Today, I said goodbye to my Larrivee D-03 Acoustic Electric, who I fondly called "Jane".
Jane was purchased over 10 years ago. I was told then that Larrivee's were considered the Canadian Martin's. I couldn't afford a Martin back then, and since I was born in Vancouver, I thought it was a perfect fit. I named her Jane when I found out that guitarists for the Barenaked Ladies used Larrivee's. (For those that need the extra clue, one of my favorite BNL songs is "Jane".)
Her standard dreadnought shape offered a nice, big, warm tone and I had a Fishman Matrix pickup installed so I could take her to the stage. Later, I opted for the smaller folk-size guitars for live shows (Martin OM's and 000's), but Jane was still around for recording sessions. With custom light .11 D'Addario's, Jane was always a big part of my early singer-songwriting career.
There were many sleepless nights spent up with Jane. We played, laughed, wondered, agonized, vented ... it was like having a shrink with six strings listening to all you had to say while singing back notes of encouragement.
Some of the first songs I wrote were written with Jane. Among them, "Stare (Yeah, Yeah)," "1000000 Miles," "Back Where We Belong," "Better to Forget Her," "Every Day Ain't Enough" and "Forever Starts Today".
My first three records - the Uncertain Air EP, Everything's OK and Acoustic Boogaloo - were all recorded with Jane. Every acoustic chord and note was played on that Larrivee.
My first shows were played with Jane by my side. Those early shows at the Cellar Bar on Richmond Ave. in Houston, the Sidecar Pub, Dean's Credit Clothing, Diedrich's Coffeehouse on Westheimer, the Borders Books Showcases in the Houston area ... memorable gigs and memorable times with Jane. She always sounded great and she never let me down.
The reasons for deciding to sell Jane once and for all were few: lack of space in my New York City apartment, extra cash for bills, making press kits, buying recording software, a PlayStation 3, whatever ...
My first three records - the Uncertain Air EP, Everything's OK and Acoustic Boogaloo - were all recorded with Jane. Every acoustic chord and note was played on that Larrivee.
My first shows were played with Jane by my side. Those early shows at the Cellar Bar on Richmond Ave. in Houston, the Sidecar Pub, Dean's Credit Clothing, Diedrich's Coffeehouse on Westheimer, the Borders Books Showcases in the Houston area ... memorable gigs and memorable times with Jane. She always sounded great and she never let me down.
The reasons for deciding to sell Jane once and for all were few: lack of space in my New York City apartment, extra cash for bills, making press kits, buying recording software, a PlayStation 3, whatever ...
Also, I'm now playing a Gibson J-45 (Ramona), a Martin 000-16 (Allison), my trusty Yamaha LS-400 Paul Simon copy (Kathy), and a Guild GAD-F212 12-string (Jan). They're prettier, sexier, more trustworthy, and much better lovers, but Jane will always be my first, and for that, will always hold a special place in my heart.
In a bittersweet, and somewhat surreal moment, the guy that bought Jane from me came to my apartment tonight and had apparently Google'd me and looked up my music. He was really impressed with my work and kind of talked to me like he was a fan.
When he handed me the cash and I said my final goodbye to Jane, the guy asked me to autograph the guitar. I couldn't believe it. I thought it was really sweet of him and I was honestly touched by the gesture. Reluctantly, I grabbed a Sharpie and signed the back of Jane. The guy was so appreciative. I was just in disbelief the whole time, I forgot to take a pic of the sig. Shoulda done that!
Then suddenly, she was gone.
Jane, I'll miss you. It was fun while it lasted. Thanks for the memories, for the songs, and for the inspiration. I wish you the best.
~j
In a bittersweet, and somewhat surreal moment, the guy that bought Jane from me came to my apartment tonight and had apparently Google'd me and looked up my music. He was really impressed with my work and kind of talked to me like he was a fan.
When he handed me the cash and I said my final goodbye to Jane, the guy asked me to autograph the guitar. I couldn't believe it. I thought it was really sweet of him and I was honestly touched by the gesture. Reluctantly, I grabbed a Sharpie and signed the back of Jane. The guy was so appreciative. I was just in disbelief the whole time, I forgot to take a pic of the sig. Shoulda done that!
Then suddenly, she was gone.
Jane, I'll miss you. It was fun while it lasted. Thanks for the memories, for the songs, and for the inspiration. I wish you the best.
~j
