Wacko Japanesese Fernandes Hisashi Imai Stabilizer Guitar currently listed on eBay

guitarz.blogspot.com:

For our final post of 2013 I wanted to share with you something really wacky, so what better than this Fernandes Hisashi Imai Stabilizer SLV model guitar? It's a signature guitar for Hisashi Iman, guitarist of Japanese visual kei innovators Buck Tick, and regular readers may recognise it as a guitar we have shown before on this blog but this time we have much more detailed photos AND if you really really want to, you can BUY this particular guitar as it is currently listed on eBay (at the time of writing).

In my previous post I suggested that the stabilizer bar was probably more for aesthetics than any genuine need for extra stability in the neck. And of course, being a Fernandes this guitar is equipped with a Sustainer in the neck pickup position. In my own opinion, the Fernandes Sustainer is no replacement for an EBow - even if the Sustainer does affect ALL the strings simultaneously (for me, that's part of its downfall) - but perhaps the Sustainer works even better in conjunction with that stabilizer bar. It's interesting to see the rear view photos of the guitar which show that the stabilizer has been mounted with 4 bolts just as if it is a secondary neck. It then seems to be attached to the rear of the headstock by having the machine heads directly mounted through it and into the headstock proper.

This is a guitar that strangely appeals to me. I'd love to play something like this on stage, despite the Floyd Rose trem which ordinarily I find such a pain. I don't think, however, I'd be up for the big hair, make-up and flamboyant costumes of the visual kei movement; with my 50th birthday rapidly approaching I feel I'm getting a bit old for that kind of thing.

Currently listed on eBay with a starting price of $1,580 (item located in Japan).

G L Wilson

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1981 Guild Starfire IV semi-hollowbody electric guitar

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Here's a Guild Starfire SF-4 from 1981 with walnut finish, set neck construction, ebony fingerboard, factory stop tailpiece, and Westerly, RI label. Yes, a tasteful guitar from the 1980s; perhaps only those Guild XR-7 pickups without covers give a clue as to its age. Guild are one of the (almost) forgotten great American guitar brands; it's a shame people often only remember them for their acoustics. Today the brand survives as part of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and still produces high-end acoustic guitars. Guild's electrics are all but forgotten, with only those who appreciate what is truly cool such as contemporary guiar company PureSalem  producing Guild-inspired guitars.

Currently listed on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $1,450.

Thanks to Sam B who spied this beauty on eBay.

G L Wilson

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Epiphone SC-550 "Scroll" guitar circa 1976-79

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Here's another of my favourite guitar designs; it's an Epiphone SC-550 from the late 1970s, back in the day when Epiphone had their own discrete range of guitars and weren't merely Gibson's equivalant of Fender's Squier brandname. Made in Japan, the scroll-bodied SC-550 is a very cool alternative to Gibson's Les Paul with Black Beauty finish, set-neck construction, ebony fingerboard, 24 fret neck, abalone markers, and - looking at the controls - I'm guessing some kind of coil tap facility. I particularly like the body shape with its German carve which helps accentuate the scroll motif.

Currently listed on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $800.

G L Wilson

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Silvertone 1490 bass by Teisco

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Hi Gavin, I know you appreciate a good bass guitar, so I have attached a couple of photos of this Japanese beauty. It is in the care of my brother at the moment as he has been cleaning it up for a friend. I was up for Xmas and we were admiring, it and wondering what it could be.

However, a short search produced an ID - a Silvertone 1490, made in Japan, and an article in Premier guitar states that: "the last model introduced under the Sears & Roebuck name was the 1490 in 1968. It was the only bass exclusively built and distributed by the Japanese company Teisco".

I've seen many claims about the magic 'Teisco' name of course, but, truth or not there is no denying this one certainly has a great look to it and is in very good condition - unfortunately missing a piece of its stylish split scratchplate/pickguard.

Merry Christmas!

Anthony S

Hi Anthony! It's a nice looker for sure... the design of both the body and the headstock reminds me of Peavey in the 1970s. I wonder if there was any influence there? (I'm thinking that the Teisco may have influenced Peavey, not vice versa). Thanks for sharing.

