Ugiliest major production guitars ever

[Gergo]

Have not been around a whole lot lately. No reason really. Just been more focused on work and other things lately. Anyways, post what you think are the ugliest guitars made by major builders. Guitars that probably should have never been created. Here is one I always hated:

[mark_morton]

In before the wangcaster.

[nomadh]

The 2 that jump out at me are the so called nonreverse fb and the rd because they are from such a big name and they were so weakly accepted I think it says a lot.



Ist this is NOT a nonreverse firebird. A firebird is a firebird so then this would be the reverse firebird. But actually no, it isn't very reversey or nonreversey its more a firebird amoeba. So it isnt just the look that irritates me its also the idiotic naming convention.

And then theres this thing. Weren't these the guitars they ran over with a bulldozer? Sort of says it all.





This is a reverse firebird obviously. But gibson so screwed up their names now there's just no saving the concept but be honest, if it wasn't for the crap build this is a damn good looking design and obviously a "REVERSE FIREBIRD" from the original firebird.

[golem]

[mention]nomadh[/mention] pretty sure it was this that got ran over by a bull dozer:

[Gear_Junky]

Interesting. The Corvus in the OP is certainly ugly, but it shows attempts at design, i.e. the curve on the headstock and the curve on the bottom (where it would rest on player's knee). The "non-reverse firebird" (which is "neither reversey nor non-reversey", what a great observation!) looks like a total lack of any attempt. I know that it has its fans, though.

I was just recently watching some documentaries on Gibson Flying V and Explorer and thought to myself how Leo came up with what became Telecaster, which was not a copy of anything, was the first production solid body electric (and managed to remain beloved and iconic), designed certain aspects like those particular pickups, then Stratocaster, P Bass, all those innovations, which looked like nothing else, were futuristic at the time and became timeless and classic (and profusely copied and imitated). And then Gibson just said "let's come up with some weird shapes" (Moderne, V and Explorer) just for the sake of looks.

A quick search of "soviet electric guitars" will yield a long list of hideous monsters (yes, they were "production"), which also happened to have atrocious tone and outrageous lack of playability. I just don't want to post any here, because those are arguably not even musical instruments, but just another means of oppression

[nomadh]

@nomadh pretty sure it was this that got ran over by a bull dozer:

I don't find that nearly as awkward looking as the amoeba fb. Not great. Not as sleek a look as the zero but for a discount, maybe I would love it. Gibson was just becoming stupid to the point of evil at that point. They wee supposed to be fantastic guitars to play. All Flame maple necks. And then all the electronics just wasted that way. If its a write off how about donate them to school music depts. They could make a contest out of it. Maybe in 10 years there a huge demand for a reissue that way. There was no recall it seems and they were perfectly playable. Probably typical over the top electronic gizmos that at worst could have just been bypassed. I suppose this must win as the most hated guitar. So hated that its own maker would destroy $800000 worth to be rid of it and not even give them away. I bet iin a closeout everyone who was ever a member here would have bought one for $500.
Trogly talks highly about them

[rrobbone]

Double post

[rrobbone]

I quite like the RD, actually. It's a got a cool 70's vibe and is a very comfy (if heavy) bodystyle.

If the old forum were accessible, I'd show you posts where I said I thought the Tele was the ugliest thing ever. Now that I've been making them for a while, I would argue that it's one of the best examples of design anywhere. Hell, I'm even considering making a new template so I can make a doublecut Tele part of my lineup. I would never have even considered such a thing once upon a time.

*****

Common decency demands that I do not link pics of these monstrosities:

The Danelectro Longhorn

The B.C. Rich Bich

Any abalone anything.

Also, burl - especially when mixed with some other type of wood grain or finishing technique on the same guitar top. Big trend right now. I admire the skill it takes to make them, but yech.

The Musicvox Spaceranger.

Gibson's stupid idea of flipping or turning any bodystyle around - especially the backwards Vee and the upside-down Explorer.

Anything Minarik Guitars has ever done... ever.

[honyock]

I would have to agree about the stupid reversing of bodies by Fender and Gibson when they would barely release a lefty of those same guitars.

Buncha bullshit that was.

[Gear_Junky]

Gibson's stupid idea of flipping or turning any bodystyle around - especially the backwards Vee and the upside-down Explorer.

Even though I might disagree on some things, as a matter of taste, but that's not the point of this thread.

I 1000% agree on backwards V. I kept thinking which guitar would end up being it..., but here, I nominate the backwards V as the Pontiac Aztec of guitars

[mickey]

The Fugliest Production Guitar in History (to my eyes)
The Les Paul Silverburst.

[toomanycats]

I'll play. Okay, beat this . . .

[dabbler]

I'll play. Okay, beat this . . .


guitar_kramer_1986_triax_triaxe_floyd_rose_rare_vintage_w.jpg

Oh wow! A Klingon Bird of Prey guitar!

