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When the Peavey – EVH split became known and it was clear the Custom Shop
would close, it was a sad day. I thought, well it was great while it
lasted. An American Made Custom Shop guitar that fit my taste exactly, of
great quality at a surprisingly low price was a thing of the past. Many
people who had thought about ordering a Custom Shop Wolfgang were seriously
bummed out. I know because I heard from them. It was always about the
guitars for me. Having EVH’s name on them and having him associated with
them added to the image (and the price!) and brought the Van Halen fans, but it was the art,
quality, tone and the way the guitars played, along with the thrill of
creating them in your mind and seeing them come alive that was the thing for
me. So I went from sad resignation to hopeful when the word started to leak
that the Custom Shop would keep going with a new and maybe even better
guitar. But what would it be?
They said it would be better, because you could get more options and it
would appeal to Wolfgang fans but it wouldn’t be a Wolfgang. I was
skeptical. What was first important to me is what would be the same?
The same people building them (at first but not now), with the same quality of materials in the
same facility with the same mandate to build the best guitar they possibly
could. And the same neck, with similar pick-ups but more
versatile. That meant
it would play very similar and sound very similar. What would be
different? A floating trem for one, although it can be locked down to
only go flat very easily. Actually it comes locked down. You could never
get a floating trem on the Wolfgang. A nice body contour on the back to make
it more comfortable to play (I like that). Pick-ups that are
designed to be split and a coil tap (nice). And a slightly different
body shape and headstock. I think the shape of the Wolfgang is
really nice, but I have grown to like the HPS even a little bit better.
Side by side the HP looks a little better to me. I like the slightly pointer top horn
that gives the guitar nice lines and makes the new headstock work. I
really didn’t want a Wolfgang clone anyway. What I wanted was a neck like the
Wolfgang, pick-ups that were at least as good (they are more versatile) and then all the same options
and quality. That is what we got.
So I got pretty excited about it. I got so excited I became a Peavey dealer
in December of 2004. I am pretty sure I have sold considerably more
custom Shop Peavey guitars than any other dealer. The hard part is I
never want to sell them!
Here is
a link to a review I did of the first HP Special delivered:
HP
Special Review
Here is
a link to the pricing of the Production Models from the January 2006 Peavey
guide: HPS
Production Model Prices
Here is
a link to the pick-up specifications and the operation of the controls:
HP Special Pick-ups and
Controls
Here is
a picture of Peavey's unique and proprietary trem stop mechanism.
There is a small opening in the back of the guitar where you can easily
loosen the two screws and slide the bracket forward to make the trem fully
floating. Click for larger image.
Cool Demo - See how the HP Special Sounds with different settings:
HPS
Video Demo - Guitar World
All the guitars below
are Custom Shop models. Click this link to see the Production Models:
HPS Guitars
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"THE BUMBLE" |
 
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This Custom "Bumble Bee"
HPS started as an idea a couple of years ago that I worked on
with Tim (he did all the work!). Getting the natural
flame to have the contrasting yellow without it turning greenish in the
staining process was the hard part that Tim finally figured out.
The bumble bee inlays turned out great as did the whole guitar.
This guitar just looks "different", which I have heard more than one
person say. Basswood body, flame maple top, ebony fretboard, black
hardware and binding, yellow back, matching flame veneer on the
headstock. I took pictures with 3 different lighting situaitons to
try and do it justice. It is hard to capture. Delivered May 30, 2006.
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Custom Blue/Green CT Quilt |
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This is another 10 top quilt with a
totally custom color that is kind of an army green bursting to a blue.
The matching quilt headstock also has the burst. The basswood body
color matches the burst. The Custom Shop has already produced
quite a few very unique HPS master pieces. Arrived 3-13-06.
I have this one hanging on my wall in my
office as I am trying to decide if I can really sell it, which was the
intent. I put it up for sale and then took it right down. I
will put it up for sale again when I find the strength! |
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HP
Special "Autumn" Quilt - Numero Uno! |
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Here it is. HP
Special #1. Received May 10th, 2005. It is essentially a
prototype since it is slightly different than the final version and was
hand built. It doesn't have the final trem stop mechanism and the
pick-ups are slightly different. Peavey must have shot a few
pictures of it before it left on its way to me because it showed up in a
few publications. |
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Autumn Quilt Flat top |
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The sister to the CT
autumn quilt above, this flat top version is one of the most beautiful
quilts I have seen. Even though they were
doing the same color as the one above you can see they really are pretty
different. This one has more green and red and the other more
brown. That is why I like these custom colors as no two seem to be
exactly alike. |
| Korina CT,
String-Thru with Mahogany neck |
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This is one of the finest guitars I have
ever owned. I don't want to over do it but this guitar is special.
Solid, one piece Korina string-thru, arch top with mahogany neck and rosewood
fretboard. This must be the right combination. The tones
hold together beautifully from heavy distortion to the cleanest tones
and the sustain goes on and on. Very "warm" feel to it. This
guitar really shows off the HPS pick-up attributes. And of course
the pictures show what a work of art this guitar is. The guitar
was built by Tim Litchfield, master craftsman (been with Peavey since
1979). |
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Dark Purple Quilt CT |
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This is my
very first customer order received on 12/15 for Mike Davis. He waited a
long time for this guitar and it looks like it is worth the wait.
Arch top custom color (dark purple) with black binding, ebony fretboard,
matching headstock and pearl bar inlays. It also has custom
control knobs. Speed knobs also included. Note the controls are
not recessed. This is not an option going forward. They only
agreed to do the original orders like this since the decision not to had
not been made yet. Serial number is 51402080. |
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Greenburst Quilt
String-Thru |
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This guitar
arrived just a little late for Christmas (2005) for Andrew Schultz who
ordered it way back in March. It was worth the wait as this is
about as nice as they get. I was surprised when I heard the Custom
Shop had agreed to do a String-Thru for Andy as the previous word was
they didn't want to do these right now. I guess they just like to
make their customers happy! This is the first string-thru HP
Special. Hopefully there will be more. It has a Mahogany
body |
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Solid Alder Flat top |
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The pictures
just won't do this guitar justice. This guitar is elegant and has
a beautiful smooth feel to the wood. A classic. This guitar
is going to Gary Gould. Very lucky guy! I ordered
another as soon as this came in. The back is as pretty as the
front. Played it for 5 minutes. Great tone. Feels
super as all three that I just received do. This is a versatile
guitar. |
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Trans Black Quilt Flat top |
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This is just
the coolest trans black guitar I have ever seen. This is not a
color I am in love with, but I am with this one. It is alive.
I wasn't planning on keeping this one but I couldn't sell it. I
asked Peavey if they could make me another just as nice and they said
they could so I ordered one, which I will offer for sale when it arrives. Maybe that one was the NAMM '06 trans black
quilt? |
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Custom Purple CT Quilt Top |
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It doesn't
really get any nicer than this purple CT quilt built for the 2006 NAMM
show. The headstock is fully matching with the quilt veneer. |
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Custom White Sparkle |
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Very original
and retro looking white sparkle flat top built for NAMM 2006. I
had to keep this one but that lasted less than two months and I ran out
of room and....... White headstock to match. I have ordered
several more like this in different colors to offer for sale. |
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Custom Tobacco Burst Quilt Top |
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Peavey is
calling this color tobacco burst instead of sunburst like they did on
the Wolfgang. This is a nice quilt flat top built for NAMM 2006.
Headstock is a matching color on birdseye. |
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Custom Lava Orange CT Quilt Top |
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This orange quilt CT is a very unique and cool color that Peavey named
lava. Built for NAMM 2006. Great top. The headstock is
matching with a quilt veneer. The back on this is a nice orange color
that looks great on the guitar. I am partial to getting the body
to match like this. This guitar belongs to Robert Schwab of NC.
Serial #51399537 |
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Custom Moonburst Quilt Top |
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Very nice
Moonburst flat top quilt built for NAMM 2006. The headstock is a
matching color on birdseye. This guitar belongs to Kurt Carlton of
FL. Serial #51394536 |
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Custom Solid Alder |
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This is a
solid alder flat top built for me, but shipped to NAMM 2006 instead.
It is exactly like a Wolfgang that I have that I like a lot. It
has an ebony fretboard. The headstock is a matching color on
birdseye. This guitar belongs to Robert Schwab of NC. Serial
#51394585 |
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Custom Turquoise CT Quilt Top |
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I had to keep
this one. I loved the color. Built for NAMM 2006 this CT has
a great top, exceptional neck and fretboard and the matching headstock
with the quilt veneer. After playing this guitar some I have to
say this is one of the best all around guitar I own... period. I
love the way it sounds and plays. It just shows that the year
Peavey took getting the HP Special right was worth it! |
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Custom Yellow
Alder |
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This is one
of the two guitars they used for the two NAMM '06 graphics with the girl
holding it behind her head. I thought that graphic was well done.
