Manny, I did not mean about nationality. I meant exactly what you said but I would not worry. Yes, It is a place of "interest" to Customs but they Xray it and/or open it. So they know it is nothing bad. Some of the best wood comes from Africa and Asia. Borneo has great trees only there. Brazil in the rain forest has great wood only there. However an American Lemon tree makes for amazing wood. Very hard to work with. I have seen top end guitars with Lemon but never a Mod.Madagascar has great wood only there. I am talking dark woods like Ebony, blood wood, rosewood. Also "fruit wood" which the Lemon would fall under. Although exotic fruits only indigenous to Africa. I never se
e anything Like this stuff in Mods. Sometimes in $$$ guitars. I guess for a Mod it is too expensive and labor intensive, again expensive. Although if they could do the Top Hat's.... I am positive the going rate on yours, like mine is $15,000 so you stole that. I would never sell it! You said what? $1,700? That is now your most expensive Mod in outlay and true value? Honestly that is at least a lot more coveted than the Java. Especially with low serial but he did not make many to begin with. We both probably like the Java better but if you said to someone that knows their shit you can pick either one for free. I guarantee you they take the Top Hat. That was your most insane deal yet! The Java, you paid exactly what it was worth. The Top Hat, I gather you paid a small fraction of what it is worth. Money is not everything though. You can see why it is special. He placed each piece in the wet resin. Mine is Honey comb so he "pasted" hundreds of pieces. Either one is $15,000. Any of them. I would not go selling it though. It is a very special collectors piece. In fact I would use it very seldom if I were you. I have never used mine except to check that it works. I bought it new for about 2 Grand. About what you paid I think. Apparently it grossly appreciated.
Manny, you may be one tough Hombre but falling at your age is not cool at all. Break your fucking hip your career is over. I would try to avoid falling. I assume you wear shin guards and stuff though? Should wear a hard hat when needed too. They have OSHA for a good reason. You are self employed so rules do not apply but they should! Safety first. You know about Tag out Lock out too? You think some shit is de energized and bang! I seen a Friend get killed right in front of me. His Widow was awarded 72MM. At least he worked for a big company. He had 5 little kids why such a high settlement. Safety is no joking matter. I don't know your job but I see no reason to constantly fall. 5 more years you are 60, guaranteed to break something bad. I am sorry you got sick. You have to take your insulin man. I know it sucks but what can you do? Luckily, amazingly the one good thing I have is my A1C. It is much lower than average. Probably because I am a vegan and don't even eat much at that. I was 6'3" but shrunk like all old folks. However now I am down to about 145#. I am just a shribbled old bastard. I want out of this chair but I take Two steps fall on my face. I no longer have any Locomotion, gross or fine motor. It is all good though with technology. When I was young everyone had Polio. Vaccine not invented yet. No technology then. I imagine it sucked for those kids. Well, they did not live long anyways. You know Manny, now they have a blood test you do not need to prick your finger. Maybe you want that? Not sure what it is but I saw advertisement on TV. I am just glad I did not get sick until technology evolved. Shit, maybe one day they have a cure for every illness! If the earth is not depleted by then.