Free Art Show Featuring My Custom Built And Art Guitars And More June 10th by BJ Neblett

 

For those in the Seattle area, join the Greenwood/Phinney Ridge Art Walk on June 10th and check out some wonderful local artists. Some of my custom-built and art guitars will be on display in the lobby of the Verity Credit Union. Come by and say hello!

New Year New Book And New Projects by BJ Neblett

 New Year New Book And New Projects by BJ Neblett

Hello and Happy New Year! I know, a bit belated. But that just speaks to the craziness that has gripped my life recently. Working a new job, lots of overtime (a good thing) planning and working on new guitar projects, and trying to finish up Book Three of Planet Alt-Sete-Nine: War Of The Wizards has left little time for much of anything else. While I wait for the glue to dry on the new nut on my latest project, and before I dive into more work on the electronics, I thought I'd take a minute and give you a visual tour of what is coming in 2022. We call them 'Art Guitars' and while they are stunningly beautiful works of art in their own right, all are fully functional and playable. The pieces are hand carved in Italy by my friend, the exceedingly talented Fabrizio Uffreduzzi, painting and artwork are in the capable hands of Seattle artist Anastasia Rudenco, and I oversee and assemble the project. We all share in design and concept. Keep an eye here and on my Instagram account, as we plan on having an art showing of the Art Guitars, a few other of my guitar creations, and of course, Anastasia's own artwork. Let me know what you think.

First up is 'Brook', a Stratocaster straight out of hell. As of this writing, Brook is about half-finished and will feature some 'interesting' additions.

Anyone get the name "Brook" connection?

A wild wacky tribute to the peace and love movement of the 70s, Jasmine is a Les Paul suited for Jerry Garcia. She is currently in the capable hands of Anastasia, being decorated with all the fun colors that marked the hippie movement. Like all my guitars, Jasmine will have a few surprises of her own.

A rough initial rendering of something I'm looking forward to finishing. This Starry Night tribute to van Gogh Les Paul is nearing completion in Fabrizio's workshop in Northern Italy.

Got a few more beauties lined up, and Anastasia tells me she has some cool concepts in mind as well, so stay tuned! If you are interested in these or any of my custom-built guitars or would like to have one custom built for you just drop me a line. You can also check out some of my guitars on reverb.com Just go to the site and search customscorpionguitars. In the meantime, I'll be working on finishing up War Of The Wizards. We are hopefully looking for a spring release.

Peace,

BJ

Another Guitar Finished And Up For Sale And New Chapters Completed by BJ Neblett

 Another Guitar Finished And Up For Sale And New Chapters Completed by BJ Neblett

Been on a tear here creatively, completing a couple of more chapters of my latest book, Planet Alt-Sete-Nine Book Three: War Of The Wizards. Wizards is the follow-up to Princess Haylee, released earlier this year, and the third in the time-warping saga of Haylee Sera Dione. Presently, it is looking like a winter release for the new book. 

I seem to owe the recently burst of literary creativity to spending more time working with my hands. Who would have figured my muse lives in guitars? I have finished rehabilitating a fine old classic acoustic guitar (more on that in another post), am in the middle of repairing and upgrading a new Les Paul (more as it progresses), and have finished a beautiful scratch-built Fender Stratocaster. The pictures below are of that guitar.

I dubbed her Nikki, and she sports a nice slim 60s style Fender Deluxe Series neck, Seymour Duncan humbucker pickups, Fender vintage-style tremolo bridge, and a host of other trick parts and upgrades. She plays and sounds even better than she looks if that is possible. I know it is going to be hard to let her go. But she is listed for sale on Reverb... here's the link... https://rvrb.io/2021-stratocaster-stx5b6

Nikki comes with a case and all the goodies you see here. For more info and pics, click the reverb.com link or contact me at customscorpionguitars@gmail.com or if you'd like a guitar custom built for you. By the way, the price listed on Reverb is negotiable. Make me an offer! Watch here for more updates on both Planet Alt-Sete-Nine Book Three: War Of The Wizards, and more guitars built, repaired and for sale.

More Neat Stuff by BJ Neblett

More Neat Stuff by BJ Neblett

Last time I answered several requests that I had received to show a few of the guitars you see in some of my photos. While my collection is cool, space and budget limitations tend to dictate what I can and can't collect. If you saw my apartment you'd understand. And while I'm a sucker for a vintage photo, poster or autographed album or book, I don't think I could find a bare spot left on my walls hang a tiny 5x7 postcard. That being said, yes I'm still collecting. And for those who also have space and monetary considerations, here are a few neat items that take up much less real estate.

