Billy Connoly 5150

[quilter]

This is a crazy one I could use some help with. This was purchased at a second hand shop that I frequent. It was purchased by an ex employee of Kramer. Electronics cavity is signed Billy Connoly Relic or replica, can't quite make it out, and dated 7/84. Non tilt head with 1 5/8" nut width, top mount nut. Truss rod at heel. There are no other markings on the neck or pocket. Back of neck is not finished.Any thoughts????

[bkeen]

Hard to say from one picture but the headstock looks to me like a recent aftermarket neck. The Floyd looks like it has a screw on arm so that is not from 84. A top mount nut is out of character as well...

Other than that can't tell much from that pic...

:thumbsup

[jumbowolfe]

Billy was for a short period of time one of Kramer's artist relations people. He made many 5150 and other striped replicas while he worked there. Sadly he passed away in the 90's.

As far as its legitimacy, if its signed by him, then it was indeed put together by Billy, most likely at the Kramer factory. Since there aren't many records to verify that, all you can verify at the moment is that it is more than likely an uncommon, factory built Kramer 5150 replica, signed by what needs to be verified as Billy's signature. There are some of these out there. However, sometimes Billy and the others built them outside of the factory so its up in the air.

Marc Costello (svacheem) might be able to provide more info on this. His Dad was a Kramer exec back then and might be able to provide some information. You might also contact Andy Papiccio (of AP International and Floyd Rose) and ask him if he knows of this one.

Post some better pictures if you get a chance.

Thanks for posting this one.
Mike



This is a crazy one I could use some help with. This was purchased at a second hand shop that I frequent. It was purchased by an ex employee of Kramer. Electronics cavity is signed Billy Connoly Relic or replica, can't quite make it out, and dated 7/84. Non tilt head with 1 5/8" nut width, top mount nut. Truss rod at heel. There are no other markings on the neck or pocket. Back of neck is not finished.Any thoughts????

[bongano]

That would be a very uncommon guitar for sure.

[quilter]

here are two more.

[quilter]

and two more

[quilter]

two more.....for now.

[bongano]

Cool! :drool

[80sKramer]

Awesome guitar!

[sixstring]

Tuners should be unmarked Gotoh's?? 6 screw neck plate?? :scratchhe

[JDW]

They did a nice job on it.The floyd should be chrome no mabey it was switched out over time.

Jake

[quilter]

Yes, I think the tuners and floyd were swapped out.

[Heinz]

Whoa, nut overhang...

Really sweet job on the relic treatment, and markings. A lot of time went into that, I'm sure.

A factory 5150...dang, I had no idea! I mean, I know they weren't a production thing to be sold, but still. That idea just seems cool as heck.

[sixstring]

A top mount nut is out of character as well...

This...

http://www.halen.com/images/uploads/headstockback.jpg

[bkeen]

Huh? :scratchhe

[Midnight_Highway]

Good point on the top mounted nut, I would think the neck is not from the 80s.

[Svacheem]

Ok guys here's the real story. Billy NEVER signed his name. He would write his nickname "Falcon" in the neck pocket. It was his trademark & I watched him do it a bunch of times (not only on 5150s). Sorry to disappoint. By the way, hi Mike W. Long time no talk. Give me a buz when you get a chance.
Marco

[Svacheem]

Not to say that isn't a cool guitar. I don't want to come off like a know it all but I just don't want to see any of our brothers taken for a ride. The only person I worked longer with than Billy was Chris Hofshnider & Buddy Blaze. Check the neck pocket & see if it says Falcon. But that doesn't look like Billy's signiture. Once again, I really don't want to come off like a know it all. Just trying to be honest is all.
Marco

[quilter]

Hey Marco, does the name Kim Coffey ring any bells or have any meaning?

[Kramerican]

Still pretty cool for being found at a secondhand shop...especiially if it was bought at a secondhand shop price.

[80sKramer]

Still pretty cool for being found at a secondhand shop...especiially if it was bought at a secondhand shop price.

