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A unique Tony Zemaitis 'Custom Dragon' solid body electric…
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
5-Nov-2020
Lot No.
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Description:
A unique Tony Zemaitis 'Custom Dragon' solid body electric guitar, Honduran mahogany, 1974, Handmade by Tony Zemaitis, Solid Honduran mahogany body with inlaid aluminium 'Dragon' motif, bound ebony fingerboard with hand laid pearl inlays with diamond accents at 12th fret, set mahogany neck, chrome Schaller machine heads, Zemaitis 'Duralumin' bridge and tail piece with Danny O'Brien engraved 'Lost & Lonely' insignia, two Humbucking pickups with Hex pole pieces, engraved 'Z' headstock plaque, plastic fibre truss rod cover, black Hiscox flight case. Provenance: Private Collection, Switzerland, Private Collection, Hong Kong, acquired from the above, Private Collection, Melbourne, acquired from the above in 2004. Other Notes: Within the world of bespoke fretted instruments, no single artisan creator has demonstrated a commitment to their craft more so than London luthier Tony Zemaitis (1935-2002)., As a product of a Lithuanian migrant family growing up in a post-war London, Zemaitis was urged to leave his schooling behind by sixteen to help support his family's finances. He found himself pursuing a lengthy apprenticeship as a cabinet maker. By the mid 1950s, his industrious temperament saw him appropriate his woodworking abilities across numerous applications, including simple guitar repairs., By 1960, aligned with a burgeoning British folk scene, Zemaitis began offering his instruments for sale - albeit at the cost of the raw materials used. As innovative folk artists began to frequent clubs with his unique acoustic creations, along with some coverage in local music press, the luthier was beginning to see a tangible demand for his craft., Forward to the mid-1960s and, yet again, the world of music had changed forever: Bob Dylan had 'gone electric,' performing his infamous rock-and-roll set at the Newport Folk Festival, and Beatle-mania had set in with 'Revolver' revolutionising guitar based music once again., In the bars and clubs of London R& B influenced bands performed frenetic, raucous interpretations of the music of 'Black America' - among these The Rolling Stones and The Small Faces, both whom would become repeat clients of Zemaitis., Zemaitis had also 'gone electric' with his own creations, refining the designs of some of the most sought after instruments of his career over the next two decades. Among numerous bespoke designs, the luthier developed his own interpretation of the 'Les Paul' style instrument featuring a single cut, set neck, and Honduran Mahogany body. These early examples often featured Gibson humbucking pickups and later active circuits aimed at pushing amplifiers into overdrive., The 1970s saw the elusive Zemaitis work with a string of high profile clients. The commission list saw dozens of notable artists including George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Ronnie Wood, David Gilmour, Joe Walsh, Marc Bolan, Keith Richards and countless other high profile players. During this period long-time friend Danny O'Brien, a gun engraver, began collaborating with the luthier, engraving the ornate 'Steel Front' instruments (as played by Ronnie Wood with The Faces on 'The Top of the Pops' in 1971). Zemaitis also experimented with stunning 'Pearl Top' guitars, which had a unique mosaic like aesthetic. The uniqueness and personality embodied within each piece encapsulates the ethos of the Zemaitis mark 'Art with strings'., Featured within this single owner collection of stunning fretted instruments, is the rare opportunity to procure two original, unique Zemaitis instruments. With both an electric and a flat top acoustic model (see lot 18) on offer, these instruments effortlessly showcase the breadth of the luthier's uncompromising commitment to creativity, heritage and craftsmanship. This example and the following instrument represent an exceptional opportunity to own a significant icon from the annals of 20th century guitar design.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified