I finally got to Mecca

[Basshappi]

Southpaw Guitars that is!
After perusing their website for years and dreaming about what it would be like, I finally made it.
I know it is silly, but I walked through the door and just stopped and stood there looking around. It took me a moment to realize that I actually had tears rolling down my face. After almost 40 years I have finally had the experience that 99% of the musicians have whenever they walk into a music store.

I got to handle and play basses I have only seen in pictures. Gibsons, Warwicks, Hofners. My only disappointment was that they didn't have any Ricks.
The real standout for me though was this one;



If I had the money I'd have bought it on the spot, it is one of the nicest basses I have ever played.

I had a great time, dream fulfilled!

Cheers!

[KingOfAmps]

Great pic, man!

Did you drive or fly?

Love Texas!

As a "Volunteer" I'm obligated regardless!

[Basshappi]

I flew out. I hadn't seen my sister in 12 years (where does the time go?), so as a 50th birthday present my sis gave me an all expense paid trip out to see her. I told her that no matter what, I have to get to Southpaw Guitars. Turns out that she works not far from there.

I had a great time, Houston is quite a place.

[J-meister]

Real cool you've been there, man!

[AzWhoFan]

I pretty much had the same kind of experience the first time I walked in the in '96. when I went back in '04 I was loaded for bear and walked out with a killer instrument.
Did you talk to Jim about his opinion of Ric? He has an interesting story behind why he'll never be a Ric dealer again.

[Frenchy-Lefty]

I pretty much had the same kind of experience the first time I walked in the in '96. when I went back in '04 I was loaded for bear and walked out with a killer instrument.
Did you talk to Jim about his opinion of Ric? He has an interesting story behind why he'll never be a Ric dealer again.

We also got some horror stories first hand on this board with Addisson who had some serious QC issues with a Ric he had bought.

This Stingray is almost identical to my old one (formerly owned by Andrew and bbl) at the exception of the matching headstock. I loved everything about it but the infamous "Stingray low G issue" drove me nuts. As Matt said before, the Stingray is the best 3 strings bass I have ever owned.

[fivebass52]

I pretty much had the same kind of experience the first time I walked in the in '96. when I went back in '04 I was loaded for bear and walked out with a killer instrument.
Did you talk to Jim about his opinion of Ric? He has an interesting story behind why he'll never be a Ric dealer again.

We also got some horror stories first hand on this board with Addisson who had some serious QC issues with a Ric he had bought.

This Stingray is almost identical to my old one (formerly owned by Andrew and bbl) at the exception of the matching headstock. I loved everything about it but the infamous "Stingray low G issue" drove me nuts. As Matt said before, the Stingray is the best 3 strings bass I have ever owned.

This is why I love this forum... nowhere near the amount of threads to wade through on Talkbass to get info on basses and gear, and I think you're all far more knowledgeable, intelligent, and have no desire to "flame" someone just to prove you're a know-it-all!

[AustinLeftyBass]

My first time to visit Southpaw was in the mid 80s. Got my '80 4003 from Jim. In '92 I drove from Austin to Houston to buy my 4001CS then drove straight home. Was an all-day drive. Also got my '02 340 from them.

[bobjones2260]

Every lefty player at one time in their life should try to visit this store. I was lucky to go there once, I got my first G&L there. It's one of 8 guitars I would never sell.

Here is a cool Google 360 view from inside the store, you can pan and tilt for a real 360 view however it is not live but gives a good feel of what it is like when you walk in. Would be cool if they had several real web cams so you could see what are on the walls real time.

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.705259, ... XA!2e0!3e2

[fivebass52]

That was a fun 360-degree tour! I wonder if they still have the Schecter 6-string with the pink knob!

[Basshappi]

I don't remember that particular one but they had quite a few Schecters. I played the Studio 8 and really liked it alot, gonna have to add one to my collection.

One of the used basses they had was a white 90's Carvin LB70 with the hockystick headstock, It was in great condition and they had it priced at $399. I think it had Bartolinis in it but I might be mis-remembering.

[MetalMilitia]

I'm happy you got to go there that blue alien jackson kelly is beautiful... Too bad it's $5000!

[MetalMilitia]

Saw some nice gibsons too.. I wish they had a store like that in Jersey!