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The Most Rare Guitar in My Collection: A Quest for Uniqueness
As a guitar enthusiast and collector, I’ve always been fascinated by the diversity and creativity of guitar makers and players around the world. From classic acoustic guitars to electric shredders, from simple strumming to complex tapping, the guitar world offers an endless variety of sounds, styles, and stories. Yet, among all the guitars I’ve seen and played over the years, there’s one that stands out as the most rare and unique, both in terms of its design and its history. In this blog post, I want to share with you the story of how I found this rare gem, what makes it so special to me, and how it inspires me to keep exploring and discovering the beauty of guitar making and playing.
The Guitar That Caught My Eye: A Brief History
The guitar in question is a 1982 Gibson EDS-1275 Doubleneck, also known as the Jimmy Page model, due to its association with the legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist who used it on several songs and live performances in the 1970s. The EDS-1275 is a double-necked guitar, featuring two sets of six strings, one on top of the other, connected to two different bodies, one for the standard guitar and one for the 12-string guitar. This means that the player can switch between the two guitars while playing, creating a rich and complex sound that blends rhythm and melody, lead and harmony, in a way that no regular guitar can do. The EDS-1275 is also a rare guitar, as it was only produced from 1958 to 1962, and then from 1968 to 2002, with some variations in the design and features over the years. The 1982 model is considered one of the most desirable and valuable, as it was made with high-quality materials and craftsmanship, and featured a unique and striking design that combined a white finish with gold hardware, engraved symbols and patterns, and two sets of pickups and control knobs.
I first saw the EDS-1275 Doubleneck on TV, when I was watching a concert of Led Zeppelin in the late 1990s. As a teenager who was just starting to play guitar, I was blown away by the sounds and images that Jimmy Page was creating with this guitar, and I knew that I had to have one someday. However, I also knew that it was a rare and expensive guitar, and that I might never be able to find one in my budget or in my location (since I live in a small town in Europe). So, I decided to keep it as a dream, a symbol of my passion for guitar playing and my admiration for Jimmy Page’s creativity and mastery.
The Guitar That Found Me: A Strange Encounter
However, fate had other plans for me. In the early 2000s, I was visiting a friend who lived in a bigger city, and who knew that I was a guitar enthusiast. He suggested that we go to a local guitar shop, which he said had a good reputation and a good selection of guitars. I agreed, but I didn’t expect to find anything special, as I had already seen many guitar shops before and knew their usual inventory. However, as soon as we entered the shop, I felt a strange sense of excitement and curiosity, as if something was calling me to explore further. My friend noticed my reaction and asked me what was going on, and I told him that I had a feeling that I might find something unique and rare here. He smiled and said that he hoped so, as he wanted to see me happy.
We walked around the shop, looking at various guitars on display, from vintage Fenders to modern Ibanez, from solid-body Les Pauls to hollow-body archtops. I tried some of them, but none of them really spoke to me, as they felt either too common or too expensive or not fit for my playing style. I was starting to lose hope, when suddenly my friend pointed at a raised platform that had some guitars hanging from the walls. He said, “Look, there’s something up there that might interest you!” I looked up, and there it was, shining in the spotlight, the EDS-1275 Doubleneck, in all its glory. I couldn’t believe my eyes, and I couldn’t resist the temptation to play it.
I asked the shop assistant to take it down for me, and he did so after some hesitation, as he said it was a delicate and expensive guitar. I held it in my hands, feeling its weight and balance, and strummed it gently, hearing its tone and resonance. It was like nothing I had ever played before, as the two necks and the two sets of pickups and control knobs offered me a world of possibilities and emotions. I played some chords and riffs from Led Zeppelin’s songs, and I felt like I was channeling Jimmy Page himself. My friend was watching me, nodding his head in approval, and the shop assistant was looking at me with a mixture of awe and suspicion. I knew that I had to have this guitar, no matter what it cost.
The Price I Paid: A Bargain or a Rip-Off?
The next few minutes were a blur, as I negotiated with the shop assistant and my friend on the price and the condition of the guitar. I didn’t want to reveal how much I was willing to pay, as I feared that it might be too low or too high, and that I might lose the chance to own such a rare and unique guitar. However, I also didn’t want to spend more than I could afford or justify, as I knew that I had other expenses and priorities in my life. So, I tried to be reasonable and respectful, while also firm and confident. After some back and forth, we agreed on a price that was lower than the original asking price, but still higher than I had expected or planned. However, I felt that it was a fair price, considering the rarity and quality of the guitar, and the emotional and symbolic value it had for me. I thanked the shop assistant and my friend, and left the shop with the guitar in my hands, feeling like a winner and a loser at the same time.
The Guitar That Challenges Me: A Lesson in Creativity and Adaptability
Ever since that day, the EDS-1275 Doubleneck has been the most rare and valuable guitar in my collection, both in terms of its price and its uniqueness. I have played it in various settings and styles, from blues to jazz to rock to folk, and I have learned a lot from it about the possibilities and challenges of playing a double-necked guitar. I have also studied the history and techniques of Jimmy Page and other guitarists who have used this kind of guitar, and I have tried to adapt their ideas and sounds to my own playing. I have even experimented with some modifications and customizations, such as changing the pickups and knobs, adding effects pedals, and recording my own music with it.
However, the EDS-1275 Doubleneck has also challenged me in some ways that I didn’t expect or anticipate. For example, it has forced me to reconsider my playing posture and technique, as the weight and size of the guitar can be uncomfortable and awkward if not properly balanced and positioned. It has also required me to be more careful and mindful when transporting and storing it, as the necks and the connections between them are delicate and sensitive to scratches and bumps. Moreover, it has made me more aware of the limitations and possibilities of a guitar player, as I cannot play everything on this guitar, and I cannot use it for every song or gig. Yet, these challenges have also taught me to be more creative and adaptable as a guitar player, as I have had to find new ways to express myself and my music, and to explore new genres and techniques that suit the guitar’s strengths and weaknesses.
Conclusion: A Quest That Never Ends
In conclusion, the quest for the most rare and unique guitar in one’s collection is a never-ending journey, fueled by curiosity, passion, and perseverance. Whether you find it by chance or by choice, whether you pay a bargain or a rip-off, whether you play it for fun or for fame, a rare guitar is more than just a piece of wood and metal, or a symbol of prestige and status. It is a source of inspiration and challenge, a reminder of the beauty and diversity of the guitar world, and a tribute to the creativity and artistry of guitar makers and players. So, if you’re a guitar enthusiast and collector like me, keep searching and exploring, keep learning and sharing, and keep playing and enjoying the rare guitars that make your heart sing. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll find the most rare guitar in the world, or maybe you already have it, in your mind and in your heart.
Image Credit: Pexels