David crosby's 12 string starfire

[jseitang]

does anyone have any pictures of this? its on the cover of the 1973 the bryds album  and i do remember reading that it was alemicized, curious if anyone has any info or pictures..thx

[lbpesq]

It is a beautiful instrument, made of Brazilian Rosewood.  Not only did I see it earlier this year at a CSN show, but I actually had the opportunity to play it at the mothership a few years ago when it was in for a tune up.  Very Alembicized.  I believe this is one of the very first, if not the first instrument they ever modded.
 
Bill, tgo

[jseitang]

pictures? stories?

[grateful]

 
This was in The Guardian (British newspaper) a few weeks back:  only the headstock is visible.  I believe it was the very first.
 
Mark

[David Houck]

Is this it?  (Note; this is a copyrighted photo that the owner doesn't want copied.)

[artswork99]

Nice find Dave!

[David Houck]

Thanks!  It took a little while to find.

[zezozeceglutz]

This is as good a time as any to stop lurking and contribute, right?  Hi guys, I'm Ken.
 
 
Here are a couple of pictures I've come across in the past that show Crosby's 12 string pretty clearly.  Both look to be from around '74 or so.
 
 
In color
 
...and black and white
 
I wonder what the electronics package is inside there and whether it changed(functionally) through the years.  I know that it wears a different set of pickups these days.
 
(Message edited by zezozeceglutz on November 20, 2008)
 
(Message edited by zezozeceglutz on November 20, 2008)

[David Houck]

Hi Ken; welcome to the board!
 
Yes, those are very good pictures of the guitar; the color especially!

[jseitang]

dude that tailpiece reminds me of phil lesh's tailpiece from his starfire bass.... amazing. anyone know the electronics history of david's guitar? im surprised someone hasnt done a article on that guitar... truly a one of a kind!

[mica]

When David's guitar was here last, I took a few pictures. Here's the whole guitar:

  And here's some of the electronics as my dad disassembled them:

  I should do a Featured Custom on this instrument in the future and dig up all the details.

[new2alembic]

That guitar is indeed one of a kind; it is a beautiful instrument. That is an interesting board.  Mica is that a Centronics 36 connector in the pic that you posted?  Is it supported using a bi-directional printer cable?
 
Thanks
 
Carl

[cozmik_cowboy]

Yes, Mica, Please!!!  the only thing that could be better than a FC on this guitar would be if you could talk David into giving to me!
 
Peter

[paulman]

I'm only counting 12 pins on the one side so it's probobly a 24.  However this goes to show the sheer ingenuity in engineering they had in modular component design.  Just have your standard and wire the individual components to male and female side of the connector, then plug 'em together.  Then the electronics can come apart so you're not removing the whole thing at one time for service.  
 
This looks like a prime example of using the components that were available and showing the earliest modular designs that Ron and Co. came up with.  This was in 1968 or 1969 if the history books have it right.  
 
When I recently had my Further wiring harness in for service, it came out like that.  About 10 minutes worth of work to get them back in, plug in the stuff I didn't have to take out and wala!
 
I love that 12 string guitar, but you can let Cozmik have it after David's done with it ha ha.

[terryc]

Is that Stephen Stills in the background of the colour pic.
I missed the 60's..I was too young!(don't believe me..check my profile you disbelievers!! LOL)
The B/W pic shows the huge crowd, what a buzz that must be, the stadium looks absolutely packed out.