Miscellaneous

In early February, I decided to revive my interest in playing guitar. I had lying around the house an old Ovation Deacon electric guitar and an Alvarez 5014 acoustic. I bought a new amp, re-strung both guitars, and made some inquiries about a guitar tutor. My friend Ernie recommended his friend Vincent, and I?ve since started taking weekly lessons with Vincent.

At my last lesson with Vincent, I suggested that I might buy a third guitar, which would always be tuned to an open major chord, and use it to learn slide. Vincent?s reaction: ?Cool.? Taking that as an endorsement of my idea, I started shopping around.

Yesterday at International Vintage Guitars on Tchoupitoulas, I spotted her. I asked whether I could play her; the nice man said I could. A little strumming and a little finger-picking later, I knew I had to have her. I slept on it last night, returned to the store today, asked if the price was negotiable (it was!), and closed the deal about 5 seconds later.

The sales slip says she?s a Republic R3 Miniolian. But that?s not her real name. Her real name I have yet to learn; maybe she?ll tell me. She?s ?parlor size,? meaning she?s petite?the photo at right shows her next to my Alvarez. As you can tell from the photos, she?s a resonator guitar, commonly known as a dobro. This means she likes to be touched with both fingers and a slide. I?ll be spending an indefinite amount of time figuring out exactly how she likes to be touched. I hope my wife doesn?t mind.