The '60s
1965 S & H Green Stamps Ukulele
For nearly as long as I can remember I have wanted to play guitar. It took some convincing to get my parents to foot the bill. The starting point was a Uke that we paid for with three books of Green Stamps. I played it day and night for several weeks and my parents realized that I was seriously interested in music.
1966 Harmony archtop
As much of an exercise device as a musical instrument this old Harmony set my folks back a whopping $20. The action was terrible but it did have a loud, clear voice. It was used when I got it but it was built like an ice-breaker and nearly indestructible.
1967 Harmony Rocket H54
This bright red beauty was my first electric guitar. “Secret Agent Man” rolled right off of this axe. The pickups were actually small microphones and paired with my Silvertone bass amp the sound quality was spotty at best. When I was twelve all I needed to know was that it was an electric guitar and it was mine.
1968 Alvarez Classical
Absolutely the best guitar deal I ever had. Wellhaven music in Rochester, MN sold this one to my parents for $70 and gave us an even trade, a hard-shell case in trade for the Harmony Rocket. Thirty-five years later this guitar is still playable and sounds pretty good. I did a lot of learning on this little beauty and two generations later my great-nephew is learning on it even today. It would be hard to imagine any guitar ever giving more for the money.
