Own a custom electric guitar reimagined by syndicated cartoonist/artist Tony Cochran.


The guitars' looks, feel, tones, and stories compliment a musician, band, or guitar/art collection.

The Guitar Hunter chronicles his journeys here. Check back often.

14th May 2013

Photo with 29 notes

IonoGlobe electric guitar by Tony Cochran Guitars   The most unique feature of this electric guitar is the fully wired metal ball right by the neck. Farber Endison played this guitar in the late 50’s for a band called The Bubble Tops. Their specialty was car oriented Rock-a-billy music before anyone wanted to hear it. When Farber’s Uncle, Gropper T. Endison, was on safari in what is now known as Namibia, he had nearly been hit by a baseball size metal ball that fell from he sky. (This stuff still happens there. Google it.) He gave it to Farber claiming he could no longer bear the noises it made in his head. Farber’s brother, Clayton, a hypothetical electrical genius, wired it to the guitar and told Farber that it would enhance the almost inaudible, and probably imagined, sounds emanating from the orb. It was probably not true. What we do know is that soon after, Farber grew out his hair, quit wearing shoes, and would only play the guitar in a cave found in the mountains behind his parents’ house. He was found dead in 1965, deep in the cave with the guitar in his lap. There was a partially eaten sandwich and the diagram for five never before heard chords. To this day Clayton will not release them to the public.

IonoGlobe electric guitar by Tony Cochran Guitars

 

The most unique feature of this electric guitar is the fully wired metal ball right by the neck. Farber Endison played this guitar in the late 50’s for a band called The Bubble Tops. Their specialty was car oriented Rock-a-billy music before anyone wanted to hear it. When Farber’s Uncle, Gropper T. Endison, was on safari in what is now known as Namibia, he had nearly been hit by a baseball size metal ball that fell from he sky. (This stuff still happens there. Google it.) He gave it to Farber claiming he could no longer bear the noises it made in his head. Farber’s brother, Clayton, a hypothetical electrical genius, wired it to the guitar and told Farber that it would enhance the almost inaudible, and probably imagined, sounds emanating from the orb. It was probably not true. What we do know is that soon after, Farber grew out his hair, quit wearing shoes, and would only play the guitar in a cave found in the mountains behind his parents’ house. He was found dead in 1965, deep in the cave with the guitar in his lap. There was a partially eaten sandwich and the diagram for five never before heard chords. To this day Clayton will not release them to the public.

Tagged: tony cochranelecrric guitarsteampunkIonoGlobeartart guitarcustomCustom Guitarguitar for salesalemusicstorydieselpunkjunkpunkcool guitareccentric guitarguitarrecycle

Source: TonyCochranGuitars.com

7th April 2013

Photo with 14 notes

OSScaster Electric Guitar by Tony Cochran Guitars This is the only electric guitar in existence where both an OSS device and a Tone Baker have been electronically mated successfully. Buckle up, guitarionados, this instrument is a rough old relic but its story is almost unbelievable. Osso Bucca was an immigrant who came to America in the ’60s after being fired by Galanti Guitar in Italy. He brought his knowledge of “radio gain” (that’s how it translates to English) with him to Wyoming. There he met up with Tex Gilders who had been fired by Fender for working on a device of his own, called a “Baker”. It’s not real clear what either of these devices is supposed to do singularly but, supposedly, they do it way better in tandem. The only quote from Gilder and Bucca was a note that said, “It does for tone what an oven does for biscuits”. I agree.

OSScaster Electric Guitar by Tony Cochran Guitars

This is the only electric guitar in existence where both an OSS device and a Tone Baker have been electronically mated successfully. Buckle up, guitarionados, this instrument is a rough old relic but its story is almost unbelievable. Osso Bucca was an immigrant who came to America in the ’60s after being fired by Galanti Guitar in Italy. He brought his knowledge of “radio gain” (that’s how it translates to English) with him to Wyoming. There he met up with Tex Gilders who had been fired by Fender for working on a device of his own, called a “Baker”. It’s not real clear what either of these devices is supposed to do singularly but, supposedly, they do it way better in tandem. The only quote from Gilder and Bucca was a note that said, “It does for tone what an oven does for biscuits”. I agree.

