25 YEARS BUT IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY

[Rippin Rod]

In my ongoing attempt to make amends to myself for choosing my addiction over keeping my guitars in the past, I have recently reclaimed another of my coveted models. This one is a cheapy which makes it even better! I know it may seem silly to some, but music is my drug of choice today. In my sobriety I have been gifted with a renewed passion for my 32 year long love affair with the guitar and performing. It's funny, I know I have always been considered an exceptional talent even as an active user of drugs and alcohol. When I first got in the program I thought I would never be able to play again for fear of triggers. Turns out I am twice the talent sober than I was as a practicing drunk. It just keeps getting better! Why would I want to throw it all away? Because I am powerless. It is one day at a time around here baby! Anyhow, sorry for the rant. Hope you get a kick out of the before and afters.... May the ribbin' begin!

Christmas 1982

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v452/rippinrod/RodMemphisandRockman12251982a.jpg

October 2007

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v452/rippinrod/Memphis2007002a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v452/rippinrod/Memphis2007005a.jpg

[amerturk]

Way cool Rod! Outstanding write up on how you can still achieve happiness and sucess by working a program. You should be an inspiration to all in recovery.

BTW, Randy would be real proud of that first pic!

Sounds like your new DOC is and always was the guitar and your trigger now is serenity. One day at a time brother!

"Is that real linolium?" :happy1

[Rippin Rod]

Is that real linolium

Not for long! hehehehe:D

[amerturk]

In the first pic, it looks like you are playing Crazy Train. Do you remember?

[Rippin Rod]

Oh my God! Are you freakin psychic dude! I was just playing that song on her as soon as I finished typing that last response about the vinyl. I'm freaking out!

[amerturk]

:happy1 I'm not psychic, but I did take the liberty of installing hidden cameras in your house. All the bros have been watching "Rod Live!" for the last two months or so....sorry, forgot to tell you.

[amerturk]

By the way, how is the songwriting going?

(Yes, sometimes I even scare myself) :)

[geetar10]

:happy1 I'm not psychic, but I did take the liberty of installing hidden cameras in your house. All the bros have been watching "Rod Live!" for the last two months or so....sorry, forgot to tell you.

Funny stuff.

Good for you, Rod! It's interesting what becomes important as we age. :thumbsup

[xbolt]

I know the process is long and hard but stick wit it!!!
Congrats on both fronts...! :guns

Now for the really hard part...Let's see a recent shot with you sporting that shirt...The old strap and cable really rock too!

Man that brings back fond memories of when I had some seriously crappy cables...had em all taped up so they would stop crackling and spitting all the time...

Don't have the cables anymore but here is my old Gibson strap:-x ...came with my first real guitar which I am fortunate enough to have been able to hang on to.
Finally got around to buying a new strap this year...but zero mojo :D

http://www.autonobot.com/temp/gib.JPG

[amerturk]

I love those old coiled cables. Do they still make them?

[xbolt]

Tim,

I'm a big proponent of the Simp-sons and their ilk but the ol' flag is way cool and distincly represents
"AMERTURK"
Welcome back!:headbang

[amerturk]

And a big thanks!

Now back to our regular scheduled program....

"Rod Live!"

[Rippin Rod]

I too enjoy the old avatar Tim.

I still have the strap, and the cable, and the Tom Sholtz Rockman that is strapped to my hip in the pic. I couldn't get anything for those BITD so there was no need to pawn them.... :-x

I think I traded the shirt for a Member's Only jacket.:happy1

[bkeen]

Wow! :yikes That made me count up the years I have been playing...

I am feeling kind of old..... http://www.keencentral.com/pub/oldfogey.gif

:D

[atomicholiday]

This might be a really stupid question, but what kind of guitar is that? I dig it, whatever it is.:thumbsup

Probably traded the 'Members Only' jacket for parachute pants too.:)

[_xxx_]

Tim, you scare me :) Now if you can tell what I'm wearing now, I'll be truly worried :happy1

[JGB]

[QUOTE=Rippin Rod;200608]

Christmas 1982

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v452/rippinrod/RodMemphisandRockman12251982a.jpg


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y258/AcesHigh84/RandyRhoads.jpg

[Rippin Rod]

Memphis is the maker. I think those are Bill Lawrence blade pups.

25 years is shorter than you think... don't blink. ;)

[PacerMedic]

That was good sharing Rod.:thumbsup I think what I've found out over the past 25 is that D&A aren't a necessary component in order to have a good time. All it takes is you and the guitar. I've been playing for 32 years myself (and it sounds like I just started yesterday! :happy1).

Tim: Good to see the avvy back. :thumbsup There's nothing wrong in taking pride in your lineage. Let us know the next time someone makes a boneheaded comment so we can show them the KF dogpile. :lol

It's nice that people have trademark avvies. Heck, I'd probably pick something stoopid like a nipple if I had to change mine. ;)

[amerturk]

Tim, you scare me :) Now if you can tell what I'm wearing now, I'll be truly worried :happy1


Well let me take a look....as I write this, it's about 2030 your time and you are probably getting dressed for dinner. Jeans, leather slip ons, dark shirt, light jacket and a little hair product.

:happy1


Joel: Thanks Bro!

[wilds_dog]

This one is a cheapy which makes it even better!

No way! That looks just like a guitar I(sadly) had to pass up due to other recent acquisitions.

It was a Marquis by Harmony(laugh it up fellas :D ), but it sounded awesome, weighed a freakin' ton, and had two DiMarzio HB's. I coulda walked with it for $125/no tax... right before my wife backed it and I over with the truck. :guns

Enjoy that axe, Rod and :thumbsup on the sobriety.

[lostinthemasses]

I love those old coiled cables. Do they still make them?

yes, they do, theyre on musiciansfriend.com and also sometimes at guitar center.

[matt3846]

Inspired by Rod's before and after, here is mine...

Me and my Focus 6000 circa summer 1989, and well, today. Even dug out the same R.E.M. tshirt, though it sure doesn't fit me like it used to. :scratchhe

http://kramer.document5.com/focus/f6000_1989-2007.jpg

Glad I hung on to that one! Don't play it much, but it sure has sentimental value.

--Matt

[short_circus]

I had some good times behind an el-cheapo guitar...
Congrats on getting her back bro, and on the sobriety too:thumbsup

[Rippin Rod]

here is mine

Dear God! I think your hair line has INcreased! NOT FAIR!!!! :bs :D

[Lightningdan]

Christmas 1982ish

<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i10.tinypic.com/687l8pe.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

This Summer
<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i13.tinypic.com/68a0ux4.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

[slashrox]

Hey Rod, cool guitar :headbang and congratulations on being sober :thumbsup

Nathan.

[pel666]

Dear God! I think your hair line has INcreased! NOT FAIR!!!! :bs :D

:lol Great to see these pics, I only have one old pic somewhere. Let's see if I can find it (my folks were not happy with me buying a guitar from my saved money, a Sunn Mustang Strat)