Marchis Telecaster Thinline. . . . . .

Yes. . . . . I know I said I was going to do the Jaydee Twin Neck

but I am very close to being able to have some input from it's

original owner, so I thought just for a change, I would do one

of the guitars.

I took these images some time ago, as at the time, I was trying to

track down a tone knob and a tuner ferrule, which I now have.

Thanks Jon!

That aside, I pick this up from time to time, as it's really nice to play

and has some very sweet tones.

Notes from Jon:

Marchis then. I've come across references to the brand a couple of

times but I'm fairly sure yours is the first one I've actually seen.

A bit of Googling doesn't pin the brand down to a country - there

are Marchis owners in the US & Ireland.

As far as the guitar itself is concerned, a rifle through a few online

catalogues finds versions of the Thinline very similar to yours in

Ibanez catalogues between 1973-75, Greco from 73 through to the

80s, and Aria Pro from 1977.

Clearly both Fujigen & Matsumoku built them, most of them have

differences & peculiarities, mostly in neck construction that yours doesn't.

The early catalogues show them with head-end adjustment & truss rod

covers, both the big chrome type & the small white arrowhead style

common at the time.

Later versions are aesthetically more accurate and feature variously bullet

adjusters, skunk stripe/head end plugs and one-piece necks, but the only

one I've found which appears to have a similar neck to yours is from a

1974 Greco catalogue:

If you can get pics of other bits (TRC, tuners, pots, back of pups etc) that

might confirm this - or indicate that it was from one of the other 20-or-so

factories which we don't have a comprehensive catalogue archive for!

A "Something different" instrument - can't say I have ever seen another.
I will post up some images with the ferrule and tone knob in place, at
some point in the future.

One of my Westone Rail basses, one of my Roadsters, one of my Arias
and one of my Peaveys, have found new homes, all with happy owners.
What goes round. . . . . . . . :)

I am managing to separate some of my twins, as I now feel it's time to let
some of them go, so it's not a huge wrench, as I still have one of the twin.

Anyway, enough of ones that have gone, hopefully I will be back next
time with the Jaydee.

Cheers. :)

Joe Bonamassa, like his style. . . . . .

Sunday morning - clocks went forward today.

I have been quite busy, so my entries haven't been as frequent
but things are getting back to normal and I'll get back to the collection
next week.
Next time featuring a unique Jaydee Twin Neck - over 30 years old and
still very much a head turner.

So, this morning will be just a short post - out for Sunday lunch. Mmmm!

Came across this the other day. . . . . . . . . .



I am a big fan of Joe Bonamassa - but Joe, you have way too many
amplifiers. . . . . . the guitar collection is about right!!! :) :) :)

I don't quite have that many but I wouldn't have to add a lot to
get up to that number!! I still have a long way to go, it's just finding
the time - looking back over the last 11 months I have now got my
teeth into the blog, with the Peter Cook feature taking many posts
to complete.
This will take you back to April, last year. http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html

If you come into this blog and want to see the latest post, just click on
the script, right at the top of the page "Flat Eric's Bass & Guitar Collection"
and it will take you to the page.

See you next week.

Cheers. :)

Ovation Magnum III. . . . . . . .

Hi. Spring has arrived - I think!

Sun is out today and the birds are singing.

On this side of the world, things are OK, at the moment but
on the other side - first New Zealand and now Japan.
In the world of today, we can see things as they happen.
What a shock to see all that water - picking up houses and
cars, like they were toys.
Not good.

Anyway, as promised - Ovation Magnum III

Charlie Kaman died recently, at the end of January, so I thought

it would be fitting to do another one of my Ovation instruments.

Charlie was the Founder of Ovation and a little bit about him

is listed on the Ovation web site.

http://www.ovationguitars.com/whyovation/kamans_story

I have already done the Breadwinner and Viper - this time it's

an Ovation Magnum III Bass.

This is essentially a Magnum 1, with a different body shape,

mono only and without the large pick-up surround, which is

so handy to rest your thumb on, in various positions, in order

to get different tones from the strings.
Just look at the size of that bridge!!
Because of the bridge, a lot of strings fall short, as they do
on mine, although it doesn't seemed to deaden the tone.
On my Magnum I, there is a string extender on the "E". Handy!

It plays very nicely and has some good sounds, when blending

the two pick-ups.

Most people think that with such a large pick-up in the neck

position, it must be very powerful with a deep thick sound.

No, not really. It is that large, as each string has it's own coil.

This explains all about the pick-ups

http://www.ovationtribute.com/Catalogues/Magnum%20Bass%20Owner%20Manual/Magnum%20Bass%20Owner%20Manual.html

There aren't a lot of these around, in the UK and I have never

seen a PF, in this country - which is the even more rare,

single pick-up version.
These aren't mine but are included for reference.

Knowing how the pick-up sounds, I can see that in the central

position, it would make a lot of sense.

The Magnum III nice bass - balances well, some good sounds
and definitely something a bit different.

As I have mentioned, I also have a cracking Magnum 1, which
I have to confess, I have played more than the III - something very "
Old School" about it and that is a bit different!

I shall come to that one soon.

I think I am finally getting to grips with my NAS - Noah's Ark Syndrome
and have sold one half of some of my pairs, as well as some of the
onesthat I rarely play anymore.

The basses get an outing on rotation but some of the guitars only come
out every 6 or 7 months and even then only get to see the light for half
an hour, or so.

Talking of rotation. . . . . this pair went out again at the weekend.

The Odyssey went out last weekend with the Yamaha SB500 but
I forgot to get a shot of them.
So, some are going - It's not really a case of not liking them, more
I've played them, enjoyed them and now it's time to move on.
One thing is for sure, the Odysseys will be staying!

This means. . . . . . . I'll be keeping my eye out for something a bit
unusual??? :) :) :)

Next time I will do the story of Alan's Axis and a couple of other
things.

If you would like to get in touch with me, questions you may have
or something that you think I would find interesting, I would love
to hear from you.

contactflateric@gmail.comCheers. :)

If you have found my blog by entering on this page, click below
and it will take you to the latest entryhttp://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.com/

*************************************************************************************************UPDATE August 22nd 2012  For Ovation Magnum String Lengths
Go Here:

Ovation Magnum String Lengths

If you have landed on this page and you want to go to the 
latest post, go here:
Latest post. 

Quick Hello and an Axis update!

Hi to all out there.

Just a quick post - time has flown by this week.

I will be doing my Magnum III next time, honest!

I have also sorted out an electrical issue on my '78 Yamaha SB500,
at last - so may be gigging it on Saturday! Yippeee!
After much mucking around with the original pots, I gave up and
fitted new ones, So much better! Looking forward to taking it out again!

I have also had some very nice e.mails, including one from Alan Clarke,
who said he was happy for me to use his name, in connection with his
Axis Guitar, which has had a very interesting history.
I shall come to that next week.

So, that's it - short and sweet.

See you next week, when hopefully, I'll have a bit more time.

Cheers. :)

Peavey T-40 "Red", Gordy, '72 Jazz, Greco fan, Spring clear-out and Peter Frampton. . .

Friday again!

What a week, or two!!
My Red T-40 "Old Red" found a new home and these are
some of the pics - just thought they were so nice, I would
share them.





I've had some great e.mails recently, including someone who has
found a Gordy "Fretless" - boy, that must be rare!!
Part of the content was about the electronics, so I took a couple
of shots for illustration.





A bit more complicated than a Fender Jazz!!!


While we are on the subject of Fender Jazz. . . . . . . .
A friend of mine has had one from new and over the years, the
neck pick-up has got worse.
It's a long story but basically, the decision was to go for a set
of Wizard "Sixty Fours".
In a word, Brilliant! Sounds superb, he is very pleased with the result.



I also had an e.mail from a Beatles fan, in MD USA, who loved
the Greco PMB. Hi - Nice to hear from you. :)
Will try those strings!!

By nature, collectors. . . . . collect things and at some point there
has to a bit of a change/clear-out and Spring seems like a good
time to do it.
A few have found new homes and there are a few more that will
be moving on but in doing that, I am able to put my efforts into
finding some of the ones I have not had. . . . . . Yet!!

I have been quite busy with various things, so this is just a small
post for today - I was going to do my Magnum III but I picked
up the wrong memory stick!! Will do that one next week.

And finally. . . . . . .
I have been a life-long fan of Peter Frampton and this week I
managed to see him live, at a wonderful venue - The Assembly
in Leamington Spa - a truly magical night, loved it to bits!
He played exactly what the audience wanted, backed by
a terrific band, including Stanley Sheldon, who was on the
live album.
Peter's appearance may have changed over the years but he
still has that magic as a musician, player and entertainer.
An absolutely brilliant night.





Back next week, as I said - Magnum III.

Cheers. :)

Ibanez 2459B Destroyer and a Greco "Rickenfaker". . . . .

Hi to all out there - Back to the Collection.

First of all, I would like to welcome "Stefano" as one of my "Watchers".

On average, I get around 35 visitors a day, with a peak of over

180 a day during some of the Peter Cook articles.

It's always interesting to see how people have arrived.

Today, for example - Status Shark controls, Guitar Collector Blog,

Ned Callan Firebird, Aria SB 600, Gordy Headless Bass,

Peavey T-40, Ibanez Studio SB-70 etc, etc.

I am always happy to answer any questions, if I can help.

contactflateric@gmail.com

Anyway, back to the job in hand - let's kick off with a couple of

rare basses.

The Greco is well travelled, as I bought it from one of the founder

members of The Beatlegs, Queensland, Australia!!

He returned to the UK and decided to move on his McCartneyesque

(is that a real word??) bass, as I recall he was looking into a Police

tribute band, or something like that!

I have played several of the genuine article, over the last 30 years

and this has the feel and the tones of some of the best ones I have

played.

This has a bit more punch and brightness than the real ones I have

played that are more recent - I had been told this is down to a change

of circuit.

Balances nicely and has a lovely neck - the whole thing has a satin

finish to it and is a joy to play.

The only thing that I always get confused with, is the layout of the

controls - I always have to look at what does what!
Mono output only - most of these have Stereo and Mono.

Hard to believe, this is 28 years old and in that time has travelled

from it's home in Japan, to Australia and then onto England!

These type of basses are generally referred to as "Rickenfakers"

I know someone who is a mine of information on Japanese
instruments,so I asked him for a comment on the two we have
here today.

Hi Eric - as usual two exceptional - and very rare - basses!

Both of these were made by Fujigen Gakki, and have datable
serial numbers.

Fujigen serial numbers work like this - the first letter represents the month

(A = Jan, B = Feb etc), the next two digits the year, and the subsequent

numbers are for the month's production run.

Anyway, let's start with the Grecobacker.

Looks like a very accurate 4001S replica, going through the Greco
catalogues online, these first appeared in 1977 and were still available
in the 1992 catalogue - along with all the other "Lawsuit" instruments that
stopped being sold officially outside Japan in the mid 70s.

I think using Japlish deductions, we can assume "PMB" is
"Paul McCartney Bass" - also the fact they also did a Brian May
Red Special clone & called it a BM-900 is a bit of a giveaway!

The numbers themselves always reference the price in Yen - the two
PMBs were priced at 80,000 & 100,000 yen respectively, in Japan!

This Ibanez Destroyer Bass is 35 years old and in that time must have
seen some action at some point.

I base this on the state of the original case, which could be best described
as "shot it"

The interior is not too bad but the rest. . . . . .

Took me ages to find a case that would fit and that I was happy with.

It is all original apart from the knobs - two of the original ones were cracked -

and the selector switch, as the original was a bit hit and miss!

When I got it, the strings were backed off, due to a crack in the head, which

wasn't major but need looking at.

This was bonded and then, as a "belt and braces" job, I made a replica of
the head in aluminium and bridged the join, as these type of heads have a
weakness and I didn't fancy any further harm coming to it.

It has got quite a full sound, with both pick-ups on - the neck pick-up is typical

"P" and the Ibanez single coil at the back, adds brightness.

It has a few battle scars but doesn't interfere with the playing of it, as the neck

is smooth and free of bumps.

It's something a little bit different!

A few more words from Jon.

The Ibanez is a 2459B Destroyer - seems this is one of the rarest Ibby
basses and quite sought-after by Ibanez collectors.

Of the available online catalogues, it only appears in a single 1976 edition -

so it's possible it was only available for a very short time.

Shame about the headstock damage - but clearly it's a player & the custom

reinforcement is a nice touch!

This is an interesting bass in that it's not a "proper" copy, it's perhaps most

likely influenced by John Entwistle's Explorer-shaped Alembics, as at the
time there was no Gibson equivalent.

Apart from Greco (which are often the same instruments apart from the brand)

I don't think any of the other Japanese brands had an Explorer bass.
Thanks Jon.

Well, I think that will do for now - I'm off to dig up something else!!

Cheers. :)

Peter Cook, The Final Cut . . . . . . . .

As we come to the end of the period when Peter was making
custom guitars, this was the time that the shop was opened,
Peter Cook's Guitar World.

I contacted the shop that Peter and Trevor set up and this is
what they kindly gave me.

Peter Cook's Guitar World was set up in 1981 by Peter Cook
and Trevor Newman.
The shop at 69 Station Road in Hanwell is still trading.
In 1983 Peter decided that he wanted a rest from the industry
and left the business.
Trevor reluctantly carried on - but continued successfully trading
until 2008 - when he sold the business to the current owner.
Over the years the shop has supplied many thousands of guitars
to big name players - but mostly the general playing public.
Guitars are supplied all over the world - with recent sales in
Hong Kong and New Zealand, to name just a couple.
Peter Cook's Guitar World can be contacted on 0208 840 1244
or via their website - www.petercooks.co.uk.





