Flashback
Yeah, that’s me, more than 20 years ago. That’s the first guitar that I built when I was in high school almost 30 years ago. The body is reminiscent of the Gibson Explorer blended with the Ibanez Iceman. I love the balance and feel of this guitar. The neck has a unique 23.5 inch scale (shorter than a Gibson Les Paul) with 24 frets, making it very easy to play lead. The tremolo was handcrafted, milled from solid brass and gold plated. It can bend up 6 semitones and down until the strings are loose; it’s a locking trem with perfect center return. Back then, I’ve seen locking floyd rose trems only in magazines. I had to build a locking trem myself.
The guitar is equipped with a Seymour Duncan PU at the bridge and a Dimarzio at the neck (can’t recall which models). Don’t go telling me I can’t combine these pickups! I think outside the box, remember? I’m never constrained with preconceived notions of what should and what should not be done.
Alas, this guitar was stolen. Now, what’s left are just couple of pictures and memories. What’s important though is the experience I had building the guitar. Since then, there’s this lingering urge to build instruments that reflect my soul. This guitar is like no other and has its totally unique sound – its signature.
Now, everyone wants a Stratocaster. Bah!