With a sad heart I must pass along that Gene Ballz (Salvaterra) has passed away.

T-Rex

T-Rex

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I had known Gene Salvaterra for several years (a.k.a Gene Ballz). He resided in Las Vegas, and we talked at least monthly about Guitars, amps, and music in general. I had been sick for several weeks and truely out of it, and had recently tried in vain to do the monthly touch base thing with Gene. I had left several messages, figured the worse, and just now his wife Susan called to let me know he had gone in September, passed away in bed of heart failure. She said very quickly.

Gene had asked me to grant him a favor, which was to let all the guys in the forums know he was no longer here. I am trying to honor that request. I know he wasn't as active here as on the Marshall forum.. I tip my hat. Terry
 
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I don’t remember Gene Ballz here at TTR, but I do remember him at the Marshall forum. Seems like he’s been posting over there forever. Very sad to know that he has passed away. Now knowing that Gene is a good friend of yours, I can only offer you my most sincere condolences on the loss of your friend, Mr Gene Salvaterra. May Gene R.I.P.
 
Sorry for your loss, I remember his name on the forum but it’s been a while since I was hanging out there.
R.I.P. Gene Salvaterra
 
I talked with Gene several times on the phone. At first he asked me to call him when I got my John H attenuater (built by him, "The Guy" I bought used) and I thought there was a problem with it. He walked me thru testing out the whole thing and it turned out it was fine, but he still walked me through removing the bypass switch that I didn't need. After that I still called him now and then just to chat because he loved to talk about gear, playing guitar and just life in general...and scotch, he liked scotch and so do I. He was a trip and it was hard to end a call with him because he just kept talking, lol. I knew his health was bad, he had been exposed to asbestos and was dealing with mesothelioma and we talked about it because it's something I'm worried about from being exposed to asbestos when I was in the military.

RIP Gene, I'm having a Scotch neat in your honor tonight, brother, cheers.
 
DirtySteve said:
I talked with Gene several times on the phone. At first he asked me to call him when I got my John H attenuater (built by him, "The Guy" I bought used) and I thought there was a problem with it. He walked me thru testing out the whole thing and it turned out it was fine, but he still walked me through removing the bypass switch that I didn't need. After that I still called him now and then just to chat because he loved to talk about gear, playing guitar and just life in general...and scotch, he liked scotch and so do I. He was a trip and it was hard to end a call with him because he just kept talking, lol. I knew his health was bad, he had been exposed to asbestos and was dealing with mesothelioma and we talked about it because it's something I'm worried about from being exposed to asbestos when I was in the military.

RIP Gene, I'm having a Scotch neat in your honor tonight, brother, cheers.
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I toasted to Gene last night too, with a Buffalo Trace Whiskey on the rocks.
 
Gene had a good deal of gear, both guitars, amps, and P.A. stuff. He had told me he was going to make a list for Susan of what was what and the worth. I don't think he ever completed that. She told me he had a few projects scattered and laid out, but she had no clue as what for. I imagine that is causing Gene torment, where ever he is.
 
DirtySteve said:
I talked with Gene several times on the phone. At first he asked me to call him when I got my John H attenuater (built by him, "The Guy" I bought used) and I thought there was a problem with it. He walked me thru testing out the whole thing and it turned out it was fine, but he still walked me through removing the bypass switch that I didn't need. After that I still called him now and then just to chat because he loved to talk about gear, playing guitar and just life in general...and scotch, he liked scotch and so do I. He was a trip and it was hard to end a call with him because he just kept talking, lol. I knew his health was bad, he had been exposed to asbestos and was dealing with mesothelioma and we talked about it because it's something I'm worried about from being exposed to asbestos when I was in the military.

RIP Gene, I'm having a Scotch neat in your honor tonight, brother, cheers.
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He built a John H for me, I talked to him on the phone a couple times. Really nice guy.
 
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