Attack of the Spectors

Here's John Lockner of Maple Grove playing a 1986 Spector NS-2. It's a nice sounding & smooth playing bass that's never let him down on stage. This is one of five Spectors that he uses regularly to cover the low grooves. John's had a busy gig schedule, as he's been working with GEMINI for years. That keeps him active when he's not busy selling great gear at American Guitar & Band during the week. His past rock trysts include a long history of performances with great local acts Barilla, Dungeon, & Jaded. John's got a lot more cool axes to share, so check back on this site soon for more vintage mojo from a true dedicated rocker.

Battlescar Gallactica

This high mileage heavy metal Stratocaster is owned & built by Kelly Peterson from Blaine. Great beginnings for this one, starting life as a 1983 alder body reissue of a 1957. New features now include tone zone in the bridge position, dimarzio paf pro in neck position, & stacked coil razor from AllParts in the mid position. Fender logo on Jackson replacement neck with ebony board, Kahler locking nut &super jumbo frets attached to body now routed out for Floyd Rose. This battle worn weapon has earned it's stripes. Kelly has always stayed busy working with many past acts such as Rocking Horse, Regime, Badditude, Killawatts (the list goes on & on). Kelly is as talented & reliable as they come in this business. We got our music degrees together back in the 80's, so you know he's got it down right tight! He's one heck of a luthier as well. Some of Kelly's current projects are K-Train doing classic rock & Custard Pie, a cool Zep tribute act.
You can always hit the official KmanRocks.com website to find out where to rock with the Kman. He might even let you sit in, or at least let you knock over one of his guitars. }:-D-
Stay tuned for future posts featuring more of Kelly's other hip battle axes.

World's Largest Pedal Board

Freak of the Week
I'd get so lost using this set-up. Maybe there's an ap you can get for iPhone (like google earth) to help navigate this thing. We all dreamed of effects arsenals like this when we were teens, but now most of us dream of burning the mortgage. You've got to admit that it'd still be fun to start twanging & stomping all over these pedals. Use the comment section below to try & correctly identify as many of these classic pedals as you can. You can click on the picture to enlarge the photo. I'll honor the winner of this contest with my personal congratulations on their misspent youth.

Twisted Sister

I was lucky enough to have Gloria Gunnick of White Bear Lake think of me yesterday when it was finally time to sell her '81 Guild X-80 with factory mounted Kahler trem. She's taken good care of this, & it's still in amazing condition after 30 years here in the cities. She's rocked with several acts over the years, including the Glo Girls & Phat Pearl, so you might remember her from some of the classic rock party rooms of the era, like Muldoons, Monte's, or the old Iron Horse. Here's some classic footage of her in action I found on YouTube. Thanks for years of great entertainment, Glo. Can't wait to see what's next.
...Tonight: McKracken's in Burnsville.

1968 Gibson Dove

This classic is owned by Dan Osberg of Cottage Grove. Dan inherited this gem from his father who played a lot of shows in South Minneapolis back in the day. Note the addition of a custom clear plexi pick guard on the top. This axe has played a lot of polka & country before Dan ever got rocking on it. While this guitar has a lot of monetary value, nothing can compare to the sentimental value that Dan places on this classic honky tonk machine. I've played many shows with Dan this year. He a solid reliable player, & a dedicated rocker who's most noted for his prior work with the twin cities based Metallica tribute show "One".

Erin-Caster

This is an exact replica of an 82 "big peghead" Fender Stratocaster built for Willie McManus by Erin Randolph of South Minneapolis. Erin is usually busy doing repairs, as he is the authorized repair luthier for Encore Music. Erin still finds time to build a couple guitars every year. You you can contact him at lexluthier72@yahoo.com, or by phone at 612 987-0825. Click HERE to see Willie rocking this axe on YouTube. Catch Willie's next show on Saturday November 19th at the Fabulous Driftwood Char Bar. with his cool band "The She Shes"

Free Fallin'

Brian Evans can be seen all across the country playing this one of a kind axe by Phantom Guitars out of Oregon. This rare 12 string was custom made to specs set by Karl Swartz for Mark Larsen, & is one of the many authentic axes used in the Minneapolis based Tom Petty tribute show "Free Fallin'". Click HERE for a link to where you can see this guitar in action.
For more information contact: Phantom Guitarworks 80353 Quincy Mayger Rd Clatskanie, Oregon 97016 USA (503) 728-4825 Tel

