This is for Mike P and Jim Cohen.
Back in 83 Leo asked me to take a Sabre 11 (2) over to the Nassau Colisuem on Long Island.
Willie Spears who was and still is Claptons roadie asked me to deliver a Sabre 11 guitar for Clapton to play.Sabre (2)
Leo sent me a factory individual checked out guitar and I tried it when I received it and it was fine.
I called Spears and told him I would hand deliver the Sabre to him at at the Colisuem.
Clapton was a big fan of Leo Fender's and I was happy to deliver the guitar although I was swamped by people waitin on line to get into see the concert.
Being in my fifties..a few guys said...hey look at the old cat with a guitar..I was not able to get in back stage as the security was tight..the one guy says to the other..Hey
is this guy in the group?? I answerd and said no,,I was to deliver a guitar to Eric.
The one guy said,,you dont look like a "happening" guy, I said NO Im not..I already happened a long time ago
I was finally able to get backstage and spoke to Clapton and he was so pleased to have the Sabre and he asked me to stay to see the show and join them after the show for dinner.
Clapton was using three Music Man 4x12 stacks
but he also had Marshalls on stage. I sat as the concert started and watched as the cigarette lighters and flash lights were lit as as an appreciation for Erics performance.
Clapton used his strat and had an Ovation guitar and a Guild on stage..I asked Spears why he did that and he answered.
Eric is a fine guy and admires those who make
a fine instrument and he would give each guitar and or amp a chance to be heard.
He was a gentleman personna and he (Eric) thanked me for having Leo send the Sabre over for the show.Clapton kept the Sabre and when Leo left Musicman he stopped using it and returned it to me.
You see this was a fine guy who didnt expect anything for nothing,he wanted to give each of us recognition and told me that he will always admire Leo for what he has donr for the music business.
Clapton gave me a nice photo of himself playing a Flying V and his Music Man stack which I have kept to this day and he autographed it for me..
Mike always asks why Leo left Musicman and I can say for the most part it was a matter of pride.
I thought Jim and Mike would appreciate this story..Joey Ace..I can scan the photo to you if you wish to post the photo.
BTW....where have you been Joey???
Thanks guys.,thought you may like to have read this story.
After Leo passed Clapton went back to Fender and recently had a phone call from Spears asking me if there were any Sabre's around as Eric wanted to buy one. He was sorry he gave his Sabre back,but he still has his MM stacks.
Thanks..I hope I didnt bore you
much
.
If I did there's no turning back now..edited to switch my jeans
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 15 December 2003 at 04:37 PM.]</p></FONT>