Well, so much for starting out the new year by keeping my resolution to writing a weekly blog. The Winter of ’09 has been real, to say the least.
In the meantime, we’ve bid good riddance(I hope!) to the nightmare that was Bushco. No matter what your political leanings, our new Commander in Chief could very well be the champion for the cause of lefties everywhere!
Did you happen to see it? When President Obama signed his very first piece of legislation on national TV, he signed it with his LEFT hand while remarking, “I’m a lefty, get used it.”
KA-CHING! Talk about resonating with me. “Why am I not surprised?” was my first impression considering the intelligence, ability, eloquence, and leadership that Obama exudes. Humility is obviously not a defining trait of lefties when discussing other great lefties.
It struck a barre chord even more deeply for me as this event happened right at the time I was(and still am) immersed in daily readings of the bible for lefty guitarists ‘Uncommon Sound’ by John Engel. Each day, after reading about more guitarists that were actually true lefties but either played straight righty or ‘upside down’ I was seeing a pattern forming that was built on the pioneers and true prodigies of guitar. Pioneers like Dick Dale, Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney. Prodigies like Danny Gatton and Michael Angelo Batio.
It makes for an impassioned drunken argument that the greatest percentage of either the most capable or the most creative and daring(or both) guitarists for all time are naturally left handed. I know it’s a bold statement but it’s enlightening indeed to read Engel’s magnum opus and discover for yourself the similar backgrounds, thought processes, and tales of overcoming adversity in a right handed world that these players share. I’ll be reviewing ‘Uncommon Sound’ at length in the days to come.
New at Pancho’s
I’ve created a new feature called ‘Pancho’s Gear Porn’. This section is devoted to hot new axes arriving soon that have eye candy status. I will showcase guitars of special interest for lefty shoppers as well as museum grade pieces that won’t necessarily be for sale at the time.
Pancho’s is working to become a retailer for new handmade acoustics and custom order electrics from several different builders. Watch for the announcement of these retail agreements and be prepared to get GAS all over again.
Pancho’s is producing an instructional video that will show the viewer how to take a blank Tele body and neck and outfit it themselves with personally chosen pickups, pots and wiring, truss rod, tuners, and finishing. Soon come.
Thanks very much to everyone that has purchased a guitar from Pancho’s these past few months. I’m really happy that you all love them. Thank you also for the kind words of praise for the website and enthusiastic support. I’ve promised a lot so that means I’d better get crackin’!
The situation for left handed string players is getting better every day and I’m very happy to be a part of it. Pancho’s Leftys is here for the long haul. I appreciate your patience as it goes through its growing pains.
Peace.
Phil
Hours:10am - 5pm [EST]