Tagged: tony cochranguitarcustomartOSScasterstoryelectric guitarCustom Guitarsteampunkdieselpunkart guitarguitar for salecool guitarsale

26th February 2013

Photo with 81 notes

Strobotac Electric Guitar - by Tony Cochran GuitarsThis electric guitar was the result of sound experiments performed by Clavin P. Bogold in 1961. Unlike conventional guitar music, where notes are echoed in reverb, he attempted to make a device that preverbed or, in other words, reversed reverb. Everything was so analog and noisy back then. He recorded some surfer tunes with the guitar, but they just came out sad and oddly satanic. Now the motor knob is stuck and the elevation button and comfort control switch are not hooked up. It doesn’t preverb. It doesn’t reverb. It just verbs. Sounds amazing anyway. It might be the one-of-a-kind Strobolux Pacemaker Line bridge.- See more at: http://www.tonycochranguitars.com/strobotac.html

Strobotac Electric Guitar - by Tony Cochran Guitars

This electric guitar was the result of sound experiments performed by Clavin P. Bogold in 1961. Unlike conventional guitar music, where notes are echoed in reverb, he attempted to make a device that preverbed or, in other words, reversed reverb. Everything was so analog and noisy back then. He recorded some surfer tunes with the guitar, but they just came out sad and oddly satanic. Now the motor knob is stuck and the elevation button and comfort control switch are not hooked up. It doesn’t preverb. It doesn’t reverb. It just verbs. Sounds amazing anyway. It might be the one-of-a-kind Strobolux Pacemaker Line bridge.
- See more at: http://www.tonycochranguitars.com/strobotac.html

Tagged: tony cochranart guitarsteampunkArtists on Tumblrstorycustomeccentricdieselpunkguitar for salecool guitarelecrric guitarguitarArt

26th February 2013

Photo with 5 notes

Sandpiper Electric Guitar -  by Tony Cochran Guitars Monaco “Stallion” Ceriani worked his magic with this electric guitar at the now shuttered Sandpiper Motel and Lounge in Bolivia, NC. His music was a peculiar mix of P-Funk and Psychedelic Jazz with a weird Reggae flavor that left everyone confused about how to dance to it. It is rumored he built the guitar from the broken shell of a 1965 Firebird, an old Epiphone, and his dead Mom’s jewelry box. The Lounge was closed in 1975 when US 17 caused a decline in attendance. The Stallion decided to sell the guitar and switch to screenwriting. He was contributor to many Different Strokes episodes, as well as being a musical consultant to The Partridge Family. - See more at: http://www.tonycochranguitars.com/sandpiper.html

Sandpiper Electric Guitar -  by Tony Cochran Guitars

Monaco “Stallion” Ceriani worked his magic with this electric guitar at the now shuttered Sandpiper Motel and Lounge in Bolivia, NC. His music was a peculiar mix of P-Funk and Psychedelic Jazz with a weird Reggae flavor that left everyone confused about how to dance to it. It is rumored he built the guitar from the broken shell of a 1965 Firebird, an old Epiphone, and his dead Mom’s jewelry box. The Lounge was closed in 1975 when US 17 caused a decline in attendance. The Stallion decided to sell the guitar and switch to screenwriting. He was contributor to many Different Strokes episodes, as well as being a musical consultant to The Partridge Family. - See more at: http://www.tonycochranguitars.com/sandpiper.html

Tagged: tony cochranelecrric guitarart guitareccentricguitar for salesteampunkdieselpunkcool guitarArtArtists on Tumblrstorycustom

16th November 2012

Photo with 69 notes

Arkanacaster Guitar by Tony Cochran Guitars This electric guitar was the property of Country Western star Diamond Ted Raymond of Deadtree, Arkansas. He fitted it with what he called “a harmonic deceptor”, a crude, but effective planking system that humanized bent notes. Diamond Ted specialized in a particularly nasty breed of Honky Tonk called Flinch Wailing. After it was outlawed by the state and condemned in the Catholic Telegraph, Diamond Ted went underground with his performances until his death in 1961. He passed out drunk while eating peanut butter with his hands, and squirrels ate his fingers off. He bled to death. Rumor has it … he wanted his guitar buried with him, but his lousy brother stole it from the funeral home. The deceptor doesn’t seem to work anymore, but it’s still a handsome piece.

