1964 Rose Morris Rickenbacker model 1997 Jet Glow

1964 Rose Morris Rickenbacker model 1997 Jet Glow

How weird is it that in 1964 someone thought to name a model of guitar a 1997. 

Could be confusing after 1997, good thing for the serial numbers.

TEA BOX BASS OR WASHTUB BASS

TEA BOX BASS OR WASHTUB BASS

I really love the sound of the bass, that low, steady, beating string sound that seems to drive the rhythm. 

The sound of the washtub or tea box bass is half way between the percussion and the string section of the musical group, bringing them together nicely.

Thirty years ago, I could not afford a real electric bass, but as I am kind of handy I thought I could make  an acoustic bass. That I still have thirty years later due to the quality workmanship.

A friend suggested to just use a broom handle and a screw to attach the rope, the washtub was the expensive part at $35. 

 I Love Vintage Instruments, therefore my bass had to be something special. I hand picked all the wood to be used in  the construction of my bass.

I laminated a piece of Oak and Maple woods together and hand carved the back of the neck with a spoke shaver. There are six coats of lacquer over top of a linseed oil finish. The neck is about five feet long with notch on the bottom so that it stays on the rim of the washtub. There is a drilled bolt with a wing nut tuner and washer at the headstock. Though, there are many suggestions for string such as clothes line and aircraft cable, my choice is heavy gauge steel tie wire.

There is a difference between the Tea Box and the Washtub when used as a resonator. The tone of the Tea box is much more mellow and woody, as compared to the Washtub which is a bit louder and tinny.

I use a heavy guitar pick to pluck the string, This enables me to get a  nice loud clear note each time.

TEA BOX BASS OPEN AT THE FRONT FOR BEST SOUND

WASHTUB BASS WITH HAND CARVED NECK

1969 Fender Mustang Bass and Big Brother

1969 Fender Mustang Bass and Big Brother

2010 Jazz

These are a couple of nice basses the 1969 Bronco has been stripped and roughly refinished.

The sound and feel can't be beat. The neck was not touched as far as refinishing goes.

These are both natural wood finish and the picture give a good comparison of the size difference between the two basses.

1960's WHAT ON EARTH

1960's WHAT ON EARTH

WHEN YOU GO TO YARD SALES YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU MIGHT FIND.

I Love Vintage Instruments no matter what, where, who or how.

Yard sales, auctions, internet sales sites, word of mouth, any lead will be investigated.

I found this home made beauty at a sale many years ago and held on to it for some time.

We are really just custodians of these fine instrument while we are here. 

Does any one recognizes this odd shaped guitar?

Please don't tell me it is a priceless Bloobenhymer.... because I sold it at a yard sale for $5.

Good luck hunting.

1980 LARRIVEE C-10 SEAHORSE HEADSTOCK

1980 LARRIVEE C-10 SEAHORSE HEADSTOCK

I had been working in construction for twenty years, and had raised my family to a advanced stage.

 I thought that to mark this occasion, I would treat myself to a super special guitar. It had to have bling... 

 I am not a particularly shy person and to have something flashy around my neck is not a problem.

There was a great guitar shop in Peterborough Ont.that I would visit now and again. You never know what Don was going to have hanging behind the counter. We do miss the Music Workshop.

Martin D-45's were not too available here in Canada. However we do have a luthier that is arguably as qualified at guitar building as Mr. Martin's predecessors.

In 1980 Jean was still building guitars by hand in Victoria, British Columbia. The cool thing with this guitar is that his wife Wendy did the beautiful Abalone inlay. This guitar was originally made without a truss rod. The previous owner had it was returned to Jean Larrivee and one was installed. 

Rosewood back and sides Sitka Spruce top.

Crystal clean sound and lots of bling.......

1984 Rickenbacker 4001

1984 RICKENBACKER 4001 BASS

IT WAS A SNOWY JANUARY MORNING WHEN I CHECKED THE CLASSIFIED ADS. 

THERE WAS ANOTHER STORM FOLLOWING CLOSE BEHIND THE LAST ONE.

When I called, the owner of this guitar  said he had another guy coming in from Kingston Ont. but was not sure if he would make it. One hour later he called to say the gent from Kingston did not want to chance the trip with the major snow storm anticipated. I decided to risk it, and jumped into my car. It was going to be an hour there and an hour back if everything went well. The sky was cloudy and dark and the traffic was unsurprisingly light. The Weather Channel had recommended unnecessary travel--ill advised. 

The seller had put a ridiculously low price on this spotless mint 4001 Rickenbacker. It would not last long. Safely at my destination I took my time and checked the bass over very thoroughly, it was awesome.

It is a latter 4001 with some of the features of a 4003 Rickenbacker in that it has the dual truss rods.

There is some debate over when the last 4001's were released, this is well past the average consensus of when the last ones came out. Truss rod cover says 4001 and the serial number is XB suggesting a 1984.

Cool Bass 

1979 Gibson Explorer II

1979 GIBSON EXPLORER II

 In 1979, Gibson introduced the E2 model (also known as the Explorer II), featuring a 5 piece walnut/maple laminated construction and a contoured body. 

This model was discontinued after 1983.

My Explorer is a rocking time machine. 

It comes with DiMarzio pickups that put out tons of power.

The most popular way to seek out your dream guitar these days is to check out the on line personal sale sites.

Sometimes you have to travel long distances to obtain your rocking dream machine, but if it all works out, it is so worth it.

Happy hunting.