SYP Says

A Western Thanksgiving

In honor of my first Thanksgiving out West, I've been musing about other "firsts" that I've gotten under my belt since moving to Ashland, Oregon after 12 years in NYC. New Yorkers live in their own world--separate from the rest of the country in so many ways. I've travelled to several countries and done many interesting things in my life--even hiked the Himalayas and done a camel trek in the Pakistani desert--but somehow I had managed to go 33 years without ever owning a car, dining room table and chairs, dishwasher or even a full-size refrigerator and oven. I had never changed a flat tire. I had never paid rent on an apartment with more than one room (not counting the bathroom!). I'm thankful for these conveniences, now that I have them, but they also make me feel somehow like less of a New Yorker.

I still have a NY license plate and driver's license because I am trying to hold out as long as I can, I guess, before becoming an Oregonian. It hasn't been purposeful, but somehow I always seem to be too busy to get these mundane things done. I get driven to work and picked up every day because we only have 1 car (and because real New Yorkers don't drive unless they have to...duh). I suppose these are the pitiful ways I cling to my old identity. When someone asks me where I'm from, I still say, "Manhattan, but I just moved here" even though I've been in Ashland for 8 months. At some point soon I will have to face reality, but for now, I'm just thankful I'm able to keep my delusion alive.

Eric Clapton's Blackie Guitar For Sale!

In the late '60s, Eric Clapton personally combined the best elements of three vintage Stratocaster guitars to create the original Blackie guitar.  Clapton's albums 461 Ocean Boulevard, Slowhand, No Reason to Cry, and Just One Night, among others, were all recorded with Blackie.

In 2004, Eric offered Blackie for auction to benefit the Crossroads Centre, Antigua. On June 24, what was already the most famous guitar in the world also became the most valuable. The winning bid was Guitar Center at $959,000. Blackie then traveled from Guitar Center's vault to the Fender Custom Shop in Corona, CA USA, where it was carefully analyzed and meticulously measured to capture every essence of its unique character.

Now, the Fender Custom Shop, in association with Guitar Center and Eric Clapton, has re-created this legendary instrument down to the last authentic detail. From the worn-to-the-wood body, to the neck re-shaped by Eric's hand as he played a thousand heartfelt solos. From the unmistakable cigarette burns on the headstock, to the world-weary flight case – every historical detail is faithfully re-created. All the parts, pickups and electronics are aged and matched to the original, unique specifications of Blackie.

For this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, only 275 master-built Fender Custom Shop Tribute Series Blackie guitars will be offered worldwide, and Guitar Center will be the exclusive distributor of 185 guitars available in the USA.

HOW TO BUY IT:

BLACKIE goes on sale in one week--Friday, November 24, 2006 at 7am PST/10amEST.

* By Phone at 866-498-7882

* At your local Guitar Center retail store

You can also see Blackie on display.

Hey, if you have an extra $20,000 lying around, get ready to queue up! These are going to go fast.

Neil Peart Drum Kit

If you don't know who Neil Peart is, this post will be completely irrelevant to you, but for all you fans out there, Guitar Center now sells The DW Neil Peart Commemorative Drum Kit
celebrating 30 years of the enduring legacy of Rush. Only 30 kits will be produced -- each an instant collector's item -- available exclusively through Guitar Center. Believe it or not, we've sold a bunch of these already at $30,000 each!

Watch a video about it here:

Here are some pix of the kit--it's got custom black sparkle finish & gold-plated hardware. Pretty cool. If you've got the dough, go to a Guitar Center near you and ask about it.

Mystery Deal Hotline

Our Stupid Deal of the Day is really going gangbusters, but if you're a bargain hunter and prefer shopping by phone, call the new Musician's Friend Mystery Deal Hotline at 866-462-9293 for our latest deals on top brands. I can't print the deals themselves, so you have to ring us to find out what they are.  Put it on speed dial! :)