Nechville Meteor 5 String Electric Banjo with Fleximount Neck design.

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I must have missed Bertram's post about the Nechville Meteor Electric Banjo from a few years ago because until today I didn't know that this incredible beast existed.

This Nechville Meteor is apparently the only electric banjo that they have made with the Fleximount neck design. It allows you to easily swap out necks.

The listing does not say, but since i see 2 volume pots I can assume that there is some kind of acoustic pickup under the bridge which with the EMG81 would make for a nice hybrid instrument. ( please note that the pictures with the single coil are from Nechville to further illustrate the design of the Fleximount )

I'd love to see how closely the smaller head sounds compared to typically larger banjo heads. I suspect with the right tension it would be pretty close.

R.W. Haller


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The Quest Atak. My internal struggle continues.

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Remember a few days ago when I gushed, against all better judgement, about this other Quest Atak? 

Well, the internet gods heard my blasphemy and sent forth a dragon to defeat my love.

Humbuckers? Yay! Maple fretboard? Also Yay!

But that paint job, oh dear. 

I'm sure it's quality work and that the artist is very talented in his/her own right, but can we please get away from the heavy imagery on guitars. If you really "rock" you need not dragons, skulls, and crosses to prove it. Let your playing be the evil/heavy factor in the rock equation.

But, all is not lost..........

This Quest Atak 1 has redeemed my faith in my original convictions.

Thank you, black body and hardware. Thank you.

R.W. Haller


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Vintage Granada Hollow-Body Beauty from 1972 with Granada Amp

guitarz.blogspot.com:

What a great example of Japanese craftsmanship, from a name you maybe have never heard of, Granada.

I have memories of Granada from my very first band where the other guitar player had an amp that looked a lot like the one listed here. It's possibly even the same model, but it's hard to tell for sure with one picture.

I don't remember if it sounded very good, but it was loud enough and that's all that mattered at the time.

It's great to see that this Granada Hollow-Body is in as great a shape as it is since it's the same age as I am.

It gives me hope.

Currently listed with Amp and what is possibly and original case for $1000 Canadian.

R.W. Haller


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Vantage Avenger AV-75. Awesomely Green Korean Guitar

guitarz.blogspot.com:

It's easy to draw lines in the sand. I do it all the time. Sure, I'm often wrong, but I do it anyways.

Here is a fine example of that.

I've long thought that the only Vantage guitars worth any thought or ounce of precious time were those built in Japan. No exceptions.

This Vantage Avenger AV-75 has proven me wrong.

I cannot speak to the sound or playability of these guitars as I've never played one, but I do love the look of this guitar. With the understated controls on a HSS design, and the slight similarity to a Tiesco Tulip, it shouldn't be to hard to defend my love. Yet for some reason I feel the need to. Why is that?

Also, what a great shade of green.

R.W. Haller





© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

Neck-Through Vintage Yamaha SC1200

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I love what Yamaha was doing in the 1970s. I doubt there is a guitar ( or motorcycle for that matter) that they built that decade that I wouldn't be happy to have.

This SC1200 is a more conventional offering but still a great looking neck through guitar. I, apparently,  love the hippy sandwich. I also love that they didn't top off the headstock with a veneer so you can see the "sammich" tip to tail.

Currently listed for $800 Canadian

R.W. Haller


© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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Banjocaster. Custom made Telecaster conversion

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I recently purchased a 1970s era made in Japan banjo and I was doing some internet searching to figure out if it was sold under a specific brand as it has no name ( my best guess so far is that its an Iida.....but will keep looking ).

In my searching I came across this great little custom project.
This Banjocaster looks like it was built from a fairly entry level Telecaster, or from parts of that quality level.

The idea is great even if some of the work is not of the highest fit and finish. Plus I'd love to hear Foggy Mountain Breakdown through that humbucker.

R.W. Haller


© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

Status custom one-off doubleneck 5-string bass and 6-string guitar

guitarz.blogspot.com:

This particular guitar/bass satisfies both my current obsessions at the moment, namely (1) doublenecked guitar bass combos, and (2) headless guitars and basses. I was pretty sure I'd never seen a doubleneck from Status before, but reading the seller's description on this eBay auction it seems that this beast has been created by customising a Status Series 2000 bass with a graphite through neck and basically adding the whole guitar section. The work was carried out by AC Guitars, who also hand-carved the bolt-on guitar neck from maple and ebony.

The seller had this made for a Genesis tribute band (we'd best gloss over that quickly before I start one of my anti-tribute band rants) but which work obligations meant that he wasn't able to participate in. That's a very specialised instrument and a lot of financial outlay for a project that didn't come to fruition.

Yet again I have to get on my usual hobby horse and say that the necks are the wrong way around. OK, call it "opinion" if you will, but I truly believe that it makes much more sense to have the bass neck BELOW the guitar neck. It's simply a better layout, giving improved access to the strings on each neck ...unless you like a bass slung really high up on your chest. (I don't.) The balance of the instrument should also be improved, although maybe that isn't such an issue when the necks are headless.

Also, think about it, if you wanted a doubleneck guitar/mandolin combo, you wouldn't put the smaller mandolin neck beneath the guitar neck, would you? Illogical.

Despite all that, it's a really interesting piece and showcases some excellent custom work from AC Guitars. Currently listed on eBay UK with a starting price of £725.

G L Wilson

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Fantastic 1980 Beneteau Grand Auditorium

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Marc Beneteau is a famed Canadian luthier. He came up in a time when we were producing such guitar builders as Jean Larrivee, Linda Manzer, Grit Laskin, and Sergie DeJonge, to name a few.

I've had the pleasure of playing 3 different Beneteaus over the years and they were all fantastic. The pictures of the 1989 Beneteau Grand Auditorium do not do it justice as it is likely to be a stunner in real life. Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides.

I think I'm in love.

It's also looks to have some wear on it as well, and that makes me so happy. There is something to be said for mint condition instruments I guess, but it usually makes me sad to think that a quality guitar is getting treated more like a painting than the awesome instrument it is.
That is not the case here.

Currently listed at what I would call a very reasonable $2400.

R.W. Haller

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Strangely compelling Quest Atak 1 from the 1980s

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I have to start this post with a disclaimer. 

I do not really like the "metal" guitars of the 1980s. Even during the 80s when I did indeed have teenage predilections towards metal, I did not like the guitars. 

So, why would I post an obvious 1980s metal guitar? Why would I post a guitar with a spider web on the pick guard?

I like it. 

I like it, like, a lot. 

There are indeed things that I would change on this Quest Atak 1. It would not have a spider web, it would be a hardtail bridge, and I'd not have used red for the any of the colouring or, especially, the fret markers.

But the overall shape and design of this guitar is quite desirable to me.

I refuse to hide my shame.

Anyone with me on this?

R.W. Haller

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Please read our photo and content policy.