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Fender Jazzmaster 1962 NOS MasterBuilt Custom Shop, Another Ron Thorn MAsterpiece < Back Fender Jazzmaster 1962 NOS MasterBuilt Custom Shop R119767 This is one of Thorn's more radical builds, and designed specifically for the previous and only owner. R119767 was ordered in 2018 via Rainbow guitars in Arizona, delivery promised in 2019, and actually arrived in 2020. The SFT has a little note at the bottom leaving the layout of the guitar to Ron Thorn to decide. Masterbuilt Custom Shops are often instruments ordered by customers to their own specific ideals, and the luthiers may not entirely agree, especially for the whacky ones. This one is a perfect mix of whacky requirements done to the luthier's satisfaction. Probably why it took an extra year... Based on a 1962 Jazzmaster, R119767 is a 2 piece Alder finished in the most amazing deep red metallic (classified as 'sparkle') - the code is LAC, and described as Very Dark Cherry Red Sparkle. The sides and back are black. The neck is quartersawn roasted Maple, with a 7.25" radius, and vintage 45085 frets on an Ebony fretboard. The nut width is 1.65", the vital 1st and 12th stats being 0.82" to .90". A familiar Jazzmaster tremolo is paired with Thorn's RSD saddle. I'll dispel the myth - these units are adjustable for both height and intonation. The 3 pick-ups are Curtis Novak Tissue box units and each has an on/off slider so you can select any and all. A Master Volume, Master Tone and Blender complete the controls. The blender operates on both Neck and Bridge pick-up, blending in and out the one that is not selected by the sliders. If the Neck and Middle are selected by the sliders, the blender knob will fade in the Bridge; if the Bridge and Middle are in play, the blender will fade in the Neck pick-up. Take the middle out of play and the same applies - the blender fading in the pick-up that is switched out. These Tissue Box units are modelled on the Barney Kessel pick-ups originally made by Kay between '58 and '68 and are very similar in character to P-90s - very present mid-range and a strong treble. These are all wound to the customers' requirements - these are: Neck 8.75k, Middle 9.51k and Bridge 10.59k. Given the differences in Neck and Bridge DCR, the blender provides an interesting mix of the two depending on which pick-up is selected on the sliders. Selecting the Neck, the blender adds a spacey airiness. Select the Bridge and the blender calms the aggression. A huge variety of tones are therefore available. The case is full of candy, and the CoA and SFT are present and correct in their binder. It's as lovely to play as it is to look at, and a marvellous addition to any collection. Price £7,595 Availability Sold Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2020 Pick-ups Curtis Novak Tissue Box Selector 3 x Mini-sliders Bridge Ron Thorn RSD Board Ebony Weight 3.94 kg; 8lbs 11 oz Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Greco SE-600, Soul, bit of growl, authenticity. < Back Greco SE-600 Pre-serial Number I'm a sucker for a mystery mini-switch on a 1970s Strat - someone had gone to the trouble of routing a little channel and switch body pocket, studied an Esquire and hoped for a muffled speaker thumper output. They obviously thought they'd killed it as they ended up with a kill switch in both directions. It is harder to kill a 70s MIJ Strat than it is to save one, so I re-purposed the switch with a metre of wire to provide 2 series-connected tones; neck and middle, and bridge and middle, both in series to give a chunk of output, some growl and another dose of character to these already characterful Maxons. Maxons are always entertaining - the early 70s were the short fat ones, never more than 4.9k DCR, bright and airy, and welcoming a 1 meg or 500k potentiometer to bring the inner Hendrix out in you. Being such a low output means they can huddle together in series without the compression and muddiness of doing this with higher output units. Being a little way away from each other lends additional airiness, not just a thicker version of the single. Does it sound like a PAF? No, but it isn't a million miles away, and the tones you do get stand on their own 2 feet (bobbins). The paintwork is either a disaster, or endearing depending on what you need from a guitar. It has been very ungraciously refinished with an old paintbrush, and the quantity of paint probably adds half a kilo; but at least it is black, and no-one is going to notice on stage. Given the number of 600s out there in original finish, let's allow this one to soldier on as it is. The pick-ups and controls are all serviced and work just fine, the scratchplate reveal how much this guitar has been played - again, it looks honest. Where I would recommend some work is the frets. These are low - level, but low. These Mats/Fuji models never were particularly meaty, but you will have a year or so of slick comfy playing before some new ones are needed. Pre-76 models do not accept many replacement necks, and these necks are fundamentally excellent, so a re-fret is always justified. We are pricing this one accordingly, but if you can add £220 to the budget, we can put some fresh ones on, and you can decide what type you want. These necks respond brilliantly to Gibson style or Tall Narrow frets - but standard vintage would be the default. Big headstock, maple neck, 70s heft, genuinely old black Strat - this should tick some boxes. This or a new Player II? Well, they were made to much higher standards in Japan. Comes with a Peavey 108 amp if you are an imminent teenager from Tacolnestone. Price ON SALE! Click Buy button to reveal latest price. Availability Sold Recommendation give it for another 50 years Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1974 Pick-ups Maxon Selector 3-way Bridge Vintage tremolo Board Maple Weight 4.47kg; 9lbs 13 oz Modifications Series/parallel switch ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Greco TE-280, Old Warrior ready for battle < Back Greco TE-280 Pre-serial Number Another great old Tele from that golden era. This one arrived covered in green sparkly stickers and missing its bridge completely. Presumably once very busy, but retired less than gracefully, there is no 1970s MIJ guitar that can't be rescued and made to live on indefinitely. Now wearing new frets, sporting a new Wilkinson Bridge and a Maxon bridge pick-up to match the creamy perfection of the classic Tele-neck Maxon, this Tele is ready to serve and try to puts its sticker bombing and parts-raiding behind it. The Wilky bridge came with a brass plate for the pick-up base, and this is now adapted for the Maxon pick-up. Is there a difference? The sound gives up less easily - there is a sense of strength to the tone, but doesn't fundamentally affect the signature howly snarly tone. It used to be white, its now yellow - a lot of the MIJ white guitars are now yellow; but not true yellow, just has "become yellow". The new frets give it the new guitar feel, but you're never in doubt this is an oldie, and the Gibson scale will remind you this is a MIJ oldie. The truss rod cover clearly harks back to the late 60s and early 70s models from Fujigen and Matsumoku. They are usually missing so it is great to have it still in place. Spelling errors too - all lovely early 1970s MIJ. Being the lowly TE-280, there is a sense of purpose rather than a celebration of Leo Fender. Fans of neck pick-ups don't usually default to the Tele, but that all changes when there is a Maxon involved. It needs a new category - it is warm, creamy and smooth, yet still bites and has an airiness. The bridge will provide everything from Country to Punk - especially Punk. It can sound very angry indeed. Its the Tele you can take to the pub - no need to panic about it. It is ready to earn a living. Price ON SALE! Click Buy button to reveal latest price. Availability Sold Recommendation Play the hell out of it Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1974 Pick-ups Maxon Selector 3-way Bridge Wilkinson Board Maple Weight 4.03kg; 8lbs 14oz Modifications Wilkinson Bridge plate & brass pick-up base ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Tony Edwards Guitars - The Standard, Luthier built for a luthier < Back Tony Edwards Guitars - The Standard Pre-serial Number Frequent visitors to the Hall may have bumped into Tony as he spends quite a bit of time here and many of the final touches on our restored and recreated guitars are provided by him and his phenomenal skill. He is both a luthier and professional player, therefore builds guitars for endurance, for a purpose, and perhaps most importantly, produces his own pick-ups to give his guitars the precise character and soul that the buyer has in mind. He makes to order for that very reason as he can tweak all the important factors to deliver the precision. He is also one of the world's nicest guys - not always the case in this industry! Tony builds guitars for himself, he builds to test an idea, and he uses them all to properly road-test them before offering styles and technical ideas to customers. We have 2 recent prototypes that are taking up space in his studio, and are too good not to be offered for sale. The body and neck material is Honduran Mahogany, and the top is AAA flame Maple, just enough red in the nitrocellulose to keep that