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.

Fender Strat Plus

1987-1999
Alder or Ash / Maple / Maple or Rosewood

By many considered one of Fender’s finest, the Plus series was released and introduced a lot of new props. It was the first Strats to featured Gold Lace Sensor pickups as well as locking tuners. Those pickups were appreciated for keeping a 50s feel, but without the hum. Hear it

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

Fender Precision Bass Plus

1989-1993
Alder or Ash, Maple, Rosewood

Nicknamed “Boner P-Bass” because of its elongated horn, it is one of the first 22 frets american made bass. Two Lace sensor pickups (one Jazz + one precision). Hear it

Danelectro model 4123

1963-1969
Masonite, Poplar, Rosewood

Also known as the Guitarlin, the Danelectro 4123 is remarkable not only by shape but by sound: Its extra long 31 frets neck adds a mandolin range.

Silvertone 1423 Jupiter

1959-1962
Maple, Rosewood

Also known as the Harmony H-49, this is one of the Sears catalog guitars produced by Harmony. Two DeArmond pickups with a gorgeous tone, lightweight because of a semi-hollow body, it’s a very desirable guitar usually found under $1,000. Photo: Southside Guitars

Wandré Model BB

1958-1962
Aluminum, Rosewood, Plastic

The initials B.B. was the title of a Serge Gainsbourg song. It was also the name of one of  Wandré’s first electric guitars. In both cases, they refer to the same emblem of the sixties: Brigitte Bardot.

Her sexy curves were certainly an inspiration for the body shape, on which Wandré experimented with all kinds of unusual finishes, like candle smoke. Long before Travis Bean, Wandré used aluminum for the neck, and plastic for the headstock. Just like Bardot, this guitar was very liberated for its time. More info and pictures at fetish guitars. Photo from Guitarz.

Rickenbacker Tom Petty Signature

1991-1993 (circa)
Birdseye Maple, Rosewood

Poor Tom Petty had many of his guitars stolen recently, but he still has a Rickenbacker signature model. Its official name is Model 660/12TP. No surprise with such release, Tom Petty has been a long time supporter of the brand. Although it was officially introduced during the 1991 NAMM Anaheim show, prototypes were hurling around as early as 1988. A total of 1000 TPs were made, the majority with a Fireglo finish (813), the rest in Jetglo (187).

Neck through body, the TP is entirely made of Birdseye Maple, with the addition of a rosewood fretboard. It also features the traditional toaster pickups that Petty favored.

Rickenbacker 4001

1961-1981
Maple, Walnut, Rosewood

Hard to keep track of all the bass legends that played the Rickenbacker 4001 at some point in their carreer. To name a few: Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, Phil Lynott, Paul Simonon and here is how Cliff Burton mastered it.

Neck through, triangular inlays, crescent wave body shape, the 4001 is iconic in many ways. Its successor, the 4003 model, remains very similar in features and definition.

For sale by Vintage & Rare

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

Fender Katana

1985-1986
Maple, Rosewood

Designed by Dan Smith to compete against the Jackson models of that era, its pretty safe to say the Fender Katana is one of the Fender guitar ever made. That’s probably what people thought at the time since it was pulled off from catalogs a year after its introduction.

Looks aside, its a high quality model made in Japan. Set neck, Tbx tone control, it has a surprisingly snappy sound despite the dual coils. A much more common squier version with the same name exist. Scott Grove’s Youtube review

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

Gibson ES-175 CC

1978-1980
Maple, Rosewood

This is officially the first model featuring a Charlie Christian pickup since the ES-150, on which the pickup made its original introduction in 1936. Although the ES-175CC was an instant success among jazz players looking for a vintage sound, only 479 units of the Kamalazoo crafted instrument were ever produced. Hear it jazz

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.