Greg Feo Loses Collection in LA Fire

[admin]

From Mike Gutierrez

I heard about the fires in Southern California the past few days like all the rest of you around the country.

When I heard last night about them reaching
Chatsworth I got concerned. Fellow forumite and friend, Greg Feo, who has one of the most outstanding guitar & bass collections in the USA was hit by the fires– hit badly! Out of over 200 or so vintage guitars & basses plus vintage amps, only 20 were saved. I have no details which ones.

I had a five minute conversation with him today and we spoke about the real important things. To say the least, it was emotionally excruciating. Greg, married, has no children and got out alive. I’ll spare you the details as the fire approached the house. NONE of the Rickenbackers were saved; none of the 20 vintage Fender strats, nor vintage Gibsons, Gretsch, vintage amps – 40 years of collecting -- all gone.

Unfortunately, I understand that there is no insurance. I don’t have the details but he lived in a leased house which had restrictions on insurance. Right now his concerns are for the basics: housing, money, food etc. He asked me to post this on the site. I am thinking if any of you have any ideas on how to help him as I am rather numb. I am game to head up any fund or other ideas you have in mind.

Here is a picture of Greg in better times with just a small portion of his collection – the Hofners:

Best Regards,

Mike Gutierrez

[phlemmy]

my God. that's terrible. i've known a few people over the years that lost everything like that. it's gut wrenching. nothing could ever replace his guitars but i would hope that he had good insurance.

[Scastles]

Wow! What a shame. And he had just recently posted his latest Rick purchase. Unbelievable. The bright side is the fact neither he nor his wife were injured. What a loss, when everything you've worked for and invested your time in is consumed in likely short order, all of your belongings and nearly every memento.

[jingle_jangle]

That's very depressing and shocking. My heart goes out to Greg. It's a shame about the insurance situation.

[bigbajo60]

I just saw Greg interviewed on CNN... and I thought I recognized the name somehow. Now I know why!

The sense of loss must be overwhelming, but with the help of friends and loved ones, he will surely be able to put everything into perspective, pick up the pieces and soldier on.

[Scastles]

From what I understand his house is the only one, thus far, which has been destroyed.

[phlemmy]

oops, i overlooked the no insurance thing. man.

[wints]

Well, thankfully Greg is alive. Everything else is a matter of perspective.

As any musician/collector will say, this is terribly sad. I find it very hard to believe that there was no possible insurance cover for all these instruments.

Heritage Instruments cover just about everything. Owner or renter, storage wherever....

The loss of such a wonderful collection is compounded even more by the fact there will be no compensation.

[mgauction]

Greg was interviewed on the NBC Nightly News. Stan, I believe they also mention a commercial building that also went down. I will see it here in about another hour, for those of you on the west coast. I actually have pictures of the house as it is now and there are additional comments he told me that I won't post. It would be far, far too upsetting! It's already ugly.

[ozover50]

This is terrible news......... I was aware that Greg had an amazing collection - to think that it's basically all gone!

He has his life and his wife... they are by far the most precious things.

My heart goes out to him. I'll gladly assist in any way I possibly can.

[cheyenne]

Im so sorry, I cant even imagine such a loss. What a terrible thing to happen. They got out alive, thats whats important.

Im sure he's tired of hearing that, but it really is the truth.

He's alive to collect another day.

[jaybic]

My gosh....my thoughts and prayers go toward him and his family. Thank goodness he and his are ok.

[apollo11]

An absolutely gut-wrenching bit of news. Greg, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[jps]

I'm stunned! My thoughts and prayers are all for Greg and his wife.

[mgauction]

I really appreciate it guys. Sometime in the near future, I hope, I will get Greg to view this thread and see the reaction from his guitar friends.