1967 Voxmobile

Freak of the Week
Even though the owners of this Barris custom currently reside in Denver, I just had to upload this because of the obvious tie in with the previous post below. So here it is - the one and only VOXMOBILE! In 1967, VIP's from Vox corporation approached George Barris to build a Voxmobile guitar car. George had just finished the Bat mobile, & would soon be making the Monkey mobile. The idea was to fabricate a custom roadster that would function both as a car and as a mobile amplifier, designed to be used for promotional purposes. Their dreams came true with Vox mobile, a vehicle with a Vox guitar silhouette that served as a functioning amp that could support up to 32 guitars, and also featured a working Vox Super Continental organ in the rear deck. You can learn more from the Barris Customs page.
Here are more cool Vox mobile links:
http://www.thevoxmobile.com/index.php/what-is-the-voxmobile/6
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=351329&showall=1
http://www.pedaltothemetal.com/index.php/news_story/1967_george_barris_quotthe_voxmobilequot_vox.html

Beware the Encore Phantom

Here's the five sided Japanese copy of the ultra British Vox Phantom, distibuted by Tiesco Del Rey. A rare appearance of model EV-2T, circa 1967 available through Encore Music at 2407 Lyndale ave S. Chad was kind enough to let me into the shop to snap a few pics this week during the extensive remodeling process at Encore. With the plethora of vintage guitars on hand it was very difficult to select only one to feature. Give him a call at 612 871-1775 for more info on this pizza paddle, or to get an update what else he's got available this week.

God Save the Queen

Beautiful 2008 Red Special from Brian May Guitars (very similar to the original Burns) as used by Steve Pritchard of Rogers, MN in the great Queen tribute "Crown Jewels". Steve picked up this axe specifically for this cool show which I attended at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis on June 14th 2011. The band is now on temporary hiatus while searching for a new keyboardist for this project. Steve is also currently working with the Audio Marauders this fall. Click HERE to check their twin cities schedule. Maybe you'll get lucky, as Stevie just might be be swinging this axe for a few tunes.

Update: Just caught Mark from the Whatnots playing this same fine axe in the event center at St. Croix casino on 11/11/2011.

Diver Down - B2A

Here's the pic that I've been promising of the first Steinberger licensed bass that I purchased back in '84 from Crazy Jim's Anoka Music Center, (now Mr. Mark's Music) which I first referenced in the Wednesday, July 13, 2011 post "Small Package, Big Sound". The diving flag paint scheme is pretty unique, but in line with the styles of the day. Distributed by Hohner & tagged as B2A (Bass, 2 pick-up, Active electronics) this was really bargain priced for the day ($399). If anyone remembers Rod House from the band PANIC, tell him I'd like to buy this one back to use in my current touring bass line-up. This axe photographs very nicely & would work well in our current setting.
My next in town show is this Saturday, November 5th at Main street in Hopkins. Swing in for a cocktail if you're in the neighborhood. Next up after that is Saturday November 12th at McCracken's in Burnsville where I'll be playing the white Steinberger pictured up at the top of this page.

1966 Ibanez Dega

Guitar of the Week
Japanese export from 1966, Ibanez Dega, catalog #452. You'll rarely see one of these in Minneapolis, but there have been sitings reported. It's the mystery of the outcome of the hunt that makes us continually seek out gems like this. Now you tell me, who wouldn't pick this up at a local garage sale if you saw one. I don't care who you are; certain guitars are so alluring that we become helpless as if there were a beautiful naked woman standing in front of us. We open our wallets & walk away smiling with our prize.

ALERT - Stolen Guitars

Four guitars stolen during a break in at Encore Music 2407 Lyndale Ave S Minneapolis on Sunday night this week.
1959 Gibson es-125 cherryburst SN#20326
1974 Gretsch country club
Charvel fusion black shredder guitar SN#326948
Kramer striker single duncan pickup
First two are very similar to photo. Please forward any info to the owner Chad Speck & aid in the recovery of these axes.
Encore Music 612-871-1775

Vote for Minnesota's Best Bass Player

You've worked the circuit, you've seen the players, you've grooved on the tone & the licks. You know who's a dedicated entertainer & who's a unreliable ego-ed out flake. Now's your chance to pay homage to the guys that have layed down the coolest combination of low notes so there was a foundation to build on. Click HERE to vote for the best bass player in Minnesota & show that you actually paid attention over the years. When you're done with that you can vote for MN's best guitarist on the same site.
MusicMates.com-Musician's Megabase.
Salute!
http://www.musicmates.com/vote-best-minnesota-bass-player.php
The pic above is a nice clean 74 Fender Precision American work horse. My black '71 P looks darn near identical to this one. Check back for photos.

