Alzheimers' sale

[xtian]

Mixed emotions, here. Super nice old couple and their handyman are cleaning out the 91-year-old repairman's garage and shop. He won't need any of this stuff again, because Alzheimers. I wanted to ask about his experiences, but he's about as interactive as a three-year-old.

Anyway, pictured is some of the stuff I came home with. Mostly useful, but no tubes. Are there any more distressing words to hear than, "Sorry--the tubes all went to the dump"?

They also want to sell the pedal steel, but don't know what brand it is or how to value it. "R" on the pedals is the only brand or model of any kind.

[xtian]

Hmm. There are many Germanium diodes and transistors here. Wonder if the fuzz pedal building crowd would be interested?

[drew]

Kind of sad, huh? But if the gentleman made if to 91, hopefully that means he lived a good long life before the Alzheimer's took him. And at least *all* of his stuff didn't end up going to the dump.

There is an old TV repair shop not too far from me; it's been closed for years. I would always kind of eye it as I drove past, hoping that finally someone would be cleaning it out. Recently, I saw a tattered little "for sale" sign in the window. I went over and looked at it and, natch, the place had apparently been opened for a few days the prior week to try to get rid of the contents. No contact info, no indication if they're planning future sale days, and, of course, it's back to being padlocked. There is still a bunch of stuff in there. Maybe next time . . .

[Firestorm]

There's nothing there that would make a difference financially, so as long as it goes to a good home (yours perhaps) all is well. What you can do if so inclined is hang out with the guy. Michael Reagan spent a lot of time with Ronald toward the end and was completely sure that the former President had no idea at all who he was. Just a nice young man who came to visit. Alzheimer's robs intellect, but not emotion or basic humanity. You seem invested already, so spend an hour now and then. Better for him, better for you.

[Bob S]

^^^ +1 on what Firestorm said.
I saw a similar lap steel on the local CL for $600.
They didn't know who made it either.

[didit]

They also want to sell the pedal steel, but don't know what brand it is ...

Perhaps Tim Marcus of Milkman Amps knows enough .. .. or put a post up on the pedalsteel forum.

Best .. Ian

[Leo_Gnardo]

There is an old TV repair shop not too far from me; it's been closed for years. I would always kind of eye it as I drove past, hoping that finally someone would be cleaning it out. Recently, I saw a tattered little "for sale" sign in the window. I went over and looked at it and, natch, the place had apparently been opened for a few days the prior week to try to get rid of the contents. No contact info, no indication if they're planning future sale days, and, of course, it's back to being padlocked. There is still a bunch of stuff in there. Maybe next time . . .

Slip a note under the door. Cheap & what's the worst that can happen. Nothing.

[HeeBGB]

Rickenbacher?

[Phil_S]

Rickenbacher?

A good thought, but IMO, the R on the pedals does not match the logo look of the Rick. This one tweaked my curiosity. I poked around for a while, but couldn't find a match. While not super deluxe, it looks to be a decent basic pedal steel.

[Firestorm]

I had no idea how many pedal steel manufacturers there were until I googled it. But I do know that you should go see Robert Randolph if you get the chance.

[rp]

Steels hold there value pretty well, the low end too, like apts in NYC even the low end is expensive. Maybe ask here, and they have a FS site too:

http://www.steelguitarforum.com/