I would so love to be able to hang with Greg, he's not just the most phenomenal guitar player on the planet he's got one of the greatest personalities, everything about him is entertaining, song writer, story teller, stand up comedy, he's got such a great aura and energy about him, thanks Greg, now go do, that voodoo that you do so well👍🏼
Greg; I grew up in the North Metro of the Twin Cities but knew both Burnsville, and Valley Fair (In Shakopee) very well. Great hearing stories of the homeland though my heart aches for the loss of the 335. Pete’s Guitar was an amazing place of dreams. So sad when he was killed back in ‘98 but it is good hearing tales from back in the day.
I had no idea you went to school in Minnesota, that's so cool! I'm from MN and have been to Valley Fair countless times! Really cool to hear that you worked there!
Back in 1972 I walked into a pawn shop and saw a 1968 Walnut Finish ES 335 and paid $350.00 dollars for it with a brown leather hard shell Gibson case. Although it was a little large for me I really liked the neck and the sound so I kept it for a few years. I later decided sell it to buy a smaller body guitar. I still wish I would have kept it.
Oh man. What a story! I love the takeaway though. I've been broken up with over the phone. I actually kept my ex's guitar. And it's a 335! I'm keeping it :).
I feel your pain, Greg. I've had two guitars stolen, both my own damn fault. It sucks being young sometimes; stupidity runs rampant. I did get one back but not the one I would have still had today, a 1967 Gibson ES 345, cherry red with gold hardware and a Bigsby. It was absolutely the one I wanted, saved my money for and bought new. I stupidly left it in the closet of a club I was playing in 1970. The band and the manager were the only people with keys, supposedly. Gone. Stupid, very stupid. What makes it worse is we found out several years later it was most likely the organ player in the band and a guy I grew up with. That really hurts, a band mate and friend doing that is just unacceptable. Of course, had I not left it there like the idiot I was, it wouldn't have happened. He probably would have stolen something else from his friends anyway, and I know he did later on. That 345 was just awesome. Such a fucking dodo. Lessons learned the hard way: Never leave your guitar anywhere but your own residence. If you have to leave them in a vehicle, lock them in the trunk where no one can see them. It ain't worth the pain. Smash and snatch is an easy way to lose anything you love. PS - I have a really sweet '68 Tele and I wouldn't give that up. Unless, of course, the right offer came along .......
Very educational story Gregory! The karma - yes there is something in it. An absolute pity about the ES 335! I hope the 335 comes back to you on some way. :-)
Stainless steel frets = - never wear or rust - Provide smooth bending with better sustain - Stay perfectly polished and leveled - Don’t wear the strings due to less friction and no oxydation - Are allergy free - Provide better resale value After more than 20 years, this innovation is now standard for many brands, like Suhr, Tom Anderson,Chapman, Kiesel, Parker, G&L, MusicMan, Stranberg, Ibanez Prestige, Schecter and as an option for Xotic, Eternal, Balanguer, Warmoth, Charvel and Jackson. Many famous player like Steve Morse, Steve Lukather, Marc Knopfler, Guthrie Govan, Bruce Springsteen (he had the best ones, ss Petillo frets!), Phil Collen, Warren De Martini, Doug Aldrich... and so many more! It’s time now for Fender to offer them as an option or on some American made model! Sign and share = www.change.org/p/fender-we-want-stainless-steel-frets
Every single guitarist has a "why did I sell that guitar" story. Mine was a Lake Placid Blue, Lawsuit Tokai with Seymour Duncan HSS, maple neck. Fuck being cold and hungry man...
Mine was my 1985 Gibson Flying V in "Panther Pink" w/Gibson Factory installed locking Kahler trem system, ebony fretboard, and original high-output uncovered Gibson humbuckers (later known as Dirty Fingers pickups). I was living in San Francisco at the time (1995) and working as a bicycle messenger. My bicycle had been stolen and I needed another for work. Since I was only making around $260 per week, I could not afford to buy another bike. the only 2 things of real monetary value that I owned, were a 1991 Gibson SG Special in TV Yellow, and my 1985 Gibson Flying V. Since my SG was my first "real" guitar, I could not part with her. So with a heavy heart, I went down to Guitar Center and sold my V. I asked for what I paid for her, which was $460. The manager couldn't have peeled off the cash fast enough. He literally ran away with my guitar. I still have the bicycle I bought with the money, but wish I still had my Flying V instead. Come to find out about 4 years ago, that guitar was one of only two known to exist in that color/bridge combination.
