2026 began with me wanting a Mayones Cali4.
I had the chance to deal with an unhelpful Mayones sales staff member from Poland, followed by the empty promise of a local Mayones distributor at 35 Guitar Avenue. The Cali4 didn’t happen.
But perhaps that was not the story I was meant to have.
Over the following months, I was blessed with encounters with guitar people who were genuine and sincere about making sure players actually enjoy their instruments.
Maurizio of Müb gave me Enza, my Müb Miezo. What struck me was that he wasn’t simply trying to sell me the most expensive or newest instrument. He recommended a cheaper, refurbished alternative instead of a brand-new one. Enza came into my life because he cared about what made sense for me.
Rob Page of Pipe Dream Fretworks was another unexpected blessing. From the first contact, he communicated regularly, shared the journey of the build, went the extra mile with the little things, and eventually placed Faith in my arms. What began as a guitar build became the beginning of a friendship.
Beez, the guitar tech above in pic, was another pleasant surprise. Friendly, warm, smiley and humble. He patiently worked on Joy’s severely concave neck, turning the truss rod eight times at regular intervals because he was worried it might break. It didn’t. Joy came home transformed—low, comfortable and highly playable.
And then there was H.P. Wilfer.
I simply emailed Framus to verify my AZ-10. I wasn’t expecting much, especially on a Saturday afternoon. Instead, the reply came from the man himself—the leader of the company. He confirmed that my AZ-10 was an original Framus AZ 10 Custom and wished me enjoyment with the instrument.
I wasn’t supposed to know him.
Yet somehow, I did.
And then there were the guitars themselves.
I started the year looking for a Mayones Cali4. Instead, these past two weeks brought Joy, Faith and the AZ-10 into the home, joining Regent and Lady. Suddenly I have four serious home instruments I can genuinely reach for, while Regent remains safely in her case as the special one.
The AZ-10, especially, has surprised me. She is enormous compared with Faith, yet somehow she is huggable and intimate. Unplugged, she is loud enough for me to hear every melody but quiet enough not to fill the house like an acoustic guitar. With her 9–42 strings, I can sit with her for ten minutes at a time, running melodies and occasionally strumming, simply listening to her own voice.
I may eventually fall in love with her completely. Perhaps she will become a keeper alongside Regent, Lady, Faith and Joy.
But that is almost beside the point.
The year started with me wanting a particular guitar.
What I received instead was much harder to put a price on: Enza, Faith, Joy, the AZ-10—and the people behind them.
Maurizio. Rob. Beez. H.P. Wilfer.
Different people, different instruments, different circumstances.
But each encounter reminded me that there are still people in the guitar world who care about the player on the other side of the transaction.
I am blessed.