That is one Sexy, Sexy guitar....

Me and my personalized regal blue Brian Setzer Hot Rod Gretsch, leaning against Surfdog's classic Woody - a gift to the label from Brian Setzer.


The pickguard says,

"TO ANDI

Your 'da best!

Love, Brian"



More to come...

nice guitar but tell me about the car!
Congrats, you earned it.

Unfortunately I don't know anything else about the car - other than the fact that it is shown in the lower right of Surfdog's website: http://surfdog.com/

And that it almost matches that Sexy, Sexy guitar!!

Look at you little miss skinny-mini, holding that super cool guitar! It looks great on you, hope you enjoy it, you deserve it!

Congrats!
hrg

Hot Rod Girl wrote:

Look at you little miss skinny-mini, holding that super cool guitar! It looks great on you, hope you enjoy it, you deserve it!

Thank you HRG



This has been one incredible day!! I got stories to tell, just gotta find time to tell 'em. For the record, Mr. Surfer Goes Jazzin', Mr. Jazzer Goes Surfin', Kiss Me Deadly and King of the Whole Damn World are awesome tunes. (I'm particularly partial to King of the Whole Damn World). I'll be more verbose as soon as I finish dinner!

What a positively beautiful... guitar!

I'm sure there's a Woody joke in there somewhere, but I'll go ahead and dodge that trouble train!

I'm thrilled for you, Andi! Congrats!

Just Rewards-a-billy

Aww, Rick! Thank you!


The autograph. I think it's fantastic that he didn't even sign his last name. Makes me feel like we're old buds or somethin'. Hahahaha!





I am DA BEST. Brian Setzer said so.

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

A framed display in the Surfdog offices:



The text of the plaque:



Niiiiiiiice.

Sincerely happy for you Andi.
Congratulations, you deserve it !

Hub'

Fan bloody tastic Andi, such a beaut guitar, it suits you.

fantastic...congrat.

Way to go Andi, I'm so happy for you!

Great stuff Andi

Was Brian there to hand you the guitar??
IF not, wouldn't have it been nice???

He was not, Jon - I'd have mentioned that! Haha!

But I did get to meet the entire Surfdog staff, all of whom were WAY excited for me and crowded around me when I opened the case, which I thought was really sweet. Dave Kaplan told me he *loved* the color and hoped I didn't mind, he actually played it a bit when it arrived. I told him I was okay with that.

Andi,
It's so cool to hear these stories from you about your experiences with Surfdog and the like. I love the inscription on the plaque to Niels, and the way that everyone gathered 'round while you opened up your guitar. It sounds so comfortable, like being surrounded by family that you actually like. Can you imagine working with sincere people, and then being able to create music in an atmosphere like that? How incredibly special.

Thanks for sharing!
hrg

Thank you HRG! Going to Surfdog Records was the cherry on top of an already amazing sundae.

Surfdog is literally made up of three little beachy bungalows and a shed around a gorgeous, lush tropical courtyard. There's a picnic table with an umbrella over it in the courtyard, which is where I was lucky enough to unveil that SEXY, SEXY GUITAR!! (I'm beginning to think I'm just gonna have to name the thing "Sexy, Sexy!") Very cool, funky place to work - and to visit!

And as for the people, yeah, they were pretty amazing. Surfdog is made up of a small but dedicated and extremely friendly staff - they ALL knew who I was, they ALL mentioned how great my photo was, they were ALL genuinely happy for me. I felt like it was Christmas, getting the guitar, getting to listen to a few tracks from Songs From Lonely Avenue... and they SHOWERED me with presents!! Dan Hicks CDs and vinyl, Dave Stewart CDs, Richard Cheese CDs, Rumble in Brixton on CD (I only had the DVD), the Ultimate Christmas Collection, Ignition on clear red vinyl, and 13 in a red sleeve on white vinyl!! The generosity and kindness was just overwhelming.

EDIT: For those who aren't aware, I feel I should mention that Surfdog is in Encinitas, California, about 30 minutes north of where I work in San Diego. They didn't fly me anywhere to pick up the guitar or anything crazy like that I got a call yesterday from Scott at Surfdog asking if I wanted them to ship it to me or if I wanted to go pick it up, and I jumped at the chance to see the place. Now I am VERY glad I did.

Congratulations Andi! What a fantastic experience and gorgeous artwork you created.

Thank you thank you!!

I was blown away listening to the four tracks I got to hear - of course I can't remember how they go now, but I recall saying to Niels that Kiss Me Deadly sounded like we should be in a supper club - very big, swingin' sound, and more vibes! Mr. Surfer has a great big tom-heavy drum sound, somewhere between Wipeout and Sing Sing Sing (which, given the title, makes perfect sense!) Mr. Jazzer kicks off with several seconds of the nicest jazz guitar tones you've ever heard. My favorite, though (at least that I heard yesterday) is King of the Whole Damn World. Big, ballsy... gangster-like! Definitely fits the theme of the record. You guys are just gonna love it. I'm gonna love it!! I am so wishing I had a perfect-recall memory so I could remember every little thing I heard!!

This is all soooo great! And that guitar is a piece of art!

Congrats Andi. Regal blue is the coolest hot rod! Never forget when my best friend buy one in -98 first one in Sweden maybe, Do you think you can take a photo of that Ignition record label when you have the time?

sounds like a fun time with the suits! Great great guitar (but Setzer doesnt use pickguards..heehee)

Encinitas is so great. Lots of low key fun..the beach there(swamis and moonlight), 1 of my favorite guitar stores as well Moonlight music (full of cool old gear) and coffee house just down the highway in leucadia called Pannikin, a remodeled vintage train depot.
surfdog had a little coffee/smoothie shop next to it back when we hung
out there that my kids liked, if I remember correctly, called the Java hut.. Freaky Tiki was their fav..

I think San Diego in general is a positive place and it sounds like its
rubbing its luck off on YOU! Glad for ya sister

Thanks TV! The pickguard is coming off the geetar and going into a place of honor on my wall when I get home The Java Hut is still there! And yeah, glad I finally realized there's no place like home.

So when you wanna set up my Sexy, Sexy and gimme that Nocturne?!!? Bali Hai anyone??

So cool Andi!!!!

Andi !!!

Way cool my friend!!! I'm very happy for you! The guitar looks great on you!

Enjoy my friend!

We need to get together soon and catch up.


Later and Have A Royal Blue Gretsch Day !

Ross