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I met Rose for the first time in Las Vegas (NV). Rose was there for a Cauliflower Alley Club reunion.
There weren't many fans there, as it is more for the wrestling community. One guy who was there was the 'Guitar Guy'. I don't know who the guy is, but his hobby (passion?) is getting signatures on guitars. At this event, he was trying to assemble a wrestler guitar.
Usually collectors get signatures on things related to the celebrity signing (like baseball players signing baseballs). When there is no tangible signable thing related to the celebrity, 8x10 photos are usually the next option. Obviously, you can't bring a turnbuckle for the wrestler to sign.
Then there are the exceptions. There are a few collectors out there who decide to build their autograph collection in an offbeat way. I have seen collectors building autograph collections on tshirts, hats, homemade banners and books. I even saw a guy with a professionally made robe just for signatures.
The Guitar Guy has one of the most offbeat collections. Guitar Guy gets guitars signed. Apparently, he has many guitars signed according to various themes or events. When I saw him in Las Vegas, he used the reunion as a theme for one guitar.
I am not really mocking this guy (although the Robe Guy is another story). He has every right to collect whatever he wants. I just don't understand the draw. Wrestlers on a guitar? Additionally, I would think a collection like this takes a lot of space and costs a lot of money. Of course, the logistics in carrying around the guitar would seem to be troublesome. I'd love to talk to this guy and ask him several questions.
Getting autographs is challenging enough at these such events. I wonder how he explains it to the people as he approaches them. Does it help? Do they even care? So many questions.
Buddy Rose and the Guitar Guy in Las Vegas, NV-early 00's.