For almost 20 years I have lugged this thing around the world. Right now, in my hotel room in Enniskillen, it sits there in the open case, the morning light showing every little bit of wear and tear that I have wrought upon it. Sweat lines down the woodwork and stress fractures of constant variations in pressure, humidity and weight being pressed on it. It is not the most expensive bass in the world. In fact, at the time, I purchased it from a luthier friend in Kentucky for $400. He said it would change my world and, in many ways, I think he was right.
I had just got back from Sedona Arizona, when it arrived. So, I named it Sedona. My friend suggested I use nylon wound strings on it as it would give it more of a standup bass feel. Again, he was correct in thinking that. As a hollow body bass, the structure made it more alive tone-wise. It changed the sound of Switchback, giving it an even deeper, more percussive drive. Together with stompboards, it became both a bass and rhythm section.
To say I have been tough on it would be an understatement. All our instruments in Switchback are tools first, instruments second. We have chosen them for durability and tone. Time and shows slowly strip away the finish and then bit by bit, fingernail, cuff and even my bracelet etch and shape the guitar. Where my right thumb rests has now become a wood-worn perch.
My birthday falls on the feast of our Lady of Mt. Carmel. So, Annie found a sticker of our Lady of Guadalupe and I put it there on the front of the guitar. That reminds me of where and who my music comes from and to whom it is given back. Hopefully with more talents added and not buried in the garden.
The fiberglass fire engine red case also is the same age. Inside it holds photos, buttons, stickers, the odd Costa Rican bill and reminders of who I play for. Early pictures of senior citizen homes. A visitor tag Aine colored when she was three. A picture of Annie in London. I am carrying Aine in Costa Rica in one. And Paddle board Bob, long since passed is in one picture. We would pull him up on stage at the Michigan Irish Festival to bounce a ball on the paddle board while we played. Our way of having fun with everyone. We didn’t wish to take ourselves too seriously.
Outside of the case, sticker after sticker of where I have been. Many chipped, faded and illegible at this point. Radio stations we have interviewed at and that have played our music. The odd children’s sticker Aine decided to put on the bass when she was four. A lot of barcode stickers from airlines and stickers with flags of nations we have visited and played at. The case is beaten as well. A well-worn testament to many a trail taken. Often off the beaten path.
Read Martin's other post for the week here.