By now you know that the pope kicked the bucket. After all the media frenzy is said and done, they'll start the process of choosing a new one. Lots of folks are speculating on the possibilities of a black pope, or a latin pope. Doubt if that will happen. But as long as we're speculating - let's toss around hmmm, an Iraqi pope. Or how about an Isreali pope. Huh? Isn't that a bit more interesting?

 

I finally pulled the 1970 Gibson SG out of the store window for good. Thing's been sitting there for three years now. Sold it once and it came back because the guy didn't want to risk damaging such a fine guitar whilst learning. He was 16. Fine guitar? Well yeah it ain't bad. But the only folks who look at it are the Gibson snobs. I used to be one. Not any longer. They walk into the store with blinders on. Can't see anything but the one name on the one headstock. They never ask to play anything. Doesn't matter that I've got some damn fine guitars. They just zero in on that one, and if it isn't the exact model, year, and color that is etched in their brain, they walk away. Collector guitar? I don't care any more. I'm gonna' chop it up. Reshape the neck. Put some better pickups in it. Might even sand the name off the headstock while I'm at it. The Gibson snobs would have heart palpitations over this. Destroying a vintage Gibson guitar. I'm not listening. They should've bought the thing if they wanted to protect it. And I don't want them as customers any way. They'll spend $3500 for a gold Les Paul, but would rather drive twenty miles to save 50 cents on a set of strings. None of them ever spent a nickel in my shop. They're Guitar Center customers. And they can have 'em.

 

Every morning, the first thing I do (after making coffee) is to check google. Have they updated their directory yet? Nope. Can their viewers find Sonica or are they still being led to the non-existent Mountain View Music Center?