binky_bass

Likewise to a degree. I'd never go out of my way and spend top dollar on such things. This was something I stumbled across, took a punt on as it was priced less than the value of the guitar itself, then did the research on and found out it has some quite amazing signatures. Scott Rowley, who was the Chief Editor for Classic Rock Magazine (who ran the event) has responded this morning essentially confirming it's legitimacy (and offering to help ID the last 3 or 4 signatures) as he signed it himself, which gives me a great trial of provenance along with the pictures of Alice, Steven, Francis, Rick, Ian Hunter and Lisa Ronson holding the guitar. I've no desire to sell it, I think it's unbelievably cool and something I want to hold on to.

It's just arrived... Of all the places something like this could have come from, it came from Cash Converters. Yup. Good old Cash Converters. I took a huge punt on it when I noticed Alice Cooper's autograph. Certainly wasn't anywhere near convinced it was legitimate when I bought it. But... having spent most of last night trying to find any information, I managed to find the 4 photos of Alice, Steven, Francis, Rick and Ian. All holding this guitar, and all with signature markings on the guitar they are holding that match exactly the position of the signatures on this one I now have in hand. I reached out to Warwick Stone (anyone that watches Pawn Stars would know him as the British chap that values all of their Rock memorabilia). He responsed by email yesterday evening after having seen the guitar and the photos I posted here and confirmed it was legitimate. I've also reached out directly to Ian Hunter and Jeff Wayne (as I found their email addresses) as well as Gibson's current CEO, Cesar. Hopefully one of those will respond and be able to give me some more clues as to some of the other signatures! Identified signatures so far: Alice Cooper (Alice Cooper) Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath) Duff McKagan (Guns n Roses) Francis Rossi (Status Quo) Rick Parfitt (Status Quo) Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) Kerry King (Slayer) Meat Loaf (Meat Loaf) Pearl Aday (Meat Loaf's Daughter) Mick Ralph (Mott The Hoople/Bad Company) Ian Hunter (Mott The Hoople) Jeff Wayne (War Of The Worlds etc.) Ian Paice (Deep Purple) Jacky Paice (Ian's Wife) Joe Elliot (Def Leopard) Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) Vinnie Appice (Dio/Black Sabbath) Richard Barbieri (Japan/Porcupine Tree) Chris Robertson (Black Stone Cherry) Ben Wells (Black Stone Cherry) John Fred Young (Black Stone Cherry) Steve Jewell (Black Stone Cherry) Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) Scott Ian (Anthrax) Scott Rowley (Classic Rock Editor & Chief) Suzi Ronson (Mick Ronson's Wife) The below were also at the event this guitar was signed (2007 3rd Annual Classic Rock Roll Of Honour) but I can't match signatures... Jeff Beck Nick Mason Lemmy Joan Jett Jimmy Page A hell of a find...

Conklin USA Sidewinder Strings: 8 Frets: 24 Scale: 35 Pickups: 11 (2 magnetic, 8 individual Piezo, 1 midi) Controls: 9

Duff's signature is from 2007 so it can't be from 2011. I'm almost certain the vast majority of signatures are from after 28th September 2007 but not too far from that date as thats the date of build of the guitar according to the serial number. So far I'm pretty sure this guitar has the following signatures on it: Alice Cooper Geezer Butler Duff McKagan Francis Rossi Rick Parfitt Steven Tyler Kerry King Meat Loaf Black Stone Cherry Mick Ralph Ian Hunter Jeff Wayne After some AI assisted Internet searching, it does very much appear to be legitimate... The signature placements match to these evidential pictures:

Not Steve Harris I'm afraid, I've seen his signature before and its much more streamline. On closer inspection, it looks very much like Steven Tyler from Aerosmith... The white one is a verified exemplar. I should have it in hand tomorrow for a much better inspection.

Just seen Duff McKagan's signature on it too... About an inch under the bridge, it looks upside-down in the picture and has an '07' next to it. Looking at examples, Duff does sign with the year too, so this would be likely from 2007.

Well I've just bought it. If the signatures are legitimate and done by the likes of Alice Cooper, Geezer Butler, BSC, Ian Paice, Kerry King etc. then it's a steal and I'll very much enjoy having it in the studio! If they're not legit, then I still think its a decent enough price for a Gibson Studio Les Paul with Gibson hard case. Roll dem dice!

I don't have any social media (unless you count basschat) so I cant post there!

Yeah, saw the BSC one. Think there's an Alice Cooper one too up by the Rhythm/Treble switch.

Any actually useful responses out there?

Any thoughts as to who some of these signatures belong to or what event this might have been signed at?

You're both liars as he's doing my gardening as we speak.

I've owned many ACG basses, probably 15 or so over the years, and currently still have 5. I've personally not owned one with the MC series pickups and have never found an ACG lacking for tonal verity - in fact very much the opposite. My personal 2 cents on this would be to order a bass you feel comfortable with, if 17mm is what you want, then go with that, you won't be in the slightest bit disappointed with the FB pickups.

Except for some light tarnishing, the BD signature having worn off the pickups (happens with all of them!) and 2 missing screws in the rear cavity cover, it is immaculate. Came with a spare set of SIT strings, second cavity cover and a semi-hard case too. So all in, there's agreed price was a bit of a steal...

Back from 2 days 'business' in Cologne to find the Conklin patient waiting for me upon my return! I forgot just how well made these things are... unbelievably thin neck profile, no real visible or 'feelable' difference in build quality to that of my USA Conklin (hardware, pickups, preamp, woods etc aside...)

Sounds like a budget Doubtfire rip off!

Mine doesn't care too much either... the occasional eye roll, but generally I only buy second hand and at a price I know I won't loose money on if/when I sell. I'd rather have a collection of things I can enjoy (and sell if need be) than a bunch of cash in the bank that will gain bugger all interest and be no fun!

I don't have Facebook so can't access that link. I suspect it's a Korean made 5 String Conklin Groove Tools? Guessing it's this one thats for sale for £550 on The Fretboard.

I may have been at that one... what year was it? I went to 3 guitar/bass shows around 2001-2006ish and met Jim Marshall at all 3. I still have 3 Marshall posters (one of Jim in front of a wall of Marshall stacks, one of Jim and Nico McBrain and one of Hendrix) all signed by Jim and made out to me and all with different dates on them. Two are on my studio wall next to a Birdhouse flyer signed by Tony Hawk, a few signed set lists from various gigs and a Tim Russ (Tuvok from Star Trek Voyager) signed promo photo! Not sure where the third is Jim poster is... 🤔 Found a photo, 2003, 2004 and 2005. 👍

I've had 2 or 3 of these over the years, then genuinely are very good basses, even at the price point they were when they were new. Looking forward to giving this one a blast in a day or two!

No, I've not played a full fat US Bill Dickens, but I do own this US full fat Custom Shop 8 string Conklin, which I imagine wouldn't be too dissimilar! And probably weighs similar!

I'll probably go with BEADGCF tuning. I have a USA Custom Shop 8 string Conklin, an ACG 9 string and a Bee Bass 10 string (Binky), so I'm used to these oversized beasts! Scale length I believe is 35", spacing I think is 17mm.