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Blackguard Fender Broadcaster

stevelees@jacksonsrareguitars.com — 2008-07-22T10:24:18+10:00

Today we have had the opportunity to educate ourselves with the benefit of having seen these beautiful Black Guard Tele's, Esquire's, Nocaster's plus a couple of rare Broadcasters (to which we believe this to be one!) ... The reason we say believe is due to the fact that the decal is not the original and maybe (being pinpointed to 1950), could it have been a 1950 Esquire? ...Until the "Black Guard Book" by Nacho Benos (which is the most comprehensive and detailed look of the Black guard era of Fender) We thought the dates had been lost to the thirty plus year old refinsh. ... This Guitar when I first saw it had the original pots and were replaced some twenty years back. First style 1950 Bushings - The peg head had the original PAT APPLD for tuners to which we inadvertently sold to a US dealer around ten years ago (As they floated into the store separately) and we didn't know they were off this guitar until it's return a fair while later. ...First style 1950 Fender Knobs - The guitar still carries the original first series knobs which have a taller dome than later versions. ...First style 1950 Ferrules - these are found on the rear of the guitar for which to feed the strings through. ...Bridge Saddles from November 50 Broadcasters onwards - The saddles are the original second series Brass with flat bottom that appeared on Broadcaster and Esquires from November 1950 onwards. First style Bridge plate - The bridge plate is the original and has the early mat lower half as all the earlier Black Guard models have. ...Serial number – One of the reasons I always thought this guitar was later (all those years ago) was due to the serial number being #1803. Once again after reading the fabulous Black Guard book, it reveals that Leo Fender exaggerated with higher numbers in the serial numbers being used and made the production of guitars look much higher as he jumped forward in sequences, to suggest Fender had made many more instruments than they had at that point in time. ...First version rear pickup - Elevator Plate - The first versions of these 1950 - 1951 Black Guards had a zink plated Elevator plate as does this guitar. ...First series Switch Lever - The book states the first examples of the Broadcaster have a two PAT Number Switch that ran up intil early 1951 when they switched to a three Pat Number switch. ... The switch tip is a type two PAT number which may have been replace early on, as like the bridge cover, it was easy to lose or possible brake. ...The Characteristics of these early guards have traces or polish on the bridge end of the pickguard as does this one! ...The rare cavity rout - The rare cavity rout on this guitar has the early “gully way” for the wiring to pass through the bridge pickup cavity to the neck pickup cavity. ...We were looking at pictures of the "Bill Carson" playing a Broadcaster and we noticed the way Bill played with the Bridge cover slid back on the bridge with the rear pickup exposed. This guitar (when I first saw it) had the bridge cover attached with an original bridge screw so one could slide it back with an original spring on the inside, to stop the cover from moving away from the bridge (in the slid back position). ...I suggest anyone that has an interest in the Black Guard or the history of Fender, read this wonderful book more than once! ...
Steve Jackson talks about this guitar on 2001’s The Guitar Show TV series

Gibson Les Paul Standard 1957 Gold Top

stevelees@jacksonsrareguitars.com — 2008-07-17T16:26:14+10:00

The Gibson Les Paul Standards from the late fifties are easily the most desirable guitars for collectors of fine vintage instruments, due to the rarity, beautiful looks and stunning sound. With prices of these guitars haviong soared in the last few years they are all but out of the reach of most collectors. However, there is an even rarer Les Paul, and this Gibson Les Paul Standard from 1957 with a Gold Top and Black Parts, is one of the finest examples you are ever likely to see. This guitar which featured many years ago as a centerfold in Guitar World magazine as well as in the very rare book “Rare Guitar Museum” by John Peden, is in truly superb condition with all of the gold top in near new condition, and the most stunning flamed maple just showing through in the right light. Playing the guitar, you realise why the late fifties Les Pauls are so sought after, the sound of the instrument acoustically is amazing,s plug it in and it is like no other guitar you have ever played. With all of the usual appointments a late fifties Les Paul has, it is the black parts that set this particular guitar apart from other Gold Tops of this era. No one can really say how many were made in this configuration, but it is significantly low. Finding one of these instruments is difficult enough, finding one in this condition is amazing. If you are a serious collector looking for a master piece to add to your collection, you simply have to visit our store to see this instrument, a true classic and a superb investment. Click here to visit our main web site for this instrument.

