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What’s the Most Obscure Guitar Ever Collected? Exploring Rare and Weird Guitars
Do you love guitars? Are you fascinated by the diversity of shapes, colors, and sounds that guitars can offer? Have you ever wondered what kinds of guitars exist beyond the mainstream brands and models that dominate the market? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this blog post is for you. In this article, we will explore some of the most obscure guitars that have ever been collected by enthusiasts, collectors, and musicians around the world. From one-of-a-kind prototypes to forgotten gems, these guitars represent the creativity, innovation, and strangeness of the human mind. We will also provide some tips on how to find and appreciate rare and weird guitars, and how to make your own collection stand out. By the end of this post, you will have a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of the guitar world, and some inspiration to explore it further.
What Makes a Guitar Obscure?
Before we dive into the world of obscure guitars, let’s clarify what we mean by the term. Obscure can refer to anything that is not well-known, popular, or mainstream. In the context of guitars, obscure can mean:
– Rare: a guitar that was produced in limited quantities, or never went into mass production.
– Custom: a guitar that was built to a specific order or specification, and varies in some way from the standard models.
– Experimental: a guitar that was designed to test new features, styles, or technologies, and may or may not have been successful.
– Bizarre: a guitar that defies conventions of shape, color, function, or materials, and may challenge the norms of beauty or practicality.
Of course, these categories are not always mutually exclusive, and some guitars can fall into more than one. Moreover, what makes a guitar obscure is also subjective and contextual. For example, a guitar that is rare in one country or era may be common in another. Likewise, a guitar that is considered bizarre or ugly by some may be cherished by others for its uniqueness or quirkiness. Therefore, our list of obscure guitars is not meant to be definitive, comprehensive, or authoritative. Instead, it is a selection of guitars that we find interesting, unusual, or inspiring, and that we hope you will too.
Rare Guitars
The first category of obscure guitars we will explore is rare guitars. These are guitars that were produced in limited quantities, often due to factors such as economic, technical, or legal constraints. Rare guitars can also be the result of accidents, mistakes, or misfortunes. Whatever the reason, rare guitars are prized by collectors and musicians for their scarcity, history, and quality. Some of the rarest guitars ever made include:
– Gibson Explorer Prototype (1957): the first version of the iconic Explorer model, designed by Gibson engineer Ted McCarty and artist John Huis. Only three prototypes were made, and this one was owned by Hank Garland before being sold to a private collector in the 1990s for a record $250,000.
– Fender Esquire Blackguard (1950): the earliest production model of Fender’s first electric guitar, the Telecaster, before it was called that. Known for its distinctive single-pickup, ash body, and black pickguard, the Esquire Blackguard was made in small numbers between 1950 and 1954, and is now a sought-after collector’s item.
– Gretsch White Penguin (1955): a deluxe version of Gretsch’s popular Duo Jet model, with a white finish, gold hardware, “hump-block” inlays, and two DeArmond pickups. Only 50 White Penguins were made, and some of them were custom-built for famous guitarists such as Chet Atkins and Neil Young.
– Vox Bulldog (1965): a short-lived attempt by Vox to compete with Fender and Gibson in the US guitar market, with a radical design that combined a slab body, a bolt-on neck, two single-coil pickups, and a built-in fuzz/distortion circuit. The Bulldog was discontinued in 1967 due to poor sales and quality control issues, but has gained a cult following among garage rock and punk players.
Custom Guitars
The second category of obscure guitars we will explore is custom guitars. These are guitars that were built to a specific order or specification, often by independent luthiers or small workshops. Custom guitars can reflect the personal taste, style, and needs of their owners, and can push the boundaries of guitar design and craftsmanship. Custom guitars can also be the result of collaborations between guitarists and manufacturers, and can showcase new or experimental features, materials, or technologies. Some of the coolest and weirdest custom guitars ever made include:
– Alembic Further (1973): a guitar built by Alembic for Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia, inspired by a cartoon in a comic book. The Further had a curved body, a hidden tuner, a built-in preamp, and a sculptural design that resembled a melting violin. The Further became Garcia’s signature guitar for many years, and was later replicated by Alembic for other clients.
