Summer 2000

He Taketh and Giveth Away
By Scott Manor

About twenty years ago I stole a guitar from the back of a pickup. That never bothered me until I got older and started changing the way I lived.

I asked my spiritual advisor about how to rectifiy or redeem myself, make amends. I had no way of knowing who this person was to pay him back, so my advisor told me to give my most prized piece of gear away.

After a gig a fellow asked me if I had any amps for sale. I said I did. But he had no money, so I gave him a custom amp I just had made. He couldn't believe it. I told him he was the recipient of an amends. He was grateful.

Two weeks later a guy at work heard I played guitar. He asked me if I wanted to buy some gear his father-in-law left after he died. He told me I could have all of the gear for $200. It was worth much more, but I could not afford more than $200 anyway. Here's what I got:

--'69 335 tdc. cherry, 10 cond.

--'70 Twin, brand new

--'60 stackpole jazz bass

--misc. effects (echo plex, vibrotone, etc.)

I was happy. Sold the bass for $5,000 plus an old Marshall 212 combo. I called the guy and gave him $2,000 back. He was stoked.

My good karma is restored. All the people I have in my life, I met through the guitar. I feel that if you have been given the gift to play from the heart, you should never charge money for lessons. Give it away to keep it.

Peace and love, brother.

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--Scott Manor <scottkiffmanor@earthlink.net>

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