G L Wilson

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Custom "rifle stock" bass guitar with stainless steel appointments

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Here's a gun-inspired guitar that actually doesn't come across as too offensive. It's actually a custom-made bass in mahogany with stainless steel trim. The neck is apparently a Velvet Hammer (whatever that means) with an open headstock with inward mounted tuners reminscent of the Ampeg scroll bass design. Controls are mounted on the upper edge of the body, and the general design reminds me of Eko's "rifle butt" travel guitar, only scaled up in size.

Thanks to Sean who posted this on our Facebook page.

Currently listed on eBay with a starting bid of $1,200.

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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Monster Grips: The Ultimate Guitar Pick Grip!

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Have trouble keeping hold of your guitar pick? Find that the pesky thngs are always slipping though your fingers? Well, maybe this product being launched via KickStarter is for you. Check 'em out!

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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Modified Silvertone / Danelectro U1 with dolphin nose headstock

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Bruno writes:

I just found an interesting guitar on ebay, it looks like a Danelectro 56 U1 with double cutaway, I wanted to show it to you since I have never seen one before, and you'll maybe find it interesting.

Hey Bruno, thanks for the email. It certainly does look like a Silvertone / Danelectro U1 - the seller says it appears that the original colour was copper which sounds about correct for this guitar. However, I'm 99.9% certain that the upper cutaway is a DIY modification. The shape of that upper horn is quite crudely fashioned.

The photo showing the control cavity is interesting also, because it illustrates quite nicely the kind of materials these Danelectro guitars were made from. Note the texture of the underside of the masonite top.

Currently being auctioned on eBay with bidding at $112.49 at the time of writing.

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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What's that ... Banjo?

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Here's an interesting bantar guitanjo thing played by Brian Setzer in his Stray Cat days. Is it a one-off? Can anyone ID it? Thanks!

yours, Tone Deaf Radio

Hi Tone, it does indeed very familiar. I have a feeling I've seen one being used by The Pogues. But yeah, it's a Deering Crossfire electric banjo. It actually has two magnetic pickups mounted beneath the head and is designed to be played at volume without any feedback.

Note it's not really a "guitanjo" or a "bantar" - those names are usually given to six string banjos, which are essentially banjos tuned like a guitar so as to accommodate guitar players' existing know-how.  This Deering is a proper 5-string banjo, but in electric format.

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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Super short-scale 1960s Teisco EB-100 Bass

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Serious bass players will have to forgive me for I have a strange fascination with these vintage Japanese ultra short-scale basses (the scale length being a guitar-like 24½"). This is a Teisco EB-100 which has been refurbished with new tuners and a lake placid blue refinish, although it still retains its original Teisco gold foil pickup. To me these instruments would suggest using alternate tunings, be they Stanley Clarke "Tenor bass", or baritone tunings. I think they offer a lot of scope for experimentation.

Currently listed on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $330.

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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Washburn PR200 Prairie State acoustic guitar inspired by the Larson Brothers

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I love the exaggerated hour glass shape of this Washburn PR200 Prairie State acoustic guitar which is based on a 1920s Larson Brothers design. Despite the retro design, it is a modern instrument with a low action and featuring the Buzz Feiten Tuning System. The upper bout of that hour glass design is 13" and the lower bout is 17" with the waist being 9¼". I like the design of the open headstock too which has echoes of the old slotted headstocks, although, of course, with just the single slot.

Currently listed on eBay with a starting price of $400 and a Buy It Now price of $525.

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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Double-sided electric guitar/bass...

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Apologies for the poor quality of the photographs of this particular instrument; unfortunately the eBay seller didn't provide any better pictures. However, this is such a crazy instrument, I thought you'd like to see it anyway.

This might be one solution to the problem of someone who wants to play two different guitars during a single performance but does not want a cumbersome double-necked guitar hanging around their shoulders and breaking their back. It's an electric double-sided guitar. It's a six-string guitar on one side, but then you can flip it over and it's a bass on the reverse. Or vice versa!

Personally, I think a double-neck might be easier. Just look at the thickness of the that neck, which of course is square in section and has strings on the reverse! I can't imagine it'd be the easiest neck to play.

Of course the whole double-sided guitar concept is not a totally original idea. Several years ago we looked at double-sided acoustic guitars (which had the advantage of having separate back-to-back necks - something that the depth of an acoustic body will allow). Also, Krappy Guitars have made a couple of double-sided electrics.

Unfortunately I can't tell you anything more about this particular instrument, anything important like manufacturer, brand, model name, etc, or even if it's just a one-off or an actual production model. Very possibly it's one of those xcrazy instruments built in China that blatantly disregard any practicalities of playability. Despite all that, this example is currently listed on eBay with a starting price of £499.

