A superstrat but with less derivative styling – note the heavenly fingerboard inlays. This stunning ‘looker’ is the actual guitar featured in the Ultimate Guitar Book by Paul Day and Tony Bacon and was built in Korea c.1989.
Musima Deluxe 25
A rare guitar from the DDR (East Germany) built in the late 70s and similar to the Eglita. However, this one survived undamaged: communism, the fall of the Berlin Wall, a trip through Europe, but sadly, not Parcelforce 24 from Manchester to Penzance!
Tremo Twenty
My mystery guitar, but recently identified as Teisco built and sold in the States as the Teisco MJ-2 (Starway MJ-2L), marketed by Rose Morris in the UK briefly in the mid-60s as part of their Twenty range. A rare bird indeed.
Squier Stratocaster
A matching pair of limited edition ’20th Anniversary’ Squiers. What more can one say but great quality budget guitars from Fender and still customised by their previous owners.
Antoria 994
Rescued from a Birmingham second-hand shop 25 years ago, this 4 pick-up Antoria solid has been identified as the 994 model marketed by J.T. Coppock in their 1963 catalogue and selling for £40.
Washburn Stage A15
This A15 (modified with humbucker replacing bridge single coil) dates from 1981 and retailed for £280. The “Stage Series” guitars targeted the rock market after the Washburn name was revived in 1979 and I love the style!
See the Washburn Stage A15 played by Simon Jones at The Guitar Collection YouTube Channel!
‘Fender’ Custom Stratocaster
Mexican neck, ash body and American hardware. A beautifully balanced guitar, with that great ‘Strat’ sound, hand built with care by Cornish luthier Ed Simons.
‘Gibson’ Flying Vee
Well I always wanted one (didn’t you?) and couldn’t afford one (could you?) – so next best thing is a ‘lookalike’ – this was originally a Stagg (surprised you?) – add ‘Gibson’ decals and . . . voila!
Fenton Weill Dualtone
A rare guitar from 1962. Totally irresistible quality and design from Jim Burns’s ex-partner, Henry Weill, after their split. With strong pick-ups even after all these years. They don’t make ’em like this any more – but why not??
Columbus Constellation 13/0
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!