(Maranatha! Worship Leader Limited Series)
E-mail blog March 13, 2004:
Dear everyone:A thing has happened that has not occurred for thirteen years: I (Will) bought a guitar (recall that the 555 was a gift)! It is the model (414-CE-L3) Cindy and I have prayed for. Learn about it here:When I got to work last Friday, Dennis gave me a letter from Bob Sutton (Department Director who reports to Vice President who reports to the CEO) explaining that I was getting a bonus as a gift in recognition of my work in Grenoble, France. After nearly eight years here, I didn't know Cat gave bonuses. The amount, after subtracting taxes, is precisely enough for the 414-CE-L3.A little background: I have never played guitar at our church--only bass; no one knows I play but Tim. On the evening of Sunday, October 12--the day after I got back from France--we were in church. Lenae (sp?), a lady in our church I hardly know, went to the mic and looked at me and said, "I saw you on stage playing an acoustic guitar. Do you play guitar?" I wiggled my hand to indicate 'sort of.' This made the poor gal nervous, and her knees began to shake visibly, but she went on. "I saw you leading worship with an acoustic guitar and playing your own songs. Do you write music?" Again, I wiggled my hand, and she became even more nervous wondering if she was out in left field, but she went on. "God wants to use you on the acoustic guitar and through your voice with original music in leading worship." It was nothing short of astounding. Her lack of natural knowledge was too phenomenal to ignore, and Cindy and I began praying for a guitar. That month (October), Taylor announced the Maranatha! Worship Leader limited series, and I knew the 414-CE-L3 was the one to pray for.Monday I learned that the 414-CE-L3 was no longer available. They only made so many, and they had sold like hotcakes. When I told Cindy, she said, "give God a day or two and see what he does" though, being a bit of a "realist," I figured I would have to get something different, and it would cost an extra $500 for the cheapest model with a Cedar top. But even Cindy's heart sank when I said the guitar has an inlay of two doves at the twelfth fret (she has seen pairs of doves and feels a great affection for the image which sort of represents us).But my friend, Tim Churchill, called Taylor Guitars (they know him by name now--he owns two limiteds). The marketing guy sent out a broadcast E-mail, and Tim got two calls—one from Pennsylvania (long way away), and the other from Edwardsville, IL, just two hours south! On top of that, the owner, Bob, quoted $1675—$125 lower than the lowest quote I had received and $800 below list price.The playing experience has been incredible. Within my first 45 minutes on the guitar, I found myself reaching for notes I had never even thought about. And I have hardly touched a guitar in over a year. I used the serial number to date the guitar. It was built on October 5 while I was in France earning the money that would pay for it.Will SpicherP.S. I found a picture on Phil Keaggy's web site (my main influence). His primary guitar has Maranatha doves on the fretboard! Have a look:
