The Electra Forums

So here's this Maple Pro that I was told was a sample, or prototype when I got it. It came from the E. St. Louis area. I bought it from a guy who was liquidating his uncle's estate, and was selling this and a '54 Martin D-28. Unfortunately I couldn't get him down to reality with the Martin. He said his uncle had been a professional musician for over forty years, a very lucky man. I didn't give much credence to what the seller said (that his uncle bought it from a sales rep), but it does have some interesting features I haven't seen on other Maple Pros, and is of exceptional build quality and materials. So when I saw monty57s post, it rang a bell. BTW, welcome, monty! Thank you for sharing your guitar here.

This one's a beauty to play, seems a bit heavier than usual for Electra semi-hollowbodies. It's also the only Maple Pro that I personally have seen with this headstock, though it seems like there should be more out there. I can't recall if others I've seen had a volute, but I know the later ones didn't. Its all original with the exception of the nut... it had a cracked bone one (original) when I got it, dressing the frets, and touching up a small piece of binding that was bogeyed. There are no stickers, labels, or serial numbers. If I remember correctly it also has something different in the way of pickups and wiring, but what I can't remember right now.

I don't really care one way or the other as to its being a prototype. I just feel blessed to have such a nice example. Here it is...

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"... can't seem to hit that Bb right."

Yeah, that thing is guitar porn - should be illegal for anyone under 18 to even view it. It is too cool

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Thorny

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SlmGuy

I really like the wood on your example. Maple Pros have always caught my eye.

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"This is the way that pop ends, Not with a BANG but with a box set whose fourth disc you never get around to playing” - Simon Reynolds

"My guitar wants to kill your Mama" - Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention

My fairly early elvin bishop has a volute. It has an early headstock, but not that gibson shape. I recall only seeing those "star" tuning keys on very few ones - I have seen them before, maybe once or twice, quite rare. They are otherwise the same as an Electra key I think, they just don't have the peace sign logo on them. The abalone inlay on mine is just like yours I think too, with the larger size Peace sign logo, but a smaller Electra name. Mine did not have the original trapeze tailpiece on it, but mine originally had one (it has the 3 mounting holes near the strap button for it). The heel looks like yours too. Mine has a 1976 serial number.

The differences appear to be mine has the small early headstock of similar size but it has a more pronounced cut out in the center (not a gibson open-book). Someone had put a tailpiece on mine too (it was added afterwards).

I bet we have the same manufacturer but yours is earlier if I were to guess. My f holes look smaller, but it has the multi-ply binding that is much thicker, so I could be seeing that difference. Mine has a fancier peace sign logo SLM truss rod cover). I don't know about your pickups, mine had some covered ones with it that were potted and had different cables put on it (and possibly rewound). I wound up putting sheptones in mine because it was not stock anyway and I REALLY LIKE the sheptones. Mine doesn't have nearly that nice of a top or back, and obviously is a different color.

You may likely have a prototype or an earlier one than mine. Those star keys are not common. You don't have the logoed truss rod cover. You have the Gibson shaped headstock which I don't know if I have seen on a maple pro. But so much is exactly right too so you probably do have a prototype. At least no matter what you have it sure is an awesome looker that is for sure!

I wish I had my maple pro back. I don't remember who I sold it too, but my finances would not allow me to even to consider it right now. But my elvin will have to suit me for my 335 type. I just am more fond of the maple pros. They are my favorite of the 335 types.

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Thorny

Very nice example and the headstock and tuners are very unusual on the same guitar. I have seen the star tuners on some of the early LP models but never on a semi hollowbody. Super nice .....Thanks for the photos.

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

Wow! That's a beauty. I'm glad I'm over 18.

I have to agree with everyone else on this one. Man that is one beautiful guitar.