This 1962 Silvertone 1423 Jupiter started as a stripped husk and Simon at 81 Guitar Works has turned this vintage guitar into a very cool, modernised version of the classic Jupitar model, and tastefully done too! And what is even cooler is the whole process has been documented in a series of YouTube videos entitled Vintage to Vicious – well worth the watch.
The guitar has had a complete refinish in metallic black, with a checked nitro clear coat – great job in replicating the aging of the lacquer top coat (tried to capture this on the last picture but really difficult with the glossy black finish). The vintage feel to the body is finished off nicely with a Gretsch “Bow Tie” floating bridge, tailpiece and black strap buttons. The medium D profile neck has been levelled out, new cellulose inlays, new stainless steel narrow tall frets, a bone nut and a new headstock facia with replica Silvertone logo and vintage style tuners.
The electrics is where the real modern magic happens on this guitar. The pickups are handmade, custom wound, staple mini humbuckers, with a tap, made by Sean at Old Bones Pickups. These are connected to a completely new wiring harness that includes a Rat pedal built into the new custom made control panel. We have a 3-way pickup selector, master volume and master tone. The Push/Push control on the volume knob activates the pickup tap with down being modern 7.5k output and up being vintage 3.5k output. The push/push on the tone knob activates the rat pedal! With the 3 smaller knobs controlling the Rat output with Distortion, Filter and Volume – great fun to play and having all that control at your fingers and the sound is absolutely huge.
The guitar setup and finish is superb – it has the solid feel of a quality built modern guitar – the look is very much a vintage vibe but the rat pedal gives this vintage guitar a real modern edge. Comes complete with a suitably vintage hard case that suits the guitar perfectly.
Shipping within mainland UK using fully insured 24-hour courier service @ £35.00.
Shipping to US/Canada, using UPS, is £185.00. Shipping to EU is £65.00
Customers outside of UK/EU/US/Canada should contact Vintage Rare & Retro Guitars for a shipping quotation. Free pick-up is always available at our Gullane shop