Thanks to Scott for showing us this particular instrument via our Facebook page.

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

Givson unknown model

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I can't tell much about this guitar by infamous Indian brand Givson, but that it looks somewhat silly, but maybe also cool in its way…

The control plate has the vintage Italian attractive craziness, but in an 1980s way - and the outline feels absurd, but no more than some Japanese bizarre beauties from the psychedelic times.

I don't know if Givson's bad reputation is based on the ordinary racism that affected Japanese, then Korean, then Chinese guitars, before their quality could speak for themselves, or the awkwardness of the brand name - or if they're really that bad…

Some unbiased and skilled guitarist has to try and tell us! Or maybe I just buy it and do it myself, because so far it seems that it won't sell at a very high price!

Bertram D

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

Prestige 19½" scale electric / child's guitar

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Prestige are one of those interchangeable brand names that we see on Japanese-made electric guitars from the 1960s and 70s. This one is a bit more unusual than most in that it is a diminutive shortscale guitar with a scale length of just 19½". It was most likely supposed to be a child's guitar, although of course - depending on playability - it could be tuned up as a soprano or piccolo guitar. It's a very simple affair, with a very crude bridge assembly, just a single volume control and no tone, and a single pickup (which does appear to be a gold foil unit, still popular with some and raided from cheapo guitars like these for their tone).

Currently being auctioned on eBay with bidding at $19.99 at the time of writing.

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

Perri Ink Memento, One-off Boutique "Reverse Strat"

guitarz.blogspot.com:

This one-off Perri Ink Memento built in California by Nick Perri is one of those weird "Is it left-handed or is it right-handed?" guitars. I'd imagine it was designed partially to confuse, but probably the aim was to invoke some of that Jimi Hendrix spirit into the instrument. Notice the reverse headstock logo which adds to the mirror image playfulness.

Perri isn't the first to have produced a reverse Strat-type guitar. Britain's John Birch guitars made a very similar model for Richie Blackmore, and the Fender Custom Shop have also produced similar instruments. Of course it's not as extreme a "reverse" design as the Dewey Decibel Flip-out guitar.

Currently listed on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $2,000 (was $4,000 new).

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

Joe Pass plays the Fender Jaguar

guitarz.blogspot.com:

When we think of the Fender Jazzmaster and Jaguar guitars we often associate them with surf and "alternative" rock music, the likes of Sonic Youth, etc. But of course, they were originally conceived by Fender as jazz guitars. Perhaps the styling was too modern to appeal to most jazz players, but as you can see and hear in the above video clip Joe Pass certainly gave the Jaguar a good try out.

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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Moniker Guitars auctioning guitars to benefit Austin Music Foundation

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Moniker Guitars of Austin, Texas, are auctioning a whole bunch of their guitars featuring artwork by various locally-based artists in order to raise money for the Austin Music Foundation (AMF). Auctions end December 15. For further information and to see the guitars being auctioned, see here.

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

A couple of (probably) Japanese guitars to identify... Any ideas out there?

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Hello Gavin! I am Bruno form Valencia (Spain).

I'm a huge fan of your blog, I think that you and the other members are doing a fantastic work. Just wanted to ask you about two guitars which I can't figure the brand or model, first one, I was watching a video of a rather known garage band from Spain, called Doctor Explosion, I recognised the bass as a mustang Fender (I think), but the guitar is completely unknown to me, it kinda looks like a japanese guitar with a Mosrite vibe, but honestly I can't tell, I wonder if you or your mates have ever seen something like this (I find it really cool).

I also wanted to tell you about a guitar I recently bought form ebay, the seller claims it is a 24' scale Teisco, but I can't see no evidence, there is no brand name or serial number on the guitar... I send you a couple of photograph, I don't konw if you can identify the guitar, but if you or any of the blog readers could tell me the year or brand, I would be really grateful.

And that's it, thank you very much!

Bruno.

Hey Bruno, the Doctor Explosion guitar looks like a Mosrite-inspired 1960s-era Japanese guitar, possibly a Tokai Gakki Hummingbird or similar. There were several variants. Mosrite styled guitars were very popular in Japan following the success of instrumental band The Ventures in that country. The bass in the video, by the way, is actually a Fender Musicmaster Bass.

