Willie Nelson,s guitar .

K

Kevin the grey

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Aug 26, 2005
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While he might not be everybodies cup of tea I think " Red Headed Stranger " is great . He was on both a " tribute To Johnny Cash " and his own Birthday bash . Both shows were great . In both shows Willie played on a guitar that for lack of a better euphemistic description was ill used . I know he went bankrupt a while back and perhaps the revenooers are still on his trail . This guitar wasn,t just smacked around there was a piece gone missing . Below the sound hole was a hole over half an inch by three inches . At first I thought it might have been a mike or some kind of switch assembly . Far from that I could see the internal ribbing of the guitar . There was also some kind of shellac or other brushed on protection over the original finish . This might have been on to protect what appeared to be a couple of signatures on the guitar . I won,t get more graphic than this as there is no need . Does this guitar have great sentimental value ?
Whats the scoop ?
 
i saw a show on willie-he said hes had the guitar years-the hole you see is from wear-they had photos of it over the years,the hole gets bigger and bigger-

and yes those are signatures on it-every great musician he's met he's had sign it i guess-
 
That guitar is a Ramirez, a classical guitar made in Spain. Not only are they incredible instruments, they are also fairly rare, and therefore, rediculously valuable.

Willie has just played his, quite literally, to pieces. The reason that pickguards were originally put on guitars, as I understand it, was to protect the wood from the erosion that would happen with time and use. The older, alcohol (non poly) finishes were not nearly as durable as the new stuff, and therefore needed to be protected.

Willie's guitar is the sh*t.
 
Willie Nelson is an American Hero, IMHO.
 
Thanks , it is the human factor that I am intersted in . Therefor it is the opinions I value the most . While the damage is severe and I don,t think could have been done by a pick he has been around for a very long time . His importance to us is evident by those who pay tribute to him .
 
I ate dinner about 7 feet away from Willie and his friends at the restaurant that he co-owns on Maui. My parents were with us (big Willie fans too). It was a thrill! No one bothered him until his party was ready to leave and then a couple politely said "excuse me Mr. Nelson, could we take a picture with you?" And he said with a big smile "of course!"

Love stuff like that--people behaving with courtesy and respect.

The restaurant is named Charlie's and it's in Paia Maui in case anyone is interested. You can often see Willie when he drops in to the little bar in the back to jam.
 
Willie's guitar has had those holes from picking a long time- at least 10 years, and I'm thinking I first saw the hole 15 or more years ago.
He could afford to get another. He likes that one.

As for specials he is on, if you notice, he's been about on every special there is, and has also recorded with just about anyone who would have him, which is considerable.


munk
 
I've seen Willie quite a few times. The last time he was here was a huge concert on the street in downtown Charleston.

That was a great concert. It was put on by the local unions and Jesse Jackson and Willie Labor Day 2004, and had Willie, Nanci Griffith, Asleep at the Wheel, Judy Collins, The Indigo Girls, and local band the Carpenter Ants.

All the music was great, but one of the more memorable moments was a fiery speech by UMWA president Cecil Roberts. He gives a great speech. Anyway as he's giving his speech the Carpenter Ants pick up on his pounding the podium and as he walks off the stage they segue into a song that has the refrain he was using in his speech in it:thumbup: A great show!
 
...so the sons and daughters of the Wogglies cheer!

Willie Nelson is the great one, but my 'ear' is over used by him now.

There is a rising crop of new artists that would scald your socks off. ...lemme think; ever hear Ray Earl Hughes? ( I think that's his name) Wonderful to hear, shocking and brilliant- just don't want him in my living room or dating my sister.


munk
 
munk said:
...so the sons and daughters of the Wogglies cheer!

Willie Nelson is the great one, but my 'ear' is over used by him now.

There is a rising crop of new artists that would scald your socks off. ...lemme think; ever hear Ray Earl Hughes? ( I think that's his name) Wonderful to hear, shocking and brilliant- just don't want him in my living room or dating my sister.


munk
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Know what you mean. I just got this Little Willies CD that is really great.

www.thelittlewillies.com
 
Willie's guitar was worn like that when I first saw him in San Antonio in 72.
Over the years, the finish just gets warmer, as does the tone, and that hole just keeps getting bigger. I went to a Willie/Emmylou/Guy Clark show in Colo Springs in 76, Willie came back out, sat on the edge of the stage and signed and chatted. I have a Resistol hat he signed that night, I have toted it around, rarely wearing it these 29 yrs.
Mark
 
DaddyDett said:
Willie's guitar was worn like that when I first saw him in San Antonio in 72.
Over the years, the finish just gets warmer, as does the tone, and that hole just keeps getting bigger. I went to a Willie/Emmylou/Guy Clark show in Colo Springs in 76, Willie came back out, sat on the edge of the stage and signed and chatted. I have a Resistol hat he signed that night, I have toted it around, rarely wearing it these 29 yrs.
Mark
Click to expand...

Did Emmy lou sing any duets with Willie ? When she sings " Long Black Veil " with Dave Mathews it is outstanding . Her high sweet voice is a great compliment to his quiet drawling growl .
 
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