I was up in the big ol' Phoenix over the weekend.  My brother was here visiting last week, and his flight flew out of PHX on Saturday.  Tiff and I went to The Breeders show Saturday night (which was incredible!) and spent the night up there.  (I highly recommend following that link and checking out the Record Release Party video).

I've been in the market for a guitar amp to use in The Monitors.  I found a Fender Super 60 on the Phoenix Craig's List for $300.  That's a pretty good deal considering I was entertaining the idea of a new Fender Blues Jr. for $450+.   I left a voicemail for the guy on Saturday afternoon, hoping to hear back before the show so I could go and pick it up.   A couple of hours had passed without hearing from him.  We ended back at the hotel in the afternoon.  I started pursuing the PHX and Tucson Craig's List listings to see what else may be out there.  I found an ad for a Hughes & Kettner Edition Tube - a similar configuration located in Tucson for $350.  Of course I couldn't decide which to go with. I researched both the Fender and the H&K.  I eventually decided to lean toward the Hughes & Kettner because it was newer, and a little more 'upscale'.  Sunday morning I got a call from the PHX guy with the Fender, and I told him that I was already heading back to Tucson, but I might still get his Fender (keeping my options open). 

When we got back home I gave my buddy Kane a call and asked his opinion…  his short answer was that both amps are really great.   The Fender was more like an old, beat up, bad-ass Camaro, and the H&K was more like a Lexus.  I decided to give the H&K guy a call.  He invited me over. I checked out the amp and told him I'd buy it.  His reply was, "So… you're really gonna take it then?" as if he didn't really want to sell it.  I said, "umm yeah, if that's okay, I'd like to get it…"  I was like, "well, if you don't want to sell it, you don't have to…"  and he says, "really?  is that okay? you're not mad?"  I guess he changed his mind earlier in the day but felt obligated to show it to me.  I don't know.  I told him that I was having a tough time deciding between the 2 amps and that he decided for me.  He was relieved, and I found the whole situation humorous. 

Now, I know what you're thinking…  "now you gotta go back to Phoenix to get that other amp".   No, luckily my old dear friend, Alex flew into Phoenix for business.  His plans included coming down to Tucson for a visit tonight.  He already met with the guy and picked up the amp for me, and I would pay him back when he gets here. 

So, after all this…  this amp better be awesome, damnit!

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