lovely maple visible. The fretboard is Ebony, fretted to perfection with jumbo frets. A Bi-flex truss rod installed to keep everything correct and maintainable. The neck profile is based upon a typical 1959 profile - I know they vary, and this is based on his 1959. The nut is bone, tuners, saddle and stop are Gotoh - always great dependable future-proof quality. So it looks great, there are a few signs of life from its extensive road testing - a couple of marks on the top which you can see in the detailed pictures. Some of the finishing is prototype-standard, not necessarily as perfect as a guitar you order directly from him. The magic of this guitar is the sound it will let you make. The bridge pick-up has Alnico IV magnets, and overwound as a modern PAF - unpotted with a chrome cover. The neck pick-up has Alnico III magnets, and wound to emulate a 1957 standard PAF, also unpotted with chrome cover. The bridge pick-up is governed with vintage taper CTS potentiometers for volume and tone by the upper 2 knobs, the neck pick-up governed in the same fashion by the lower 2 knobs. The video has a good explanation about why Tony designs a pick-up for a guitar - specifically for this Standard. Despite that substantial looking 5cm thick body, this guitar tips the scales at 3.9kg (8lbs 11oz) and plays sublimely sitting or standing. The guitar is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, and supplied with a good quality case. If purchased together with the Junior, we will offer the pair at £3,975. Read about the Junior: Tony Edwards Guitars - The Junior Price £££ Availability No Longer Available Recommendation Buy the other one too. Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2024 Pick-ups Tony Edwards PAF Alnico III neck; Alnico IV bridge Selector 3-way Toggle Bridge Gotoh ToM Board Ebony Weight 3.9kg; 8lbs 11oz Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Red Rooster Rodster 52, Incredible Tele with sounds to match its looks. < Back Red Rooster Rodster 52 No. 42 A very very rare sight outside USA, this Red Rooster was brought to UK by the original owner. Like every guitar in the owner's collection it is immaculate - I have put more hours on this fretboard in recent days than it has had in its entire life. This is the Rodster '52 and number 42 off the line, this Hugger Orange/Racing White Rooster was one of 4 made (the others blue, green and yellow) in 2015 and sold through Rebel Guitars in Alabama. The body is single piece solid pine and the 0.88 to .095 neck is maple with Dunlop 6150 medium jumbo frets. Can it sound as good as it looks? It has Lollar pick-ups, so yes. The El Rayo at the neck is perfect for this - very little compression and through the 250k pots, it hits the mark perfectly. Mixed with the Alnico 3 bridge pick-up, we get an in-between tone that starts bright and sustains warm - it's pretty addictive - and the A3 bridge on its own begs for chicken-pickin' (I wish I could do it!). Clean, crunchy or driven, these pick-ups are very versatile and should get you through a full set without compromise. None of Margolis' creations were made in great numbers, and this is a very rare opportunity to get hold of one. It comes with a Gator TSA hard case and its sale tag with the spec sheet. Price £1,615.50 Availability 1 at Ketteringham Hall Recommendation Turn up to the Red Rooster Festival with this… Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2015 Pick-ups Lollar El Rayo (neck) and Lollar A3 (bridge) Selector 3-way Bridge Joe Barden Board Maple Weight 3.34kg, 7lbs 6oz Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

1976 Greco SE-500, Some say the pre-Fender ones are the ones to have... < Back 1976 Greco SE-500 J763331 Always a firm favourite here, a white Greco SE-500 - this one is a very early Fujigen built; the production of these Strat copies had moved from Matsumoku a few months earlier and had evolved slightly to be more faithful to the feel of a 1960s Fender while Matsumoku concentrated on a more 1970s style with their Arias. The necks on a 76 are a much slimmer C than the earlier models from across town. The pick-ups are original to the guitar and are the earliest fitment of Excel stamped units we have ever seen. Even though these pick-ups appeared in brochures in 1977, they were on the options list for buyers the year before. These Maxons are extremely well regarded and never disappoint. The action is particularly low on this one, but can come up if need be. The original 3-way switch remains and some careful positioning can tease out the in-between settings. Many of our DreamBuilds use these SE-500 models as the basis for upgrades - talk to us directly to discuss any ideas or if