Ok, some folks have been wondering ….. Why the hell does Ross Neilsen need a new damn guitar…doesn’t he have like a million….
Well, no, not a million. I have a couple that I use regularly. First off, and most talked about, is the ol hubcap. She’s a 2003 (i think) National Resolectric. I keep her tuned to open G flat exclusively. She’s mean an nasty like most women in my life. (kidding!) but she is, she’s a dirty, dirty girl. check her….
My other Slide axe is “Dido” named for my late great friend and former bandmate, Randy Cable. Randy was kind enough to leave Dido with me after he checked into the great gig in the sky. Thanks pal! Dido is always tuned to open D flat. Once in a while she slips into standard if I bust up Sherry at a gig. Anyway here’s Dido….
Now this brings us to Cherry Sherry. I bought her from a great friend for a measly $400 and she quickly moved up the ranks passing my Clapton strat and Gibson Nighthawk (i’ve since sold both of those cause I never played them anymore) and eventually securing the #1 spot in my arsenal. She has been on all my records and is ALWAYS there for me regardless of how piss poor I’ve treated her. I’ve broken her neck twice and in other times it hasn’t been unheard of for her to end up stringless, bridge-less and nut-less at the end of the night. Here is a video of Sherry meeting her first broken neck. Usually I would edit this so you don’t have to watch and listen to the whole thing as the audio is bad…BUT, for some reason my Mac doesn’t like the file and won’t edit it. Sorry. So it really gets going about the two minute mark…..feel free to skip ahead. Maybe it was the snakeskin boots, maybe it was the mustache, maybe it was the “super fan” in the front row ( . )( . ) that was losing her shit ( it should be noted that super fan’s “man” has since turned up at other gigs further west, with different women each time. Nice) either way something happened during this version of Cortez the Killer that sent me into a state of mind not know for it’s reason. During this period I lost it and went ape shit on Sherry. I rocked, I rolled, kicked, smashed and crashed her. She took it ALL. I didn’t even notice until the next day that she had a life threatening injury. What a trooper. Anyway I think the actual debilitating blow happens at 3.25 in the video but sadly i didnt stop there….again poor audio but thats not why we’re watching is it…and don’t forget all you folks who only watch this on facebook….you gotta go to www.rossneilsen.com to get the video. (Someone tell me why that is?)
Yes, I play hard. She takes it. What more can you ask for? Like all good things, though, she must come to an end. There are two options for Sherry.
1. To be played to death in a live show where she meets her maker – think of a viking death.
2. Retire her to the studio life. (imaging a ‘snowbirds’ sort of life for guitar) Climate controlled rooms, safe environment and continues to be heard on my recordings.
Option 2 is my preference. To do this, I need a replacement. This is why, folks, I have been at y’all to give me your vote in the Taylor test Drive Electric 2010 Contest. Good, New guitars are not cheap. To replace Sherry would be around $2000 give or take. So, instead I’ve entered this contest knowing all along that our fans rule and will burn the competition down with votes thus winning a quality new guitar for me to ruin over the next ten years.
First a big thanks to everyone who has voted and been posting it everywhere. You’re awesome. Now, I know there are some folks who don’t think their votes make a difference. Believe me when I say folks, they truly do. As a matter of fact we’ve held the number two spot in the contest pretty much the whole time….and Mr. Skylar has held the number one spot pretty much the whole time. you know what, I’m gonna take off my humble hat for just a sec….I’m TIRED of number two. I want to be number One in this contest for just a minute. Is that so wrong? I want Skyler to feel number Two for a second. Is that wrong? I mean Skylar DOESN’T EVEN HAVE AN ELECTRIC GUITAR IN THE FREAKIN’ SONG!
So there it is….with only SIX days left to vote I am challenging our Bastard Minions and their friends to push it. Get on your computer and Vote. I guarantee you’ll make a difference.
So i challenge you, post the event on your FB page, tweet to your peeps, tell the WORLD!!!! Lets do it. Lets finish this thang in the Number freaking 1 spot. I KNOW we can do it!!! Lets show the continent what lil ole NB can do!!! Hell, Andy Brown ALREADY WON the Acoustic contest! Might as well keep it going on wha? Worst case scenario you KEEP me at number two (#2 is easier anyway. way less pressure than #1, or so i hear…).
Anyway, all kidding aside, y’all have been great. Keep rocking that shit and lets take number one over this weekend!!
MB
PS…VOTE HERE
And stop by the site and leave a comment say hello, tell me off, whatever just say somethin’!