What the hell is Jimi playing?
- Thread starter Securb
- Start date
NegativeEase
New member
yeah,I think it has to be someone else's custom guitar he picked up backstage -because I checked the "every guitar Jimi ever played" listings online and this one isn't listed.
And people are really serious about these lists being comprehensive.
Looks like something the Grateful Dead used to play.
CaptainWhizz
New member
It looks like it’s strung lefty, but it seems to be a right-handed model judging by the pick guard. Who were the other lefties at the time? Dick Dale and Albert King were both left-handed but played guitars strung for right-handed players, IIRC.
Three full-sized toggle switches seems odd.
Three full-sized toggle switches seems odd.
Chris Pile
Well-known member
2 switches on one side - 1 switch on the other. Anyone recognize the truss rod cover? I suspect that is the key. The pickguard reminds me of some Guild electrics. Might be a double cutaway Starfire.
NegativeEase
New member
It's a good guess, since Jimi lived in London during his last 5 years of fame he had access to so many guitar brands that were never imported to the US, I'm always amazed when I'm over there at how many guitar brands there were in the 60s and 70s in Europe and Asian Imports to Europe.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Looks like Guild's answer to a psychedelic Tal Farlow. It appears Jimi did own a Starfire, maybe the one above was a prototype or just another one that hasn't come up for auction?
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-l...1-c-4464b20af1
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-l...1-c-4464b20af1
NegativeEase
New member
My favorite JImi guitar tone is when he recorded with the Mosrite -Like Spanish Castle Magic.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
I do not think it is a Guild. The truss cover does not look like a Guild. Also, I have never seen a Guild with 3 toggles. The key is it is strung for Jimi so it is not someone else's guitar he picked up backstage. Seymour took the picture I am wondering if someone coud reach out to him and ask if he remembers what the axe was.
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
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Chris Pile
Well-known member
Nope. Barney Kessel's are thicker than that. And the truss rod cover is the key. Somewhere in the past 45 years at the bench I've seen a couple of these, but I just can't recall the brand.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Looks similar to this thing, and check out the switches on the upper bout.
https://reverb.com/item/41456817-vin...htly-scalloped
I'm not implying that it's a Norma BK copy, but my money's on MIJ of some sort.
https://reverb.com/item/41456817-vin...htly-scalloped
I'm not implying that it's a Norma BK copy, but my money's on MIJ of some sort.
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Chris Pile
Well-known member
I've owned a Barney Kessel back in the 80's - they are full bodied guitars. What Jimi is playing is closer to a Gibson ES-125 TC - a thinline guitar (and Guild Starfire).
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Kind of reminds me of the Johnny A sig model, too.
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Chris Pile
Well-known member
HOLY CRAP! That's it.
The 3 switches - the pickguard shape. It's all there. You can see the truss rod cover in snowdog's link.
goya-rangemaster-quadrant-control-786102.jpg (1988×2534) (audiofanzine.com)
The 3 switches - the pickguard shape. It's all there. You can see the truss rod cover in snowdog's link.
goya-rangemaster-quadrant-control-786102.jpg (1988×2534) (audiofanzine.com)
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Chris Pile
Well-known member
Never mind. NOW I get the joke.