As to your other guitar, I'd say it was 1960s/70s Japanese, possibly Teisco, but also quite possibly another manufacturer. It's not one I personally can identify conclusively; maybe the Guitarz readership will be able to help?

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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Meazzi Hollywood Old Jazz

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Very classic or really bizarre? A thinline body with very elegant outline and a big round soundhole combined with two typically Meazzi gold foil pickups, that's the Meazzi Old Jazz.

Belonging to the Hollywood series, it's been built between 1963 and 1960 in Milan, where the company was set, at the difference of most guitar Italian companies in the 1960s like Eko that were in Castelfidardo.

Bertram D

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

Rare Augustino LoPrinzi Custom Nova guitar with Thurman multi-dimensional sound ports

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Here's an intriguing classical guitar design that recently turned up for sale on Craigslist with an asking price of $1650. It's an Augustino LoPrinzi Custom Nova, a model that I had written about fleetingly in the very early days of this blog, but which I can no longer find mentioned on the Augusto LoPrinzi website. (Maybe the website is out of date, or perhaps this guitar is a discontinued model).

Most strikingly the guitar features "Thurman multi-dimnensional sound ports" which allegedly are extremely beneficial to the sound of the guitar and also function as cutaways allowing easier access to the top of the neck. Indeed, from the front, the guitar has a double cutaway appearance, but it actually has a full non-cutaway (in the traditional sense) body. The same soundports were also used on Clearport guitars, but their website is no longer available, so I assume the same applies to their guitars.

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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1984 Yamaha SG 1000 XU red & white striped and locking trem equipped

guitarz.blogspot.com:

The Yamaha SG1000 features the most familiar guitar body shape to have been produced by that company. The SG1000 was designed as a rockier sibling to the SG2000, a guitar built with sustain uppermost in mind and as used by Carlos Santana. These guitars used the tried and trusted Les Paul recipe of a set neck on a mahogany body with a carved maple top, but aficionados will claim they are Les Paul killers.

However, the Yamaha SG1000 XU shown here is a variation on a theme. Note that it dates to 1984 - that is probably very relevant given that it was the era of hair metal and that whole phase of rock music getting widdlier and widdlier. The SG100XU is fitted with a locking tremolo and locking nut - they look to be proprietary units - note that there is a spring cavity on the rear of the guitar, a la Strat, and the trem block is clearly visible.

The other main design departure here is the minimised almost Brian May-like headstock, which to my eyes looks a little out of place on this guitar. Of course the most in-your-face striking feature about the guitar is the red and white striped graphic finish. Note the triangular inlays on the fingerboard which echo the chevron shapes on the body, and also the alternate colours of the pickup bobbins.

Currently listed on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $2,995.

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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Ibanez Artcore Talman FTM60

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Another Talman variation in a long series, here is the thinline Ibanez Talman FTM60 in sea foam green finish and perloid pickguard, without the trademark Talman control plate but with a massive bridge that I never saw before on this model. The pickups are retrofit P94.

And like usually I this that this guitar is really a classic and I wonder why it's not built anymore… 

Bertram D

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Hallmark Stradette Custom - the lovechild of Stradivarius and Mosrite!

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Damn! This guitar is just so cool. We've featured Hallmark guitars before, and they are always worth a good look at because their designs are rather eye-catching. This one is a Hallmark Stradette Custom and it looks like the lovechild of a Stradivarius violin and a Mosrite electric guitar. It features a thinline double-cutaway body with an arched maple top and back; a solid center block of seasoned hardwood to minimize feedback and provides sustain; and two wide range high output pickups with individual volume and tone controls. Available from Hallmark Guitars for $1199.

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

1960s Italian-made Eko doubleneck guitar and bass

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Our friend Eric Geevers recommended that we take a look at this Eko doubleneck guitar and bass listed on a Dutch auction site. It's not a model I've ever seen before, but then when it comes to manufacturers like Eko, nothing surprises me any more.

I understand that it might well be desirable to have a more compact body on a doublenecked guitar, but I can't help but think that this particular instrument must be ever so neck heavy. Note the positioning of the strap buttons between the necks and below the lower guitar neck - probably an attempt to compensate for the neck heaviness. Also not that because the guitar and bass are of different scale lengths and the headstocks are raked back, that the two headstocks actually overlap one another; the effect isn't displeasing.

From what I can make out the current high bid is €1000.

G L Wilson

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