This year was the first time I went to the auction and I was startled at the low prices some guitars went for. All you guitar freaks would go nuts.

I was looking at a little parlor guitar that had a wonderful sound. I was outbid in about 50 seconds, of course, but now I think better of my own taste. It was made by Jerry Nolte, unknown to me, koa wood, and went for $750. Only 2 others guitars sold for more: one Gibson, for $950, that somebody said went for twice that on eBay, and a custom job with f-holes shaped like dolphins and ebony inlay.

I may have shot myself in the foot by asking all the luthiers next door in the emporium if they had ever heard of Jerry Nolte guitars. Mudjack noticed that one too.

By the way, the picture of me in the picture gallery has me with Mudjack's dog.