Story behind Rockin Robin 50's Esquires (damage)

astro · June 27th, 2006, 02:19 PM

What was the deal with those 5 esquires from RR guitar shop in Dallas? Was it a fire or water damage or what?

eddiewagner · June 27th, 2006, 03:12 PM

oh man. the cabinet of horrors..... or a real project.

astro · June 27th, 2006, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiewagner

oh man. the cabinet of horrors..... or a real project.

These guys over on this other forum I am on are all like. "that is what they are supposed to look like". Man, those things are trashed, completely rusted and toast.

Oskar · June 27th, 2006, 03:24 PM

I've seen these before and wondering if they have ever been truly verified as being original? Seems like an extreme rarity to see so many in one place with the same kind of damage. What's the real story, anyone know? Or is this becoming an urban legend?

Lostheart · June 27th, 2006, 03:45 PM

If noone of you wants them...gee...I take 'em all...

Blazer · June 27th, 2006, 04:34 PM

From what I recall from the original post in which they were brought up, they were bought directly from Fender in the early sixties by a school for performance arts but were put away in either an attic or a cellar (I'm not sure) after the school closed down, they were stored out in the open which explains the extreme wear. Also, the "Green" one actually is a bronze one, the bronze in the finish turning green because of rust. The guitars were left there for a couple of decades before they were recovered when the building was set up for demolition.

That's what I recall, don't quote me on this though.

GuitarJonz · June 27th, 2006, 04:34 PM

IMO, those are nasty looking, way beyond what even a well used vintage tele should look like. I wouldn't touch em with a 10 foot pole.
12 foot?....well maybe, but only with my enviro-suit on.

El Capitan · June 27th, 2006, 08:12 PM

It was a Houston Attic.
School for the Blind, I think.
Original post is on here somwhere.
2 years ago? I think.

Joel Terry · June 28th, 2006, 02:08 AM

Skankycasters--The Thread. At least I think those are the Esquires to which you guys are referring.

Joel

SteveY · June 28th, 2006, 02:20 AM

Christopher Walken writes?

Looks like he threw grandma's guitars in after her.

Darrell · June 28th, 2006, 09:47 AM

they are truly a "train wreck". After looking at them up close, I can't imagine that there is anything redemable about them, except maybe a body. It almost brought a tear to my eye to think how much they would be worth today if someone just had the brains to stick them in a box or anything for moderate protection.

maestrovert · June 28th, 2006, 10:38 AM

my Grandpa would whupped tar outta me for neglectin' a hoss the way these guitars look like they've been neglected....i can hear him even now "ya don't ride 'em hard and put 'em away wet boy....take good care of yer hoss, and he'll take care of you too "
it's a cryin' shame the shape they're in, but i agree with Ole Fuzzy in the thread Joel posted the link to (thanx Joel) they're beautiful all the same....

jes' cause a woman's got a few wrinkles don't mean she ain't beautiful, y'know ?

flatheadtele · June 28th, 2006, 11:24 AM

those pictures alone gave me enough of a reason to give my telecaster a big hug. FWIW, i'm thinking that these guitars should be given a proper final goodbye. Something that would allow their dignity to be preserved for those who played them while allowing the guitars to have one final blaze of glory.

At the same time, this means i'm split between either giving them a proper funeral (ie: burial, cremation) to put them out of their misery, or to string em up to see if any of them have life left. If the latter, i'm sure there's about 40 yrs ofl pain and misery in the guitars just waiting to be let out before the guitar says its last goodbye.

<Goes back and gives tele another hug>

68tele · June 28th, 2006, 11:42 AM

They could be parted out on ebay: Individual frets, dot markers, screws, nuts, bridge plates, etc..

Volvoguy · June 29th, 2006, 01:58 AM

What's wrong with just leaving them in the display case to have people like us discuss them, and want to go to the store to see them, and then buy stuff at the store? You know, you always buy cotton candy after seeing the dog-boy and the bearded lady.

June 27th, 2006, 02:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
astro Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Shoa, MA Posts: 872	Story behind Rockin Robin 50's Esquires (damage) What was the deal with those 5 esquires from RR guitar shop in Dallas? Was it a fire or water damage or what?

