For the musicians around here

Kinda seems like the grm spirit so how many of you own obscure cool old gear that isn't exactly spendy or super mainstream?

Personally I own 2 of the rarest peaveys ever made: the Vulcan ( 250w 28th on board reverb trem and fuzz from the late 60s) and a Dynabass head( the amp not the bass). Plus an Earth Original, hilariously a copy of the peavey standard , and the best bass can I've ever played thru a Randall 2x12 folded horn monster

It's not super-rare, but I own a Univox Hi-Flier bass. This one seems to be totally original, too, down to the knobs. I has flat-wounds on it.

There are usually a handful for sale on Reverb, but it's not something you often find at the local shop. I dig it. Plus I got a really great deal on it.

Some of my guitars are rare"ish" but the drumset was custom made by Aaron Hughes in Gainesville, GA.

Not exactly desirable or valuable but I have a pair of mid 60's Vox Tornados. Both heavily modified.

The early 70's Epiphone bass

But my most valuable piece of gear is probably this old pedal

It is an original 63 ACA Fuzz King.

I had a low serial number Selmer Mark VI alto saxophone for a few years. Too bad I was more interested in tenor, and even more interested in not playing.

In reply to Jumper K. Balls:

Nice fuzz! I don't think I've ever seen one in person

I have a Martin that supposedly there were only a few hundred made. But it isn't that special other than it being a good guitar; kind of like a special edition Miata that is just a special paint job. Worth maybe an extra $50-$200 over a regular D-18

I also have a redbear mk60 and a sunn beta lead although neither are super rare.

Personally I love finding cool tones out of obscure gear

I've got a Trace Elliot guitar amp. Never seen another one in person.

I have a few pieces of gear that are kinda rare/obscure:

German Warwick Streamer Standard:

Warwick is a German bass company that makes really expensive, high-end stuff. In the 90's, they wanted to get into the "entry level" game, so they created the Standard series. These would have a standard die cast bridge instead of the individual saddle bridge and passive pickups. The body is made of Carolena, which is a very soft wood, but the neck is Ovankol with a Wenge board and bell brass frets like the expensive ones, although it is a bolt-on neck. Their "entry level" cheapo bass was still $1200!!! I found mine for $299 used but in practically new condition. Probably the nicest instrument I have. Their newer entry level stuff is Chinese built and not nearly as nice.

1996 Ibanez SR400:

While not too rare, it is unusual. I picked this up from a friend years ago for the "bro price" $50, who got it for Christmas in 1996. I was there in the store when he picked it out, and it was a $600+ bass back then. It has a 3-band active EQ and a very thin neck. What makes it unusual is that it's a one year only metallic green. I hated the color for years, but its grown on me lately.

Magstar Custom Drums 6.5x14 10-ply maple snare drum (not my pic, but mine's the same one):

Magstar was a custom drum company run by a guy named Rob Kampa out of Plymouth, MA. He made some really nice stuff, and it was pretty affordable. This is a 10-ply 45 degree bearing cut edge Keller maple shell with his own hardware and a Pearl throwoff for serviceability. It sounds incredible, and is on par with stuff made by DW and other high end manufacturers. I was going to commission him to build me a complete set, but he moved to Nashville and started working for a larger manufacturer.

Funny story: When I bought it from the shop I got it from, he was standing next to me as I tested it out and I didn't know who he was. He was like "How do you like it?" and I was telling him how I loved the sound and build quality. He said, "Well, I'm glad you like it, because I built the thing!" He sent me a free badge for it in the mail after seeing that the one on the drum was scratched up. That was a cool gesture.

I have a '77 Fender Telecaster Deluxe that I traded for with an old Washburn Jazz hollow body (thick like an acoustic) electric guitar. I think I paid $350 for it in 1998 or 99 and traded straight up for the Tele.

I also have a Nady TO-2 Tube Overdrive with an actual 12ax7 with an actual transformer to get actual high voltage to it! After looking at other tube overdrives with 12ax7(s), it seems it's fairly rare not to see them powered from a normal wall wort at low voltages.

In reply to Spoolpigeon:

Velocette?

Kylini wrote: I had a low serial number Selmer Mark VI alto saxophone for a few years. Too bad I was more interested in tenor, and even more interested in not playing.

I looked at Mark VIIs when I bought my soprano, but the tuning was just too far off. Got a SA80 series II, I think. I should take a peek. Bought it at a used instrument shop in the Pigalle district of Paris 25 years ago.

In reply to RossD:

I use this one

I had an original like this that I gigged with through the 90's

I gave it up in a gear trade and missed it for years, then Nady made the new version so I snapped one up. I loved the simplicity of the original and would trade in the modern one instantly if I found one.

I have this one:

Does the newer one still use high voltage?

I've got a schematic for one I think is the same design as this one.

I've been wanting to build this same basic design but ditching the two diodes and bypassing the cathode resistor on the second triode. Get it closer to a 5F1 front section.

Either use this power transformer, or find one at Edcor.

The internet says it is "starved plate" The wall wart supplies 3X8.2VDC but I don't know if there is a step up transformer inside.

It does sound pretty darn close to what I remember the original sounding. Like, when I plugged it in I had an "Ahhhh.... that's what I remember" moment

Antihero wrote: In reply to Spoolpigeon: Velocette?

It's a Tramp.