Here's the story:
So, I snagged this lemon yellow MIK Squier off Ebay (the picture of the back, against a green chair, shows her true color best) and emailed the seller to let her know to expect payment in a few days. She responded that anytime was fine because she was overwhelmed with legal stuff at the moment. I said I hoped it wasn't too serious, and she responded with this story:
Apparently, just a week prior to my purchasing this guitar, she arrived home after an out-of-state trip to visit her dying father, to find a stack of divorce papers on her desk. Her husband of 43 years had left her for an old girlfriend, whom he hadn't seen in 50 years. She had no idea there was any problem with their marriage and the whole thing came as quite a shock.
She also said he was the love of her life, and she'd have him back in a second if he changed his mind, even after everything he'd put her though.
I expressed sympathy, and said I hoped she was getting lots of support from friends. Then I asked the question I had to ask: Was this her soon-to-be-ex husband's guitar I had just won at auction?
Yes, it was. But she said that there was no problem... he'd already turned over the house and everything in it to her, including his fully restored Model A! In any case, they had previously agreed to lighten their load, and he had put the guitar up for auction just before she left town (and he left her).
So, I thanked her, suggested she might seek some professional counseling to help her get through what was undoubtedly a rough time, and paid for the guitar. It arrived today.
I'm not in the habit of naming guitars, but after hearing her story, I told her I was going to name this one after her: Yvonne.
The guitar has an E1 serial number, which indicates it was made in 1991; Schaller tuners: roller string trees; and a bridge type I've only ever seen on MIJ squiers before. It almost looks like this one got caught in the transition from MIJ to MIK. I can see some grain through the finish so I'm pretty sure it's solid. It's in very nice condition - apparently the guy got it intending to take some lessons but didn't stick with it, so the guitar has been sitting in a closet for some years.
I haven't had a chance to set it up yet but the neck is nice (if slim) and she should be a decent player.
Has to be a good blues guitar... just has to be...
NGD: Introducing.... Yvonne