Cool story sir ... luckily when I was 21 I wasn't really seeing anyone for long enough to have this scenario laid upon me but ... I did have a Gibson L6-S that I cherished
When I saw the title of this vid, I winced in anticipation of the moment when you realized it was gone. Ouch....! The rest of the story was fabulous & hilarious though !
Oh thieves suck! I'm still sick over the several items of gear I've lost from thieves..including cars etc. I've lost two American Strats , one white with maple neck, one black with rosewood fingerboard and a whole rack of effects...They were in my van that was stolen..never recovered. A 1979 music Man guitar, several pedals, wahs, overdrives , another white strat ,when I was touring out west, a Danelectro stolen from my apartment..Never recovered..thieves suck, they just do...I'm still sick over it..probably why I collect so many guitars ,amps and pedals now. I still want them back!...I've still watched for them..at any hint..but , I'll never fill that hole of loss...
The only piece of gear I ever had stolen was a 1965 Shure 55SW Mic. Even that was traumatic. I stupidly sold or traded away a Gretch Country Gentleman (1965), an early 70s hardtail Strat, a G&L L2000 Bass, a Fender Super Reverb (early 70s), a late 60s Fender P Bass, and a late 70s Hofner Beatle bass.
Hey! I'm a Stephen F, too (and an owner of an '82 blonde 335 -- but NOT Greg's!). I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that you must be an awesome human being.
Always the best G Kizzle, but I gotta say- A LOT of weird parallels in your story with a similar period in my life- not least of which your "handling" of relationship terminations, & much more, INCLUDING... wait for it.. the much maligned Chevy Citation. In fact, in my wistful golden speckled memories of my yoot, I cannot separate the apex of my cad-dom with the first-car-pride-of-ownership-&-freedom that that funky little GM-tries-to-be-like-foreign-cars mutation. In fact, that's s what they hudda called it: the Chevy Mutation. That's what I'll call it- how bout you?
Im a huge fan of your playing Greg. Speaking of music man amps. I to used them in the 80's. I think it was a 112, 65 watt or something. I ended up having 2 because the first one started sounding like crap after 2 sets and then the 2nd amp did the same. I finely had a guy from Nasa engineering figure out why. These amps had a wire that was too long and exposed over the input and when it would get hot it would drop down and short out so thats why the amps would only last 2 sets. He cut the wire shorter and that was it.
The 335 and the MusicMan is truly a mighty union..check out Chris Cain!!..I left a 1970's Orange 2x12 all valve combo at someone's house back in the 80's and never returned to collect it..I could weep..
Greg... Great story but the mistake was "Leaving the guitar in the car, not breaking up the girl on the phone".... I'm glad you recovered!!! Here's my great "DUMB Story".... It was 1970 and I had just got out of the military. I was broke and sold my 1961 Sunburst Stratocaster and 64 Deluxe Reverb amp for $250.00 for both! That was dumb!!!! :-(((
The Log - the 335 is in fact the original Les Paul, it is essentially a solid body electric - unless you believe in voo-doo, and acoustic sound leaking into electro-magnetic pickups?
What about we all saving up, getting a 1983 blonde Gibson Dot 335 and giving it to him? sure would feel nice to get the closest thing to his old blonde gal back, it sucks Big time that you get stolen something you cherish so much..
My 335 is the only guitar that goes back in the case in the house after I play it. I wont even let it set in the guitar stand let alone leave it in my truck, lol.
You were lucky. Got your lesson from the universe earlier than most and recognised it for what it was.....or that could just be the plastic solvents talking.
don't leave valuables in the car, (easy to say) i would have to live with it but just thinking if my 86 over the top modified (rare 16 position Tone Styler,ALessandro Vol pot, Schaller flip out winding tuners, all solid core wiring, biggest brass FR block etc etc etc) oh & Billy Sheehan 2 bolt neck mod.... if some one took that, it or I would never be the same. I don't think any one wants it anyway, it would have to be a dumb thief that doesn't play dumb enuf < lol, to take it. a real fkn, jeanus < LOL
U r the Man! Greg...so much fun 2 listen 2 ya always 😃👏🏼🔥🎸🙌🏼
I love that Greg gets the whole "karma" thing. Play on.
