The Psychedelic Surf One - Up For Grabs on t'Bay

Well, a long time ago in a land a lot like here, I somehow made a rather excellent guitar and fell in love with it.

Then like the pimp I clearly am, I sold it's booty like Cornflakes.

I've made quite a few now - nearly 50 (which is worrying but I'll gloss over that) - yet The Psychedelic Surf One is one of a handful I could easily break my own golden rules over.

But it went to a top chap called James and he made a lot better use of it than I ever could, so all is well.

Anyway, time stands still for no guitar(ist) and James is moving my wee beaut on.

In fact somebody asked if I could authenticate it and pointed me at it on Ebay yesterday HERE and I would be surprised if it is around too long.

If I had the dosh it wouldn't be, that's for sure.

*sigh*

It is odd, but it was only the 3rd guitar I made and, well, I still miss it.

Clearly it will be worth millions in years to come, and me and James will both cry over it's loss.

Heh ho

This is it in action...


La la laaaa

12 Angry Men and a Guitar Called Elmer

Well, other than attention-grabbing marketing initiative bobbins, the weekend was a bit on the slow side of life.

Firstly, I was planning to tell you all about the debut of James Sant's band 12 Angry Men, featuring the one and only The Psychedelic Surf One, still a bit of a personal favourite Jook for me, it has to be said. Unfortunately, it was on Thursday night, so I messed that up good and proper.

On the plus side it means that I have a rather lovely action-shot of James and the 'Surf', well, in action - even a promise of possible video type contentment to follow. I can't wait.

I do love seeing my kids doing their bit in public, if that doesn't sound oddly wrong.

In other news, I did finish the lacquering of the colour-filled Tele, The Elmer One. I even went for a rusted iron pickguard, just to offset the effect. Obviously there are still a few parts to add to the party, with pickups being rather top of the list - or at least a neck one if I decide to keep the Catswhisker one in place at the bridge, but there we are - it looks a bit tasty to me, to me, it looks a bit tasty to me.

The finish, as you may have guessed is a bit of an experiment. Firstly, there is the variegated gold leaf which itself is stunning. On top of that I layered and then feathered some active copper paint. The idea of this was to give a kind of rippled effect - like sand when the tide goes out, so that you can see parts of the leaf shining thru.

This worked rather better than I thought/hoped/dreamed and gives a kind of flamed/quilted maple look to it bizarrely. Naturally the copper was finished off with some selective corrosion which has given a gorgeous bluey-green colour. The headstock got a similar treatment using corroded copper paint allowing a bit of the grain to show thru the corrosion.

As for the back and sides, I've kept this au natrel so the wood shows thru, which has been Danish Oiled and then Beeswaxed, with a naturally Jooky bit of overspill from the top creeping here and there...

I mentioned parts and apart from the usual saga of pickups, I've gone for some locking Kluson type Wilkinsons, and your normal Tele control plate bobbins. At the moment I have a modern Stratish bridge on there, but I'm thinking it is more likely to end-up with a traditional one instead, as to me Teles don't quite sound like Teles without them. Sad, I know, to find yourself in the 'Leo got it right first time' camp, but I guess it is true in a lot of ways.

So there we are, The Elmer One has so far tootled along under the radar quite nicely. But, like I've been saying, I'm not really starting anything new until I catch up and complete the others. It's all about one-at-a-time around here these days.

The Psychedelic Surf One - Another Chance from Long ago

If you've been a follower of this blog for a while, I'm sure you will remember The Psychedelic Surf One, which was (to date) the only Jaguar/Jazzmaster-esque guitar to ever be born of Jookyland.

This was snapped-up in no time at all by muso genius James Sant, and has been used on a few of his recordings.

It's odd, but this guitar is *the one*, as far as I've been concerned, of all our guitars that really worked in every way. It was the right shape, had P90s which sounded awesome, and the finish was incredible. I still find myself pining for it and I've almost not been able to make another quite like it in a sort of I'm-not-worthy fear that I won't be able to replicate it's feel and tone.

All of our guitars are one-offs, but The Psychedelic Surf One just had something above and beyond, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, life has moved on and unfortunately James finds himself in a position where he needs to sell the guitar - and you can't believe quite how gutted I am that I'm not in a position to buy it - and so I thought I'd mention it here as I know at the time quite a few other people were upset that they'd missed the boat, as it were.

He is inviting serious offers for it, and as the only other Jooky guitar that I know of being sold-on went for three times what the chap paid me for it, I'd bear that in mind.

If you are interested, you can contact James via his web site HERE or contact me via this one and I'll forward you on to him.

You can hear The Psychedelic Surf One on This Track Here, and watch out for the solo it is worth it.

Top fella to deal with too, James, in case you are wondering

A Happy Customer - Blimey

Well, despite a minor cock-up on my part, it was nice to hear from James who bought The Psychedelic Surf One, with a few comments about the guitar. As you know, this Jooky thing is all a bit new and off-key, and the idea of making guitars from old stuff is perhaps not one everybody gets straight off, but I was really pleased to find that James indeed recognise the point and especially that he liked the guitar.

