builder for all the rockers here in NC before boutique was even a thing. Hmmm....
I hemmed and hawed...."What would you have to have for the guitar?"
"What would you offer me?"
Oh, we were playing that game. I tossed the lowball. "Um, Christmas is coming, I can't spend much. I couldn't offer you more than...oh, I dunno...$200?"
"Sold."
Wow.
Okay....well, now I own a Roscoe. Came with a smoky hard case (cleaning that as we speak). Trans-red stain, Kahler Steeler trem, Bill Lawrence 500 XL pickup with coil tap, and the old, and I do mean old Roscoe headstock & logo.
So now I own the "holy grail" for local guitarists of my generation...a Roscoe. When I was coming up, it was the "Custom guitar" to have. Then it was Zion....where can I find one of those? Hmmm....
. Great deal....congrats!
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