RIP Robert Herndon

The funny thing about Robert and guitars was he was never attached to any of them. They were tools he used to make a living. When he traded the Strat to me, I asked him why he would get rid of a guitar that was a gift to him from his old bandmates way back in 1987. He said straight up that none of his guitars held any emotional attachment.

If anyone recalls he was trying to sell his mom's original 70's Gibson Les Paul Silver Burst. I almost bought it, but couldn't swing the price...
 
Sp8ctre said:
The funny thing about Robert and guitars was he was never attached to any of them. They were tools he used to make a living. When he traded the Strat to me, I asked him why he would get rid of a guitar that was a gift to him from his old bandmates way back in 1987. He said straight up that none of his guitars held any emotional attachment.

If anyone recalls he was trying to sell his mom's original 70's Gibson Les Paul Silver Burst. I almost bought it, but couldn't swing the price...
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I’ve played his yellow Strat. He got the husk from SG John as best I remember. Sanded in down and rattle canned it yellow. He used a sacrifice neck for the burn video and actually burned the back of that neck. He custom ordered a neck from Warmoth and just loved it. He played that guitar out when he needed dive bombs and single coil sounds. I’ll see if it’s still around when I go visit his wife later this week. There’s going to be a service in Visalia CA as that’s where his parents and kids live. No details yet.
 
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Don O said:
I’ve played his yellow Strat. He got the husk from SG John as best I remember. Sanded in down and rattle canned it yellow. He used a sacrifice neck for the burn video and actually burned the back of that neck. He custom ordered a neck from Warmoth and just loved it. He played that guitar out when he needed dove bombs and single coil sounds. I’ll see if it’s still around when I go visit his wife later this week. There’s going to be a service in Visalia CA as that’s where his parents and kids live. No details yet.
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That's really cool if you get to visit them, send regards on behalf of us all!

But yeah it seemed to me he was pretty fond of that yellow Strat, especially as time had passed. Like i said, I think it was just meant as a ditch guitar but something clicked for him with it
 
Don O said:
I’ve played his yellow Strat. He got the husk from SG John as best I remember. Sanded in down and rattle canned it yellow. He used a sacrifice neck for the burn video and actually burned the back of that neck. He custom ordered a neck from Warmoth and just loved it. He played that guitar out when he needed dive bombs and single coil sounds. I’ll see if it’s still around when I go visit his wife later this week. There’s going to be a service in Visalia CA as that’s where his parents and kids live. No details yet.
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339292527_3403219353251426_2119741626448553090_n.jpg338431690_529592499248923_6921185244498922936_n.jpg351156858_268073079109441_2552543146255101319_n.jpg
 
Don O said:
I’ve played his yellow Strat. He got the husk from SG John as best I remember. Sanded in down and rattle canned it yellow. He used a sacrifice neck for the burn video and actually burned the back of that neck. He custom ordered a neck from Warmoth and just loved it. He played that guitar out when he needed dive bombs and single coil sounds. I’ll see if it’s still around when I go visit his wife later this week. There’s going to be a service in Visalia CA as that’s where his parents and kids live. No details yet.
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He told me he was going to donate it to the Girls Rock School. Otherwise, I would have asked him for a few bucks. Glad it worked for him. It was a dog when I had it. I'm trying to find my sanding beam to finish the neck rebuild from that guitar, so I can finally get that project behind me. My cellar has been in a bigger state of chaos than my life lately.
 
Sp8ctre said:
First I've heard and I never agreed to give anything to anyone. I got the Strat in trade for a Schecter guitar I gave Robert.

Chris
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My apologies if this ever came across the wrong way. My story I got from my dad was that yes he did trade it to a gentleman in L.A. I started picking up the guitar again a couple months ago and he mentioned that the guy he traded it too didn’t play it that much and there was a possibility of picking it up. I’m left handed and he mentioned us going to meet him and switching the strings on the guitar I saw him play during my childhood. If by chance you are willing to part with it I am more then happy to pay what you feel is right for it. And if not no worries. Hope you have a wonderful rest of your day. Thank you for your time.
 