James is a busy kind of chap, playing guitar with the newly reformed Candy Filter Tip - where the Surf One will be used - as well as drumming with both The Arc of Manapples and Croak Ditch - check the links for their Myspace pages, well worth a visit or ten.

I'm looking forward to hearing Croak Ditch's album, but more on that later...

Anyway, as I say James said a few nice things and despite the shameless vanity of it all, I'll put them here. Down a bit, they're the ones in speech marks.

Ah, makes me feel all warm inside..



"Guitar has arrived! First off, it looks incredible. The finish is great, I just kind of sat and admired it from different angles for a while, it really is a thing of beauty. It plays great as well, good action, nice size fretboard, some real 'zing' on the strings.

Regarding the sound/construction etc., awesome. I've thrust it in to the hands of every guitarist I know and I'm now the subject of much envy. It sounds like sex in your face. The sustain, as you rightly pointed out, is very impressive, it's so easy to play and the output of the pickups is louder than the humbucker on my '72 Fender Tele. It sounds like a fucking train. In the best possible way. I could not be happier with #10, just owning it makes me 38% cooler. "

More Stuff Stuff

Well, The Psychedelic Surf One caught the bus up north, wrapped in brown paper and string, as is our usual style.

I have to be honest and say that I'm really, madly and truly getting to find it difficult to let these Jooky things go. The amps, was less of a problem, but the guitars - man - I really miss the guitars when they go, and I think the Surf is the best we've done to date.

It is just too cool, know what I mean?



But life goes on, and well, I have to try and top that. That's the way it is. I have to try and raise the stakes all over again, and whether I do or not, I need be in there and trying.

And so to The Beano One, which is still in the early stages, but is starting to get towards where I want it to be.

This is the front so far, and it is starting to come together. I've sorted the hardware and am just trying to track down pickups at the moment.

I'm deliberately not having P90s this time as I want a heavy, classic blues rock sound from the guitar.

So there we go.

Life moves on..

I don't know what the pink stripe is about either.

Soze You Noze

Just in case, I thought I should mention that The Psychedelic Surf One has been sold now, and is currently being wrapped in Brown paper - no vinegar, must remember not to use the vinegar - and will be on the back of a lorry tomorrow morning...

I'm missing it already, really.

It's a lovely guitar and I hope it's new owner loves it dearly.

Back in Jookyland, I've done a lot more plastering of Beano choppings, and The Beano One is looking pretty nice already. Long way to go on that though, as I'm not sure on anything else about it really, but there we go...

More fotos of both tomorrow, when my brain starts working again, assuming it does, I guess.

Sold: The Psychedelic Surf One

Picture the scene. It’s the early days of teen music, the Ventures are hitting high with their super surf safari-esque guitar instrumentals, pounding this new rhythm out on shiny Fender Jazzmasters, blinding the world with the ultimate in cool from New York to Tokyo and back via Halesowen.

Shoot forward to the late Sixties, music has become aware, minds have been expanded, the fire of rebellion is in the air and yet, paisley is the backdrop as the young tune in to sounds of the east and west colliding with smiles on their faces and a hope for peace in their hearts…

Moving forward further yet, the alternative crowd are reclaiming all things offset from the bargain bins of guitar shops all over the world. They recognise the rhythm, merge it with their own times and people like the Pixies, Sonic Youth, The Cure and god knows who else breath fresh life into the old ways. Cool merges with groovy, groovy gets sharp and goth and indie lead to a slacker inspired grungy Nirvana. Their monkey has gone to heaven and the surf is back, the surf is flowing with the groovy and cool, the ironic and shonky and now even with the Jooky.

For that is what The Psychedelic Surf One is about, it is an offset guitar that nods at fifty, sixty years of musical history, doffing a purple cap at every legend that has made music their own. This isn’t a tribute guitar to any artist; this is one for them all.

To be clear, The Psychedelic Surf One is an utterly unique instrument, and there will never, ever, be another made. It is signed and numbered, entirely handmade and finished and groovier than a magic bus load of high schoolers.

Sorry, this item has now been sold

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Technical Stuff:
Type: Leona’s Groovy Guitar
Output: Two Irongear P90 Platinum Pickups
Guitar Type: Offset guitar
Construction: Cloth over wood
Strings: Fender Chrome 10s
Output: ¼” Guitar Lead
Controls: Volume and Tone. Pickup selector switch.
Special Stuff: Certificate of Authenticity, Builder Signed and Numbered, All Wrapped with our Trademark Jooky Wrapping.
Serial Number: JGE#10
RSP: £299 SOLD

Introducing The Psychedelic Surf One

Well, I've just about finished it- other than a little bit of a tidy up as some of the shielding is showing from under the scratchplate, and I have to say I'm pretty darn pleased with meself.

