ELECTRICIZED

Guild X-50

1954-1970
Mahogany, Maple, Rosewood

The Guild X-50 was Guild’s response to Gibson ES-125. It was the smallest of Guilds hollowbody and the only model of the ‘X’ line to be non-cutaway. Early models were nicknamed Granada, up until 1961 when the guitar was renamed Cordoba.

Brian May Special

2006-Present
Mahogany, Ebony

Family-built by Brian May and his father, the Red Special has been reproduced several times by brands like Guild and Burns since the eighties. In 2006, May created ‘Brian May Guitars’ to market his own take on the ‘Old lady’. Loaded with three Burns Tri-sonic pups, it’s a great quality instrument for $800. 

Gretsch 6117 Catseye

1964-1968
Maple, Mahogany, Rosewood

As cool as it is rare, the Gretsch 6117 Catseye got its name from the “Cat eyed” shape sound holes instead of the traditional F-holes. Common to Rickenbacker, catseye holes were only seen in acoustic Gretsch models.

Known colors are black, candy apple red, and an extremely rare metallic blue. Edit: Sam Ash had apparently a 1964 exclusive in Monkee’s red (pictured)

Hofner President Electric Archtop

1956-1971
Spruce, Maple, Mahogany, Rosewood

Another superb Hofner. The President Electric was a variant of the acoustic model of the same name, which started off in 1953. It is easily recognized by its triple dot inlays and single cutaway (venetian or florentine). Early models had black bar pickups (pictured). Hear it

Photo from Vintagehofner

Gibson CS Marc Bolan Les Paul

2011-2012
Maple, Mahogany, Ebony

Marc Bolan’s Les Paul was a FrankenPaul. It was built out of several LPs from different eras. Its whereabouts are unknown, but Gibson believed its last state to be a 50s Les Paul body with a 70s LP Custom neck. That’s on these specs that they built the Custom Shop Marc Bolan signature Les Paul. Of course, its a limited run of 100, on top of which another 350 VOS have been produced.

The aged finish may be called ‘Bolan Chablis’, its not by licking the maple top that you’ll get a proper taste out of this axe.

Photo by the Music Zoo

Yamaha SG-5

1966-1971
Mahogany, Rosewood

Yamaha started its official line of solidbody electrics in 1966. Of these early models, the most recognizable is probably the Flying Samurai series.

The Flying Samurais were designed by Japanese surf rock legend and Mosrite fan Takeshi Terauchi. Zero fret, reverse asymatrical body shape, this love is all over the flying samurais.

The SG-5 was released in 1966 and the SG-5A the year after. Yamaha had the habit of adding the letter “A” to the name of improved models. Hear it

PRS McCarty Model

1994-2007
Maple, Mahogany, Rosewood

Ted McCarty, former president of Gibson (during the 1950-65 golden era) has been involved with PRS since 1994. His first contribution was properly called the McCarty Model. Thicker neck and body than usual PRS, The PRS McCarty has a strong, pleasant vintage Les Paul influence in both sound and feel. It is also the first PRS to feature a three way switch.

the first 100 units were signed and numbered. In 1998, a rosewood fretboard was offered as optional. Hear it

Magneto Velvet

2011-Present
Mahogany, Maple top, Rosewood

One thing to know about Magneto guitars is that they are entirely, and beautifully, hand crafted — a rare feat in the modern world. Magneto founder and luthier Christian Hatstatt was inspired by the powerful sound of Gibson SGs when he designed this Magneto Velvet. Two Lollar Imperial pickups deliver a sound with a lot of emphasis on the mids and an impressive sustain. Visually, the guitar looks stunningly clean, and the hand rub oil finish really makes the grain of the wood shine. Nice job Frenchies. Hear it.

Yamaha SLG-100

2000s-Present
Maple, Mahogany, Rosewood

Yamaha came up with a new line of guitar called Silent Guitars in the early 2000s. Basically electro-acoustics with a headphone jack, the SLG are available with nylon strings (SLG-100N) or steel strings (SLG-100S). Yamaha also included a set of FX controls: Two reverbs, a chorus and a delay. The Silent Guitar has been designed with travelling guitarists in mind, as the frame can be dismantled easily. Hear it

Charvel Model 88

1988
Mahogany, Rosewood

A limited edition Charvel. Only 1000 units, made only in 1988. Lovely body made out of african ribbon mahogany.  The body of the prototype would later be used to produce the Jackson Dinky Harry Cody. (The EMG pickup on the photo is not original)

1959 Guild M-75 Aristocrat

1959
Spruce, Mahogany

The lord of the Guild.P-90 love. Absolutely gorgeous. On Ebay

1960 Goya Model 90 Deluxe

1960

Mahogany, Plastic

Pearloid fretboard. 177 made. Swedish beauty: Goya Models 80 and 90 were crafted by Hagstrom.

Photo: Rumble Seat Music

One of the nicest explorer i’ve seen is the Mahogany 2007 limited model. Clean.

Amazon guitar made by Fenton Weill for Hohner around 1961