[mozz]

Just saw this on reverb.

[dabbler]

Just saw this on reverb.
Screenshot_20201027-083443.png

I remember those. Pretty trippy if ya ask me!

[glasshand]

Ha! As soon as I saw the thread title, the words "Gibson Corvus" were on my lips.

[Open G]

I don't think they are really that ugly. I think they are more theatrical guitars. In the right situation they might be what you need.

[Rollin Hand]

I am on the side that likes the RD.

This, on the other hand......

https://m.thomannmusic.com/harley_bento ... 1603819291

[fullonshred]

@nomadh pretty sure it was this that got ran over by a bull dozer:

I don't find that nearly as awkward looking as the amoeba fb. Not great. Not as sleek a look as the zero but for a discount, maybe I would love it. Gibson was just becoming stupid to the point of evil at that point. They wee supposed to be fantastic guitars to play. All Flame maple necks. And then all the electronics just wasted that way. If its a write off how about donate them to school music depts. They could make a contest out of it. Maybe in 10 years there a huge demand for a reissue that way. There was no recall it seems and they were perfectly playable. Probably typical over the top electronic gizmos that at worst could have just been bypassed. I suppose this must win as the most hated guitar. So hated that its own maker would destroy $800000 worth to be rid of it and not even give them away. I bet iin a closeout everyone who was ever a member here would have bought one for $500.
Trogly talks highly about them

For sure tastes vary. I think this one looks waaaaay worse than the one you call the amoeba firebird.

[rrobbone]

I 1000% agree on backwards V. I kept thinking which guitar would end up being it..., but here, I nominate the backwards V as the Pontiac Aztec of guitars

One of my bandmates had one of those! They had just been discontinued and were super cheap at the time. We used it as a band mover, so I drove it a lot. It was green with the horrible grey cladding (shudder). That thing circled Texas quite a few times. Believe it or not, those were great cars - just super hideous and waaaay ahead of their time. He told me he bought a second one, just before I moved.

[Gear_Junky]

I 1000% agree on backwards V. I kept thinking which guitar would end up being it..., but here, I nominate the backwards V as the Pontiac Aztec of guitars

One of my bandmates had one of those! They had just been discontinued and were super cheap at the time. We used it as a band mover, so I drove it a lot. It was green with the horrible grey cladding (shudder). That thing circled Texas quite a few times. Believe it or not, those were great cars - just super hideous and waaaay ahead of their time. He told me he bought a second one, just before I moved.

Yup, I've read about Aztec's utility and how some people like them. I have no doubt - any vehicle with hatchback/crossover config has more utility vs. a sedan. But all of those exterior design aspects were someone's idea of style, someone signed off on that, most likely boardrooms full of people, a MUCH higher volume and capital proposition than guitars

I don't know about it being ahead of its time. That one seems like a timeless blunder, IMHO

[uwmcscott]

I think if you did a random/blind poll of 100 peoples "top 10 ugliest guitars" and then did the same for their "top 10 coolest guitars", and then crossmatched the lists - that you'd probably have at least half of said guitars cross populating both lists. Time is a factor too - there were people back in the late 50's that were actually PAINTING OVER cherry burst 58, 59 and 60's les pauls because they thought the natural wood was ugly.

For many years, I did not want anyting to do with the look, sound or feel of a Stratocaster. The ugly clownshoe headstocks, the bulbous shape, the quackly/trebly pickups, etc. I bought and sold several of them hoping to find one that would change my mind, but one never did. Having said that I did keep one and i've grown to appreciate all of those things I used to dislike because they are the very thigns that make a strat what it is.

[Gear_Junky]

For many years, I did not want anyting to do with the look, sound or feel of a Stratocaster. The ugly clownshoe headstocks...

But in most cases they are REVERSE clownshoe headstocks

I hear you. I still think that SX SJM (and now Liquid) is ugly. When I first saw them, it was almost shocking. Yet so cool. Now that I even have a Jazzmaster, which I've wanted for a LOOOONG time, I still think SJM are cool, I wish I could have a P/J bass in that shape, it would make for a great stage look.

I'll admit, when I first got into playing, I thought strats looked most "like an electric guitar" to me. Les Pauls seemed weird and uncool, teles seemed simple and rough cut (and not enough pickups) and Jazzmasters and Jaguars, I thought those vibrato tailpieces were ugly. And my preferences didn't change because of any particular player, stuff just grew on me.

[rrobbone]

I wish I could have a P/J bass in that shape, it would make for a great stage look.

Hmm, now there's an idea...

[nomadh]

Just saw this on reverb.
Screenshot_20201027-083443.png

If you're gonna make a plywood guitar I guess you should at least go all the way and have fun with it. I might have been interested if it was a few layers of nice grain wood.