I would so love to be able to hang with Greg, he's not just the most phenomenal guitar player on the planet he's got one of the greatest personalities, everything about him is entertaining, song writer, story teller, stand up comedy, he's got such a great aura and energy about him, thanks Greg, now go do, that voodoo that you do so well👍🏼
Greg; I grew up in the North Metro of the Twin Cities but knew both Burnsville, and Valley Fair (In Shakopee) very well. Great hearing stories of the homeland though my heart aches for the loss of the 335. Pete’s Guitar was an amazing place of dreams. So sad when he was killed back in ‘98 but it is good hearing tales from back in the day.
You fool! The statute of limitations never expires on such information. Godspeed, Greg Koch... Godspeed.
Great story. Great story teller. And I want a 335 too!
Amazing player and an amazing story teller...
That was gutting but great. Could we have the ES-335 part 2, The Recovery?
What an amazing story teller.
This dude is cool. Just spent the last hour cruising Wildwood Guitar videos.
I had no idea you went to school in Minnesota, that's so cool! I'm from MN and have been to Valley Fair countless times! Really cool to hear that you worked there!
AWESOME!!!
Back in 1972 I walked into a pawn shop and saw a 1968 Walnut Finish ES 335 and paid $350.00 dollars for it with a brown leather hard shell Gibson case. Although it was a little large for me I really liked the neck and the sound so I kept it for a few years. I later decided sell it to buy a smaller body guitar. I still wish I would have kept it.
love it!!!!!!
This Story is awesome!! :D
Oh man. What a story! I love the takeaway though. I've been broken up with over the phone. I actually kept my ex's guitar. And it's a 335! I'm keeping it :).
Damn this made me late for work! Great story!!
Awesome storyteller as well ...;-)
Love the valley fair memories. Still the same interesting music out there
great storyteller
Refreshing
You had me at "behind the cheddar curtain" Greatest line ever. ;-)
I feel your pain, Greg. I've had two guitars stolen, both my own damn fault. It sucks
being young sometimes; stupidity runs rampant. I did get one back but not the one I
would have still had today, a 1967 Gibson ES 345, cherry red with gold hardware and
a Bigsby. It was absolutely the one I wanted, saved my money for and bought new.
I stupidly left it in the closet of a club I was playing in 1970. The band and the manager
were the only people with keys, supposedly. Gone. Stupid, very stupid. What makes it
worse is we found out several years later it was most likely the organ player in the band
and a guy I grew up with. That really hurts, a band mate and friend doing that is just
unacceptable. Of course, had I not left it there like the idiot I was, it wouldn't have
happened. He probably would have stolen something else from his friends anyway, and
I know he did later on. That 345 was just awesome. Such a fucking dodo. Lessons
learned the hard way: Never leave your guitar anywhere but your own residence. If you
have to leave them in a vehicle, lock them in the trunk where no one can see them. It
ain't worth the pain. Smash and snatch is an easy way to lose anything you love.
PS - I have a really sweet '68 Tele and I wouldn't give that up. Unless, of course, the
right offer came along .......
Very educational story Gregory! The karma - yes there is something in it.
An absolute pity about the ES 335! I hope the 335 comes back to you on some way. :-)
Stainless steel frets =
- never wear or rust
- Provide smooth bending with better sustain
- Stay perfectly polished and leveled
- Don’t wear the strings due to less friction and no oxydation
- Are allergy free
- Provide better resale value
After more than 20 years, this innovation is now standard for many brands, like Suhr, Tom Anderson,Chapman, Kiesel, Parker, G&L, MusicMan, Stranberg, Ibanez Prestige, Schecter and as an option for Xotic, Eternal, Balanguer, Warmoth, Charvel and Jackson. Many famous player like Steve Morse, Steve Lukather, Marc Knopfler, Guthrie Govan, Bruce Springsteen (he had the best ones, ss Petillo frets!), Phil Collen, Warren De Martini, Doug Aldrich... and so many more!