June 27th, 2006, 03:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
eddiewagner Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ROCK!linghausen/germany Age: 49 Posts: 3,967 27 Photos	oh man. the cabinet of horrors..... or a real project. __________________ My Drum/Guitar-Duo: www.myspace.com/captaintwangandhisrhythmcat

June 27th, 2006, 03:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lostheart Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 1,391	If noone of you wants them...gee...I take 'em all... __________________ Casper: "Mmmmm. Butterscotch, yo. That's the best!" From the movie Kids

June 27th, 2006, 04:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Blazer Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3,367	From what I recall from the original post in which they were brought up, they were bought directly from Fender in the early sixties by a school for performance arts but were put away in either an attic or a cellar (I'm not sure) after the school closed down, they were stored out in the open which explains the extreme wear. Also, the "Green" one actually is a bronze one, the bronze in the finish turning green because of rust. The guitars were left there for a couple of decades before they were recovered when the building was set up for demolition. That's what I recall, don't quote me on this though. __________________ "I reject your reality and subsitute my own." - Adam Savage, Mythbusters

June 27th, 2006, 08:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
El Capitan Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: AUSTIN, Tejas! Posts: 810 2 Photos	It was a Houston Attic. School for the Blind, I think. Original post is on here somwhere. 2 years ago? I think. __________________ virescit vulnere virtus

June 27th, 2006, 03:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Oskar Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 3,150	I've seen these before and wondering if they have ever been truly verified as being original? Seems like an extreme rarity to see so many in one place with the same kind of damage. What's the real story, anyone know? Or is this becoming an urban legend?

June 27th, 2006, 04:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
GuitarJonz Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Mass. Posts: 2,762 7 Photos	IMO, those are nasty looking, way beyond what even a well used vintage tele should look like. I wouldn't touch em with a 10 foot pole. 12 foot?....well maybe, but only with my enviro-suit on.

June 28th, 2006, 02:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
Joel Terry Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Old Hickory (Nashville), Tennessee, USA Age: 40 Posts: 4,405 17 Photos	Skankycasters--The Thread. At least I think those are the Esquires to which you guys are referring. Joel __________________ Jesus saves--and He passes the savings on to YOU! ASPCA "Well...."

June 28th, 2006, 02:20 AM	#10 (permalink)
SteveY Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Age: 58 Posts: 1,422	Christopher Walken writes? Looks like he threw grandma's guitars in after her.

June 28th, 2006, 09:47 AM	#11 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,485	they are truly a "train wreck". After looking at them up close, I can't imagine that there is anything redemable about them, except maybe a body. It almost brought a tear to my eye to think how much they would be worth today if someone just had the brains to stick them in a box or anything for moderate protection. __________________ "Yeap, I like the American Standard Telecaster, I can even live with one a them PCB amps, and I even use one a them mul-tie-effects things too."

June 28th, 2006, 10:38 AM	#12 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Branch Mi. Posts: 6,492	my Grandpa would whupped tar outta me for neglectin' a hoss the way these guitars look like they've been neglected....i can hear him even now "ya don't ride 'em hard and put 'em away wet boy....take good care of yer hoss, and he'll take care of you too " it's a cryin' shame the shape they're in, but i agree with Ole Fuzzy in the thread Joel posted the link to (thanx Joel) they're beautiful all the same.... jes' cause a woman's got a few wrinkles don't mean she ain't beautiful, y'know ? __________________ Sing the Song Bro' Play on Drummer www.godonthe.net

June 28th, 2006, 11:24 AM	#13 (permalink)
flatheadtele Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: hewlett, new york Age: 23 Posts: 168	those pictures alone gave me enough of a reason to give my telecaster a big hug. FWIW, i'm thinking that these guitars should be given a proper final goodbye. Something that would allow their dignity to be preserved for those who played them while allowing the guitars to have one final blaze of glory. At the same time, this means i'm split between either giving them a proper funeral (ie: burial, cremation) to put them out of their misery, or to string em up to see if any of them have life left. If the latter, i'm sure there's about 40 yrs ofl pain and misery in the guitars just waiting to be let out before the guitar says its last goodbye. <Goes back and gives tele another hug>

June 28th, 2006, 11:42 AM	#14 (permalink)
68tele Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Northport LI Posts: 660	They could be parted out on ebay: Individual frets, dot markers, screws, nuts, bridge plates, etc..

June 29th, 2006, 01:58 AM	#15 (permalink)
Volvoguy Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2006 Location: North Vancouver, BC Posts: 401	What's wrong with just leaving them in the display case to have people like us discuss them, and want to go to the store to see them, and then buy stuff at the store? You know, you always buy cotton candy after seeing the dog-boy and the bearded lady. __________________ As of now, this is the oldest I've ever been.