Sat 11/17/2001

Hey, last week was my birthday! I don't wanna say how old I am, `cause even I can't believe it...but I'm really, really old... I guess I better start figuring out what to do with my life.... Hmmmmm

This week's special: Boss Pedals!

See you soon,
Carl

PS: This week's Customer Web Site:
The Deliberate Strangers

Sat 12/1/2001

Christmas is coming! Here's a great idea for a stocking-stuffer: Danelectro Mini Pedals!

This week they're discounted off our already-low prices!

See you soon,
Carl

PS: This week's Customer Web Site:
Scott Savol

Sat 12/8/2001

So, last week I decided to visit the Martin Factory in Nazareth, PA ... and as I'm pulling into the town the car starts acting up. So I stop at the Nazareth Diner to analyze my problem, and have breakfast. I say to Myrtle, "Is there a car dealer nearby?" and she says, "Sure, Hon, what kinda car is it?" and I say a 1999 Acura, and she says "Oh, a Foreign car! I don't know..." and she yells over to Betty, "Hey, Betty, is there anywhere around here that sells Foreign cars?" and Betty says, "Foreign Cars? I don't think so..."

Luckily, a guy in the next booth remembered that there was an Acura dealer about 10 miles out of town. I sputtered my way there, and they re-booted the car's computer and everything was fine. No charge even.

The Martin Factory was quite an experience. It's amazing how much time and expertise is put into each guitar. It was truly amazing to see a craftsman sanding a headstock, then holding it up and examining it, and then sanding a little more. It was amazing to see a little old lady cutting little pieces of abalone to put around a soundhole. And while I was in town, it was amazing to hear someone respond with "A Foreign Car?!?"

(Though, I'd like to add that the breakfast at the Nazareth Diner was wonderful...)

This week's special: Sabine Guitar & Bass Tuners. They don't have much to do with Martins, except that you should tune `em once in a while...

See you soon,
Carl

PS: This week's Customer Web Site:
Rusted Root

Sat 12/15/2001

So, remember when I said that Fender was now the proud owner of Guild Guitars? And then I mentioned that Fender would eventually close the Guild factory in Rhode Island and start making guitars out on the left coast? Well, all of that has come to pass. And as we speak, or type actually, no new Guild guitars are being made. Fender hopes to have the new California-made Guilds available by next summer.

So, they called me last week and said, "Hey, Carl, we have all of these left-over Guild hardshell dreadnought cases here, with no guitars to put in `em. You want a good deal on some cases?" And I, thinking of you, our favorite email-special customer, said "Yeah man, I'll take `em and pass the good deal along to (fill-in-your-name-here)!"

This Week's Special: Brand New Guild Hardshell dreadnought Cases!

See you soon,
Carl

PS: This week's "Customer Web Site:
The Flashcats
See The Flashcats next Thursday Dec 20th at Jergels!

PPS: There were actually 4 Guild "factory second" guitars left as well. So they're on the way. I'll let you know when they arrive. At least one of them is Green!

Sat 12/22/2001

OK, it's last minute shopping time, and if you're like me you still have people to shop for... And I presume ALL of your friends need something from Pittsburgh Guitars...

So here's the special: Bring this All-Purpose Christmas Coupon into the store tomorrow or Monday, and I'll give you a FABULOUS EXTRA-SPECIAL HOW-CAN-THEY-STAY-IN-BUSINESS-WITH-THESE-KIND-OF-PRICES deal on ANY new item in the store! ANY new item, big or small.

I'll be here every hour that we're open, so ask for me, Carl.

The store is open:
Tomorrow, Saturday, 11AM-5PM
Monday, Christmas Eve, 11AM-3-ishPM

(I would like to mention that the employees will be drinking on Monday....)
(After all, it's a Christmas Eve tradition...)
(And it makes doing business a bit more interesting...)

See you soon,
Carl

PS: This week's Customer Web Site:
The Apologetix

Sat 12/29/01

Well, 2001 was a hellofa year wasn't it? It started out bad last January when we lost our best buddy and Flashcat bandmate, Sweet Pete Loria, and then it just got worse through the year. And now to finish it off, our good friend Cesar Diaz is coming back to Pittsburgh on Monday for another liver transplant. (Although we should probably mention that Cesar went through his first liver by touring as amp and guitar tech with the Stones, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Bob Dylan...) (By the way, if YOU ever want to tour with the Stones and/or Bob Dylan, please remember that Pittsburgh is THE BEST place in the world for a liver transplant. Cesar was up and about and annoying his friends within a day or two of his first operation.) (And he always has good stories about being on the road, too. I mean, who would have guessed that Van Morrison was an ugly, obnoxious drunk.... Oh, maybe everybody would have guessed that...)

Anyway, on the bright side of things, at least 2001 is just about over. 2K2 will have to be better. And maybe now we're all appreciating life a little more. I know I'm going to spend more time playing music with my friends, and less time worrying about things that aren't really important. (And I hope the PA Department Of Revenue sees it that way...) At least the store has been doing really well. In the midst of all of this we had our best year ever. I was concerned about the Superstore opening in town this year, but it turns out their prices aren't any better than anyone else's, in fact they are higher in a lot of cases. And if I had a nickel for everytime someone was buying something at our store and said, "I went out to the superstore and nobody knew what they were doing..." Oh, wait, I DO have a nickel for...

So, we're still here...and you're still here... so let's look forward to 2002 and enjoy ourselves. Give us a call with any questions about guitars, our favorite topic, or come in and hang out. We've got each other, and that's pretty cool..

Hey, after such a great Christmas Season the only thing we have extras of is the Fender Squier "Fat" Tele. It's a regular Tele with a Humbuck in the neck position. It's this week's special!

See you soon,
Carl

PS: This week's Customer Web Site:
Ernie Hawkins