September 2008 \ Features \ Premier Collector \ Premier Collector #9: Pre-Gibson, Pre-Samick Valley Arts

Premier Collector #9: Pre-Gibson, Pre-Samick Valley Arts

by Premier Guitar

A bevy of Valley Arts for your perusal
Premier Guitar September 2008
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Bob (right) with Steve Lukather
Bob Mattocks is a Valley Arts fanatic who's dreamed of owning "as many Valley Arts guitars as possible" since his teens. He's well on his way with this collection. Though not in a touring band, Bob puts his VAs to good use every Sunday at Christ Community Church in Huntersville, North Carolina.

Bob has been collecting for ten years and designed and maintains the website valleyartsguitars.com, which is the first site dedicated to pre-Samick and pre-Gibson Valley Arts guitars.





The whole family of guitars -- see below for specific models.


California Pros: (l to r) #9/100, #15/100, #39/100, all signed by founder Mike McGuire


(L to R) Custom Pro Lukather with Fireburst finish and quilted maple, Custom Pro Lukather (stock) signed twice by Lukather


(L to R) Standard Pro Carlton Model (#60/100, hand-signed; M Series; Art Munson Model (pre-serial number)

Bob says, "The M Series was my first VA, and I'll never get rid of it." His wife, Jennifer, along with his family bought him this first guitar and the rest was history. "Anytime a new one shows up at the door (without her knowing prior to it showing up), I always look at her and say 'What do you want, you started it!'"


Three Custom Pros: (L to R) Tele with solid mahogany, herringbone binding and interlock neck; transparent black with quilted maple, signed by McGuire; and pearl purple


Three more Custom Pros: (L to R) transparent purple with flamed maple, 7/8s, signed by McGuire; pearl white with logo on body; transparent teal, 7/8s, black hardware


(L to R) Custom Pro - black, 7/8s, logo on body; John Crawford (Berlin) bass guitar; Custom Pro Interlock Prototype (serial number 1)


Two Standard Pros: (L to R) white with black headstock, spotless; black with original natural headstock


To join Bob as a Premier Collector, send an e-mail with photos and a description of your gear to rebecca@premierguitar.com

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Premier Collector #3: Vintage Fender Amps and Guitars
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Comments

 (19 comments) display by
UsernameComment
Joe
on 10/26/2009 		Bob,

Can you tell me about the interlocking neck?

Thanks
Brian Lowe
on 10/22/2009 		Bob,
I've always admired your collection, and to see you get some kudos for helping keep one of the greatest guitars alive and in public view...you rock man.
Bob Mattocks
on 07/30/2009 		2 Gil, thanks for the '2 cents', I appreciate it. Ya, the original owner had the guitar painted. I clipped away a little of the paint in the bridge pocket and revealed that it was originally Peach (salmon) color. I got the original pickguard but no pu's ... bummer!

Any questions about VA's or my collection, please send them to bob@valleyartsguitars.com Thanks!
PG
on 07/02/2009 		Hi Deanna, you could check out Vintage Guitar Pro's appraisal services, you get 10% off as a Premier Guitar reader by going to vintageguitarpro.com/pg
deanna
on 07/02/2009 		Hi. We have a VA 02406, model #BCP-5 and are trying to date it. What would be the best source for information? Thanks. deanna@tworiversmusic.com
bluzjamer
on 06/02/2009 		Nice collection. I've just acquired my first VA. Ser.# VA 01216. Trying to find some data on it without luck. Nice player but neck and middle Pu's seem very weak.
Gil Chavez
on 05/10/2009 		Hi Bob, great collection! One lil item of some interest. According to my memory, We never built a black California Pro with Anderson PUs. All of them had white EMG's that were special ordered and the body colors were surf green, salmon & banana yellow & the pickgaurds were all special made from .070 white vinyl with a 17 degree bevel instead of flat like old fenders. I was intimately involved with the project from design to execution and don't remember a black one. Thats my two cents, Great website! Gil
J. Monahan
on 03/04/2009 		I had a pre-samick standard pro (white/black)like yours. It was the nastiest,sweetest & toniest axe I ever played. I wish I still had her. Nice collection Bro'!
Martyn Harrison
on 01/19/2009 		Uk calling here, I have a Custom Pro Lukather, exactly as in your photo (sunburst, white pickups) signed bt Lukather, number 962.
Do you have any valuations on these, not that i would sell it, but I do need to insure it!!
martyn585@btinternet.com

Thanks for your help, the website is full of gorgeous guitars,keep up the great work!
Martyn
Steph
on 10/17/2008 		Coolness, Bro! Man, what a difference Christ has made in your life, huh! Went from rags to riches, pauper to prince. He really does bring life and that more abundantly, just as He promised!!! Looks like He's been active giving you the desires of your heart as you have set your affections on Him! Man, what a testimony of God's grace and love - a love stronger than death! Great collection! Turning everything over to Christ surely had it's cost (everything) but truly had it's gain! "He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose." -Jim Elliott



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