I'm not much of a Deadhead myself, either. However, I do appreciate music and I do appreciate guitarists. I really enjoyed this story.
FWIW, that Telecaster that fell into Mr. Weir's lap was from 1953-4, meaning that if even "Joe Shmoe" owned it, it would still be worth a mint.
Weir happened, by fate of adoption, to fall ass-backwards into a priceless Fender Telecaster.
I only wish I could have relatives with such heirlooms.
The funny thing is, of course, that Bob Weir could most certainly can afford any vintage guitar that strikes his fancy. Yet he stumbles upon a vintage Tele while meeting his biological parents. This guitar becomes his Number One Axe.
When he picks it up, it plays like butter. and Bob Weir, --a Gibson man, adopts this Tele as his own.
I’ve always liked Bob. This was a pleasure to read. Thanks