2024 Melobar Prototypes finally done

 Some of you have been following these prototype instruments over the last couple years...here they are, finally done. Be sure and hit the full screen so you can actually see the wood, fun stuff 😉

Lindley's Genious video mentioned for the Gold with Rosewood Cap

BTW the necks used on the prototypes were oddballs and rejects that couldn't be used on stock Melobars - I'm still saving the last good necks for players.

3/2024 Update on Melobar Availability

Video explains what is happening on the last Melobars

Four in wood working; V 6-string, Tele body 6-string, Rosac custom 8 w/L605, Telobar

Telobar Sold
V body Sold
6 string Rosac Sold

David Lindley -Very Sad...we lost a wonderful person!

 

So sad we lost David, this is the day the Smith family met him and he was always gracious and wonderful. Only person Dad would build whatever he wanted :)

Every time I met him he always went out of his way to talk to me even clear back at age 16, let me into his home, took time to talk guitar builds, so many great memories, going to miss you David!   

Fun Melobar Article in Vintage Guitar Magazine

 

Great article on the Mosrite Melobar model in the February issue of Vintage Guitar.
Click Here https://www.vintageguitar.com/40225/the-story-of-melobar/

Always wanting to make sure the history is correct I do want to point out that Jimmy Page had not called us back in the 80's for "playing tips" but because he wanted an effects box that Brian Jones had used with his Mosrite Melobar on a movie track for a unique sound; we talk about it in Fun Melobar Facts. 

The caption between the Mosrite and Rosac are backwards, the Rosac model is on the right. What is pictured here is a Mosrite Melobar.

The little town we built them in during the 80's was Weiser...not Weister, and Melobar moved to the Sweet Idaho Shop in 1991 after Dad had died. Otherwise it was a very good recount of Melobar's Roots.

the Author Willie Moseley emailed me that; When I interviewed Jorma Kaukonen, he was appreciative of the opportunity to discuss his experience with Melobar, telling me "Thanks for the trip down memory lane."

We all thank you for that trip down memory lane Willie!!

Rusty Young the first Melobar man

 

Special tribute to Rusty Young, the first Steel'er to put Melobar on stage and break the Rock barrier with it in his great book. 

He nick named his Melobar the Bear and really did some wild stage moves with it, I think he still is miles ahead of what the world doesn't realize Steel can do in cross over country rock.

Thank you Rusty, RIP

Rolling Stones Melobar

The Rolling Stones got 2 of the new Professional Melobar models in 1981, this is a CD of recordings in that time period, check out track 6

Never know where a Melobar will end up

I've mentioned in the history how guitars I thought were going to beginners, ended up in the hands of players like Joe Walsh or Jimmy Page, but this is one that surprised me.

You never know who will get that Melobar that's being built...this months Guitar World article with David Gilmour's auction of 120 of his Iconic guitars asked him...

Major surprise to me, I didn't even know he had a Melobar :)

Update Well it's officially in the history books; David Gilmour of Pink Floyd's Melobar went for $52,000 realized at the Christie's Auction...the most ever paid for a Melobar for sure.