Whack Job

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Bob Mothersbaugh and Devo perform at the Berkeley Community Center in Berkeley, California on December 28, 1979. He's playing a rare La Baye 2x4 electric guitar
This bizarre two-by-four guitar flopped in 1967 — then Devo made it famous

By Terry Carleton Published

The La Baye 2x4 sold only around 45 examples after its 1967 debut. Now it’s a cult classic. Here’s why its unusual looks are only part of the appeal

Electric Guitars
A photo of a Watkins Rapier 3 (center red) amid other guitars in the collection of Guitar Player contributing columnist Terry Carleton
“A Beatle touched it.” The vintage charms of Watkins’ Rapier guitar line enticed George Harrison. I understand why

By Terry Carleton Published

This under-appreciated vintage gem is a clean-tone machine — and (for now) a bargain on the vintage market

Electric Guitars
A photo showing a 1965 KAPA Minstrel (center) hanging among other guitars in the collection of Terry Carleton, writer of Guitar Player's Whack Job column.
"The real surprise is why more guitarists don’t know about them today.” This 1965 KAPA Minstrel is a vintage gem

By Terry Carleton Published

Made with bodies fashioned in the U.S., KAPA brand guitars employed necks, electronics and hardware from a range of overseas vendors, including Vox and Höfner

Electric Guitars
A cropped photo of a rare 1964 Fasan solidbody guitar from Germany
A rare 1964 solidbody guitar turned out to be completely different from what it seemed

By Terry Carleton last updated

The author purchased the guitar sight unseen and was surprised by what he discovered when it arrived

Electric Guitars
A 1964 Welson Kinton V3 guitar
The 1964 Welson Kinton V3 – whack job or Italian beauty... or both?

By Terry Carleton Published

Add offset cutaways and an unusual body shape to all of the above features, and you’ve got a lot of weird in one guitar

Guitars
Custom Crosley Radio Tone guitar
“Comically ridiculous appearance aside, this guitar plays great”: Boasting “a Mayan temple of angles” this custom Crosley Radio Tone guitar combines bizarro looks with snappy, versatile tone

By Terry Carleton Published

Made from a blue-and-gold 1950 Crosley E-15TN tube radio, this custom build has a truly wild appearance that belies its sound and playability. No matter what music you play on this guitar, seeing it will make people smile

Guitars
Mike McCready of Pearl Jam performs at the 2021 Ohana Festival Encore Weekend on October 01, 2021 in Dana Point, California.
Mike McCready Names His Top Five Career-Defining Tracks

By Mark McStea Published

From Temple of the Dog to Pearl Jam, these are the cuts the guitarist singles out from his long, successful run.

Music
12-string Fender Splattercaster
Whack Job: 12-string Splattercaster

By Terry Carleton Published

How do you make a Splattercaster even cooler? Give it an easy and affordable 12-string conversion.

Electric Guitars
Made in Japan Mystery Guitar
Whack Job: This Made-in-Japan Mystery Guitar Reveals a World of Uncommon Tones

By Terry Carleton Published

Sold under a variety of brand names, this guitar looks sweet and sounds cool.

Guitars
DIY Franken-Bari
Found a Box of Spare Guitar Parts? Dinette Can Turn Them Into Something Equally Weird and Cool

By Terry Carleton Published

As a baritone guitar, this Dinette DIY Franken-Bari can take your tone to more interesting places than a real Vox Teardrop.

Guitars
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