I know it's a fake , but interesting none the less

[scottosan]

I've been eyeing this guitar at a local store for quite a while. I knew it was fake, but I couldn't get over how well it played. The price wasn't right on it, so it sat there for a while. Finally, I was talking to the manager and he offered me what I consider to be a fair deal. But I still didn't want to fork over money on an mystery guitar. I told him I would consider buying it if I could take the guitar apart to try and figure out who made it. So wee took the neck off and the neck pocket was stamped "UNK" and it was signed as follows:

Paul L Unkert
06/18/85
Toms River, NJ

I ran home real quick to Google the information and found that Paul worked for BC Rich, Viccaro, and ultimately became the General Manager of Kramer during their golden years. There, he did custom shop stuff as well as artist guitars including EVH, Richie Sambora and others. From my understanding, after Eddie moved to Charvel, Paul opened up shop on his own doing custom stuff. I called him up and he said between 1985-1997(?) he made about 300 guitars, many of which were for artist. He said he kept a log with photos of all the guitars he made. He doesn't do email, so I am sending him photos of this guitar to try and find out who it was made for or any info I can get.

The thing is in absolute mint condition for being 21 years old. The Floyd is original and the correct style for that ere as well as the Schaller(sp?) West Germany tuners.

[kmanick]

Re: I know it\'s a fake , but interesting none the less

Looks great!
How does the neck compare to an SD neck from tht era?

[StukaJU87]

Re: I know it\'s a fake , but interesting none the less

That looks like a very nice guitar. How much did you get it for?

[scottosan]

Re: I know it\'s a fake , but interesting none the less

I haven't played an SD neck from that era, but my friend said it feels pretty close. The neck may actually be a left over neck from when kramer was doing stratheads but I'm not sure.

In response to the price, I paid $500. That may be a little steep for a knockoff, but after researching Paul Unkert is very well respected in the kramer community and I could sell it for what I paid. I plays as good or better that my old Tom Anderson Cobra.

[brent]

Re: I know it\'s a fake , but interesting none the

great score and a good price as well

[Dday]

Re: I know it\'s a fake , but interesting none the less

There was one EXACTLY like this in a GC in the Dallas area.

Dday

[scottosan]

Re: I know it\'s a fake , but interesting none the less

You sir are correct, I got it in the Arlington store.

[StukaJU87]

Re: I know it\'s a fake , but interesting none the less

$500 seems fair enough. It's a beautiful looking guitar. I see you had the pickguard off. Are the pickups marked?

[scottosan]

Re: I know it\'s a fake , but interesting none the less

The pickups are a mystery the HB was marked "DDJ". My friend said the singles look like Dimarzio's even though they aren't labelled. The singles are are stacked or hum canceling. I just switched out the bridge to a Tom Anderson HN3+

[LesPaulCustom]

Re: I know it\'s a fake , but interesting none the less

<font color="yellow">It's very similar to my #4110 Charvel Strathead:


Cool guitar...great price to boot!! </font>

[L]

Re: I know it\'s a fake , but interesting none the

ddj= duncan distortion

[StukaJU87]

Re: I know it\'s a fake , but interesting none the

[ QUOTE ]
ddj= duncan distortion

[/ QUOTE ] Correct. A nice pickup indeed.

[scottosan]

Re: I know it\'s a fake , but interesting none the

interesting, I had one of those before, and it actuall said Seymour Duncan on it. I'll have to measure the resistance when I get home to see if it matchess up.

[Johnnyryche]

Re: I know it\'s a fake , but interesting none the

Nice looking guitar and seems like a fair price.

[shreddermon]

Re: I know it\'s a fake , but interesting none the

Fake or no, that looks like a nice quality axe.