I promised the last post wasn’t a GC rant and I kept my promise. It merely took place in the parking lot of GC.

Once we were inside GC, all bets were off.

One thing we noticed in the door was that there were two women behind the effects counter. This is unprecedented in the history of GC. We pondered long and hard on what this could possibly mean. My friend suggested that this was their only coverage, as the men were at the Flyers game. I was willing to go along with him on this because I always go along with sports references. It’s because I normally don’t get them. This time I did and it felt rather good. I felt superior. I felt almost like a beer (fortunately I didn’t look like one).

My friend came by to observe the magic that happens whenever I enter GC. Make no mistake, he’s had his own experiences, but mine are much funnier. He was really into meeting some of the more traditional GC employees (read: dumber) but he was sorely disappointed. The fellow in acoustic guitars was downright intelligent and respectful. He once again echoed the sentiments of many: `we sure do have a lot of people looking for lefty guitars and no inventory to speak of.‘

My friend told me he was beginning to feel my pain.

We decided that the lack of traditional GC employees was also due to the Flyers game (why not blame everything on sports?).

We went all over the place looking for nice Fender necks. The nicest by far were on various Teles. The `52 and the `52 Hot Rod were nice, as well as the `72 reissues. They didn’t have any Baja Teles, which I loved last time around. We’re both fond of manly, chunky v-ish necks with a lotta radius, like the vintage ones. You can’t find a Strat neck like that (largely because they haven’t made them in 25+ years).

As I understand it, my choices in stock Fenders are the `52 and the `72. The `72 is reasonably priced but seems to come with two humbuckers. I already have a Les Paul or two, so that’s out. The `52 is about twice the price of the `72. And to be truthful, I’d rather have another Strat anyway. I can see Custom Shop Dollars floating through my head. They are very high. But wait…. I can also see Gas Dollars chasing them, shooting them out of the sky with mounted machine guns and Exxon emblems. Oh well…. so much for that idea.

My friend was most impressed at the voluminous selection of lefties. They were in their own little section (and I mean little).

Over in the effects department, the ladies were more than polite and accommodating. One even pointed out a new used pedal. I didn’t have heart to ask her, so I didn’t.

At about this point, some fellow started a conversation. Knowing my love for all humanity, not to mention my personal space radius (tewnty feet in all directions), you have to be guessing that this fellow became invasive quickly. And you’d be guessing correctly.

He asked me what I play, what kind of guitar I have, computer questions, and what I did. I found out he’s sarcastic because his mother raised him, he likes to lean in close and talk, he has a Mac, and that he completely misses any and all social cues, as evidenced by the way I was ignoring him and visibly crawling out of my skin not making any impact at all. He seemed like a nice enough fellow - it’s just that humanity and radius thing again…

With the store having been thoroughly scoured we left, none the poorer for the spending and the experience.