Schenker vs. Schenker

[SEEGERMANY]

Ok, back during the 1980s, Gibson produced a black and white V called The Scorpions V. Shortly thereafter, Rudy got an endorsement with Gibson and they came out with the Rudolf Schenker Signature V.

Now Michael never had an endorsement with Gibson, so I'm curious. Which one of the brothers actually came up with the black/white concept and who was the first to use it?

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Schenker vs. Schenker

That is an interesting question.
I think it was Michael came up with that first and then Rudolf got a variation of it(simple Black/White).

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Schenker vs. Schenker

And I believe Michael started using that Black/White V from 78 or 79?

[SEEGERMANY]

Re: Schenker vs. Schenker

I've seen numerous pictures of Michael playing solid white 2nd Reissue Gibson Vs in 1980 with MSG. Then, in 1981, MSG's self-titled album cover sports a drawing of a black and white V. Michael's Vs were solid white except one, it was a cherry Medallion Series guitar, that were refinished to the black and white paint scheme.

I don't recall Rudy playing black and white models until 1985.

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Schenker vs. Schenker

I thought Rudy was already playing Black/White in 83.

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Schenker vs. Schenker

Also another guitarist from Scorpions was using Explorers with Black stripes as well.

[quiksilver]

Re: Schenker vs. Schenker

You mean Matthias Jabs?

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Schenker vs. Schenker

YES! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
I saw a video of Worldwide Live and he was using these and I believe the tape was shot during the world tour in 83-84.

[ChickenScratch]

Re: Schenker vs. Schenker

Very interesting question! In the Strangers In The Night album Michael's playing a white Flying V and in my version of the first MSG album it has pictures of the black and white one but mine is a reissue so I don't know if they just threw those in.

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Schenker vs. Schenker

I also think Michael was already playing B/W V when he was with Scorpions for a short period of time after he quit UFO.

[lerxstcat]

Re: Schenker vs. Schenker

The original issue of the first MSG album had the black and white V, which was repainted that way after he'd smashed it. That guitar was smashed and repainted repeatedly, and his brother copied it later as a sort of family trademark.

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Schenker vs. Schenker

That guitar was sold on E-bay 1-2years ago I wish I have bought it by selling my car.
[img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[LarryL]

Re: Schenker vs. Schenker

The new live Schenker DVD has an interview in the "bonus features" section. If I remember, Michael says he broke a string or something and had to quickly use his brothers V. He never gave it back. I'll have to re-watch it to see if he mentions whether it was black / white.

[jgcable]

Re: Schenker vs. Schenker

I heard the paint scheme was a result of covering all the cracks and repairs that the guitar had. It is one of the coolest paint schemes of all time. I am pretty sure that Mike and his guitar tech came up with it. He then gave it to Rudy to use when he started MSG. They shared it for a very short time.

[SEEGERMANY]

Re: Schenker vs. Schenker

If I remember correctly, Michael's #1, #2, and #3 sold through Brauer Auctions for $17K, $19K, and $21K respectively. #3, with the mini-block inlays, was one ragged out mofo. The headstock was missing paint as well as the back of the neck from the 1st fret to the 4th.

As for the paint scheme, other than a solid white V, it's the coolest paint job on a guitar, period.