A man strode onto the stage, guitar in hand, a poet of the common man. Merle Haggard, as you know, wasn’t a stranger to hard times—or doing time. With incarceration came inspiration. Unlike Johnny Cash, who famously sang to the desolate and disoriented doormats of society, Merle actually lived that life inside San Quentin State Prison.

Serving time can make a man as hard as the prison steel surrounding him. Just revisit “Mama Tried” or “Branded Man,” and you’ll hear that familiar baritone, suffused with dignity and regret. As I think on this, to truly sing about suffering, shouldn’t the man doing the singing have had a couple shots of Old Crow in the Den of Iniquity first?

That leads me to this guitar. No, not the Old Crow or the torment part—just the thought of Merle doing time and, after all was said and done, ending up with a signature guitar. Well, that gives me inspiration. Speaking of inspiration…

This guitar should do exactly that for you. The gentleman I got it from bought it new, and I can tell he treated it with reverence. Just look at the condition. Is this thing flavored with flamed maple? I’d say so. Case and candy? Yep—like always.

Sounds like?
“Tonight the bottle let me down and let your memory come around.”
Yes, that’s it.

Condition? Exceptional.
Priced? With you in mind.
New? Over eight grand.

How’s that, Merle?

“But tonight your memory found me much too sober.
I couldn’t drink enough to keep you off my mind.”

I hear you, and sure, it could happen—but DUIs are expensive. So friends, buy this guitar and drink at home. It’s a lot cheaper, and maybe you can avoid ending up in one of those convenience-store magazines like Just Busted.

Jailhouse picture? Never looks very dignified, now does it?