The Electra Forums

Okay, this has been a frustrating search. Any help in identifying this guitar is appreciated.

I recently purchased an Electra LP style guitar. The headstock is the curved Electra standard type with the Electra Peace Symbol in what appears to be abalone inlay. The truss rod cover is black plastic with the word "Custom" on it.

The neck is walnut with a walnut fretboard and the "vines of life" inlaid into it. It has 22 frets.

The body is as I mentioned an LP solid archtop style with the vines of life carved into it, similar to the Super Magnum model. The body color is a crimson/oxblood coloring, similar to the Electra Oak Tree of Life SG body coloring. The carved vines are further detailed in black paint to distinguish it from the rest of the body coloring. Perhaps this was re-done after the guitar was originally purchased? The back of the body is natural walnut similar to the Super Magnum model. The body and neck are two separate pieces and glued together. There are no bolts or neck plate.

Electronically, it has two volume and two tone controls. The pickups were definitely changed somewhere along the line, as they are EMG's in both the neck and bridge positions. The bridge has curved ends. The pickup toggle switch is a three position switch and is located next to the volume controls.

The Serial Number is SN27359.

This is as specific as I can get on this one. It doesn't quite match up with any Electra LP/Vines of Life/Oak Tree of Life/2258/Super Magnum model I've found to date. If anyone has any information in helping me identify this specific guitar it would be extremely appreciated. Thanks!

Any chance of a photo to help identify it?

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"Quote me as saying I was mis-quoted." - Groucho Marx

I asked my son to take a few photos of it with his digital camera. I'll post them when I get them. In the meantime, if my description sounds vaguely familiar, your input is appreciated.

Without seeing it, I have to say that it *sounds* like an Electra, probably a very rare one at that. And, being a fan of the set-neck Electric Oak, but wary of the bolt-on neck of the Super-Magnum, it sounds to me like a very cool guitar indeed. I've always wondered why the Super-Magnum had no set-neck variation.

Looking forward to the pics!

Matthew

Here are the pictures of the guitar I described above. Any help in identifying this model is greatly appreciated.













Thanks!

From the rough finish near where the fretboard meets the body, I'd say this is definitely a re-fin. It was probably totally blonde originally, much like a typical bolt-on Super-Magnum. I think that's what you probably have, a set-neck Super-Magnum. Very cool!

Are you thinking about restoring it?

Matthew

I completely agree Matt, that's a Super Magnum with the plastic changed, pickups changed and a refin. I couldn't find the Super Mag anywhere on the page?!?! Did I miss it, or is it gone for some reason?

I've found, through the help of some of the pages experts, that many of these ill advised refin's can be removed by carefully using acetone revealing the intact original finish underneath. But make 100% sure it is a refin before trying

_________________
"Quote me as saying I was mis-quoted." - Groucho Marx

here's an older version....

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My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

I'd like to restore it, but since the coloring is limited to the front of the body I really don't have a section of guitar to experiment on that isn't visible from the front view.

I suspected it was a SUper Magnum with a red paint job, but the headstock on my guitar is different from the standard Super Magnum headstock. Oh well....

That's the later Wave style headstock. At first guess your serial number leans toward 1982 and is this case that's likely correct as the 1980 catalog shows the super Mag with the Gibson like headstock. Anyone have a 1981/82 catalog that shows a Super Magnum?

As for a test area, if you're committed to restoring it, get an estimate from a local shop that does good refins. If you're happy with the estimate, go ahead and try and remove the red with acetone. If it works, you save the price of the refin. If it fails and you just strip the red, you'll probably save some dough on the top refin I can't imagine a top inly refin being too pricey.

_________________
"Quote me as saying I was mis-quoted." - Groucho Marx

if you decide to restore it back to original condition, and want to sell the pickups that are currently in it, Let me know, I would be interested in them

If I may be so bold, What did you pay for the guitar?

I believe I paid between $300 and $350 for it. It's been a while so I don't quite remember. Don't know if that's a good price or bad price, but considering what I wound up with, i.e., a beautifully crafted guitar with excellent action and powerful pickups, it was worth it to me.

I'd say that's a reasonable price, especially with what appears to be a rare set-neck for this model.

M

especially considering that a bolt on neck model, albeit, in original condition, still though, just brought over $900.00 on ebay, I would say that you got one hell of a deal

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