Yes, it is lovely.

Peter

Last clue; other than the obvious similarities to Alembic shapes used for the body pattern, take note of the Alembic script logo at the top/left of the web page here...

...and then study the lettering inlaid on the Joker guitar headstock. (attaching a better pic) See it? I think this was another very conscious stylistic choice.

Unrelated to that, but clearly incorporated into the overall design is how they routed through the first two layers of the headstock to create the illusion of an omega at the tip without actually being one. These are not just seat-of-the-pants afterthoughts of a shadetree l👀thier.

Well-made points, Greg.

"Joker", eh?
Maybe some Prankster influence, as well?  "Let's keep 'em guessing!"

Peter

Yep, that headstock "faux omega" (fauxmega?) is interesting.  When I first saw it, I remember wondering if it once held an inlay or logo or some sort, especially given those white-ish dots inside the omega.  Those might be a red herring, but my first thought was that they may be the remnants of glue that once held something in that circle, but it fell out, or maybe was even intentionally removed.

For example, if you compare it to a Hyak headstock, it starts looking quite similar:








But of course, it may just be exactly what it is now - a decorative omega made by routing out only the top layers.  I like it as-is, but with the "JOKER" letters encircling it, it just seems to suggest that something decorative "should" go there.

Now listed for $6k.


I'm payin' off bankers and doctors. Or I'd be playin' cards.

Certainly is an interesting guitar, wonder what all of those switches do?

Quote from: rv_bass on March 22, 2026, 12:19:07 PM
Certainly is an interesting guitar, wonder what all of those switches do?

My guesses are;

The knobs; the offset one is for master volume, and the six in an array, one pot each for volume and tone for each pickup.

The switches; the three in a row are on/off switches for each pickup. The two between the master volume and bridge are coil-taps for the bridge and neck humbuckers, the one in the center of the six pots is... a kill switch. Or possibly solo's the middle single-coil?

Only the Joker and John Cole knows. 

'Crazy Man's Widow' has updated the description for the mysterious Joker guitar... apparently she has discovered and confimed its lineage. There's also a description confirming the electronics. The most interesting thing, she alludes to the existence of an acoustic companion guitar.

For anyone still interested in this years-long saga, here's the link-

https://reverb.com/item/94794080