Yes, it's another milestone. I suspected he stopped playing the Dire Straits numbers with the long "twiddly" solos because his hands were becoming less dextrous, although Guy would faithfully deflect questions like this. I used to be able to have a fair bash at ToL & TR but at age 68 I know I'd struggle now (even if I could remember them) as my hands are slowly seizing up (I can still manage Sultans). So, no more touring followed by a downsizing of his guitar collection. To be fair he doesn't need back-ups if he's not touring, so he can probably dispose of some of the duplicates, but it is a surprise to see the '59 Les Paul go. We know he's been using the '58 on the last few tours so presumably that's his favourite, despite the wooden plug in the front. The '59 looks in better condition and will probably make more in an auction. I knew he'd gone off the MK1 Pensa Suhr, partly because the neck was too thin. I don't think the purple Pensa/Suhr in the auction preview is the "you & your friends" one, I've got a photo of him playing that and it looks black AND the pickup configuration is different (the black one has a neck pickup). The purple one is more likely to be the synclavier one used on So Far Away. (it's got a lot of extra knobs on ! )
If he's keeping around 20 that gives me scope for another one or two
, although I have been considering disposing of a couple of my less played ones
I have to admit to still having my first cheap, plywood acoustic, but only because it's worth nothing!, I moved my first few electric and acoustic guitars on as I bought better ones, but still find it hard to let any of them go. Maybe when I'm 74 I'll think differently, When you buy a guitar you've got to think that you are just the custodian and It's likely going to outlive you.
Anybody else feeling sad about this?
I mean, they are just wood and wires at the end of the day but after the retirement from touring it just feels like something that has been so important in my life is fading away...