It’s time now for Fender to offer them as an option or on some American made model! Sign and share =
www.change.org/p/fender-we-want-stainless-steel-frets
Every single guitarist has a "why did I sell that guitar" story.
Mine was a Lake Placid Blue, Lawsuit Tokai with Seymour Duncan HSS, maple neck. Fuck being cold and hungry man...
and an amp story!
VonBlade first production year squier stratocaster (made in Japan) now they sell it for quite lot of money
Mine was my 1985 Gibson Flying V in "Panther Pink" w/Gibson Factory installed locking Kahler trem system, ebony fretboard, and original high-output uncovered Gibson humbuckers (later known as Dirty Fingers pickups).
I was living in San Francisco at the time (1995) and working as a bicycle messenger. My bicycle had been stolen and I needed another for work. Since I was only making around $260 per week, I could not afford to buy another bike. the only 2 things of real monetary value that I owned, were a 1991 Gibson SG Special in TV Yellow, and my 1985 Gibson Flying V. Since my SG was my first "real" guitar, I could not part with her. So with a heavy heart, I went down to Guitar Center and sold my V. I asked for what I paid for her, which was $460. The manager couldn't have peeled off the cash fast enough. He literally ran away with my guitar. I still have the bicycle I bought with the money, but wish I still had my Flying V instead.
Come to find out about 4 years ago, that guitar was one of only two known to exist in that color/bridge combination.
Imagine that without internet, without youtube, this guy maybe would keep out of a radar for we all people.
A great tale. John Renbourn also had a 335 Dot neck tale of theft. Live and learn....
Cool story sir ... luckily when I was 21 I wasn't really seeing anyone for long enough to have this scenario laid upon me but ... I did have a Gibson L6-S that I cherished
When I saw the title of this vid, I winced in anticipation of the moment when you realized it was gone. Ouch....!
The rest of the story was fabulous & hilarious though !
Enjoyed that....all the ad libs
Oh thieves suck! I'm still sick over the several items of gear I've lost from thieves..including cars etc. I've lost two American Strats , one white with maple neck, one black with rosewood fingerboard and a whole rack of effects...They were in my van that was stolen..never recovered. A 1979 music Man guitar, several pedals, wahs, overdrives , another white strat ,when I was touring out west, a Danelectro stolen from my apartment..Never recovered..thieves suck, they just do...I'm still sick over it..probably why I collect so many guitars ,amps and pedals now. I still want them back!...I've still watched for them..at any hint..but , I'll never fill that hole of loss...
You no good two-timing chicken picker!!!
Did they ever get them back .?
What he says right around 9:50 instantly made me feel like I was watching a horror movie; I didn't read the title of the video, hahahaha!!!!
Everybody watching this HAD to have let out an agonizing sigh when The Reverend Kochenspiel mentioned that he left the 335 in the car.
The only piece of gear I ever had stolen was a 1965 Shure 55SW Mic. Even that was traumatic. I stupidly sold or traded away a Gretch Country Gentleman (1965), an early 70s hardtail Strat,
a G&L L2000 Bass, a Fender Super Reverb (early 70s), a late 60s Fender P Bass, and a late 70s Hofner Beatle bass.
Hey Greg, did you ever get it back? Maybe put the serial number up on the "Other Guitars" section on the Les Paul forum..
So if you could have either your 68 tele or the 335 back, which would you choose?
Hey! I'm a Stephen F, too (and an owner of an '82 blonde 335 -- but NOT Greg's!). I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that you must be an awesome human being.
Always the best G Kizzle, but I gotta say- A LOT of weird parallels in your story with a similar period in my life- not least of which your "handling" of relationship terminations, & much more, INCLUDING... wait for it.. the much maligned Chevy Citation.
In fact, in my wistful golden speckled memories of my yoot, I cannot separate the apex of my cad-dom with the first-car-pride-of-ownership-&-freedom that that funky little GM-tries-to-be-like-foreign-cars mutation.
In fact, that's s what they hudda called it: the Chevy Mutation.
That's what I'll call it- how bout you?