you want us to recreate a previous DreamBuild Price £795 Availability Sold Recommendation Enjoy it, or let's upgrade it Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1976 Pick-ups Maxon Selector 3 way Bridge Vintage style Board Maple Weight 4.38kg; 9lbs 11oz Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Westone Paduak II, Become a Paduak addict like us < Back Westone Paduak II 2072472 Prestige and Rainbow owners will disagree, metallic blue and yellow Raider owners will drop their eye-liner in shock, but the Paduak is, to me, the pinnacle of the Matsumoku Westone range. The neck seems to suit and impress high end Strat and LP players equally. The PEQ controls can convincingly emulate weedy singles, fat P-90s and full humbuckers at some point through the rotation. Those brass knobs with their centre indent just feel better then plastic. So it looks like a 1970's housing estate internal door to some, agreed, but it can grow on you and has its own identity amongst the Fenders and Gibsons. It's all about the neck with this one - the craftsmanship of construction and anti-fashion look aside, even the versatility of the tonal spectrum aside, this neck is addictive. Like all good necks, it brings out the best you have. We have a pair of this model (2072472 and 2062625) with the exact same specification. In the words of our regular visitors, "they are really hard to put down." While 2072472 continues to stay with us at the Hall, 2062625 can join a loving owner. In the video it is the 2062625 in action. For more photos of 2062625, please click here . Price Private Stock (2072472); £595 (2062625) Availability 2 at Ketteringham Hall Recommendation Just enjoy it as it is. Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1982 Pick-ups HF450 Selector 3-way Toggle, with Master volume & 2 PEQ tone Bridge HD Brass Board Maple Weight 3.32kg; 7lbs 5oz Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Greco SE-450S, Lose the headstock tax < Back Greco SE-450S CC805067 The first couple of years of the 1980s must have been exciting at Fujigen - Fender were in town and had decided that if you can't beat them, you have to join them - Fender Japan was in sight. The late 1970's had produced incredible quality guitars at very worrying prices for the Americans - all the modern developments of the CBS era were being delivered - 5-way switches, bullet rods, 3 point micro-tilt neck fitment - all present in the Greco range alongside the traditional pre-CBS styles. 2 models in the range featured these CBS style developments - the SE-450 and the SE-700 - the latter being one of the best kept secrets and a firm favourite amongst our customers and visitors. The SE-450 was the entry level post-CBS era tribute with the PU-S5 pick-ups (an iteration of the ever-popular PU-100), the 5-way switch providing the parallel in-between tones, and the 3 bolt neck. Some 450s were sen ash, some were alder - this one being the latter and a flyweight at 3.18kg (7lbs exactly). Where the Early Sixties 700 had a thick slab of Rosewood and a late 60's neck profile, the Spacey Sounds 450 had maple, and fans of the MIJ JVs and Squiers will immediately recognize the slim C neck. A few years later, this guitar would have be sold as a CST-50 Squier by Fender. Have you seen the prices of those today? With this one, you don't pay the headstock tax. As the 1980s rolled on, the warmth and character of the alnico pick-ups were falling out of favour against the ice-picky more punchy ceramics - the all of nothing types that were feeding long floor pedal chains and solid state amps. These older alnico magnets were developed for simpler days when it was you plugged into an amp. Of course, this feeds an OD-1, or a Maxon 808 perfectly well, but delivers marvellously with just a cable and a small valve amp. Now we going full circle, plugging into a Focusrite and doing all the clever stuff on a computer screen, these old pick-ups start to make sense again. I can't think of a better guitar to begin a journey on, or to develop intermediate skills. Starter guitars bought with a mouse click and delivered in 24 hours serve a purpose, but will quickly let you down. This is the sweet-spot, and will serve you for many more steps along the journey. The seasoned professional here happily admits he would gig with this in a heartbeat. A previous owner has had a tiny section of the rear of the headstock removed - either for an unusual approach to an F chord, or perhaps a Japanese icon of the time had done this and therefore it became necessary - we're not sure. Make sure you see that in the photos, but know that it is invisible from the front, and doesn't affect the guitar's performance. Black on black on Sunburst makes up for this! Price SOLD Availability Sold Recommendation Enjoy as it is Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1980 Pick-ups PU-5S Selector 5-Way Bridge Vintage Tremolo Board Maple Weight 3.18kg; 7lbs 0oz Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