This is what Peter had to say about his final period in the music business.

"I teamed up with Trevor Newman and together we opened
a shop in Hanwell, West London “Peter Cook’s Guitar World”.
I hung up my fret files in the eighties to follow other interests
but the shop lives on.

For me it’s is either yesterday, today or tomorrow;
I never kept meticulous notes, I never really gave much
thought to who my customers were and my memory is very
sketchy, so apart from John Entwistle I don’t know for sure
who else I made guitars for.

As far as repairs etc are concerned names that spring to mind are:
Lemmy, Fast Eddy, Robert Smith, Neil Murray, Bruce Springsteen,
John Edwards. . . . . . . Apologies to everyone I’ve forgotten....

Trevor reminded me recently, when in the company of the
Fender Custom Shop rep, that I had a march on their
‘distressed’ range as I had distressed two new Strats for
Tears for Fears back in the eighties".

Peter has given me all sorts of information since we first
met but a couple of questions were asked at that meeting,
that I have saved until last, as it seemed a good way of
concluding the article.

I asked Peter who he most admired in the guitar making
world and what did he think was perhaps the best guitar,
in his opinion.
He said that he would probably name Leo Fender and the
guitar would be. . . . . . . . . . a Fender Stratocaster.

"It was one of those designs that was right from day one.
It was good then and it is just as good today".

Peter has now come almost full circle and is enjoying playing
with his old band mates in "July".

"July" was part of the Sixties Psychedelic music scene and their
vinyl albums have become very collectible, fetching hundreds
of Dollars in the USA.
The albums were July and The Second of July.



This is the track list, with the ones marked ** being written
by Peter.

1. My Clown **
2. Dandelion Seeds
3. Jolly Mary **
4. Hallo To Me
5. You Missed It All
6. The Way
7. To Be Free **
8. Move On Sweet Flower
9. Crying Is For Writers
10. I See **
11. A Friendly Man
12. A Bird Lived
13. Hallo Who's There **
14. The Way [single version]
15. You Missed It All
16. My Clown
17. Dandelion Seeds
18. The Stamping Machine
19. A Bird Lived **
20. Look At Her
21. The Way
22. Friendly Man **
23. I See
24. The Girl In The Cafe
25. You See Me, I See You
26. Man Outside
27. Move On Sweet Flower
28. Hallo To Me

http://thestrangebrew.co.uk/articles/july-magical-days-part-1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Moi58turWCg&feature=channel

Scroll down for the English version.

http://www.retrophobic.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=868:july-unintervista-alla-band&catid=28:60s&Itemid=27#ENGLISH

This is clip of Peter, playing a Strat, paying Homage to The Shadows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM76U6MWarI

A link to Peter on Facebook.

http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Peter-Cook/100001088561539


So, I have sort of come to an end of the Peter Cook story.
As Peter said to me, "it's a long time ago when all of this happened".

He is now enjoying his music again - like going back to his youth
and is rehearsing with his fellow members of "July".

"As far as July is concerned, we will be releasing a new album this year
and we will be ‘hitting the road’ at some point".



I have thoroughly enjoyed doing "Peter Cook, Guitar Maker".

I would like to thank Peter, for all of his input and enthusiasm for the
feature - it took me some time to track him down but I think you will
all agree, it was well worth it.
I would also like to thank all the other people that have given their
input to the feature.

Peter has "some papers" that he may "dig out", so you never know,
it could be "Peter Cook Re-Visited".

I would also like to thank all of the visitors who have read the article
and would like to remind them that is they know of a Peter Cook
instrument, or have pictures of one, I would love to hear from you.

contactflateric@gmail.com

The End. . . . . . . . for the time being. . . . . :)


So, for all of you who have dropped me a line or two about the collection,
during the feature - thank you, I did get your messages - some interesting
snippets which I may use later and yes. . . . . to those who want some
more bass and guitar, next time will be all about an Ibanez 2495B
Destroyer and a fairly rare Greco.

All the best - See you next week.

Cheers.
Eric. :)

Gary Moore, 58 and with us no more . . . . .

Today is a very sad day for me, as I sit here typing
this with a lump in my throat.

Gary moore has died at the age of 58.

I have been a fan for as long as I can remember and his
music and his playing still gives me shivers, even after
listening to the tracks hundreds of times.

I really don't know what else to say.
Today is a very sad day.



Attributed to Openeyes