This is an all yellow flat top with black binding and black hardware
with a maple neck and birdseye fretboard. I had a chrome trem on
it on the outside shot. I will have to redo that later. |
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Custom Shop Black CT Quilt Top. |
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Peavey does
the best trans black color. Another awesome quilt CT built
for the NAMM 2006 show. |
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Custom Cajun Red CT Flame Top |
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Cajun red
flame CT with matching headstock that includes the flame maple veneer.
Built for NAMM 2006 |
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Custom Amber Quilt Top |
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This one was
much nicer than I expected once it arrived. Top notch quilt and a
nice fretboard. The headstock is a matching color on birdseye. |
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Custom Pink Sparkle
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Another unique
NAMM '06 guitar. This cool pink sparkle is a flat top with a
rosewood fretboard. The headstock is black with white lettering.
This guitar belongs to Keith Aylward of Canada. Serial #51393182 |
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Custom Blue/White Sparkle Flames |
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This guitar
looked greenish-blue at the NAMM '06 show with the lighting at the
Peavey booth but it isn't green at all. It has more of a turqoise
blue in it with the white sparkle. It is a flat top with a black
headstock. It was one of two guitars they used for the NAMM
advertising graphics with a girl holding it up by her head. This
guitar belongs to Jim Bechakas of PA. Serial #51389529 |
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Custom Cherryburst
Quilt |
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This
cherryburst is bright and vibrant. It is a flat top and built for
the 2006 NAMM show. The headstock is a matching color that appears
to be on birdseye. It belongs to Tyler Hengtgen of Bakersfield,
CA.
Serial #51385894 |
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Custom Dark Cherryburst Quilt Top |
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This dark
Cherryburst quilt was built for NAMM 2006. It has a matching
headstock with the quilt veneer. |
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CT Moonburst Quilt HPS |
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Delivered on 2/27/06 this top of the line
archtop has a custom shop quality top and an extra nice neck and
fretboard. |
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CT Amber Quilt Custom |
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Delivered on 3/4/06 and built on 2/24/06
this is a Custom Shop amber quilt with a superb neck and matching
headstock. It also has larger than normal black dots on the
fretboard. |
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Custom Green Pearloid |
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Delivered on 3/7/06 this is unique and
stunning. Pearloid flat top with black hardware, black binding and
a trans green finish on a basswood body. Beautiful custom shop
neck and fretboard. |
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Custom AlderSunburst CT Quilt Top |
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This is Custom shop vintage sunburst quilt
top with a smaller, lighter burst. It is not the tobacco burst
production color. Super nice fretboard and neck. Matching
quilt headstock. This HPS has an alder body. Delivered on
3/7/06. |
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Custom Burnt Orange CT Quilt Top |
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This is a burnt orange Custom shop quilt
top with matching quilt veneer headstock. As you can see the
top is another aweseome one and so is the Birdseye neck and fretboard.
Delivered on 3/7/06. |
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Custom Black/Black CT |
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This Custom Shop CT is "Nasty". I don't
know how to do this guitar justice with pictures as this all black arch
top with ebony fretboard is very difficult to photograph. No
binding and the hardware is black, the pick-ups are all black. It
really makes the blood red lettering on the headstock stand out.
The fretboard has pearl dot inlays. This guitar just screams "play
something nasty". Received on 3/16/06. |
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Custom Black/Black CT |
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This came the next day after the one above
with the red lettering. It is the first one I received with
recessed controls. It looks cool on this guitar. The ebony
fretboard is a perfect tone match for the all basswood body adding a
little brightness. The Custom Shop guys loved this guitar
for tone and look. The gold dots on the fretboard look great and
there are even little gold dots for side markers. This is the best
guitar to me for gold hardware. Pick-ups are all black as a custom
option too. Received 3-17-06. |
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Custom Mochaburst Quilt |
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Love this mochaburst color. This a
flat top custom color quilt with matching veneer headstock and gold
hardware. The back is the regular gloss black and it does
have the cream binding rather than a natural binding. Received
3-30-06 |
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Custom Pearloid |
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Totally unique Aqua Ice Pearloid Custom Shop HPS. The top almost
glows with blue ice. This has a pearloid top (not a real top as
far as tone goes) with a subtle blue burst paint job. The
construction is solid basswood and the body has a matching transparent
finish. Black hardware, black binding and abalone dot inlays
finish this custom shop guitar off. Be honest, have you ever seen
a guitar that look like this? The action feels great as does the
neck. Received 4/14/06. |
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Custom Pearloid |
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Custom Shop Pearloid top HPS. Pearl dot inlays with more
contrasting side markers. Cream binding, black headstock.