1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard

stevelees@jacksonsrareguitars.com — 2008-07-09T15:59:34+10:00

Commonly referred to as the ‘Holy Grail’ of guitars, the 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard, is easily the most desirable guitar on the planet, with values rising into the stratosphere in recent years. It all began with the introduction of the model in 1958. A fact that seems unthinkable now, is that the Les Pauls of the late 1950s were not all that popular. Here is the guitar when we first saw it, shot using a flash which highlights the stunning birdseye top! As a result Gibson only made about 1700 Sunburst Les Pauls between 1958 and 1960. The reason for this was the humbucking pickups and solid mahagony body with maple top produced lots of sustain and a mellow tone. This was good for a jazz player, except jazz players tended to use archtop electric/acoustics, and not solid body guitars. So the Les Paul's smaller solid body should have appealed to rock players, but the rock guitar sound of the 1950s was brighter and the Stratocaster made a better choice. It was not until the British blues/rock invasion of the mid to late 1960s that the Les Paul became popular, thanks to the likes of Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and others. All original sunburst Les Pauls have a two piece maple top with a center seam. However there are some early 1958 Sunburst Les Paul examples that have maple tops with an off center seam. Those outside the circle of guitar collectors often wonder at the reasoning behind the values of these instruments, but to play one is to understand what all the fuss is about. These guitars were produced when Gibson were hand crafting their guitars, and using fine woods in most cases. The end result of which were guitars that played exceptionally well, and sounded like nothing else produced since. With fifty years of aging these guitars have tone like no other guitars, the guitar simply ‘sings’ when played acoustically and positively howls when plugged into a classic valve amplifier. This amazing tone is in part due to the PAF (Patent Applied For) pickups, which over the years changed from having two white bobbins, to two black bobbins with many guitars featuring what is commonly referred to as ‘Zebra’ bobbins, because they have one of each colour. For the most part these guitars (70%) were made with relatively plain tops, it is therefore those guitars with highly flamed fiddleback maple tops that are sought after. The guitar shown here has very light birdseye maple top (which is difficult to photograph) and is also highly desirable.

The 42 Guitar Index

stevelees@jacksonsrareguitars.com — 2008-03-26T22:33:24+11:00

To illustrate how collectable guitars have increased in value, Alan Greenwood and Vintage Guitar Magazine developed "The 42 Guitar Index", a list of select excellent condition instruments (14 each from Fender, Gibson and Martin) made in the 1960's or earlier. ...

FROM FENDER

FROM GIBSON

FROM MARTIN

...The index initially included only guitars that had a unit value below US$10,000 in 1991, with the average value being US$3,660. In '91, the 14 Gibsons had about the same total value as the 14 Fenders and the 14 Martins. The index does not include the most expensive models like the '59 Gibson Les Paul Standard, nor does it include the budget models like the Gibson Melody Maker. The "42 Guitar Index" chart (above) shows the updated information for the index. This year's (2008) chart tracks data from 1991 to 2008. The "42 Guitar Index" chart indicates the 42 guitars once again rose in value. ... From 1991 to 2008 the average increase, year to year, was 12%, but the index does not always increase each year. From 1999 to 2001 there was no increase in the guitar index. ...Beginning in 2004, The Guide displayed how Martin, Gibson and Fender were performing as individual brands. The Fender-Gibson-Martin chart (above) updates this and shows how the instruments increased in value from 1991 to 2008. We can see that the period from '91 to '97 was a 'broad' market, meaning vintage guitars of all types were appreciating equally. By '99, the chart shows the Martin group increased more than Gibson and Fender. ... In '06, some Gibson and Fender solidbody models doubled in value, while many of the classic Martin flat-tops had more traditional increases. ...The Gibson group requires more analysis because it contains solidbody, acoustic flat-top, and electric archtop models. The Fender group is strictly solidbody instruments, while the Martin group is 92% flat-tops. So the Gibson group is influenced in a negative way by its jazz guitars, whose trend line looks more like a pancake than the mountain line of the solidbody instruments.

Product Spotlight: The Victoria Regal II Amplifier

stevelees@jacksonsrareguitars.com — 2008-03-31T22:25:35+11:00

Our product spotlight this month looks at the Victoria Amplifier Companies new "Regal II" vacuum tube guitar amplifier. A combo amp featuring reverb and tremolo, the Regal II is a pure, single-ended class A design that utilizes a new "Adaptive Transformer Technology" that allows for the use of one or two power tubes at the same time. Therefore, operating power is rated from 5 watts to 35 watts, and at 5 watts, it's a REAL 5 watts, not some squashed approximation of 5 watts. The "Regal II" is designed around a custom bifilar output transformer that is essentially two discrete transformers driving a common speaker load. This allows for the use of any combination of common 8 pin power tubes - from a single 6V6 delivering 5 watts of pure class A power, to two EL-34's for 35 watts. And because each tube is relating to its own independent transformer winding and bias resistor, any combination of different tubes types can be auditioned. Whether it be a single 6V6 or 6L6GC or a combination of the two (yes that's right, a 6V6 and a 6L6GC at the same time) the "Regal II" never needs biasing or adjustments when changing tubes. This versatility is also extended to rectifier tubes; the Regal II can accept any common 5 Volt rectifier including 5Y3, 5V4, 5U4, and 5AR4 with no adjustments necessary. The Regal II is available in lacquered tweed or vanilla tolex with a WeberVST Custom Alnico 15" speaker standard or you can custom order with an Eminence Legend 15" or a Celestion Gold. Footswitchable, 100% tube-driven reverb and tremolo that is 100% handwired with US-made Allen Bradley resistors and custom Victoria capacitors. ...• Class A, cathode biased, dual single-ended design ...• 1-Weber Custom 15" Alnico speaker • Cabinet Dimensions (HxWxD, Inches) 20.5 x 10.5 x 22.5 Come in and hear for yourself what everyone is raving about. The Victoria Regal was recently awarded an Editors Pick award from Guitar Player magazine, the good folks at GP loved the three dimensional sounds, power tube swapping, killer reverb and tremolo, and we have to agree. This amp puts the fun back into playing and experimenting! Deciding on the tube compliment is the hard part but you sure will have fun experimenting and your efforts will be rewarded with jaw dropping tone. ... Plugging in and enjoying “vintage tones fit for a king or queen” Angus Marshall looks at the Victoria Regal II Amplifier