– Travis Bean TB500 (1974): a guitar built by Travis Bean, a California machinist who invented a new way of making guitar necks from machine-grade aluminum alloy. The TB500 had an angular body, a powerful sound, and a unique sustain due to the heavy neck. It was used by artists such as Jerry Garcia, Peter Frampton, and Keith Levene, and is now a sought-after collector’s item.
– Mosrite Joe Maphis Double-Neck (1963): a guitar built by Mosrite for country and rockabilly virtuoso Joe Maphis, who wanted a double-neck guitar that combined a six-string and a twelve-string neck. The Mosrite Joe Maphis model had a distinctive shape, with a curved body, a German carve top, and a slim neck that enabled fast playing. It was later used by artists such as Kurt Cobain, Ry Cooder, and Joe Perry.
– Kauer Daylighter (2007): a guitar built by Kauer Guitars, a small boutique workshop in California, that combines vintage tonewoods, modern electronics, and funky looks. The Daylighter has a semi-hollow mahogany body, a maple top, a TV Jones Power’Tron pickup, and a retro-futuristic design that recalls classic cars and rockets. It has been praised by players such as Marc Ribot, Jim Campilongo, and David Torn, and is a testament to the ingenuity and passion of independent builders.
Experimental Guitars
The third category of obscure guitars we will explore is experimental guitars. These are guitars that were designed to test new or unconventional features, styles, or technologies, often with mixed results. Experimental guitars can challenge the status quo of guitar design and performance, and can influence the future of guitar making. Experimental guitars can also be the result of happy accidents, serendipitous discoveries, or eccentric visions. Some of the most daring and bizarre experimental guitars ever made include:
– Dan Armstrong Clear (1968): a guitar designed by Dan Armstrong, a New York session musician and engineer, who wanted a guitar that could produce a wide range of tones and colors. The Dan Armstrong Clear had a transparent plastic body, interchangeable pickups, and a modular electronics system that enabled the player to adjust the tone and volume of each pickup individually. The Dan Armstrong Clear was played by artists such as Keith Richards, George Harrison, and Dave Grohl, and is now a rare and prized oddity.
– Steinberger GL (1980): a guitar designed by Ned Steinberger, a New York industrial designer and engineer, who wanted a guitar that could be lightweight, compact, and versatile. The Steinberger GL had a headless, compact design, a composite body, and a built-in active preamp that allowed the player to switch between humbucking, single-coil, and piezo sounds. The Steinberger GL was used by artists such as Eddie Van Halen, David Bowie, and Mike Rutherford, and was a favorite of progressive and experimental guitarists.
– Teuffel Birdfish (1995): a guitar designed by Ulrich Teuffel, a German luthier and inventor, who wanted a guitar that could blend the best features of different guitar types, and challenge the limits of ergonomics and aesthetics. The Teuffel Birdfish had a hybrid body, with a bird-shaped back and a fish-shaped top, a mix of woods and metals, and an innovative Teflon bearing system that reduced friction between strings and frets. The Teuffel Birdfish has been called a work of art, a spaceship, and a weapon, and has been played by artists such as Vernon Reid, Nels Cline, and Henry Kaiser.
– Stephen Marchione Triple Jazz Archtop (2008): a guitar designed by Stephen Marchione, a New York luthier and artist, who wanted a guitar that could combine the warmth, clarity, and versatility of archtop jazz guitars with the power, sustain, and control of solid-body rock guitars. The Stephen Marchione Triple Jazz Archtop had three humbucking pickups, a semi-hollow maple body, a mahogany neck, and a unique control system that allowed the player to switch between different pickup combinations, and fine-tune the tone and volume of each. The Stephen Marchione Triple Jazz Archtop has been praised as a masterpiece of guitar design and craftsmanship, and embodies the quest for sonic excellence and personal expression.