Arkanacaster Guitar

by Tony Cochran Guitars

This electric guitar was the property of Country Western star Diamond Ted Raymond of Deadtree, Arkansas. He fitted it with what he called “a harmonic deceptor”, a crude, but effective planking system that humanized bent notes. Diamond Ted specialized in a particularly nasty breed of Honky Tonk called Flinch Wailing. After it was outlawed by the state and condemned in the Catholic Telegraph, Diamond Ted went underground with his performances until his death in 1961. He passed out drunk while eating peanut butter with his hands, and squirrels ate his fingers off. He bled to death. Rumor has it … he wanted his guitar buried with him, but his lousy brother stole it from the funeral home. The deceptor doesn’t seem to work anymore, but it’s still a handsome piece.

Tagged: tony cochranArkanacasterguitarscustomartmusicstorysteampunkelectric guitarguitar for saleeccentricart guitarcustom guitar

Source: facebook.com

17th October 2012

Photo with 20 notes

                                           Smashmouth Bass guitarThis electric bass guitar was played by Philip Endicot, who worked for General Radio back in the late 40’s - early 50’s. He scavenged parts there like a fat man in a bologna factory. His real passion was a 5 piece jazz band he belonged to called “Reform School”. This was one of the first jazz groups to go electric in Concord. He would use the pilfered parts on his bass in a quest to find “smashmouth boom”. Caught stealing red handed at G.R. in ‘58, he was sent to jail where he died in a fight over cigarettes, non-filtered Pall Malls to be exact. His brother inherited the bass and stuck it in his attic until 1998 when I bought it at his garage sale. It has the ultra rare contactor, a cool dark tone reed, and the infamous type 740 capacitance test bridge that G.R. was supposedly developing for a guy named Leo in Fullerton. (Never proven.) LIKE us at www.facebook.com/TonyCochranGuitars   for details & photos link

                                           Smashmouth Bass guitar

This electric bass guitar was played by Philip Endicot, who worked for General Radio back in the late 40’s - early 50’s. He scavenged parts there like a fat man in a bologna factory. His real passion was a 5 piece jazz band he belonged to called “Reform School”. This was one of the first jazz groups to go electric in Concord. He would use the pilfered parts on his bass in a quest to find “smashmouth boom”. Caught stealing red handed at G.R. in ‘58, he was sent to jail where he died in a fight over cigarettes, non-filtered Pall Malls to be exact. His brother inherited the bass and stuck it in his attic until 1998 when I bought it at his garage sale. It has the ultra rare contactor, a cool dark tone reed, and the infamous type 740 capacitance test bridge that G.R. was supposedly developing for a guy named Leo in Fullerton. (Never proven.)

LIKE us at www.facebook.com/TonyCochranGuitars   for details & photos link

Tagged: tony cochranmusicSmashmouthbassguitarguitars for saleelectric guitareccentriccustomsteampunkdieselpunkartart guitar

Source: tonycochranguitars.com

12th October 2012

Photoset

Rick Springfield owns & features his 3 Tony Cochran Guitars on his new CD
                                  Songs For The End Of The World

Rick Springfield has 4 different covers, 3 with Tony Cochran Guitars and 1 with his raygun, for his new CD released October 9, 2012. Credit to Tony Cochran Guitars is on the home page of Rick’s website http://www.rickspringfield.com/s4eow/s4eow.html and inside each CD. The Separatorcaster and Coppercaster electric guitars are on 3 CD covers and the Alumicaster appears in promos. Rick says he is playing the guitars on stage and any TV he does for promo of the new CD. Tony Cochran Guitars loves working with Rick and has always been a great fan of his music. We know Songs For The End Of The World is a great hit! Grab them fast!!!
More pictures of Rick and details / pics for each of the guitars can be found on www.TonyCochranGuitars.com site at the following links:


Separatorcaster:  http://www.tonycochranguitars.com/separatorcaster.html
Coppercaster:  http://www.tonycochranguitars.com/coppercaster.html
Alumicaster:  http://www.tonycochranguitars.com/alumicaster.html

Video of Rick Springfiled playing Tony Cochran Guitars at:

http://www.tonycochranguitars.com/videos.html

Tagged: CDartcustomeccentricelectric guitarmusicrick springfieldsteampunktony cochranvideoelecrric guitar

Source: facebook.com

29th September 2012

Photo with 27 notes

                                             MOD-U-LINE Relic guitar                                                                        I don’t think this electric guitar is harmful to living creatures. The Russian, Ivan S., constructed it to look similar to American guitars, but only had grainy B & W photos for reference. He inadvertently used parts and metal pirated from electronic equipment from the Chernobyl power plant after the meltdown in 1986. Playing it, he developed odd blisters on his fingers and a nagging cough. It was sold soon after his death by his Mother who was raising cash for a trip to Poland to scatter her Mother’s ashes. The guitar’s history between then and 2004 is unexplained. I bought the guitar in the parking lot at the 2004 NAMM show from some guy selling stuff out of his Windstar. I don’t think it’s still radioactive or anything. I put in a new bridge and pickups when the old ones crumbled.  Details & Pics at www.facebook.com/TonyCochranGuitars

