ZIPPER

The Zipper’s great-granddaddy on its mother’s side was a Harmony Stratotone. Its fraternal grandparents were both (unrelated) Fender Telecaster Thinlines. Talk in town is that it’s got a great uncle who might have been a Gibson Melody Maker. It hangs out with Danelectros on the weekends.

The Zipper’s heart came from the Sears Roebuck catalog for Christmas morning. Its guts are sturdy and persistent like the Hoover Dam.

It’s the Hydrox or Oreo cookie of electric guitars. A hollowed-out wood center block and walls are the white stuff. Top and back plates of complimentary wood are the cookies. It strings through the body over a tailpiece that came to me in a dream. The tailpiece and string-through-edness are what make this sucker ring. “Zip,” if you will.


  • CENTER BLOCK WOOD - Honduran/African Mahogany, Ash, Alder, Walnut, Cedar or Maple. Honestly, anything that looks good and will Zip.

    TOP AND BACK PLATE WOOD - complementary wood from the same options. I like to mix. Not always match.

    NECK WOOD - Historically maple or Mahogany. But I’m open to suggestions.

    FINGERBOARD WOOD - Indian rosewood, ebony, monterillo, pao ferro, cocobolo, maple, and various other species.

    BRIDGE - Bone nut. Nickel-plated Gotoh tune-o-matic

    TAILPIECE - Custom patent pending brushed stainless steel Lockhorn tailpiece.

    PICKUPS - We really like most everything Lollar makes so take your pick. Of course, I’m always open to suggestions of other brands. Just don’t pick something atrocious.

    SWITCHING - Lockhorn 5 Course Supper Switch. Rotary or Blade style.

    TWO VOLUME POTS AND A SINGLE-TONE POT.

    INCLUDED WITH REUNION BLUES VOYAGER GIG BAG

  • SCALE LENGTH - 25.5”

    BODY THICKNESS - 1 13⁄16”

    NUT WIDTH - 1 11⁄16”

    NUMBER OF FRETS - 22

  • Starts at $3,400