Tastycaster

Around 4 summers ago, I saved every little penny I had and told myself I'd upgrade my guitar. I was playing this 100 dollar Ibanez GAX 20 (?) which I loved, but knew had seen better days. Since I live overseas, I was on vacation in the US. 

When passing through Boston, I dropped by the Guitar Center and shyly asked the guy working the floor what kind of used Ibanez's they had. He brought this beat up RG in this tacky silver with the paint chipping off. After strumming barely audible chords from the few songs I knew at the time, the salesman suddenly rushed off and came back with this sleek guitar in a sunburst color. He said the necks were almost as thin as Ibanez's (which is what I told him I liked, since I have small hands) and people were really digging them. They were a relatively small brand at the time, and since they were made in Korea, the price tag was significantly lower than other guitars.

 I plugged in this Schecter, never having heard a word about them and was blown away! It just had that feeling, that all guitarists get when they pick up the guitar that's going to be their companion through the next 5-10 years of riffing and finger picking and rock star poses when no one's looking (in my case). It just feels right, and there's no doubt in your mind that this is THE ONE. Its like your hands fall in love, love at first touch and you can't put the damn thing down. You guys know what I'm talking about.

The only thing was that color. The Sunburst color just screamed old people's interior in dim houses and it marred what would've been a fateful meeting between this otherwise amazing 24 fretted piece of art and myself. I told myself 'they'll have these in California, most definitely' and put the guitar back on the rack.

Fast forward to two weeks later, and the day before I left back home, I had in my possession a brand new Schecter C-1 +, in a classy Black Cherry color way. I named her Audrey and after swapping out her electronics for some DiMarzio's, have played her faithfully and treated her with nothing but the utmost care. I couldn't even dream of another guitar. Until....

I don't know when it happened, but I began lusting after this guitar

I've played it, and its gorgeous. The 2008 American Standard Telecaster. I can't even begin to describe all the reasons why I love this guitar- it's just calling me. My musical heroes, Dustin and Teppei from Thrice play them, but its not just me trying to imitate my idols. The appeal for me, lies in the simplicity of the color way - a natural wood finish which is no frills. Also, the fact that you can beat these bad boys up and play them for years - I can't wait to have mine look like it was on the bad side of a knife fight. The craftsmanship was just impeccable to my untrained eye - I may not know everything but I know I was thoroughly impressed with Fender's attention to detail. The neck was so smooth and fast and the versatile sound is as great as everyone says. This will be $1000 I'd be more than willing to part with. Now, to get 1000 bucks...Sorry Audrey!