Client profile: The Caddens–Fire, Faith, and Restoring a Fender Mustang

They woke to fire and smoke. Leaping out of bed and grabbing a few valuables, they rushed to make sure their children and dogs escaped the burning house. With relief that everyone was safe, they watched the flames devour the second floor of their home. 

Ginger had managed to save some photo albums. Chad had salvaged his Fender Mustang guitar.

Two months to the day before the fire, Chad’s father died after a short fight with cancer. They had been kindred spirits. Both enjoyed oil painting, they both worked for the railroad, and they loved to play guitar.

The Fender that Chad saved from the fire had been a gift from his father when he was a child. It was a connection to him and to their bond. His father taught him to play on that guitar.

He could buy another guitar, but it wouldn’t have the same meaning. He could even get another Mustang. Fender still makes them as they are popular with lots of musicians. 

In this case, the guitar was not just an instrument used to play music. It connected Chad to his father and their shared love of playing. Chad said that he could feel his father nearby when he played.

Now, the guitar was damaged and unplayable. In a year of loss, that was especially difficult to take. 

They checked local music stores, but nobody thought they could repair it. Finally, Menchey Music sent them to us.

Dan likes a challenge, and this was a big one. He stripped the paint, cleaned the pickguard, and cleaned the hardware and tuning pegs. He also replaced all the frets with Jescar stainless steel frets and found a vintage logo for the headstock.

After several months and multiple coats of paint, he finished the work and notified the Caddens. Chad had tears in his eyes when he first saw the restored guitar. Smiling in disbelief, he sat down to play.

This is the part you don’t realize, how important musical instruments are to people. They serve to connect us–to each other and memories. It’s so rewarding to help bring some closure and peace of mind to families like the Caddens. All because of a guitar.