Made in Japan “Les Paul” style and marketed in the UK by distributors, importers F.C.N. from 1980, this quality guitar originally sold for £120. But it sounded so good I had to give it the full Gibson treatment!
Kay K30B
Made in about 1980 in Japan, “Les Paul” style, imported into the UK by British Music Strings and retailed for £72. I rescued this guitar from an uncertain future in a sale years ago but now sounds great !
Sakai
Built in Japan and imported into the UK by Hohner in the late 1960s or early 1970s, this budget guitar is a variation on a theme. In this guise it carries the rare brand name of Sakai.
Check out this Sakai in action as Lars Mullen jams with David Greenaway:
Fender Jag-Stang
From 1999, designed by Kurt Cobain comprising features from Fender’s Jaguar (Jag) and Mustang (stang) guitars. I bought this from a ‘player’ who hated the colour so much he never took the tag off and couldn’t wait to get rid of it – to me! But I love the style!
‘Fender’ Custom Black Stratocaster
Pre CBS headstock. Great looks, great sound – another great hand-built Strat from the ‘King of Cool’ and guitar builder ‘extraordinaire’, Ed Simons.
Satellite 65/T
An entry level guitar, made in Japan in about 1980 and imported and distributed in the UK by Fletcher, Coppock and Newman, costing around £40. Ideal for a youthful rocker on a limited budget and USA marketed as Telestar.
Baldwin 706
The guitar dates from about 1967, after the Baldwin take over of Jim Burns’s company, and features Italian made body and ReAn pick-ups. Rescued by me from a builders skip and restored with original parts courtesy of Ebay!
Hohner Apache (replica)
Custom built by Fenton Weill (Zambezi) c. 1961/2 and rescued from a rubbish bin by me! Now expertly restored, customised by legendary luthier Kif Woods featuring 50s Hofner pick-ups and early Rose Morris vibrato as fitted when found.
Fender Katana
Built in 1986, made in Japan and cost £495 when new. Fender’s answer to the Explorer and Jackson’s Randy Rhodes – not a commercial success but rare and seriously underrated.
Burns Split Sonic
From 1963. A classic guitar from the legendary Jim Burns – this one features the split sound pick-ups and a rotary switch offering a choice of Treble, Bass, Split Sound and ‘Wild Dog’.