Author Topic: joker on reverb  (Read 3183 times)

edwardofhuncote

  • club
  • Senior Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8361
Re: joker on reverb
« Reply #30 on: December 24, 2020, 04:43:10 AM »
Thanks for posting-in with the extra info Harry and Brian, every little piece helps. Alan Thompson seems as good a suspect/guess as any. (Yep, that sounds like a classic RT answer... ;)) Thompson was mentioned in another recent thread as a candidate for having built a mystery guitar Stephen Stills is pictured playing. Like the "Joker" here, it has all the hallmarks of the early 70's NorCal School. http://club.alembicguitars.com/index.php?topic=25835.0

There is just something about this one though... the Omega-cut, the symmetrical horns, the extra backstraps on the headstock behind the scarf, the high-relief carve of the top. Somebody went to a lot of care building this guitar, and I can't help but think it was either a commissioned job, or a built-for-personal-use. Maybe we'll find out one day.

*FWIW, and not that I care, but the 'Suspended Listing' has been lifted, the guitar is back up. The ad has been edited, and now says something about raising money for charities. Also includes a quote from Doug Irwin claiming- "I like this guitar." (Yeah, I like it too, but unless Irwin liked it because he built it, I don't think that helps his case much) Wow.

Dear Santa... there's this guitar I like... I don't know how your schedule looks for tonight, but, uhhh... I've been pretty good this year. ::)

« Last Edit: December 24, 2020, 01:02:55 PM by edwardofhuncote »

edwardofhuncote

  • club
  • Senior Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8361
Re: joker on reverb
« Reply #31 on: March 25, 2024, 06:14:07 AM »
I was reading really old threads this weekend, ran across this one: https://club.alembicguitars.com/index.php?topic=842.0


...and immediately thought about the mysterious The Joker guitar again. Did anyone ever ask Mark Johnson about it?

edwardofhuncote

  • club
  • Senior Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8361
Re: joker on reverb
« Reply #32 on: Today at 03:06:42 AM »
I figured it was about time for this card to turn up again...

https://reverb.com/item/94794080

Do we finally learn the Joker's true lineage, or does he fade to obscurity for another season?


*FWIW, this sounds like an estate situation now.   




« Last Edit: Today at 03:10:01 AM by edwardofhuncote »

lbpesq

  • club
  • Senior Member
  • *
  • Posts: 10793
Re: joker on reverb
« Reply #33 on: Today at 08:55:21 AM »
Mystery solved, it’s his!

Bill, tgo



flavofive

  • club
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 131
Re: joker on reverb
« Reply #34 on: Today at 10:12:42 AM »

Mystery solved, it’s his!

Bill, tgo




Haha!

Yeah, I saw this updated listing for the "Joker" guitar too - I was surprised that the updated description now completely acknowledges the ludicrous original price, although the reason given for it is a bit sad.  At least the original owner's widow seems to have a sense of humor about it, and describes her late husband affectionately (but also "oddball" and "crazy man"  ;D ), which is nice.  RIP to him, regardless.

$9k still seems optimistic, but they're accepting offers too, so who knows what it'll go for.  I kind of hope the current seller gets at least a decent price for it, given her situation, and it is a pretty awesome and unique guitar - I certainly wouldn't mind owning it!
« Last Edit: Today at 10:14:23 AM by flavofive »

edwardofhuncote

  • club
  • Senior Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8361
Re: joker on reverb
« Reply #35 on: Today at 10:53:00 AM »
Here are a couple detail pics I saved from long-expired ads. Fascinating how the pickups are designed to be installed or removed from this modular plug. And the engraved tailpiece, Custom Made For John Cale. Evidently a different one. Or is it Cole? Only The Joker knows.

David Houck

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 15811
Re: joker on reverb
« Reply #36 on: Today at 11:34:00 AM »
Good question Greg; an "a" or an "o"?

adriaan

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4370
Re: joker on reverb
« Reply #37 on: Today at 01:33:27 PM »
There are three clear "o" characters "Custom ... For John" and one clear "a" in "Made". To me it clearly spells "John Cole".