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How a Humble Tijuana Guitar Unlocked My Musical Journey

When I was around 10 or 11 years old, the allure of the electric guitar hit me like a bolt of lightning. It all began with a kid down the street who owned a pristine white Fender electric guitar. It was love at first sight. The way it looked, the way it felt, and the way it sounded - it was like magic that ignited a spark within me. Naturally, I turned to my parents and begged for my very own electric guitar.


However, fate had different plans. My Dad looked at me and said, “We have a 'good' acoustic guitar sitting over there in the corner. Learn on that, and maybe, just maybe, we can talk about getting you an electric guitar”'


This old guitar had its own story to tell. My parents had stumbled upon this nylon string classical guitar during a weekend trip to Tijuana, Mexico, long before I came into the picture. It had sat in our home, collecting dust, for as long as I could remember. With no other options, I reluctantly agreed to give this souvenir guitar a chance. My musical journey began under the guidance of a remarkable classical teacher named Pete Zisa. Pete deserves immense credit for providing me with lessons that were challenging, yet attainable, allowing me to build my confidence and learn the instrument.


Let me be clear: this guitar was far from easy to play. Its strings felt like garage door springs, and the neck seemed enormous under my young fingers. However, my teacher heard something in it that surprised everyone, including my parents - it had a unique, enchanting beauty in its sound. That was all my parents needed to hear, and the promise of a new guitar was put on hold indefinitely.


Now this guitar did not have a case, and I was anything but a responsible kid. It fell to the floor more than once, each time leaving its mark on the instrument. The sides of the guitar split open, and in my dad's classic 'Mr. Fix-It' style, he used generous amounts of Elmer's glue to put it back together each time it fell apart.


As I reflect on my musical journey, I've acquired and parted ways with many guitars over the years, but that old TJ guitar is still in my collection. It might look battered, bearing the scars of rough tumbles and amateur repairs, but it's a reminder of my humble beginnings. It's a testament to the journey I've traversed, from a wide-eyed kid yearning for an electric guitar to a guitarist occasionally graced with comparisons to legendary artists like Jeff Beck and Eric Johnson.


In the end, it's not about the instrument you start with, but the passion, dedication, and love you pour into your craft. My journey began with a beat-up nylon string guitar, and it's a testament to the power of persistence and belief in one's dreams.


Check out these photos.

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