                                             MOD-U-LINE Relic guitar
                                                                       
I don’t think this electric guitar is harmful to living creatures. The Russian, Ivan S., constructed it to look similar to American guitars, but only had grainy B & W photos for reference. He inadvertently used parts and metal pirated from electronic equipment from the Chernobyl power plant after the meltdown in 1986. Playing it, he developed odd blisters on his fingers and a nagging cough. It was sold soon after his death by his Mother who was raising cash for a trip to Poland to scatter her Mother’s ashes. The guitar’s history between then and 2004 is unexplained. I bought the guitar in the parking lot at the 2004 NAMM show from some guy selling stuff out of his Windstar. I don’t think it’s still radioactive or anything. I put in a new bridge and pickups when the old ones crumbled. 

Details & Pics at www.facebook.com/TonyCochranGuitars

Tagged: tony cochranelectric guitarartmusicsteampunkcustomart guitarstorydieselpunkeccentric

Source: tonycochranguitars.com

13th September 2012

Photo with 69 notes

Shondracaster Electric Guitar Here’s an odd electric guitar. The Spiritualist Heron Trippe built 3 Shondra platters in 1961. He named them after his wife, Shondra. They were designed to channel never before heard music into the physical world. No one was sure if he was scamming or sincere, but he claimed to have met with varying degrees of success. The one fastened to an accordian was destroyed in a bench fire at his workshop. Another is in a museum in Prague, screwed to a microphone. No one knows how it got there. This is the 3rd, attached to an electric guitar fashioned by Trippe in an effort to pick up “freak ghost chords”. Trippe died in 1963 and left no instructions on how to use it. Anyone for freak ghost chords? Details and pics at http://www.facebook.com/TonyCochranGuitars

Shondracaster Electric Guitar

Here’s an odd electric guitar. The Spiritualist Heron Trippe built 3 Shondra platters in 1961. He named them after his wife, Shondra. They were designed to channel never before heard music into the physical world. No one was sure if he was scamming or sincere, but he claimed to have met with varying degrees of success. The one fastened to an accordian was destroyed in a bench fire at his workshop. Another is in a museum in Prague, screwed to a microphone. No one knows how it got there. This is the 3rd, attached to an electric guitar fashioned by Trippe in an effort to pick up “freak ghost chords”. Trippe died in 1963 and left no instructions on how to use it. Anyone for freak ghost chords?


Details and pics at

http://www.facebook.com/TonyCochranGuitars

Tagged: electric guitarsteampunkmusicarttony cochranstoryeccentricguitarguitars for salesalecustomart guitar

Source: facebook.com

19th July 2012

Photo with 12 notes

Tony Cochran Guitars created the Kamikazecaster guitar, commissioned by Dracula’s Cabaret in Gold Coast Australia for Dave Kume, aka Kamikaze D, lead guitarist. Dracula’s Cabaret is Australia’s longest running and most successful dinner theater … or circus! The new show, Transfusion, “features fast paced vampire variety that combines acerbic comedy, wicked burlesque, bizarre human circus and off the dial madness.” Check out the video of the wild guitar solo on the Kamikazecaster by Kamikaze D … even in an aerial act! VIDEO at www.facebook.com/TonyCochranGuitars

Tony Cochran Guitars created the Kamikazecaster guitar, commissioned by Dracula’s Cabaret in Gold Coast Australia for Dave Kume, aka Kamikaze D, lead guitarist. Dracula’s Cabaret is Australia’s longest running and most successful dinner theater … or circus! The new show, Transfusion, “features fast paced vampire variety that combines acerbic comedy, wicked burlesque, bizarre human circus and off the dial madness.” Check out the video of the wild guitar solo on the Kamikazecaster by Kamikaze D … even in an aerial act!

VIDEO at www.facebook.com/TonyCochranGuitars

Tagged: guitarguitarstony cochranKamikazecastermusicartart guitarsteampunkAustraliavideopunkdieselpunkcustomelectric guitareccentric

Source: facebook.com