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Post subject: Why I became, and will always be a Fender man.
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:10 pm
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I'm Eric Oliver and I live across the river from Louisville Kentucky.
July 30, 08 I was 40 years old and had never even touched a guitar. Never thought about playing anything. and didn't know anything about guitars.

July 31st My Brother Bruce died.
We were very close and his death is very devastating to me.

Bruce and I always got involved in the same hobby's ... Photography, Golf, Cycling, ect.
He started playing Guitar about eight years ago. at the age of 50. He really enjoyed it and was always trying to get me interested in playing. I was never interested.
He collected a lot of nice guitars. He had a Les Paul, a 1964 Gibson EB3 bass, and about 5 other really nice guitars and Bass's
Before he died he ran into hard times and had to sell most of his collection.
The only things he kept was his Fender Stratocaster and his Fender Jazz Bass.
I didn't know anything about his playing But out of all the brands he owned. he had 10 fender shirts and a bunch of Fender knick knacks. Nothing from any other brand
My Brother was definitely a Fender Man.
His Fender Strat and Jazz Bass are now the most valuable things I will ever own.
I decided that since I will always have them that I wanted to learn how to play them. I also want to learn what my Brother already knew.
So I picked up the Strat and I decided that I think I can Play it. I really want to be able to play it.
So I set my mind to learn how to play.

But I love and miss My brother and I am so worried I might damage my Brothers guitar. Because I just do not know how to handle a guitar.
So I bought My own Fender Strat just like my brothers. Only mine is Blue. Cause I like blue. (heh!)
I bought it from Guitar Emporium in Louisville Ky. The people there are incredible. They special ordered the exact Strat I wanted. It was there in less than a week.
As soon as it came in I loosened the strings on Bruce's Strat and it will always stay the way he left it.
Now, I play My Blue Stratocaster several hours every day and I think I am coming along nicely. I never plan to play in a band or in public. But I look forward to playing My Fender for myself. It's tone gives me a comfort I need and thats why I became and will always be a Fender man.



I can't seem to post a pic but here is a link to My guitars
Right to left.
Bruce's Jazz Bass, Bruce''s custom Strat, and My new Blue Strat.

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4074/dsc03097jr9.jpg


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:53 pm
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Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas (San Antonio, y'all)
Hi, Eric. Welcome to the forum, and I hope your new hobby brings you joy and makes you feel closer to your brother. You'll find many people on this forum who started playing at a more mature age (I'm 44 myself, and I've been playing for about 9 months). It's great therapy.

I think you'll find that the Stratocaster is a pretty sturdy instrument. Go to town--you're not going to hurt it. And have fun!


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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:28 am
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Hi there, And a welcome to the forum from Manchester UK.

I was moved when I heard your story, Im sure the Fender Srat will help you along. When you learn to play your love affair with it will grow deeper all the time and you'll have a good idea of what he was feeling.
It doesn't matter if you don't play in a band or even in public because when you release the music. Well..........you never know who's listening.
See you around the forum.


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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:55 am
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Welcome to the Forums and to the legions of Fendermen. Your tribute to your brother is touching and does you both honor. The only thing I'll suggest is that occasionally, tune up his Strat and play it in memory of him. He held that guitar, his sweat is on the neck and in the fingerboard, his passion is in that Strat. It could be a very cool connection and inspiration for you.

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:08 am
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Welcome to the forums Eric. Very touching story. When you get comfortable with your Strat play your brothers on his birthday or some other special day the two of you shared you will feel an incredible closeness to him.

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Post subject: Sad story...
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:42 am
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Hello Eric,

I am very sorry about brothers passing.

Don't worry about babying your Fender, it can take whatever you can dish out. In regards to climate and the overall well being of the instruments set-up & electronics, don't leave your instruments in place you would not want to sleep.


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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 7:56 am
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My brother died in a weight lifting accident when he was 24 and we both played the guitar. I was older than him and I started playing at an early age and I guess I inspired him to play. He had a `69 Les Paul thats beautiful and I inherited it being that I play the guitar. My best advice is to keep it as clean and protected as possible, cause you can`t put a price on sentimental value. I too am devestated over his loss, even after 28 years have gone by. I play his guitar and I`m sure he would like the fact that I`m bringing life back into the instrument. All I can say about your brother is...I`m sorry to hear about his death and ....Don`t be sad that it`s over..Be happy that it happened...


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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:17 am
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Welcome to the forum from Detroit, and to Fender as well. I've played for over 25 yrs, on many brands, but Fender will always be my absolute favorite - at any price. I wouldn't part with my strats for anything. I'll be picking up a new jazz deluxe bass as well, like the sunburst one your brother had.

Also, my main strat (98 MIA) was just like the black one in your pic, same everything, before I sanded it down with my son...

Image

and stained it a vintage wood grain...

Image

Strats aren't meant to be babied though, their pretty tough. Don't abuse it, but you can handle it with no problem. Othewise, you wouldn't see strats from the 50's still alive and kicking today.

Have fun. Guitars are a GREAT part of life, and Fenders are the best for some (like us). Having your brothers to be part of your life makes it even better :P


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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 12:51 pm
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Great post. It's a great honor that you learn to play in your brothers memory. You're never too old to start learning how to play an instrument. The rest of your life is going to go by wether your learn to play or not. Might as well learn to play!

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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:51 pm
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Welcome to the Forums Eric. You did the right thing, not keeping this sad story to yourself. Like they say, when you're ready, you will know what you want to do. These guitars came to you from your brother but they are yours know so you don't need to rush anything. Good luck with your playing and come visit us often.

Cheers.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:19 pm
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Wow, thanks everybody for the nice words and the warm welcome.

There are other things that make my Brothers guitars special.

Bruce was a great photographer. when we went in his house the day after we found him. I saw his camera, when I looked at the photos on it. The very last photo he ever took was of his best friend sitting on his couch playing the Strat, with the Jazz Bass next to him.

At the funeral his guitars were set up with the flowers. I was lucky enough to find his guitar teacher, even though I didn't know him. He came to the viewing and I asked him if he would play Bruce's Strat at the ceremony. He said he would and contacted a friend to come and play Bruce's Bass.
They Played "Little Wing"
It was perfect !


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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 4:04 pm
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Welcome to the Forum, and sorry about your loss. I think you'll enjoy learning the guitar. Not only in memory of your brother, but for yourself as well.

I often find that I always play whatever fits my mood. Sometimes fast rock, and other such things when I'm happy, and slow, soft songs when I sad. It's always a good companion to have around when I'm in the house by myself. You'll love learning the guitar, and it doesn't take much time to at least be able to play a few simple songs, then you can work your way up from there.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:18 am
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Welcome, Eric. So sad about your brother.

'Agree with a couple others...play your brother's guitar. Often. His vibe is in the body, hardware, fretboard. The whole.

Maybe give your new blue pal his name so you can play together.

Oft play guitar of wife who moved to the next realm, a while ago. Yes, it does bring her close.

Remember Einstein's formula...E=mc2. We are all energy...slow moving energy.

Or more poetic, as Joni Mitchell said, "...we are star dust...."


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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 12:15 pm
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This is souch a touching topic..... :cry:

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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:06 pm
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Creating music on an instrument, rather than only passive listening, brings a joy, fullfillment and satisfaction that non-music lovers don't understand and that non-musicians envy. It's a constant learning process. It's constant practice. But it's constant satisfaction when you achieve your goals, however small.

It's not something that has to be showed off to the public (though that's a joy in itself), it's something that can, and usually is, private and personal.

I can't think of a more fitting way to pay tribute to your brother and to heal your mourning.


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