...with my first Strat, a Squier 1957 model, authentic down to the 3-way pickup switch which I replaced rather than having to jam between stops with match-sticks. You can take authenticity too far.

I lost my beard in order to join a band several years my junior without looking too conspicuous. The trans-formation from folkie to rocker was almost complete - except for the fingerpicking tunes I had to play at a gig in Brentwood when the bass-player didn't turn up.