Dave's Custom Gold guitar from '90-'91
Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 6:16 pm
Hey Dave Fans,
A few years back I posted on Xiola about Dave’s custom gold guitar from ’90-‘91. This is the guitar that he threw at Perry and then into the crowd at the 1st Lollapalooza show in Phoenix (7/18/91). The headstock snapped off and the body was cracked where it joins the neck. The guitar then went to Chris Cuffaro, Jane’s Addiction’s then-photographer, and I ended up with it in 2004.
I recently gave the guitar to Dave for his 50th birthday, but he ended up giving it back to me – check out the details, if you’re interested, here (starting around 1:15:30) - https://soundcloud.com/davenavarro/dark ... the-studio
Before the show, I contacted the original luthier, Mike Lipe. He made guitars for some of the top Ibanez players back in the ‘80s and ‘90s and still does great work. Check out his site here - http://www.lipeguitars.com/ Anyway, because I was going to be parting with Dave’s guitar, I asked Mike if he could recreate it for me to as close to the original specs as possible. And, he’s doing just that. Plus, it looks like he’ll be making one for Dave as well.
Here’s why, aside from it maybe being interesting to this group, I’m telling you all of this:
1st - Dave remembered there being a Batman sticker on it. I can only find one image with the sticker. It sits behind the bridge and it looks as if “Bat Man” is two words. Do any of you happen to have any good images of that sticker? I’d like to try and source that sticker to get it on the repro.
Here's that image:
2nd – If any diehard fan/guitarist is interested in getting one of the repros, Mike might make a few more. They’re not cheap, because they are essentially handmade, one-offs with high-quality materials and parts, some VOS (vintage old stock). The price is shaping up to be around $2,700 with a case. I think, if anyone does want one, I’d put a piece of the high E and B string from the original (they were still attached and I’m put a bit in mine) so some of the vintage magic and vibe can be transfers into the new guitar, if you believe in that stuff. The first one isn’t quite finished yet, but will be very soon. I’ll post photos and have more info when it’s done.
3rd – I’m creating a website that documents as much about this guitar’s past present and future as I can find. If you have any stories, images or details about it, and are willing to share, let me know. Also, if anyone knows where the original headstock is, please let me know.
Here’s what I know -
Produced 7/25/90 by Mike Lipe in Burbank
1st documented show played - 8/21/90, Brixton Academy, London England
Shows with Batman sticker - unknown
Last Show played (broken in fight) – 7/18/91, Compton Terrace Amphitheatre, Tempe, AZ
The breaking of this guitar is what led Dave to using PRS
Thanks for any help finding pictures of that Batman sticker or any other details,
Rob
A few years back I posted on Xiola about Dave’s custom gold guitar from ’90-‘91. This is the guitar that he threw at Perry and then into the crowd at the 1st Lollapalooza show in Phoenix (7/18/91). The headstock snapped off and the body was cracked where it joins the neck. The guitar then went to Chris Cuffaro, Jane’s Addiction’s then-photographer, and I ended up with it in 2004.
I recently gave the guitar to Dave for his 50th birthday, but he ended up giving it back to me – check out the details, if you’re interested, here (starting around 1:15:30) - https://soundcloud.com/davenavarro/dark ... the-studio
Before the show, I contacted the original luthier, Mike Lipe. He made guitars for some of the top Ibanez players back in the ‘80s and ‘90s and still does great work. Check out his site here - http://www.lipeguitars.com/ Anyway, because I was going to be parting with Dave’s guitar, I asked Mike if he could recreate it for me to as close to the original specs as possible. And, he’s doing just that. Plus, it looks like he’ll be making one for Dave as well.
Here’s why, aside from it maybe being interesting to this group, I’m telling you all of this:
1st - Dave remembered there being a Batman sticker on it. I can only find one image with the sticker. It sits behind the bridge and it looks as if “Bat Man” is two words. Do any of you happen to have any good images of that sticker? I’d like to try and source that sticker to get it on the repro.
Here's that image:
2nd – If any diehard fan/guitarist is interested in getting one of the repros, Mike might make a few more. They’re not cheap, because they are essentially handmade, one-offs with high-quality materials and parts, some VOS (vintage old stock). The price is shaping up to be around $2,700 with a case. I think, if anyone does want one, I’d put a piece of the high E and B string from the original (they were still attached and I’m put a bit in mine) so some of the vintage magic and vibe can be transfers into the new guitar, if you believe in that stuff. The first one isn’t quite finished yet, but will be very soon. I’ll post photos and have more info when it’s done.
3rd – I’m creating a website that documents as much about this guitar’s past present and future as I can find. If you have any stories, images or details about it, and are willing to share, let me know. Also, if anyone knows where the original headstock is, please let me know.
Here’s what I know -
Produced 7/25/90 by Mike Lipe in Burbank
1st documented show played - 8/21/90, Brixton Academy, London England
Shows with Batman sticker - unknown
Last Show played (broken in fight) – 7/18/91, Compton Terrace Amphitheatre, Tempe, AZ
The breaking of this guitar is what led Dave to using PRS
Thanks for any help finding pictures of that Batman sticker or any other details,
Rob