I dont know how much you paid, but sounds like a cool deal to me. :thumbsup

[quilter]

Yes, I did get it at a fraction of what the kits and replicas sell for. Not dirt cheap but not expensive. I almost think the shop manager sold it to me for what they paid, I frequent their store.
The origins are still a mystery to me. I do know the person who sold it to the shop was a former employee of Kramer. He is actually on the vintage kramer site in their factory brochure, step 13. I feel like a detective with this one!!

[kramermaniaxe]

I 100% agree with Marco. Over the early 90's I got to know Billy really well and own a 5150 actually made by Billy. Billy NEVER signed his name in the neck pocket. It was always signed as "Falcon" and in a very distinct script that Billy used. You definitely got a cool looking replica but not one that was actually made by Billy.

Sadly Billy passed away several years ago. He was a really great guy and had great stories and history of the Kramer days. He took over right after Paul Unkert left Kramer and worked in the "custom shop" building artist guitars. Other than for Ed's guitars, he made custom Kramers for several other well know musicians.

[Tone?]

ok so you guys that knew Billy. Did he say what he build the 5150 out of?????????????!!!!


thanks!

[sstraub5150]

ok so you guys that knew Billy. Did he say what he build the 5150 out of?????????????!!!!


thanks!

That good sir is a million dollar question.

[sixstring]

That good sir is a million dollar question.

Indeed!

[jumbowolfe]

I think its still questionable if Billy actually built the 5150. The neck was a leftover of a set of necks Paul Unkert made for Ed.

[ddavis510]

Over the early 90's I got to know Billy really well and own a 5150 actually made by Billy.

Whats your 5150 made out of?

[kramermaniaxe]

I am fairly certain my 5150 is made out of ash. I am also 99.9% certain Billy built the 5150. He was very open and honest in discussions I had with him that the neck was a Paul Unkert leftover neck in the custom shop that he used and the body was just a regular Pacer Special body that he grabbed. I believe SteveZ can also confirm that Billy built the 5150 and 1984 guitars. You'll also notice that at no time has Paul Unkert claimed to have built the 5150 guitar and, Billy replaced Paul in the custom shop. Having said that, I am not sure what type of wood Ed's 5150 is, all I know is that mine is made of Ash. Hope that helps.
Mike
Kramermaniaxe.com

[KramerTamer]

I have a Billy Connley built Baretta that He built for a George Lynch photo shoot. I checked with Mike ^ from kramermaniax and verified that he owned the guitar and got it from Billy's wife after his death so I'm pretty solid on him building it. Good providence! Mike told me that my guitar was unusual because it had Floyd post inserts and chrome on a guitar that wouldn't normally have it. Also it has Kramer marked Tuners. It was not wired so maybe just for pics. He took it with him when the factory closed due to George never signing with Kramer, it just hung around the factory in the meantime. Granted this was built for pictures it had unusual things on it for a basic Beretta guitar so I'm thinking Billy used some different stuff on his builds. I've never pulled the neck to check for a signature but I will now just for fun. Nothing under the control cover. I will have to go back and look at your pictures to see if it had inserts. I don't know if this was normal for him or not but he did on mine. He also stamped it GL001 on the headstock. I don't know if that was his normal or not either. All I know if through people here and especially Mike that it is indeed a Billy Connely built guitar. Just stuff I know about mine. Luck on your research. Mine is just a F/F blue with an American neck, no tuner screw holes for Schaller's so never had em. Odd bird but plays like a dream. It's and '86-87. BTW I had no idea Billy built the 5150.. I always thought it was Paul.... I also always heard it was Basswood. So confusing! Great info!

Hey Mike, any chance on getting something writen I can have about the Baretta's history? I have our screen conversations copied and I never plan to sell it but it would be great to have. It hangs safely in a wall mounted case. I think it's pretty special.. Any chance Marc Costello Has any knowledge on this guitar as well... I have all i need with you But I cherish this guitar and want to know everything about it....

[kb7010]

ah yes.. the Lynch axe... I remember when that was on CL's but I had never used that service before and was afraid of getting ripped off.... ie: I could have bought that axe...!!!!! :banghead

glad she is still with a forum bro though..!!!!! :thumbsup