It was 20 years ago today ...

[Fret Wilkes]

Hard to believe that I've been involved here, on this version of TDPRI for TWENTY YEARS!

In 1999/2000 I had just gotten a MIM 50s Classic Tele to join my then #1 AMSTD SB MN Tele. I had also seen a bunch of Bill Kirchen shows recently, and the Tele was looming larger than ever for me. I sat down at my brandy new desktop, brought up a browser, and typed in "Telecaster" to see what came up. Two returns caught my eye: 1) a board called Telephiles 2) A board called TDPRI. After opening, and investigating both, the TDPRI was the one that seemed right, and vibrant. It was filled with intelligent, funny, courteous, and informative posts about the guitar I loved so much, and much, much MORE. I was immediately "all ate up" with this Telecaster-centric message board and have been ever since.

Sadly, we've lost a few folks from those early years along the way which felt to me at each unfortunate announcement like losing a very close friend. The TDPRIers had indeed become my friends who I looked forward to intercating with every day. I'll never forget those that have passed.

Thanks very much TDPRI for a great ride to date. I look forward to much, much MORE!.

 

[Chester P Squier]

Happy TDPRI Anniversary!

 

[Dan German]

The tempus sho’ do fugit, don’t it? I just passed the 15 year mark, which boggles my mind.

 

[superbadj]

Well done!

 

[bowman]

Congrats, that’s quite a milestone! It’s been 17 years for me, and I, too keep coming back for more. I guess we’re just gluttons for punishment. What’s the traditional gift for a 20-year anniversary around here? A pack of used guitar strings? A worn-out pick?

 

[brookdalebill]

Happy anniversary!

 

[schmee]

............ Sgt Pepper taught the band to play........."

 

[Fendereedo]

Congratulations, this is a wonderful forum. ✌

 

[HoodieMcFoodie]

Congratulations on 20 years and here's to 20 more.

 

[String Tree]

Hard to believe that I've been involved here, on this version of TDPRI for TWENTY YEARS!

In 1999/2000 I had just gotten a MIM 50s Classic Tele to join my then #1 AMSTD SB MN Tele. I had also seen a bunch of Bill Kirchen shows recently, and the Tele was looming larger than ever for me. I sat down at my brandy new desktop, brought up a browser, and typed in "Telecaster" to see what came up. Two returns caught my eye: 1) a board called Telephiles 2) A board called TDPRI. After opening, and investigating both, the TDPRI was the one that seemed right, and vibrant. It was filled with intelligent, funny, courteous, and informative posts about the guitar I loved so much, and much, much MORE. I was immediately "all ate up" with this Telecaster-centric message board and have been ever since.

Sadly, we've lost a few folks from those early years along the way which felt to me at each unfortunate announcement like losing a very close friend. The TDPRIers had indeed become my friends who I looked forward to intercating with every day. I'll never forget those that have passed.

Thanks very much TDPRI for a great ride to date. I look forward to much, much MORE!.

Happy 20th.
-Cheers!

 

[Dave Hicks]

Congratulations! Five more days for me.

 

[Skully]

I'm not sure what my actual join date was. It was after it became the TDPRI (RI for "reissue"), but it could've been long after that. The 2003 date in my bio is inaccurate, because there was a technical glitch at the time that reset it for everyone. I'm guessing I've been participating for about 24 years.

 

[Fret Wilkes]

I'm not sure what my actual join date was. It was after it became the TDPRI (RI for "reissue"), but it could've been long after that. The 2003 date in my bio is inaccurate, because there was a technical glitch at the time that reset it for everyone. I'm guessing I've been participating for about 24 years.

When I originally joined circa 1990/2000 I had yet to realize how difficult it is to come up with an original band name, song title, etc. once you've got a window on the world like TDP/TDPRI. Let's face it, EVERYTHING is taken! lol. When I tentatively entered my account data I had to come up with a User Name. I thought "I've got the PERFECT User Name: TELETUBBY!" Well, I signed up with it, apparently the old software allowed it, and I got a message from @TeleTubby saying "Oh, are you a Teletubby too?" I was horrified! I immediately changed it to the wildly clever User Name I use to this day.

So, @TeleTubby was the very first TDPRIer I interacted with!

