The Guitars of Mr. Gilmour

Because of my professional life as a finance executive, I often get invited to 'networking events' sponsored by banks or 'exclusive' networking groups.  I normally pass on them because I usually find the events and company boring as hell.   I made an exception for this one as it was held at the Christie's Auction House in Beverly Hills surrounded by David Gilmour's (of Pink Floyd fame, but you probably knew that because you're here) guitar collection.

I looked. I saw.  I was about to leave.  Then one of the sponsors did that dreaded fork against the champagne glass percussion track.  Unfortunately she was right in front of the only door.  Pat-ourselves-on-the-back time.  Shit! "I'd like to introduce you to the head of real estate"   Gag!  I got your head of real estate right here. 

At least it gave me a chance to look at the collection without someone trying to 'network' me.  When the spiel was over, someone from the auction house was introduced to talk about the collection and answer questions.  Most were things like 'are they heavy?' or 'what do those knobs do?'.  

I saw a catalogue in advance and the two items than most interested me were on display.

The Black Stratocaster

David Gilmour's main axe since 1973.  Used on the road and on all albums since.   It's expected to get about $150,000.   Out of my price range.

Stratocaster With Serial #001

Since most of the crowd was amazed at how heavy a Les Paul was, there was little interest in this baby.   The questions were dumb, I would rather let the guy ramble freely and tell me stuff I wouldn't think of asking. Finally I stepped in and asked for him to tell me about this guitar.  

Evidently it's not a production model, but a pre mass produced prototype given to the players who QCed the original design.  About 10 were made with serial #001. Compare this to my Strat that has serial number 6 million something.

At the event I saw a table full of canvas bags that said 'David Gilmour' on them in plain type.  I thought they were swag.  I approached the desk and was told they're on sale for $20.  Asking what's in it I was told 'nothing, just tissue paper.'  Pass.

Wild Hi Fi Drums

I love these kinds of records.  The kind designed to show off the dynamics of your hi-fi system.

Wild Hi Fi Drums (Capitol 1961)

Flying Saucers - Serious Business

In the late '50's, flying saucers WERE serious business.   Many books were published claiming to be fact.  One of themost popular was by Frank Edwards.  Frank Edwards was an out of work radio personality.  When his book ' Flying Saucers - Serious Business' was a bestseller in 1966, the next logical step was to make a record.  

Frank Edwards - Flying Saucers - Serious Business (RCA 1966)

When I found this at a thrift store I was hoping for some theramin driven rock and roll.  Instead we get an old fashioned radio voice just talking.  No musical accompanyment or sound effects to be found anywhere.

No sure who would buy such a thing (I did, but probably not for the reasons they originally had hoped).   Perhaps for those who couldn't read?

This is the kind of record one would expect to finds on a small label - perhaps for sale at a gas station.  Why RCA got it I'll never know. 

Hey Nipper!  Don't look in there - watch the skies!

Restoring the Dust Cover on an SL-D2 - Part 2

Now that the hinges are in, let's work on the plastic itself.  As mentioned earlier, it's not worth the effort if the hinges don't work.   Here's a before picture - although I had already started sanding the burn marks.

The handy tool to use is a 'headlight restoration kit' which can be purchased at most auto parts stores.  

If your dustcover has branding, you may want to preserve it. 

A simple strip of masking tape will do.

Next step is to sand away with reckless abandon.   The headlight restoration kit will give instructions on the varying abrasiveness of the sandpaper.   Start with he most coarse and work your way down to the finest.   This gets very messy.  Do this outside as well.  You'll need to hose yourself off when done,

Once the sanding is complete, you get to use the rubbing compound.   Apply liberally and rub one out.

Here are the two I just completed.  The one on the left had some horrible cracks that needed to be secured with duct tape.   It still functions well as a dust cover.   The one on the right is in better shape than one I had in service.  It was switched out.

It's now enjoying its rightful place in service on a turntable.  It doesn't do anything to enhance the basic look of the homely turntable, but at least the turntable is wearing a nice outfit now.

Restoring a Dust Cover on a Technics SL-D2 Part 1

I run Technics SL-D2's on my systems.   They're great little workhorses.  Ugly as shit, but they work real hard at sonic personality and always pull through.  When I see beat up ones for sale on the cheap, I snag 'em.  In addition to the two online, I Frankenstiened together one from parts for my daughter.  I'm in the process of pulling together two more.  

The dust covers are usually the most beat up part.  The acrylic is prone to scratches.   Let's face it.  The top of a dust cover is a free flat surface.  Previous owners put their keys on it when they walked int the door.  They're also a victim of the era (late '70's).  I have seen many with melted burn spots on them.  Light a match for the bong, place it on the dust cover while it's still hot.   I'll get into how to restore scratched beat up covers to their original clear luster later.

We'll start with the hinges.

If you can't attach this thing, why bother with the polishing.  The plastic hinges are usually the first to go.   

They must be sanded off.  I got this hasp drill bit that works wonders.  Grind away for while and it it will become completely flat.   Safety tip - wear glasses as shards of plastic fly everywhere.  Marital bliss tip - do it outside as shards of plastic fly everywhere.

Metal hinges can be obtained on eBay or use The Google.  Much sturdier than the plastic ones.   Line them up, drill holes in the acrylic and attach.  (That crack was there before)

Mort Sahl Signed

Often when watching a movie or TV show I find myself looking at the records in the background.  The game show wrong answer buzzer goes off in my head (sometimes audibly to the annoyance of those around me) when the label or pressing is not era appropriate. 

We watched 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.'  The art direction is dead on.   The records are too.  My wife's aunt was a patron of the East Village scene during the era depicted.  She held on to her records.  While downsizing, she gave her records to us knowing they'd have a good home.

Depicted in Mrs Maisel was this one.....

Mort Sahl - The Future Lies Ahead (Verve 1959)

And flipping it over,,,,,

Never was it mentioned that it was signed by Mort.   I'm used to seeing names written on records.  I never expect them to be by the artist.  Yes boys and girls, it's real.  The record owner was there at the time and place.  It compares to those auctioned online. 

I Love It When Artists Who Had No Business Going Psychedelic Did it Anyway - Johnny Rivers

He made the Whisky A Go Go famous (along with Trini Lopez).   The Whisky changed and became the flower power center of the Sunset Strip.    Johnny Rivers changed with the times and buildings.  Who says architecture doesn't influence music.

Johnny Rivers - Realization (Imperial 1968)

In real life, I'm an accountant/statistician.   Realization has a completely different meaning in my first definition.  Then it meant discovering something within yourself - like how to market old school swamp pop to a turned on audience.   Johnny Rivers came to that realization.