The Electra Forums

I only have my one X640, but it's a very nice looking example! And my dad is a photographer.

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Who needs a Fender Jazz when you can get a perfectly good Spectrum bass for $50?

If this publication is for Future generations of Collectors, I would like to soberingly suggest that the emphasis should be on 100% stock guitars for the photographic examples. Even changed pickguards, knobs or truss rod cover could be misleading or fuel for controversies for Collectors and Guitar shop owners alike. Possible exception being strap buttons, but even there purists may disagree. This would admittedly disqualify a good portion of my collection!

Obviously this is Jack's call not mine, but if you look at other 'coffee table books' you'll see that regardless of wear or age marks, the originality of the instrument is usually stressed in the pictured examples.

Whoa, that's a noble and honorable goal... if I could just see a list of all the models I'd be impressed!


RCS I totally agree, I didn't mean to imply that they should be ignored, and it should be explained that while the copy guitars were the beginning, it also set the stage for many of SLM's innovations as they tried (maybe unsuccessfully) to gain market respect and brand identity. I think everyone assumed that the MPC's would be well documented, as they have been a driving force in the collecting arena for the past decade.

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

Tossing out examples for unoriginal strap buttons would kick mine out. Oh well, if I can get some good concert pics with it it might still be applicable.

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Who needs a Fender Jazz when you can get a perfectly good Spectrum bass for $50?

As long as it's made plain in the book what's been changed, I think it's okay. I think the order of preference for photos is:

* Perfect guitar as new, 100% original
* Guitar with patina, 100% original
* Player condition, 100% original
* Restored/minor changes, noted in text
* Unknown as to what's original and what's replacement, noted in text
* That freaking Frankenguitar that just went on eBay with holes in the bridge

You get the idea

We will err on the side of caution when calling something "original". If you look at the "Beauty Of The Burst" book, there are a few guitars in there with replacement or "upgrade" parts, it's noted in the text, not really a big deal.

If I can afford to do it, I'm going to "give" a copy of the book to the big guitar magazines and some of the most prestigious shops like Gruhn et al to help them understand the collector market for these guitars.

Last but not least, I think I will host a companion website to the book with ALL the pictures of ALL the guitars we can take, so that a reader of the book who wants to see more knows where to go, and also how to get to this forum to discuss the hobby.

I've already let Jack know, but I'm in. Most of my stuff isn't "mint," but it should reduce the search for examples

Just based on the early responders to this thread, I think I have a line on about 90 different models.

I will also be asking everybody to scan or photograph any advertisement, catalogs, or case candy they have.

Here are those from my X330 purchase in 1979; they're still in the case - in this condition:







RCSBlues

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RCSBlues

This is one of the best ideas i've seen on the intertubes. Ever.
I was talking to a friend last night about Electras, he had never heard of one. He's played guitar for a loong time.

On the other hand, my cousin Randy (who designed the cult favorite S.D. Curlee bass) told me some unbelievable stuff about the guitar business in the Midwest US around this time period. I wonder if Randy and Tom know each other?

I'll donate shots of my X-910 if you'd like...

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-Dave

Electra MPC X-320
Electra MPC X-910
MPC Modules 2,3,6

Ummm.. Did you say 910?? Post some pics regardless. 910....... yummy.

they're over in another topic...

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=4466&p=24314#wrapheader

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-Dave

Electra MPC X-320
Electra MPC X-910
MPC Modules 2,3,6