This is solid basswood construction. Delivered 4/14/06. |
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Custom Pearloid |
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After seeing the NAMM Pink Pearloid I ordered this one as I had to have
one pink guitar. This has a pearloid top (not a real top as
far as tone goes). The
construction is solid basswood and the body has a matching
finish. Cream binding with all cream pick-up tops, matching
headstock and abalone dot inlays
finish this custom shop guitar off. The neck an fretboard are also
exceptional. Received 4/17/06. |
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Custom Pearloid |
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This purpleburst Pearloid is another unique Custom Shop pearloid
creation. It has a pearloid top (not a real top as
far as tone goes). The
construction is solid basswood and the body has a matching
finish. black binding with all black pick-up tops, and abalone dot inlays
finish this custom shop guitar off. The headstock matches the
body. Received 4/17/06. |
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Custom Pearloid |
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This Aqua Pearloid featutres solid basswood construction and a beautiful
rosewood fretboard. Cream binding with all cream pick-up
tops, and pearl dot inlays
finish this custom shop guitar off. The headstock is black and
matches the body, which is also black. Received 4/17/06. |
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Custom Pearloid |
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This is an Orange Pearloid with a cherry burst. The pearloid
quality is more subtle with this paint scheme. Another totally
unique HPS Custom Shop model. The guitar is solid basswood construction
and has a superior feel to the neck. The headstock is matching,
the binding is cream and fretboard inlays are pearl with white side
markers. Received 4/18/06 |
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Custom TobaccoBurst CT |
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This one was actually one of the first ones ordered over a year ago as a
special order for a customer. A long wait but it looks worth it!
VERY nice neck and fretboard on this one and another custom shop top.
Received 4/26/06. |
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Custom Pearloid |
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When I got the first pearloids from NAMM I
ordered a bunch more and for whatever reason I got them before lots of
older orders. This is a red one with matching headstock and body.
Received in May of 2006. |
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Custom Pearloid |
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Super nice White Pearloid with silvery
white matching body and headstock. Very nice neck and fretboard.
This one sold right away. Received in May of 2006. |
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Solid
Basswood Custom Flat Top |
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Solid basswood Red with black Custom HP
Special flat top with matching headstock, black lettering and black/red
pick-ups. Black hardware. This batch had really nice necks
and fretboards. Received in May of 2006. |
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Custom Pearloid |
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The green pearloid are striking. This is the 2nd one and is a
little different than the first. Nice Rosewood fretboard, matching
headstock and all white pick-ups. Love the body color.
Received May, 2006. |
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Custom Pearloid |
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This is the silver/charcoal pearloid with a black burst and rosewood
fretboard. Matching headstock and all black pick-ups.
Received May, 2006 |
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Custom Pearloid |
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Purple Pearloid. Love this color.
Really nice rosewood fretboard, dark purple matching body and headstock.
Received May, 2006. |
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Custom Pearloid |
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2nd red Pearloid delivered, only this one
has a rosewood fretboard with a cool black headstock that has blood red
lettering to match the guitar. Delivered May, 2006. |
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Custom Pearloid |
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1st Orange Pearloid delivered.
Stunning. All ready for a Halloween Gig! Delivered May 22, 2006. |
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Custom Pearloid |
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They listed this as white on the invoice
but it doesn't seem as bright white as the other two I had but each was
a different configuration so maybe it is the black binding and back
changing it a bit. Delivered May 22, 2006. |
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Candy
Apple Red Quilt CT |
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Real nice Candy Apple Red Quilt CT.
Basswood Body, Chrome Hardware, Natural binding, matching headstock.
Delivered May 22, 2006. |
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Natural Solid Alder |
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This was a special order for Lars from Sweden.
This only took 9 weeks to get and is the fastest turn around yet on a
custom shop order. Gorgeous guitar. Love the rosewood
fretboard on this with black hardware and pick-ups. I wasn't sure
I would like this combo but I think it turned out great. Received
June 8, 2006. |
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Gunbarrel Blue Quilt |
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This is the first one of exactly this color I have seen personally from
Peavey. It is hard to describe. It has a lot of nice dark
tones in the blue. "Gunbarrel Blue". I love it! The neck and
action feel great. This is a really nice custom shop guitar. The
upgrades are the custom shop quilt top and custom color. Headstock
is matching. The body is black and the binding natural.
Chrome hardware. This sold just a few hours after I put it up. Received June 8, 2006. |
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