Washburn G-10V

These old Washburns from the 80's are some of the most functionally useful guitars out there for the money. It seems that everyone out there who has one of these got it for under $200 bucks. That's a steal for a quality US or JAP made vintage dive bombiming metal machine. Note the locking nut & the three on/ off switches for the pick ups! The hockey stick headstock would be enough to reel me in. Check out the value ratings on Harmony Central to learn more about why these are so loved. I've got my eye on a Washburn A-10 right now that is just oozing the MTV vibe. Frosty Atkinson is the proud new owner of this red relic, & you can join his fan club here. Someday I'll post a picture of his '65 Gibson Firebird. Here's his band's website: lot80s.com. Catch Frosty's next big show at Pickle Park on Friday October 28. This is a great concert venue with a wonderful nightclub atmosphere. Make sure you check out the giant 32 foot Gibson guitar hanging over the bar while you're there.

Japan Air Strike EX-1

When Fender JAPAN released their new line of active guitars in the eighties it didn't quite have the same impact as Hiroshima, mostly due to some of the heaviest competition the market has ever seen from other exporting manufacturers. Nonetheless, they produced some fine unique axes like like this pristine example. John Ryan's 1989 Fender Heartfield EX-1 finished in Blue-Burst. This bolt on beauty came with a recessed mount licensed Floyd Rose trem, active rail pick ups, which are very hot and loud! It also has some cool electronics like a boost switch, coil splitter, and a sweep control. You might be able to catch this axe out at a show with John's band Stealin the Covers. Check out their facebook page to find a list of their scheduled performances.

1979 Gibson SG Exclusive

Great color combination on this Gibson from the late seventies. Finished off nicely with cream pick guard, block inlays, brass nut, fully bound neck & Grover tuners, this was one of the finest playing guitars I've experienced. With the jumbo frets & ultra low action, this axe practically played itself (like butter). It also featured factory pick-up coil tap controlled by a rotary "Tap" knob. Even the Dead Milkmen sound good using this axe in the video for "Punk Rock Girl". This was my third SG (25 years ago), & was the best one by far to date at that time. Only 478 of this model manufactured (one year only, 1979), & there were a couple available on the web recently. I'll file this in the "sold way too cheap" file along with my 1962 Fender Jazz. Oops!

Gene's Fine 59's

Looks like it was a catalog Christmas for some lucky kid back in the day. Who remembers looking at the guitars in the Wards & Sears catalogs as kids in their youth, & picking out your favorites for your wish list? Dreams can come true, as proven by Gene's fine '59's. Side by side, here are the fierce competitors; Airline & Silvertone. Money was scarce in 1959. If one of these cost 25 cents more than the other, odds were pretty good it would outsell it's counterpart nearly two-fold. This pic submitted courtesy of the Gene Olson collection. We'd all be proud to display these early classics. Gene was one of the first sound techs that I worked with back in the late seventies, it's always a treat to see his old gear.

Coyote - Beep Beep

HONDO Coyote
Speaking of great duos, You may remember this rare model attacking in pairs as twin cities metal power pop band Obsession hit the stage in the 80's. When Jeff Loven & Brynn Arens came out with these dogs barking after our set back in '83, I was immediately a howling fan. These guitars are really hard to find now, & I was glad to see that Brynn still has these canines, as seen in the August 2011 reunion show at the Cabooze in Minneapolis. Long live Rock. You can catch Jeff doing his one man show in town most any night here in the cities. Click HERE for the schedule.

Hydra Power

On the left: Tom Schulz collection, Minneapolis MN. This BC Rich is a USA model. 22fret, Ibanez Gotoh Floyd bridge, Grover Tuners, Dimarzio pickup. You probably won't ever see another like it, but one never knows. On the right: EVH collection, Pasadena CA. The original early Charvel Hydra.

Tom & I rocked the twin cities stages together in the nineties, & he's a world class talent. Known for his work in the Blondes, Maniac, Tony Kamona, Raven Wolfe, & the Mixx, Tom is a very sought after performer. As for Eddie, well, Michael Anthony got the gig in instead of me back in 73, cuz his mom knew Eddie's mom; but you've all heard that story before... }:-D-