Bought a no name guitar for £2 in a pawn shop in Liverpool in 1961 with my first weeks wages (£2.10) Learned to play, mainly self taught which probably explains the "unique" style which I still use. Then bought a five string banjo for 10shillings in Shurrocks Music Store in Breck Road Liverpool (Sadly now gone but were famous for selling Ted Ray his first violin) and never looked back. Now have about 10 guitars & 20 banjos, including the ones I made. What a life