I was wondering if any you know what the JEM, UV or even JS Prototypes became ? There are a few that are known to be in proud owners' hands but many other for which apparently there is no traces left.
At that time, the few that are know from my side are :
* JEM GMC : hold by a US Jemsite member ;
* JEM DNA : everyone knows it's in Italy by an Italian Jemsite member ;
* UVMC : one of the 2 proto is with Rich ;
* JS 3 ne of the 2 or 3 proto is (supposedly) in Germany
* JS 4 : also hold by Rich ;
* JS 5 : guess who - Rich again.
Is there anyone here who knows for the rest of them ? I'm really wondering when the PMC, 10th, etc... went especially knowing that Steve (or Joe) has none.
Just because something is a catalog model doesn't mean it's a prototype. The GMC might be, but it just as well may have been out of the first [or more] run and the one they chose for the pictures. Considerring the neck plates were 91's that project was long in the works before 92' NAMM.
Same with the UVMC's, just because they were in literature doesn't make them prototypes in any way.
Prototype would typically mean evolutionary, something different about it that's not quite like the rest, and rarely, that final prototype that actually ends up being the model for production. There's some gray area in there.
My JS2 is a proto not because it was the catalog model but because it has the angled jack and a production JS2 has a straight jack. The JS4 is a proto because the graphic is very different than the production, but evolving toward. The JS5 is the same, but also on a custom shop body so easier to substatiate. A friend owns the JS5 with the painted pickups Pedro Cruz painted which would also be prototype. I have that alder LACS proto, and I know another JS1WH that has direct mount pickups, and of course Joe has a whole slew of one offs and proto's, but determining which is which, you're back in the gray areas again.
Ok maybe I should any worded the topic title "Where are the PROTOTYPES / CATALOG models" as I did not mean to limit the topic to PROTOTYPES that were NOT seen in catalogue. I don't know if there is a process for amending the title. Mods, could you do the amendment or must I open a new thread ?
Rich how do you keep all your guitars safe. Do you have a vault or something. Sounds like you have a lot of top quality instruments, that would be very hard if not impossible to replace. And no , I dont plan on robbing you, just curious.
i know for definite that a chrome JS prototype came over here (England) and ended up in the Rock Shop, Shrewsbury. my old man found out about it and took me there!! there was no serial number.. a lot of gunk on the fret board..and loads of scratches where a pick gaurd should be!!! i think the owner of the shop said that about 3-5 were made..he got it through somebody who knew somebody who knew satch. NO i didn't buy it, i cant remember the price tag at the time but it was way out my range . was it genuine? i think so..if memory serves me right it came with a little hand written note from the satch himself!!...yes if i can find the photos a i'll post 'em
I would never buy a rare proto guitar from somebody who knew somebody! much less would I think it is genuine :? :roll:
BTW that piece of paper could have been written by shop owner's grandma!!! :lol:
At that time, the few that are know from my side are :
* JEM GMC : hold by a US Jemsite member ;
* JEM DNA : everyone knows it's in Italy by an Italian Jemsite member ;
* UVMC : one of the 2 proto is with Rich ;
* JS 3 ne of the 2 or 3 proto is (supposedly) in Germany
* JS 4 : also hold by Rich ;
* JS 5 : guess who - Rich again.
Rich, how did you get OMC? I can't believe they didn't make that a production model, I think that would be awesome and I think that should be a future production model.
I bought it out of Japan from a roofer that had broken his legs in a fall. He got it from a retired employee that was the guitar buyer when he worked at HUSA in exchange for a roof [he got more than one]. Supposedly the guy has an amazing collection of similar stuff.
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