2020 Fender Custom Shop '57 Journeyman, Delicious Custom Shop, friendly price... < Back 2020 Fender Custom Shop '57 Journeyman R101655 Looking for all the world like an Eric Clapton model, this isn't. This is a 1957 Journeyman model that has proper Hand Wound 57 single coils and traditional control set-up, rather than the noiseless pick-ups with the active boost and TBX tone control. We have always found the EC set-up on a Strat to be a little soulless and numb (if that's heresy, then sorry!) and much prefer the simplicity and familiarity of basic coils. The light relic finish looks perfect, and this guitar was ordered with no relic'ing on the neck or frets. These 57s had 6150 medium jumbo frets and these feel slick and easy - you can get underneath the string if you need, or the action can come down a touch if that is preferred. A 9.5 radius and 1.65 nut width will feel familiar, and this ash / maple combination weighs in at 3.3kg (7lbs 4oz) - nice and light. The Floor Traveller describes the neck as a 10/56 V - it certainly has a great mid 50s feel. Originally sold in USA (Dave's Guitar in Wisconsin) it has found its way to UK and has been in a collection for a few years - reluctantly let go of in order to scratch a Rickenbacker itch. It shows very little signs of use - we have no problem describing this as Excellent Condition - bordering on Mint. All the paperwork is present and correct, as is the original case with the candy still unwrapped. Whilst it's true we mainly deal with MIJ offerings, we usually carry a US Fender or two for folk to feel the difference between them; and we know for some folk, it just has to be a Fender, and a US Fender. This ought to hit the spot. We have a few US Fenders at the Hall at the moment and so this one is priced extremely keenly Price £2,785 Availability Sold Recommendation Enjoy as it is Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2020 Pick-ups Hand Wound 57 Strat Selector 5-way Bridge American Vintage Board Maple Weight 3.30kg 7lbs 4oz Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Epiphone Emperor Jo Pass, Great value < Back Epiphone Emperor Jo Pass S6124920 This is a Korean made JP, a Samick produced version, so assured of a very solid construction unlike some Indonesian and Chinese versions. This one has a delightful Bigsby tremolo which is rarely seen on an Emperor, and this plays wonderfully with it; tuning is stable and it doesn't slide around the top like a few Gretsches we have wrestled with. The Epiphone humbuckers are perfect for this application - the original Alnico 2 units really don't need upgrading if the warm jazzy sound is what you want. The bridge humbucker can get dirty and aggressive so it is fine to cover a bit of Joe Pass and Billy Duffy in the same set. This was a busy guitar about 10 years ago - anyone who has stayed at any North Norfolk holiday parks may have seen this guitar with its late owner entertaining heartedly. We have just recommissioned it after a few years storage, and its good to go again. There is a little scar you can see on the upper cutaway - this is lacquer deep and not in any way structural. Comes with a hard case and original Epiphone parts to convert this to a non-Bigsby if that is preferred. Price £££ Availability Sold Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1996 Pick-ups Alnico 2 Humbuckers Selector 3-Way Bridge Bigsby Board Rosewood Weight 3.4kg; 7lbs 8oz Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Fender 68 Telecaster Closet Classic - Blue Flower, The ultimate Blue Flower Telecaster. < Back Fender 68 Telecaster Closet Classic - Blue Flower R78927 Price £6,899 Availability Sold Recommendation Listen to the Kleins before returning it to original pick-ups. Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2015 Pick-ups Klein 1961 Epic Series Selector 3-way Bridge 67 Tele Board Maple Weight 3.33kg, 7lbs 5oz Modifications Klein 1961 Epic Series ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Martin Custom Shop 0018, < Back Martin Custom Shop 0018 Private Collection This is one of 16 XII models ever produced - grab a piece of history that happens to be a mind-bendingly good guitar as well. Price ££££ Availability Sold Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2015 Pick-ups N/A Selector N/A Bridge Birdseye Maple Board Birdseye Maple Weight TBC Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13