   

                           

Guitar pick guards are a less expensive and very cool way to collect and display your rock memorabilia. They can be framed separate or in a collage, or just hung as is, which is how I like to show them off. Here we have autographed pick guards from surf guitarist great Dick Dale (top left) whom I met at a local club several years ago. I've since removed the guard from the cheap Strat knock-off. Dion (top right) the early doo-wop singer I worked with many times back in the day. All four of the original Ventures (bottom left) the PNW band that made instrumentals cool in the 60s, including the theme from Hawaii Five-O. Again, removed from the Telecaster. And the crazy scribbling of Frankie Valli (bottom right) of Four Seasons fame. I also have a very cool and unusual Les Paul pick guard signed by both Eric Clapton and Les Paul!
Signed artists book bios in my collection include: Johnny Cash, the Drifters, Carole King, Darlene Love, Scotty Moore, and a few others. From guitar picks to guitars, pictures to posters, rock memorabilia makes for fun collecting and great wall art. Next time maybe we'll check out some of my vintage posters and signed records. But right now I've got to get back to writing. I promised my publisher Planet-Alt-Sete-Nine Princess Haylee by the end of the year. Look for it and the paperback edition of my collection of New Millennialism short stories, Wouldn't It Be Funny It... (available now as an ebook) around Christmas time or so.
Peace,
BJ

Guitars and Stars by BJ Neblett

Something a little different for today. Many who have viewed my web page, along with the photos I have posted there and here on my blog over the years, have asked about my guitars. You may know I worked as a radio DJ (and consequently as a night club/disco DJ) for most of my adult life. As a result I've had the pleasure of working with and knowing many singers, musicians, and pop, rock and R&B/soul artists. Yes, life has been pretty good. I am also a big music fan and have a large, ever growing record collection. Then, at the tender age of 12, I picked up my first guitar and never looked back. So, for the many wonderful emails inquiring about the guitars that often accompany my pics, here is a peek inside my humble collection.

Not quite where it all began, but close. After a couple of starter guitars, I purchased my first 'good' guitar 1965. The Yamaha on the right (Amy) is an FG-180 original Red Label. The convoluted serial number systems points to this being one of the first 300 made. I know this for a fact as I was working in a music shop in 1965 and bought her a week after the Yamaha piano rep dropped her off.
On the left (Angela) is a 1968 Yamaha FG-230 12 string original Red Label, Amy's twin sister. Both ladies are all original, in excellent condition, never having been refinished or rebuilt, and like any fine instrument, play and sound better than new.
Behind them is an original '80s Rickenbacker amp.

Say hello to Emily, the forever love of my life. Emily came to me longer ago than either of us care to recall. And, like Amy, we have been through and seen more than anyone should be permitted. Emily is an all original, never touched, refinished, rebuilt, or messed with in any way, 1956 Gretsch Country Club. She comes, as with Amy and Angela, in her original hard shell case, with case candy. The stories this elegant lady could tell! And before you jump on the email, at this point in time none of my guitars are for sale.

The old workhorse when I used to play regularly, here we have a very cool solid ash Fender Stratocaster. She was born in Mexico in the 80s, and owing to her solid ash construction is a bit of a heavy weight when it comes to Strats. Some of the best player guitars from Fender came from Mexico in the early/mid 80s, and she is no exception. I'll put her handling, tone and sound up against any American made Standard Stratocaster.

Every player needs, well, a player guitar, one they can grab up at a moments notice, know it will be in tune, sound great, and be able to handle whatever: an impromptu party, street corner busting, a trip to the beach, or just chillin' at home. I stumbled upon this great China made Fender Stratacoustic several years ago and haven't put her down since. Look close and you will see Fender scrolled on the head stock. This isn't the cheapo Squire models you see everywhere. They didn't make very many of the true Fender branded versions, and regardless of its China heritage, she plays and sounds like a champ, plugged in or on her own.

I had the pleasure of working with Chuck Berry several times. Way back in the 80s I hosted a stage show with him at the Houston Summit. It's funny, but working with celebs you don't look at them quite in the same light as a fan. They are just another person as yourself hoping to entertain and maybe make a buck in the process. After the show, Chuck told me that of all the times we'd worked together, I'd never once asked for a photo or an autograph. As you can see, he showed his appreciation in spades.

Yes, that is Buddy Holly's signature... well, sort of... they lifted his actual signature and placed it on this Les Paul clone (why a Les Paul I have no idea.) Just above Buddy's name are the actual autographs of Jerry Allison, Sonny Curtis, and Joe B Mauldin, the original Crickets. No, to my knowledge Buddy never played a Les Paul, but this is still one of my prized possessions. The three original Crickets signed a very limited number of items at the Surf Ballroom's Annual Memorial Party back around 1999 I believe, and signatures of the three together are fairly rare.


Just a peek at some of my favorite toys helping to keep me sane during these crazy shelter in place times we are living in. Hope you are managing well and have something to keep you from going crazy. If it's unusual, different, or just plain cool, drop me an email and maybe a pic about it.
Peace,
BJ