Just got back my very first guitar!

[Kerbie]

Well, I'm a happy camper. I had wondered for years what happened to my first guitar that I got as a kid. It was an Estrada Classical, a CL-3, I believe. Apparently, Estradas were made in Japan. It was nice little starter guitar... not expensive, but bought at the best local music store in my hometown.

I lost track of it for decades and just recently learned that my brother found it in his attic! I couldn't believe it. I just assumed my mom had sold it while I was away in school or while moving from house to house. So, I got it back this afternoon and it looks pretty good considering its age and years of neglect.

I'm going to clean it up and put some strings on it and I'll try to post some pictures when I get that done. In the meantime, if anybody knows anything about 1970 Estrada Classicals, please let me know.

[Dru Edwards]

What a great story Kerbie. You gotta hold on to that first guitar. How long did you play it, back in the day?

[rokdog49]

Congrats Kerbie!
I know nothing of your guitar but the sheer fact that you found an old friend is something special.

[Kerbie]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

How long did you play it, back in the day?

It was nylon and I think I played it for 6 years. At that point, I got a steel string and that's about the time I lost track of it. My mom moved about 2 years after that, so I had assumed it was gone. Never knew my brother had acquired it, but I'm delighted he did. Free guitar... he was no fool.

[Kerbie]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

Congrats Kerbie!
I know nothing of your guitar but the sheer fact that you found an old friend is something special.

Thanks, Rok... you're right! It was like an old buddy coming home. I remembered the rosette, the headstock and the way the strings tied at the bridge. Like a dummy, I had forgotten the name, but I remembered its looks.

[Looburst]

Sounds like real fun, Kerbie!
The memories will all come flooding back after you hit those first chords.

[Kerbie]

Originally Posted by Looburst

The memories will all come flooding back after you hit those first chords.

Lol... I gotta pick up some nylon strings first.

[Organic Sounds Select Guitars]

Kerbie, that’s awesome - how fun to have it back in your hands! I’ll look forward to the pics!

[1neeto]

That’s so cool man keep us updated!

[Earl49]

Congrats, Kerbie. I still have my first guitar -- a 1968 vintage Silvertone folk model, which hangs on my office wall. It has been played irregularly over the years, and I claimed it back from the parent's house sometime after my college days. Certainly there are nicer guitars at my house, but this one has serious sentimental value.

Right now I need to re-glue the bridge. When I routed out a double-wide saddle slot to achieve more compensation at the saddle, apparently that weakened the bridge a bit and the forward half popped off one day. The bridge itself is still well attached to the top, so this is actually a pretty minor repair. It's mostly a matter of making time, and finding a couple of long throated clamps for the job.

[Steadfastly]

What a super find for you. Enjoy your renewed relationship with your first git.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by Kerbie

It was nylon and I think I played it for 6 years. At that point, I got a steel string and that's about the time I lost track of it. My mom moved about 2 years after that, so I had assumed it was gone. Never knew my brother had acquired it, but I'm delighted he did. Free guitar... he was no fool.

Great that you got it back. It set you up for a lifetime journey.

[Kerbie]

Thanks for the good wishes, guys. I still can't believe it. I opened up the case expecting to find a cracked top and a raised bridge, but it looks a lot better than I expected. Gotta go clean it up...

[Looburst]

Kerbie, you're getting to have all the fun today!

[Kerbie]

Originally Posted by Looburst

Kerbie, you're getting to have all the fun today!

I know, I know! Ain't it great?!