So you didn’t make any other special requests—
for instance, regarding necks, pickups, or frets?
Ruokangas Duke Custom and
Diamond Amplification Positron
– The Duke Custom from Finnish builder Juha
Ruokangas features a Spanish cedar body and
neck, an arctic birch top, and a calibrated set of
custom Häussel alnico 2 pickups. “I met Juha
Ruokangas at a NAMM show and fell in love with
his guitars,” says French. “I bought one for my
personal collection. I told him about the project
and he wanted to be involved. My girlfriend said,
‘Why would he not be included? You think his guitars
are the iconic guitars of the future!’ She was
right. Juha is a supreme boutique maker whose
heart is in the right place. So that also meant
we needed an iconic, futuristic boutique amp.
My friend David Wilson suggested Diamond. In
conversations about the project, they suggested a
new model, the Positron, and decided it would be
serial number 001 to make it special to match in
pairings with the Ruokangas guitar.” |
I left it up to the discretion of the builders. With
John Cruz, for example, he put in the Twisted
Tele pickups. That was not me saying, “I want
this fretwire and 400 windings on the pickups.”
All I asked for was the most iconic models, and it
was interesting to see what each company chose
as iconic. They are all beautiful works of art, and
I strongly doubt that any of these instruments
will be used. They will be collected and displayed.
Are there any other ways that you’re planning
to raise money year-round and from
musicians who would love to own a pinkburst
but can’t afford one?
Red Monkey made straps with the logo, and
they will probably make extra ones to auction
off and help the cause. They are affordable for
someone who just wants to do something to
help. The possibilities of other things are endless,
but we had to focus on the singular reason or
it would drive me crazy. I had to keep my eye
on the ball or lose my mind. People say, “How
much will this make?” It could bring in the
minimum bid or it could bring in way more. If
they’re all sold, it will probably make enough to
send a nice check to the hospital. If enough people
read about it and understand the uniqueness,
then it can appeal to the vintage guy, the collector,
the one-of-a-kind guy, someone who wants
a pairing. I tried to get gear that would create a
passionate connection to a broad base of people.
The guitar and amp companies were very fair,
and some didn’t charge me at all. I was surprised
at some of the largesse that was shown to me.
With this project, I found something that
is more important than my life. Putting myself
out there on my daughter’s behalf has been so
rewarding. It resonates with people. MERSI
needs research dollars. People need help. I can’t
thank all the manufacturers who participated
enough. It is one thing to sit at your desk and
dream of an idea, and quite another to have it
realized. In addition to the philanthropic aspect
to the Pinkburst Project, as a guitar player and
collector, this is a dream come true. Many of
these companies’ products have provided years
of pleasure and satisfaction to me through the
very same guitars, amps, and cases that are
featured in this collection. I will remain a collector
of many of the models represented in the
Pinkburst Project—as well as other fine instruments
and amplifiers—for the rest of my life.
The Pinkburst Auction
The Skinner Auction House in Boston
will host the Pinkburst Project auction May 1, 2011, to benefit ongoing work
at the Massachusetts Eye Research and
Surgery Institution on behalf of the Ocular
Immunology and Uveitis Foundation.
Epiphone Jay Jay French Elitist Les Paul (LEFT) and Thunderbird Bass (CENTER) – “When Jay Jay approached Epiphone about contributing a special guitar for
this project, we were more than happy to help,” says Epiphone’s Jim Rosenberg. “Jay Jay and Twisted Sister have been die-hard supporters and users of Epiphone product
for almost a decade now—not to mention that the cause is a worthy one. Contributing one of Jay Jay’s signature Les Paul pinkburst guitars was obviously a cornerstone of
the concept and a perfect fit. However, when I found out he was gathering an assortment of instruments and had not considered a bass yet, a Thunderbird in pinkburst immediately
came to mind.” The Les Paul features a Twisted Sister logo inlay on the headstock, Gibson-manufactured components, a long neck tenon, and a solid maple top.
Fender Custom Shop ’75 Jazz Bass Reissue (RIGHT) – “I took a little different approach in the construction of this bass, as I really did not want to steer too
far away from the original look of this classic,” says Fender’s John Cruz. “The body was again made of mahogany, but I decided to make the neck with quartersawn
maple for better stability, with a 12"-radius Indian rosewood fretboard, trapezoid inlay and Fender logo inlayed into the peg face. I used our medium
jumbo fretwire for this because I felt it worked better with the playability of a bass.”