Bizarre Guitars
The fourth and final category of obscure guitars we will explore is bizarre guitars. These are guitars that defy conventions of shape, color, function, or materials, and can challenge the norms of beauty or practicality. Bizarre guitars can be the result of artistic expression, humor, satire, or political commentary. Bizarre guitars can also be the result of mistakes, oddities, or coincidences. Bizarre guitars may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they can spark curiosity, wonder, and inspiration. Some of the weirdest and wildest bizarre guitars ever made include:
– Glove Guitar (1991): a guitar built by artist and inventor Yuri Landman, who wanted to make a guitar that could resemble a giant hand. The Glove Guitar had a wooden frame, a metal fingerboard, and rubber fingers that served as frets. The player would wear a glove with sensors on the fingers that triggered the pickups, and could slide, strum, pluck, or tap each finger to produce different sounds. The Glove Guitar was used by artists such as Sonic Youth, Liars, and Blood Red Shoes, and is a prime example of Landman’s quirky genius.
– Saturn Guitar (1958): a guitar designed by Bill Teague, a California inventor, who wanted to make a guitar that could evoke the futuristic and space age themes of the late 1950s. The Saturn Guitar had a circular body, with four knobs on the face and a speaker grille on the back, and a built-in amplifier that allowed the player to plug in and play like a regular guitar. The Saturn Guitar was never mass-produced, and only a handful were made, but its striking appearance and unique design make it a rare and coveted oddity.
– Peavey Vortex EX (1989): a guitar designed by Peavey, a leading manufacturer of amplifiers and guitars, who wanted to create a guitar that could look edgy and intimidating. The Peavey Vortex EX had a sharp-edged body, a pointed headstock, and a gold or silver finish, and was marketed as a metal machine for shredders and thrashers. The Peavey Vortex EX was not a big commercial success, but has gained a cult following among fans of bizarre guitars and heavy metal.
– RKS Wave (1992): a guitar designed by RKS Guitars, a California-based company that sought to reinvent the way guitars were made and played. The RKS Wave had a contoured body, a tilting neck, and a modular electronics system that allowed the player to swap between different pickups, effects, and output options. The RKS Wave was praised for its innovation, versatility, and quality, but struggled to find a market niche, and was discontinued in 1995. The RKS Wave is now a rare and intriguing example of a forward-looking guitar design that tried to break free from tradition.
How to Find and Appreciate Rare and Weird Guitars
So, if you want to start collecting rare and weird guitars, where do you begin? Here are some tips on how to find and appreciate guitars that are out of the ordinary:
– Research: read books, magazines, blogs, and forums about guitars and guitar history. Look for sources that showcase rare and weird guitars, and learn about the stories, features, and values of each guitar. Check out online auction sites, classifieds, and vintage dealers to get an idea of the prices and availability of the guitars you’re interested in.
– Listen: watch and listen to recordings and performances of artists who play rare and weird guitars. Pay attention to the sounds, styles, and moods that these guitars can create, and compare them to the sounds of more common guitars. Think about what kind of music you want to play and what kind of guitar would fit your style and preferences.
– Play: if possible, try out rare and weird guitars in person, either by visiting guitar shops or guitar shows, or by borrowing or renting them from owners or dealers. Get a feel for the neck, the weight, the balance, the sound, and the controls of each guitar, and see how they affect your playing and your enjoyment. Think about the ergonomics, the playability, and the comfort of each guitar, and how they fit your body and hands.
– Collect: start building your own collection of rare and weird guitars, based on your interests, your budget, and your passion. Decide whether you want to focus on a specific category, era, brand, or theme of guitars, or whether you want to seek out variety and surprise. Set goals and priorities for your collection, and be prepared to invest time, effort, and money into it. Keep your guitars in good condition, and learn how to fix and maintain them yourself or with the help of a qualified technician.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have explored some of the most obscure guitars ever collected, and provided some tips on how to find and appreciate rare and weird guitars. We have seen guitars that are rare, custom, experimental, or bizarre, and that represent the diversity and creativity of the guitar world. We have also seen guitars that challenge the norms of guitar design and performance, and that inspire us to think outside the box and embrace our own uniqueness. Whether you’re a guitar player, a collector, or a fan, we hope that you have enjoyed this journey of discovery, and that you will keep exploring the wonderful world of guitars.
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