It looks, plays and sounds perfect and not a little Jooky.

As I said before, it is a nice offset body, rosewood board on a maple neck, body made of some sort of wood which I've forgotten the name of.

It has two Irongear Platinum P90s - which totally justify all of the hype - and nicely shielded set of electronics with Neutrik jack and a Les Paul switch that I preferred to a Fender type.

Machineheads are Wilkinson as is the Bridge thing

and it has been Jookily covered with a brilliant looking paisley finish, which has shocked me with just how good it looks.

Pukka, like a pie.

Anyway, more later,
I just wanted to put a couple of fotos up
of me new babby..

Now I'm just off to play it to death

Cool

Not quite there again

Well, my optimism was of course misplaced and prem to say the teeniest lesser amount. I'd forgotten that I didn't have the copper tape stuff for shielding, and though it did arrive today, it was not really in time.

I have done the shielding though, as well as making the hole in the scratchplate for the Les Paul switch and so it is just the wiring left to do now, which maybe tonight I can sort out.

Not a lot else really..

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Bitta Zep to keep you going..

Mr Postie

I'm not sure about yours, but we've got a new postie and amazingly - after a decade of it not being the case - things seem to turn up a lot quicker.

Don't know why that is.

Apart from the fact that the old one may have been a thieving get.

Anyway, some pickups I'd 'sourced' for the Psychedelic Surf One have shown up along with all the other leccy gubbins from Axetec who as ever are utterly predictable and excellent.

Which is handy as tomorrow morning I'm going to put it all together,
hopefully.

I even went for a Sprague Orange Drop capacitor - without knowing what the difference is meant to be. I mean, I'm sure it will prove to be amazing, but like Bumble Bees, I can smell a bit of marketing in the air.

Saying that, I also went for a good, solid, Les Paul type of switch and a Neutrik jack socket and generally top notch parts all over the place. The difference between cheap and good is so small it seems daft not to, even if the real difference in performance may prove to be negligible.

Oh, the pickups I got are IronGear P90s - the full sized ones - Platinum I think they are called.
Everybody raves about IronGear, so it will be nice to find out how good they are myself. If they prove to be shonky I will no doubt start looking for something else, but fingers crissed, eh?

Speaking of the post, I also got some Tokai PAF pickups which will find their way into a Les Paul project I'm hoping to start soon, though I'll probably try them in something else first - The Glistery One for instance - to see how they go.

Anyway, I'm verily boring today, but there will be more fotos tomorrow with a tad of the lucky stuff.

It's Psychedelic, yet Surfy - all at the same time

Well, things are sort of moving, by our own glacia-on-mogadon standards, and believe it or not we've actually trundled quite well as far as the offset yet paisley-enhanced guitar goes.

I think I said before that I wanted to marry Ventures-like cool with something a bit more flashy and this is where we've got to.

I should say that I did plan to have two different clothes - one for the body and the other for the scratchplate, but I've gone same-on-same in the end as basically it looked better. Lesson to be learned there. If you end up owning this though, the other colour is underneath on the scratchplate, so you could take your pick really.

If you are brave enough.

Anyway, headstock reshaped, neck danish oiled, name, rank and number burned into the headstock - I think we've seen all of this before, but this is The Psychedelic Surf One, ain't she a cutie?

The body though, is a beautiful bit of paisley-ified cloth, and I've given it a nitro blast of lacquer so it should hopefully age a bit over time. Ultra thin the coat was which means there is still a grain from the cloth, which I like...

As for what is left to do - well, I've still not got pickups, or the electronics sorted, so that is top of the list, and I think I will change the tuners for something else as these aren't the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm thinking P90s for the last time for a while, though they seem to be thin on the ground at the moment...

Heh ho.

Anyway, I'm starting to think that maybe I should get a new table cloth...

The Glistery Shadow of Psychedelic Surfing

Well, I haven't written too much recently, but the last day or so has almost been feverish,
by the standards of Jookyland.

First up, we've got the glitter covered one, which although a bit of a basket case, is growing on me.

It is the kind of thing that would make your average luthier practice pogo-ing on high, crumblyledges, and I won't know until I put it together how the neck will go,
as in whether it will be playable or not,
but I do actually like the look of it.

Especially the tiger stripe lacquer runs on the back of the neck.

This is to be known as The Glistery One from now on, assuming it works out.

Backing away from that particular teetering edge, I've set-off head-long into another bit of psychedelia, with a tribute to the Surf guitarists of yore. I'm going for a bit of a two tone cloth effect this time, which I hope will look appropriately way-out-there-man.

We shall see. It should end-up being known as The Psychedelic Surf One, though as you probably realise I will no doubt change my mind three dozen times before we finish.

It is always the way.




The fotos are The Glistery One, of course, though a bit of Black Francis and the boys is purely my kind of surfin'

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