Marc Von Herndon said:
My apologies if this ever came across the wrong way. My story I got from my dad was that yes he did trade it to a gentleman in L.A. I started picking up the guitar again a couple months ago and he mentioned that the guy he traded it too didn’t play it that much and there was a possibility of picking it up. I’m left handed and he mentioned us going to meet him and switching the strings on the guitar I saw him play during my childhood. If by chance you are willing to part with it I am more then happy to pay what you feel is right for it. And if not no worries. Hope you have a wonderful rest of your day. Thank you for your time.
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My condolences to you and your family, Marc. We all miss your dad around here and are extremely sorry for your loss. Best wishes to you guys
 
Don O said:
OMG, just reading this ! Robert and his son were just over to the house a few weeks ago. This is truly tragic as Robert is (was) one of the nicest persons you could ever have as a friend. He would give you the shirt off his back in a snow storm if you asked.

I have no words to describe the loss. I’ll need to reach out to Melania as I have one of his amps and a guitar he left here for me to work on. I am at a loss….
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Hey don, my brother and I are heading to his place this next weekend to get his belongings. Do you live in Southern California by chance?
 
WavMixer said:
I would like to contact his parents if anyone knows their contact info. I'm sure Melania can provide that to me. True indeed that a parent should not have to have their child bury their kids. I lost my daughter a few years back and y'all were very supportive for me.
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Hey wavmixer, my grandmother had truly loved hearing from some of those here in the forum. If you still need a way to contact her let me know so I can get you two connected.
 
@Marc Von Herndon
I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad . He was a great friend of mine since we met on the Marshall Forum,, he was the one who had invited me to come join TTR.
My condolences to you and your family, I don’t think we have met but I am pretty sure you were at Bobby V’s the night your Dad and his new band played there, your Dad did take a pic with me that night.

And yes we all miss him and his contributions here..
R.I.P. Robert my friend
 
Marc Von Herndon said:
My apologies if this ever came across the wrong way. My story I got from my dad was that yes he did trade it to a gentleman in L.A. I started picking up the guitar again a couple months ago and he mentioned that the guy he traded it too didn’t play it that much and there was a possibility of picking it up. I’m left handed and he mentioned us going to meet him and switching the strings on the guitar I saw him play during my childhood. If by chance you are willing to part with it I am more then happy to pay what you feel is right for it. And if not no worries. Hope you have a wonderful rest of your day. Thank you for your time.
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Marc, your dad was a great friend, and we spent many nights playing music and talking about music and many other things. He was an amazing guitar player and an amazing person. I am so saddened by his passing. The guitar has a special place and memory for me. You can message me if you like and maybe we can talk about it.
 
@Marc Von Herndon , @Robert M. Herndon ,

Like the others here, I've been floored by your father's passing. It was truly a shock when I read about it here on the forum. He and I would private message one another periodically and I always enjoyed interacting with him.

Unfortunately, I never had the chance to meet your father, as I live on the east coast.

Just for a little story...several years ago I built this switch for your dad. I built it for him to use with his double-neck guitar so he could switch different necks to different amplifiers. If you run across this, well...now you know where it came from!



RHerndon_AmpSwitch_Front.jpg

Although it may sound like a trite and overused cliche, you and your family truly are in my thoughts and prayers.
 
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smitty_p said:
@Marc Von Herndon ,

Like the others here, I've been floored by your father's passing. It was truly a shock when I read about it here on the forum. He and I would private message one another periodically and I always enjoyed interacting with him.

Unfortunately, I never had the chance to meet your father, as I live on the east coast.

Just for a little story...several years ago I built this switch for your dad. I built it for him to use with his double-neck guitar so he could switch different necks to different amplifiers. If you run across this, well...now you know where it came from!



View attachment 95203

Although it may sound like a trite and overused cliche, you and your family truly are in my thoughts and prayers.
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This is really awesome, thank you so much for sharing. I will keep an eye out for it.
 
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