Guitar Videos

stevelees@jacksonsrareguitars.com — 2008-03-27T22:19:31+11:00

Jacksons Rare Guitars now has a site on YouTube where we will be posting many videos about the guitars we all love. They will be informational videos describing the features of some of the best guitars from the fifties and sixties, plus what to look for when buying. The first video we have posted is on a fabulous Fender Broadcaster, which first appeared on TV back in 2001 on The Guitar Show. Check it out below or visit our YouTube site by clicking here. We have also added from the same TV series, the following video where Steve Jackson talks about the Gibson J-35. We will be updating our YouTube site regularly, so subscribe or simply visit often! AN UPDATE: We also have a presence on FaceBook where we will also be posting our videos, and if your are a FaceBook member already, then be sure to visit, become a 'Fan' of our FaceBook home, and start interacting with us and our other fans!

Australia's First Stratocaster

stevelees@jacksonsrareguitars.com — 2008-03-05T10:06:27+11:00

In late 1980 I had a discussion with my father about my 1960 Stratocaster, and he recalled the very first Stratocaster he had ever seen. "My cousin Johnny Wade used to have a brown one" he said, which confused me at first, but he continued, "It sorted faded from black to brown". ...It occurred to me that this had to be a 50's Stratocaster, so I went through every 'Wade' in the phone book until I found 'the' Johnny Wade. (who incidentally was really Charlie Wade, 'Johnny' was his stage name and he was very well known in the 50's as a 'Hawaiian' style Jazz guitarist/singer) He was glad to hear from me and agreed to have me come down to look at his guitar, which amazingly he still had. ...We ventured down to Ashfield in Sydney's inner west, met Johnny Wade and upon entering his unit, we were struck by the collection of vintage guitars and amplifiers all over the apartment, from a Gibson L-5, to a Gretsch guitar amp with speaker grilles on all sides and bulls horns painted on the grille, stuff we had never seen before basically. ...We went down to his garage, opened the door and walked to the far wall where a work bench was stacked to the ceiling with box after box of old sheet music. ...Right there in front of us, was the first ever maple neck fifties Stratocaster we had ever seen, and likely, the very first in Australia. ...It was well played of course as Johnny used it for many years after selling his Gibson Les Paul Goldtop because he did not like the way it dug into his ribs, and the appeal of the contour body was just too tempting. ...(At the time, Johnny had a friend who played on a cruise ship which sailed between Sydney and the U.S.A. He asked him to pick up a Stratocaster for him on his next trip, and he brought this guitar back to Australia for him.) ...When asked, Johnny replied: "I had a residency at the Brighton Hotel and left the guitar leaning against the wall in the Manager's office next to the Hotel's safe. ...I asked if he would sell me the guitar, but he refused and offered to leave it to me in his will. Sometime later I asked to bring another friend to see the guitar, and on that second visit he asked me if I still wanted to buy the guitar. ...I played the guitar regularly around the Sydney circuit for a couple of years, until that day when Steve Jackson rang me to say he had a collector interested in obtaining a fifties Stratocaster. ... It's new owner kept it for a couple of years, and then sold it on to Midnight Oil. This guitar is now known as the 'Johnny Wade' Stratocaster, and in retrospect it is amazing to think of the Australian music history this guitar has been a part of. ... and Midnight Oil, it has appeared all over Australia at various gigs, and it must surely be the only Stratocaster with it's entire history known, right down to how it's paint was scratched off! When Midnight Oil eventually off loaded the guitar it was back at Jacksons Rare Guitars, and offered to me by Steve. ... Again I kept it for a few years but as I was not playing and thought that guitars had reached their peak in terms of investment value, I sold it again....yes I regret that decision for more than the obvious reason. This is a very special guitar, and those who play it fall in love with the sound as it is one of the best sounding Stratocaster's you're ever likely to hear, and then, there is all that history....

