So, it appears that I have been lied to my entire life.

[OldBaldy1701E]

Last edited Tue Jun 30, 2026, 09:11 PM - Edit history (1)

I have just heard from the music store where I took my beloved 1977 Fender Telecaster guitar to have to put on consignment for sale. I had been doing rather well considering that I always wanted that style of guitar, I felt like I had finally found it, and now I was being forced by a fucked up societal model to sell it just to survive.

They just called me to tell me that it is not a 1977 Fender Telecaster, it is a parts guitar with three different version put together and none of them are from 1977. They informed me that it was not worth that much and they did not want it for their store.

That guitar was the only thing I owned that I thought might be worth some actual money. Now, I am faced with the reality that I have nothing of value to pawn/sell, so I cannot offer anything towards saving my husband and myself from homelessness and poverty.

I doubt that we will be able to make it though the summer. I sit here every day sadly looking at the pool because this fucking year old wound on my foot would get infected and make things worse. It won't heal because I cannot afford to go to the expensive doctors that could fix it. Just like everything else in my worthless life. I am not worth the effort.

My gods, has anyone ever told me the fucking truth?? Just fuck all of this. Seriously.

**UPDATE**: So, even though I feel like crap for doing this again, I have created another GoFundMe for those who have expressed a desire to help out. Please know that anything donated will be appreciated and used to help my poor husband through his time being connected to me. Since I am useless and worthless (did I mention that the only thing I thought had value does not, in fact, have any value and therefore means I have literally nothing of value at all?), this is all I can do to try and offset my expensive existence. The bills are not going to stop. Life is not going to stop. But, mine will soon, and that will leave him with nothing but debt.

I have to try something, even if it makes me feel like a bottom feeder. (Yes, I love shrimp as well.)

https://gofund.me/bc41e2b13

[DarthDem]

1. I am so sorry, BUT!!!

It will get better!! Another door will open for you—I'm hoping for many of them. And meanwhile, you still have your very nice guitar to play.

[OldBaldy1701E]

8. I had not touched it in over six years before last Friday.

I had developed hand issues that stopped me from playing it. Those issues did clear up after a few years, but now it just hurts me too much inside to even hold it. All I can think of is how much of my life I wasted trying to pursue a career that was cursed from the start. All of that time and effort based on the fact that everyone said I was good enough. More lies.

There are no more doors for me. I can't even find a peephole to look through anymore.

[gay texan]

2. Did they mention what year it was?

[OldBaldy1701E]

9. It is a mish mash.

The neck is a '75. The neck plate is a '73. The body has resisted all attempts to identify it, but they feel that it is from the early 80s. There are other parts of it from other dates as well. I was not exactly paying that much attention at that point. I was in shock and having a major depressive episode after hearing the first part.

What a complete failure I am. My instruments are not worth shit. I am not worth shit.

My poor husband. He is the one who has to live with an absolute cursed failure.

Hopefully not for much longer.

[gay texan]

12. Hold up there

If it's made out of early and mid 70's parts, its not worthless by any means.

Remember, SRV's guitar was built out of left overs. Its quite likely it was given an earlier neck for a different playing feel.

If you really have to sell it, advertise it as such. More than likely, it was someones custom baby AND all of it is American made, which makes it worth more.

Just because some music snob turned their nose up at it, in NO way means its worthless.

Somebody's gonna come along and play it and make you an offer you can't refuse

[questionseverything]

14. Reactivate your go fund me, just change the explanation to rent

I see several people have suggested it so you know there’s help available…. Do this for your hubby, a little room to breathe will make everything better

And you should advertise guitar lessons for little ones really cheap, teaching music is the angel’s work

[gay texan]

16. Additionally

If i was closer to you, i'd like to take it for a test drive

[OldBaldy1701E]

18. That's always my story.

"If..." and 'But..."

Thanks, though. Here is a little something that I recently made for another post. I hope you like it.

[niyad]

3. Sending hugggs and vibes for the very best possible outcome for

you and your husband.

[OldBaldy1701E]

10. Thanks. (n/t)

[EverHopeful]

4. I have no idea how to do it but we here at DU have responded to aGoFundMe

for another of our much-loved fellows. End of the month is perfect for me 'cause I see how much is left once the bills are paid but I'll watch for one at any time and kick in what I can.

[rampartd]

5. i've been making do with a $100 squier stratocaster

but lets talk about your feet, baldy

1. diabetic? we got to get your blood sugar down

2. heel? somehow you got to put as little pressure as possible on it, sit down. take it easy. and keep the wound dry, clean, antibiotic cream, bandaged, and padded.

[OldBaldy1701E]

15. Yes, I am diabetic and have bad neuropathy in my feet.

My BS is usually around 110-115. No, my diet is not the best, but I eat what I can afford. Unless someone is going to subsidize my food bill, that is the way it is.

The wound is on the bottom of my right foot, on the ball of the big toe. It is about the worst place for such a thing. I cannot just sit all day, thanks to my back, my knees, and my hips. So, what am I supposed to do? No one is helping me keep the place livable. I have to do it all. I cannot do so on my knees, even if I could crawl around on my knees anymore.

I have had this thing for over a year now. It is not going to heal, because my body is fucked. I could get it fixed... if my last name was Soros or Musk, but it is not, and so I am not worth the effort, apparently.

They are hinting at amputation, should it not get any better. I can tell you that this is not an option. Period.

[rampartd]

20. i've had several diabetic ulcers, and am short one toe.

get decent shoes, and seriously, try to do more sitting whenever possible. my podiatrist finally put me in a toe to knee surgical boot to keep it stabilized.

i could not have gotten this far on 2 feet without many thousands of dollars in antibiotics and wound care nursing. i guarantee this kind of problem will be coming up much more as medicare and medicaid fade and as we must continue to work into old age.

[OldBaldy1701E]

21. 'Decent' shoes require 'decent' money.

And, as you stated, it takes thousands of dollars of care and medicine.

I do not have tens of dollars to give anyone, much less thousands.

[progressoid]

6. That sucks.

We've were just told something similar about some of the stuff we were planning to send to the consignment store. He had expressed an interest so now I guess we try ebay,.

Is there another store to try? Maybe they aren't be honest with you?

[OldBaldy1701E]

11. I did have that thought.

But these people have won awards for being the best in the area for many years, and they come recommended by musicians, so I feel that they are solid.

I may try a few more places, but this pretty much takes the wind out of my sails. Likely forever.

[applegrove]

7. Start a GoFundMe and post a link here on the DU.

(((HUGS)))

[OldBaldy1701E]

13. Thank you for the hugs.

I am tired of begging. I would rather just end things with what tiny shred of dignity I have left. Other people here have a much better use for their money than wasting it on me. I have nothing to offer that anyone would consider useful or even worth the trouble. So, better to put those resources somewhere that they can be used to good effect.

[questionseverything]

17. It's not begging when people are offering to help

[applegrove]

19. You are important. Your value is not represented

by your circumstances. Just like Musk is not a better person for having a $Trillion, you are not where you find yourself today. What matters is what is between your ears and in your heart. Stop beating yourself up. The Republicans have been gutting the world for middle class and working class Americans for 50 years. We need your voice and the very experience you are living on a place like DU where many are simply luckier than you. You keep it real. And we want to see things improve for you.

Please start a GoFundMe. You deserve a little boost. At least enough to give you some options in your life.

[progressoid]

22. It's not wasted on you.

A lot of people would be happy to help.
Even just a little bit.