The Electra Forums

[quote="JackBaruth"]

I agree that the original designs should be described and featured if possible. Obviously the copy guitars can't be ignored, and many of them were 'interpretations' of the theme, some of which had cool innovations like the belly cut on the LP's, shorter scale on some of the Tele's, wild electronic options on the LP's (both Omega and X300 series), and if you measure the semi hollows the bodies were actually a little smaller than a real Gibson 335...

However, there is still going to be that element of 'pawn shop cheese' mentality some readers will associate with the copy models... even though collectors have studied and grown attached to these models. I don't know, you want to be thorough and document them, but (in my eyes) the real prizes are the Original models.

There are four basic original styles (not counting the pointy models, which you too will have to document!);

I) The One-and-a-Half cutaway (Many different models used this style which is commonly mistaken for a LP body, X250,X260,X270,X280,X290, X960, Vulcan Series and X935 Endorsers... oh, and some of the 2242's and X210 non-omegas were 1 and a half style)

II) Outlaw (Curiously Unique, both the Guitar and Bass are truly Original designs)

III) Phoenix (ok, its admittedly a lot like a strat, but can't be denied that its original... countless models, I've tried!!)

IV) X120 Leslie West (another Variation on the LP theme, but wonderfully unique, especially the heal. The lone model with this shape)

Pointy's:

I) Dynasty (it's a Vee... or is it?)

II) Futura, part I and II (I used to think these were exactly like an Urchin, but there are differences)

III) Lady (rare, and a somewhat acquired taste, none the less, 100% Electra)

IV) Monarch (another rare, and original Electra design)

V) Dimension IV (ok, a lot like an explorer)


I know I'm just rambling now, but another thing that always made me grin is that almost every Electra (SLM) guitar had not only a model number, but a Marketing name to go with it, the Ultima, the Invicta, the Omega, The Futura... its soooo much cooler than say an Ibanez RG450slk or some such designation. Some of them are campy (LongNecker or DoubleSolid), but most of their marketing names are pretty cool.

My one reservation (only one Mike?) and I don't want to discourage all the enthusiasm, but isn't a white sheet background kind of low rent? I understand the desire to have some consistency, but I would say that for some (featured?) pictures a nice (and stately) background would complement the guitars. Just sayin'. OK, one more thing, don't be afraid to blaze new trails for your book, it doesn't have to fit the 'Beauty of the Burst' mold exactly man. Alright, too many cooks in the kitchen, I'll shut up now! Cheers, Mike.

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

How about interviews with some of the more recognized endorsers? Frampton, Betts, West, Bishop, and the Outlaw guys (sorry don't know their names). Maybe the endorsements were just that, and maybe they believed in Electras.

In the Vintage Guitar Magazine article with Elvin Bishop (last year??) he made no mention of SLM or Electra, although he was incredibly verbose about all his Gibsons (surprise, surprise), and some funky little amp that has his name on it. Rick Derringer flat out denies that he had any ties to Electra in a Web article, and when asked about Electras Leslie West said " it never had my name on it...", which is funny only because the new Dean model literally has his name on the fretboard.

I think you'd have a hard time getting any of those people to do an interview period (you left out Jeff Lynn and Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter !), much less get them to talk about a guitar line that has been dead for twenty plus years. But, you never know, maybe Jack has some good connections... or dirt on them to persuade them!

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

I consider the Rick Derringer/Electra connection to be a long standing mis-assumption.

I think that the model name of the explorer shaped MPC guitar was "derringer" or maybe even "deringer." More like a reference to the pistol.

I've never seen any Electra paper that actually mentioned Rick Derringer. I'll have to check for sure, next time I'm at the studio. I have some photo copies of Electra literature.

Which I should have had on display at Electrafest. What was I thinking?

Yea, I was under a time crunch and I knew couldn't remember all the paid endorsers. It was just an idea, don't know how viable it is though.

Hello there, this is Matt from Ohio AKA MAD 45....I am totally up for this and it is a great idea....and own a few of the Electra Phoenix models including the X189 with two humbuckers and one single coil one in red and one in dark green and one with the two double humbuckers only in dark green, X155, X175 in black.....for what it is worth I also own a Westone Pantera in pink......

I have been working with a brilliant photographer over the years who works in commercial photography...does amazing work and has shot many of my promo shots...

I also have a couple of videos that feature my Electras, here is the link to the Myspace page which contains the photos and videos: http://www.myspace.com/mad45music

I have published a few books....and for what it is worth...don't rule out getting them printed in China as the cost is very affordable in comparison with other means of printing.....also I have worked with Amazon.com on the selling of my books if you need input here are the links to my books on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ill-Take-You-Ther ... 892&sr=8-1

and the other is here: http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Streets-Ex ... 959&sr=8-1

You generally need a UPC code to sell on Amazon...and some book related stores online and libraries etc it is helpful to have an ISBN number....

Anyway, I am happy to provide whatever input I can get in touch and know that I wish you the best on this project....
take care
Matt AKA MAD 45

I'd pay double the price for something like this vrs. getting it printed in #*@^% China. How many Chinese guys ever gave you a job? Sorry touchy subject.

MAD45, I'll take all the help you can offer, and that applies to everyone else.

In a perfect world, we would have the book printed in Japan! I suspect it will be American, though. I won't have the book printed in China unless it's the only way to make the information available.

...

Regarding the white background photos... the primary purpose for that is so the background can be Photoshopped for any purpose.

As an example, the cover page of the book won't be a white background, but we will use one of the photos that was taken with a white background so we can lay the guitar visually in flat black/grey/a photo background.

It's also easier to color-correct and balance all the photos if there's no real background. Remember that a lot of people will use this book in the future to see if the guitar they own, or are considering buying, is "correct" and we want to have the maximum clear detail in every shot.

Some time next week I will formally kick off the project and begin building a list of guitars and interviewees. I'm so excited!

Dude - You are the man!!!! Clearly you have given this some thought - Thus the white background idea! TP obviously needs to be involved - Prepare yourself cause everyone's going to want their guitar in the book. I nominate all mine (except the X140 cause I know you have the narket cornered on that ). Anything I can help with - Let me know. I have a sister and a good friend in the biz (NYC) so.....

I hope the MPC LP's will be included;

I don't see much mentioned about them for the book;

IMO SLM / Electra wouldn't have been the company it eventually evolved into without the sale and popularity of the initial copy guitars - all of them - and then the MPC models - all of them -, and then with the eventual introduction of unique SLM models.

I have always wanted one of the X930, X940, or X950 MPC models.

Owning an Outlaw model - guitar or bass - would be great as well.

RCSBlues

Love this idea. Would definitely purchase one or four, and I'll contribute what I can, or whatever's needed I guess.

I tend to be a little forgetful/busy/lazy at times, so I may need a gentle reminder when it gets to be crunch time...

Great idea Jack.

Well, I hope we can have good solid photos of every kind of Electra ever made, and plenty of details about each.

I'd imagine we will have a whole MPC section with pictures of all the effects that we can find, descriptions of how they work, and so on.

Next week I will start trying to put a list of every possible variant together. Then I'll ask people to list what they have of each variant, and I'll start trying to book photography.

Naturally, all contributors will be recognized by their forum name or real name, as they choose.

Count me and my Electras in.I will do what I can.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!