Vintage Pete Back circa 1981

I recently came across this very early example of Pete's work from 1981, which I couldn't resist sharing with you.

Its an unusual heavy metal-style design with a through neck and some interesting tonewoods. As usual for Pete it has top-quality parts even at this early stage in his career - Grover machine heads and a Schaller bridge. The bridge pick up is a classic Gibson Dirty Fingers. Note the old-style scroll font Pete Back signature and double custom marks on the head. What an unusual custom guitar.

Vintage Pete Back - 1980s

I've unearthed a very old Pete Back custom today, its an unusual piece, with plenty of character. Obviously been gigged with a lot at the height of rock, the guitar is missing a couple of tone knobs and has a few scratches as you would imagine - its over 25 years old I reckon. The headstock marks it out as one of Pete's first runs of guitar making from the late 70's through to the '80s. Its not a custom grade, so it was probably made for sale in a local shop in the Rotherham/Mexborough area. Still its a nice example with an unusual paint job, and deserves its place in this small hall of fame.

Pete Back Custom 335 Maple 2009

Bringing things bang up to date, I've tracked down a pretty much brand new example of Pete's work. This beautiful 335-style guitar with flame maple top and mahogany body was one of the last guitar's Pete made. It is stunning, and is already a real collectors item. I believe this is the only one of these guitars ever made. As an addition to the other guitars in this blog, it really shows how Pete continued to make great guitars right up to his retirement, and how his artistry evolved during his long career.

Pete Back Les Paul Custom Red Tiger Stripe Maple

A real treat for you today - a classic Pete Back Les Paul. In my opinion, Pete's Les Paul's were some of his best and most popular models. They sound simply amazing and can easily beat a standard Gibson model for sheer tone and playability. They never come up for sale and are a rare find indeed, so I'm delighted to find this one which would have sold for over a grand when new and are very valuable collectors items today. All the hardware is top quality branded - Gotoh and Wilkinson. Datewise given the hardware and fittings I put this one within the last 7 years. Note the modern Pete Back signature transfer on the headstock and the vintage yellowing on the trim. Its in superb condition and I know guitars like this are real sustain monsters (thanks to all the solid wood - mahogony in this case - involved).