A guitar that I designed 1984 - wish me luck

Nuuska

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Hello

i984 I came to idea, that a solid body 12-string with 24frets free of body, one pickup and whammy bar would be cool. And it should fit in Gibson Protector II case. So first I made a cardboard, that would fill the case lines. Designed headstock with 12 Schaller mini tuners - set the place of the nut - scale - bridge. Then started to play with different body shapes, until I had what I thought would be nice. Cut the outline and brought the cardboard model to my friend Matti Nevalainen, who later became known as "Flying Finn Guitars" maker.

- http://www.flyingfinnguitars.fi/e_front.html

So he said he will make me one - a few months later I had it. Last I´ve seen of that one is, that I sold it to Pete Wagner at LaVonne Music in MN. I might have a picture of it somewhere.

Meanwhile the cardboard model remained hanging on his workshop wall. Some guitar players saw it and asked, if he would make a 6-string version with two humbuckers for them.
I found one of those 6-strings about 15 years ago in local music store with a sticker "Not for sale" - he would not even discuss it. Few weeks ago i visited his new location just to see him. Sure enough that guitar was hanging there. I told him that it is my design - and he got quite exited about it - took some photos of me playing it.

Yesterday noonish I went to see him - we talked of how we both are not getting younger anymore and neither of us have anybody to carry our business after we´re gone - so we both better get rid of the stuff, while we still can. For him it is the music store - for me it is the pa-systems and stocks of swiss tape recorders and loudspeaker elements.

I asked if I could borrow the guitar for afternoon - I had left my Guild D-125 in his shop in hopes, that he might do some trading. I called Matti Nevalainen - he lives nearby - went to show him the guitar - and first then it dawned on me, that there were not that many around.

Final score is, that he made another 12-string for a finnish artist Yari plus 3 6-strings. He reshaped the headstock to his then standard. On the other 12-string he added a cavity + f-hole.

So back to this 6-string - I went back to store in the afternoon with the guitar and a contract paper, that I had written. Idea is, that if he finally agrees me to have it, I will give him life-long right to buy it back for 100€ - if I ever decide to sell it. Also if I sell it to anybody else without offering it to him first, then I shall pay him 3000€ compensation. Naturally this guitar is not worth more than 1500€ or less, so I should be able to convince him, that I want it because I designed it, and want to keep it.

So now the guitar is here - needs good cleaning, new strings, fret end smoothing + little loving care. It plays well and the sound is fine for me.

Finally few pictures of it - the glue on headstock is where the "Not for sale" sticker was . . .


So while the hopes of ever getting a fancy Guild Nightbird or Bluesbird are thin - please hold your thumbs up for me, that I could get this.


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walrus

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Beautiful! Love the finish color (no pun intended!)!

What wood is the top? Crazy grain on it!

walrus
 

Bonneville88

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Great story and a cool guitar - wood and coloration on the top is absolutely wonderful and wild -congrats!
 

Nuuska

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Hello

Thank you for nice comments. Top is birch.
 

adorshki

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So while the hopes of ever getting a fancy Guild Nightbird or Bluesbird are thin - please hold your thumbs up for me, that I could get this.
Y'mean like this?
:encouragement:

Great story and a cool guitar - wood and coloration on the top is absolutely wonderful and wild -congrats!

Yeah great story.
And I don't believe I've ever seen a green sunburst before...not even on one of those crazy '80's pointy guitars!
 
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Nuuska

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I grew up at Lavonne's Music store. Awesome shop! Cool story


And I was working at James Berns Music in Bloomington - 8417 Pillsbury Ave S - tel 612-884-1774 - do we perhaps know each other?


And if it is not too much trouble - could you go ask Pete about it - he does not answer, when I send him e-mail
 
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