Guitars as Investments

stevelees@jacksonsrareguitars.com — 2008-02-14T21:42:16+11:00

Thirty years ago guitarists started to realise that the older guitars made by Fender, Gibson and Martin where far better guitars to play than the new products from those manufacturers. They also sounded better than the newer counterparts, and so the value of these older guitars steadily increased over the years. In the last couple of years in particular, they have sky rocketed in value to figures that would astound the average investor. Vintage Guitar Magazine (The industry bible) developed the “The 42-Guitar Index” in 1991 which tracks excellent condition original pre-1970 Gibson, Fender and Martin guitars. The average value of an instrument in that index for 2007 is a healthy US$19,706, which represents a 438% increase since 1991 - an average of 27% compounded annually. The bulk of that growth as I said previously, has occured in the past few years with last year alone showing a spectacular 54% increase. According to the Vintage Guitar blog, it is Gibson that is leading the field when it comes to return on investment. "Gibson outranks all other vintage guitar brands in terms of increase in value over the past 20 years slightly edging out Fender and far exceeding Martins. As an extreme, an all original museum quality 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard may soon fetch US$500,000!" ...It was easier to find one in 1991 for an average price of US$10,650. Try to find one now that they average US$41,500 - that’s a low of 29 grand and a high of US$54,000." For those who manage their own self managed super fund, did you know you can in fact use your super funds to invest in a guitar? ...An article in the Aspen Times talks about a guy trying to buy a house: "He was eager to buy a piece of property in the Crystal River Valley south of Carbondale last year, complete with a barn and enough land to have a couple of horses, but he didn't have the cash needed for the down payment." ..."He plucked a Gibson "Gold Top" electric guitar out of his collection and sold it for US$400,000, enough to make the down payment and move into his dream home overlooking the Crystal." It is staggering to think of the value of these guitars, and for years all of those in the business of buying them, have said: "It has to end soon, they can not keep going up", but history is proving us all wrong. At various times the prices will 'settle' for a while, but rarely if ever have they gone backwards, and the climb into the stratosphere in terms of prices, is continuing along at an unprecedented rate. So it is never too late to 'get in' the market for a prized guitar, it can however be a traitorous thing when you do not know what you are buying. It is critical to buy from a reputable dealer, and from someone who has been dealing in these precious instruments for many years. Steve Jackson is Australia's largest dealer and knows his stuff, and with the 100% Trade Up offer at Jacksons Rare Guitars, you can not go wrong. ...

Fender Guitar Serial Numbers

stevelees@jacksonsrareguitars.com — 2008-02-09T21:11:21+11:00

All Fender guitars prior to 1977 have a serial number on either the bridgeplate or the neckplate (Very early Stratocasters however had a four digit serial number on the tremelo back cover plate). ... The definitive way to date a pre-CBS Fender guitar is to look at the dates on the body, neck, and the tone/volume pots. ...Fender Esquires, Broadcasters and Telecasters from 1950 to 1954 (number on bridgeplate) use a system of serialisation which is unique to these three models, until around early summer of 1954 when Fender switched to a universal neck plate serial number system for all models. ...Fender Precision Basses from 1951 to 1955 (number on bridgeplate) also used a unique system of serialisation until about 1955, even though Fender went to a universal neckplate serial number system on all instruments in 1954. ...All Fender models from the summer of 1954 to mid 1976 All Fender models from the summer of 1954 to mid 1976 have the serial number on the neckplate. During 1957 and 1958 some serial numbers started with a minus sign ("-"), or had a "0" prefix before the number. Also in 1959 and 1960 some serial numbers were at the bottom of the neck plate instead of the top as is the norm. Double stamped serial number plates were also produced (number on both front and back of the neck plate) in late 1957 to early 1959. It is not unusual to find that there is some overlap in serial numbers between the years. Fender Guitars with 4 to 6 digit neck plate serial numbers There should be no other letters or markings on the neck plate, except for the rare "-" or "0" prefix, which is noted above. ...Keep in mind it is not unusual to find an "L" serial number on a late 1962 model. ...Known as the CBS era, these guitars feature a large script "F" on neckplate just below the serial number. ...In March 1985, CBS sold Fender to a group of private investors, however the serial numbers do not reflect this change. ... Hence during 1985 to 1987, production of Fender guitars was only done in Japan, while USA Fender created a new factory in California. ...Not all schemes are covered here, but below are some examples of letter prefixes used in recent serial number schemes. ...4 digits stamped on bridge plate = 1952 reissue Telecaster 1982-1988 (Check neck date for exact year) 5 digits stamped on bridge plate = 1952 reissue Telecaster 1988-present (Check neck date for exact year) ...t=stelee-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1423426118&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&lc1=7E4A06&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0">