Hey Greg, what year was that RD 112?
Lesson learned. Damn.
Epic story. I love you. Come to Buffalo
The Statute of Limitations is never over with yer wife.
Im a huge fan of your playing Greg. Speaking of music man amps. I to used them in the 80's. I think it was a 112, 65 watt or something. I ended up having 2 because the first one started sounding like crap after 2 sets and then the 2nd amp did the same. I finely had a guy from Nasa engineering figure out why. These amps had a wire that was too long and exposed over the input and when it would get hot it would drop down and short out so thats why the amps would only last 2 sets. He cut the wire shorter and that was it.
The 335 and the MusicMan is truly a mighty union..check out Chris Cain!!..I left a 1970's Orange 2x12 all valve combo at someone's house back in the 80's and never returned to collect it..I could weep..
So refreshing to hear you own up to your evil deed and how karma slapped you upside your head! Keep on rockin' and telling stories! #LessonsLearned
Greg... Great story but the mistake was "Leaving the guitar in the car, not breaking up the girl on the phone".... I'm glad you recovered!!! Here's my great "DUMB Story".... It was 1970 and I had just got out of the military. I was broke and sold my 1961 Sunburst Stratocaster and 64 Deluxe Reverb amp for $250.00 for both! That was dumb!!!! :-(((
The Log - the 335 is in fact the original Les Paul, it is essentially a solid body electric - unless you believe in voo-doo, and acoustic sound leaking into electro-magnetic pickups?
What about we all saving up, getting a 1983 blonde Gibson Dot 335 and giving it to him? sure would feel nice to get the closest thing to his old blonde gal back, it sucks Big time that you get stolen something you cherish so much..
More story time with uncle Greg
Who leaves their 335 in the car ?
Someone who has breathed in chemicals for too long =P
It was a long time ago and people trusted each other more back then. Not so much now.
My 335 is the only guitar that goes back in the case in the house after I play it. I wont even let it set in the guitar stand let alone leave it in my truck, lol.
Eric Johnson and Greg Koch evidently Erics was not stolen though....
This was hilarious and riveting.
Man, I must have lived a sheltered life: What the hell is the Cheddar Curtain? Is it is Wisconsin or Tillamook Oregon?
RobTackettCovers WISCONSIN
I even felt that ,ouch !
Lesson learned
greg koch is holy because he played with lamont cranston,
The DX-7 would still be there 🎹😜
Walker music on North ave. Remember it well
I have a similar story about a stolen 72 thinline tele
You were lucky. Got your lesson from the universe earlier than most and recognised it for what it was.....or that could just be the plastic solvents talking.
Is she called Lucille? Then she's right here with me.
Greg, your stories are just too funny! And yes, karma's a bitch!
i sold one like that for a pos jcm 900......still regret it ‼️
I had the EXACT SAME 335.
I sold it for carpeting.
☹️
Then again, it wasn't really a keeper.
My Blonde 335 was stolen while I was loading out, after rehearsal. Probably karma :0(
"... and it was heinous."
Lol blaming karma when really you were just drunk and partying instead of keeping an eye on the precious 335 and MM. ouch
Nah, just lock your car and you should be fine boys and girls.😂
So toolness has been strong with you for a long time then?
Crivitz, Cheddar blanket.... Amazing. Who was the girl you dumped?
First of all, when the price came out to be 666, you should have ran away and none of this would have happened!!!
greg was probably set up by the guy who owned the dx-7
Good story. Karma really is a bitch.
don't leave valuables in the car, (easy to say) i would have to live with it but just thinking if my 86 over the top modified (rare 16 position Tone Styler,ALessandro Vol pot, Schaller flip out winding tuners, all solid core wiring, biggest brass FR block etc etc etc) oh & Billy Sheehan 2 bolt neck mod.... if some one took that, it or I would never be the same. I don't think any one wants it anyway, it would have to be a dumb thief that doesn't play dumb enuf < lol, to take it. a real fkn, jeanus < LOL
Lmaooooo
...and now that A-hole is in a barrel ...-evil lol
By 1976 Gibson's were horrible
Life's too short for a 12 hour round trip just to get cryelled at. Karma's a bitch, though.