 

[Kingpin]

I remember that March 16th, 2003 was when the "new" TDPRI software went live, which is why so many of us old-timers have that date as our "joined" date. Prior to that the TDPRI was on a bulletin board software format. There are still a few of the original "Noam P." TDP members that I recognize when they check in. I joined up sometime in 2001.

 

[Tone Quest]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

 

[TeleTubby]

Didn't mean to horrify you, Fret Wilkes. Glad I didn't scare you off!

I joined in 1998, during the "Beck" battles, and my 2 favorite things at the time were Telecasters and Teletubbies- seemed an obvious username. Lived through the Noam bailout and still thankful to Paul for the resurrection. Have since spoken with Noam a few times about the history of the TDP, good to hear both sides of it. Had he not moved on, the musical world would have been deprived of some brilliant banjo picking- wait, is that a good thing or bad? At least it wasn't accordion.

I'll have 25 years in this fall, conversing (and lots of buying and selling!) with great folks online, having meet many of them in person at Seattle/Arlington/Los Angeles guitar shows, and yes, we've lost many great ones, too. I'll be forever indebted to Paul "Spyder" Bolles and miss him dearly.

It is always good to remember how and what brought us all here- pick up that guitar and play!!!

 

[Bender]

Happy Anniversary, fellow classmate!

 

[TequilaCaster]

Happpy Annniversary! I was not paying attention to the time. (I do that while playing too.)

20 YEARS! Congratulations! ME ALSO....I'm just HEAR for the beautiful noise, and to practice comedy.
I've been through 10 different Telecasters in that period, and presently have none. I'm digging hollowbodies currently. I'm going to have to get a 20th anniversary celebration Tele.

And I have switched from building tube amps to SS amps!

Long timers, what has been your own 20 year guitar and amp journey?

 

[Rustbucket]

Happy Tdanniversary!

(The “Td” is silent)

 

[Fret Wilkes]

Happpy Annniversary! I was not paying attention to the time. (I do that while playing too.)

20 YEARS! Congratulations! ME ALSO....I'm just HEAR for the beautiful noise, and to practice comedy.
I've been through 10 different Telecasters in that period, and presently have none. I'm digging hollowbodies currently. I'm going to have to get a 20th anniversary celebration Tele.

And I have switched from building tube amps to SS amps!

Long timers, what has been your own 20 year guitar and amp journey?

Thank you, and Happy Anniversary to you as well.

Guitars:
I ended up gifting that MIM 50s Classis to a deserving young man a few years ago.
I still have my 2000 AV52RI Telecaster.
I built, with my son, and still have, his/my Geoffcaster. I won, here on the TDPRI Drawing back in 2002 or 03, both a Warmoth unfinished Tele Thinline hybrid body, and a Warmoth neck. It came out great using Callaham hardware and Duncan pickups.
I built a Covidcaster using a Squier Bullet Red Sparkle Tele body and an Allparts TMO-FAT neck. I recently changed the neck to a used 50s Baja. I got all these parts right here in TDPRI.
I built my Jerry Garcia "Alligator" homage Strat with a 2006 MIM FSR Natural body, a Warmoth vintage spec Boatneck, DiMarzio FS-1 (N,M), and SDS-1 (B), and an Alembic Blaster. LOVE THIS GUITAR!
All this guitar assembling/building was possible with skills learned here on TDPRI over the years, not to mention the access to various parts via Garage Sale.

Amps:
I had, since when new in 1983, a Fender Concert 1x12 w/JBL E120 when I signed on all those years ago. I sold it about 10 years ago.
In mid-90s I plugged into a Hot Rod Deluxe backline amp at an open mic and loved it. Bought one, still have it. It went through the standard HRDlxe resistor repairs a couple of times.
Around 2011 I bought a 1968 Twin Reverb that needed some TLC. Still have it after far too much money into it, but it sounds great.
I bought a Quilter MicroPro Mach II head, still have it.
I bought an unfinished "Tough Trucker" 2x12 cabinet (Jerry cab) finished it myself and loaded it with Weber Californias. I still have it and use it with the Quilter head.
I was gifted a hand wired Deluxe Reverb circuit loaded in a 50s style Tweed cabinet with a Weber 12F150. Still have it and cherish it.
Lastly, I bought a Blonde Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb. I love it, and it's now my main amp.

Sure learned a lot here!