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Old 04-23-2017, 11:39 PM
Slothead56 Slothead56 is offline
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Default The most amazing NGD ever...guaranteed!

I posted the follow thread last August:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=440802

"In 1978, while I was looking for a good guitar to replace my $195 Guild D25 that I played all through college, I became enfatuated with a great big rosewood guitar made by some guy named Gurian in New England. It was so simple in design and had a thundering thumpy bass and crystal clear highs--it was exactly what my ears wanted. Had this cool 'Earth, third planet from the sun' label on the inside.

Always one to take a different road I spent my $600 on this rather than the Martin I'd always coveted.

I had that guitar until 1992 or 1993 when I sold it and several others (including a '68 D12-35 and a '90 Strat) to cover the costs of a messy divorce.

It was sold on consignment by Stan Jay at Mandolin Bros. I about broke even as I recall.

Like many of you, as I've gotten older I wonder about past friends, lost relatives and those instruments that got away.

I just now found a letter that Michael Gurian wrote me on July 18, 1978 congratulating me on my purchase.

Here's the kicker....any one know the whereabouts of Gurian model JR serial number C3182? If so, look closely; my name and phone number (back then) are on sticker inside the body...maybe."

It got several encouraging responses and I didn't think much about it until a few weeks ago when I received the following PM from AGF member Brewbaker:

"Hello
Some one named Rudiger in Germany told me about your thread seeking a line on the Gurian you used to own. I've owned it since 1992, and am now selling it in the Emporium, which is how Rudiger became aware of it. What a mind blower, serial number C 3182. There's not a sticker with your name and phone number however, but it must be the same guitar. I bought it from Lark St music in Albany. Here's a link to the listing-(deleted)

It's still a great guitar!

Cheers,
David"

Here is the original Forum ad:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=464527

We corresponded several times and I'm happy to say that this long lost, but never forgotten, guitar is now back in my home. There is a short period of lost time-several months I think-between my consignment to Stan and David's purchase from Lark St. I've contacted both shops and records are not available.

There was a neck reset 8 years ago and the guitar is currently in the very capable hands of a wonderful local guy having a little maintenance work done. As you can imagine, the guitar is a little worn--but not too much--and maintains all original parts. It still has the booming bass and wonderful sound I remember.

I originally bought that guitar when I was 21, a kid just out of college, no job, no plans, no idea what was in store. Now, 39 years later, I'm staring at 61, happily married with three great kids, a wonderful daughter in law and a lifetime of memories. There have been other guitars, of course, my most cherished being the Martin HD28vs my wife gave me for Christmas almost 20 years ago...that she bought from Stan Jay.

But the Gurian, after all these years, is back, a connection to a time in my life that at once seems so long ago and yet also feels like just yesterday. I played that guitar at my brothers wedding shortly after I bought it. He just retired. Played it at my first wedding. Wrote and recorded my song tribute to my Father that he got to hear shortly before he passed.

I'm somewhat sentimental by nature...having this guitar back in my hands really has given me pause.

My thanks to members Brewbaker and Rudiger for taking the time to reach out. (Please go to the link above for the ad and pictures posted by Brewbaker. I couldn't do better than that.)

Don't give up on your dreams kids, and don't ever say never. Some times the impossible can happen.

Last edited by Slothead56; 04-23-2017 at 11:48 PM.
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Old 04-23-2017, 11:58 PM
Mystery123 Mystery123 is offline
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Thumbs up

Nice story and it ended well.
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Old 04-24-2017, 12:16 AM
Wade Hampton Wade Hampton is offline
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Yes, that's a nice result for you. I'm glad you got it back.


whm
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Old 04-24-2017, 01:11 AM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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Great story, just turned 61 myself last month.
Love to see pictures if you get a chance.
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Old 04-24-2017, 01:50 AM
gitarro gitarro is offline
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I recall reading that thread and thinking it is unlikely the OP would ever find that guitar again. Im glad to have been oroven wrong!
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Old 04-24-2017, 02:33 AM
Halcyon/Tinker Halcyon/Tinker is offline
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I think we'd all like some pics
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Old 04-24-2017, 03:16 AM
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BrunoBlack BrunoBlack is offline
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That's great Slothead, I'm glad it turned out well.
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Old 04-24-2017, 03:21 AM
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SalFromChatham SalFromChatham is offline
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Very cool story. Happy I clicked.
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Old 04-24-2017, 04:07 AM
McGee McGee is offline
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I like this story.
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Old 04-24-2017, 04:11 AM
Greg Rappleye Greg Rappleye is offline
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This is wonderful.

Congratulations!



Greg Rappleye
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Old 04-24-2017, 04:38 AM
bluetweed bluetweed is offline
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A true Godwink!
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Old 04-24-2017, 05:09 AM
CycleBob CycleBob is offline
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Extraordinary. Congrats on getting your instrument back and for believing that you might. Well done
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Old 04-24-2017, 05:13 AM
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Bob Womack Bob Womack is offline
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Marvelous! Glad you found it!

Bob
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Old 04-24-2017, 06:59 AM
ChrisE ChrisE is offline
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Awesome story; I had a similar thing happen to me regarding my first surfboard. I didn't really have an emotional attachment to it or anything, but when I got it back about 25 years after I sold/traded it, it really brought back a lot of memories.
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Old 04-24-2017, 07:02 AM
Long Jon Long Jon is offline
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T.L.D.R.




Kidding ! Great reunion Slothead, congratulations.
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