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Mr.Bee

(1,224 posts)
Mon Sep 15, 2025, 07:22 PM Monday

Guitars NOT Guns [View all]

In 1970 on my way to high school I passed by this store front every day.
In the window hung a gold electric Stratocaster guitar for $22 ($184 in 2025).
I had an after school job that paid me $5 a day.
I begged my mother for the money to buy this guitar, and you know what she said??

"If you want a guitar so bad, why don't you make one in high school?"

So I did. and I took notes on that guitar in the window.
I went to the local music store and bought the tuners, fret wire and pickups.
The first one failed, but I kept at it. I used scrap wood for the body
and even bought maple for the neck and received an 'A'.
My teacher asked what I would do next, I made an electric bass!

Where are they now?
I'm looking at them right now, 55 years later, hanging on the wall.
Still playable, actually more playable and comfortable than name brands!

My policy has always been 'GUITARS NOT GUNS'

Give a man a gun and he'll shoot something, but
Give a man a guitar and he'll make music the rest of his life.

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Guitars NOT Guns [View all] Mr.Bee Monday OP
I wanted to add Mr.Bee Monday #1
Yeah, I chose guitars a long time ago! johnp3907 Monday #2
I have two (kits) Mr.Bee Monday #5
We need a charity that does just that DBoon Monday #21
Sounds like the gold one was a knock-off Shermann Monday #3
Oh Of Course! Mr.Bee Monday #4
Wouldn't it have been easier to just save for 5 days, since you made $5 a day? Polybius Monday #6
Poor choice of words on my part Mr.Bee Monday #25
Shout out to Agnes Kitts wherever she may be Ponietz Monday #7
Similar, but I was 23, and her name was Noelle. Iggo Monday #18
Thank-you Mr. Bee for the excellent slogan! MacKasey Monday #8
Nice story Bee! leftieNanner Monday #9
Love The Story ProfessorGAC Monday #10
How would I know? Mr.Bee Monday #14
A photo would be most excellent, and another good example of guitars over guns. Maine-i-ac Monday #11
My Electric Bass Mr.Bee Monday #17
❤️ littlemissmartypants Monday #12
Great story Easterncedar Monday #13
Nice! H2O Man Monday #15
Yessir, I remember Mr.Bee Monday #24
Wonderful story, Mr. Bee! some_of_us_are_sane Monday #16
Oh, the memories this conjures! madamesilverspurs Monday #19
OMG! I'm bookmarking for future comment! 40+ year guitar player here! CaptainTruth Monday #20
I don't always write about guitar Mr.Bee Monday #22
I love this! StarryNite Monday #23
Your post is so inspiring in many ways..first, your mom gave you the best gift..second, you took her advice Deuxcents Monday #26
Thanks for sharing your story Mr. Bee, At the present, I'm restoring a '60s Gretsch Tennessean. RedWhiteBlueIsRacist Monday #27
Thank You for All Your Comments Mr.Bee Monday #28
My son was an awesome guitar player, classical speed metal was his favorite. Clouds Passing Tuesday #29
I think there's a distinct connection between the decline of guitar (Rock) music and this incel phenomenon. BlueTsunami2018 Tuesday #30
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