My dad's extremely rare, 80s-tastic new guitar:

Bucket

This is one he's been after for a LONG time.

http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af347/ConnorF1995/Dad Fernandes NGD/DSCF1719_zpsb9c5632f.jpg

http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af347/ConnorF1995/Dad Fernandes NGD/DSCF1707_zps6e8db41f.jpg

http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af347/ConnorF1995/Dad Fernandes NGD/DSCF1709_zps2f90eb7f.jpg

Built-in gain boost:

http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af347/ConnorF1995/Dad Fernandes NGD/DSCF1710_zps22e86f61.jpg

Back of the neck painted black, of course:

http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af347/ConnorF1995/Dad Fernandes NGD/DSCF1713_zps707240f7.jpg

That is a Fernandes Brad Gillis signature model, a fairly little-known Japanese superstrat from the mid-80s. If you don't know who Brad Gillis is, check him out - he's awesome. See 2:30 for details, and excuse the clothes and hair.

So yes, this guitar was only made for a couple of years, and some estimates suggest that there were only about 50 ever built. My dad is a big Brad Gillis fan and has wanted one of these guitars for ages - until a few days ago when an eBay alert led him to this example, located in South London. We went to pick it up yesterday and here it is now! It's in pretty good condition (a couple of paint dings but nothing major) and only really needed a new battery in the active gain-boost circuit (which is a hoot) before it worked properly.

It sounds great, it's well set-up, the neck is really nice and the trem is great - it's a copy of the old-style Floyd Rose without fine-tuners (similar to what Guthrie Govan is now using on his Charvel) and it seems to work well - feels really good in use too. The gain boost is a cool feature - as you can see, it includes a second input jack (there's a normal one on the side of the body) and has a trim-pot to adjust the level of distortion - it can get really quite lairy. It's kind of like having a DS-1 or something built into the guitar. The boost sounds pretty good as well!

Most importantly though, dad's pretty chuffed to have finally found one!

Kebabkid

Nice one C and if both you and dad attend the next Gearfest, make sure this comes along too!

Great NGD!

JookyChap

That's really cool. Reminds me when I was taking lessons 89/90 and the teacher lent me a Fernandes that looked a lot like that but had a sustainer in at the neck. All I wanted to play at the time were U2 tracks and it was perfect for the whole Joshua Tree thing.  Unfortunately I couldn't afford it and never saw another for years, in fact nobody else had heard of them (in my small circle) and they became something mythical...

Handsome_Chris

If you bought it from Romford, then it's the one I blabbing about a year or so ago. I nearly had it for myself, but I've already got 3 strats and I decided to mutilate a strat I already have.

It's got a copy of the prototype Floyd too.  According to Brad, the trick is to tune half a step down before tightening the locking nut.

I wish your dad the best with that tasteful specimen.

mike_l

SSSSSWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I is ever so slightly completely jealous

TTony

Nice. And even nicer when it's something that you (or he) have (or has) been tracking down for ages.

Bucket

Handsome_Chris said:

If you bought it from Romford, then it's the one I blabbing about a year or so ago. I nearly had it for myself, but I've already got 3 strats and I decided to mutilate a strat I already have.

It's got a copy of the prototype Floyd too.  According to Brad, the trick is to tune half a step down before tightening the locking nut.

I wish your dad the best with that tasteful specimen.

It was in Bromley but I believe it used to be in Romford.

ThePrettyDamned

I NEED ONE

Never heard of this player, but he plays like one bad mutha.

John_P

Very cool!    Looks like it was worth the wait - I hope he is enjoying it

Niallmo

That is awesome. Looks like it wants sweep arpeggios all over it with the boost on max!

mike_l

ThePrettyDamned said:

I NEED ONE

Never heard of this player, but he plays like one bad mutha.

He played in Night Ranger and was in Ozzy's band for a while. Awesome guitarist..........

Dave_Mc

Nice

BrianC

Great guitar and a great player as has been said.

 I first heard of him when I saw Ozzy on this tour

axisus

I remember Brad, but then I'm ancient. Awesome 80s guitar, but I really don't like the jack socket, looks like a real afterthought! (I'd still have one though!)

xSkarloey

Well done, great catch! 

I bet your dad's chuffed to bits having got hold of something he's wanted for so, so long...

You've just got to call the gain switch above the jack plug the Turbo Boost. Well, it is an 80's machine through and through...

Kebabkid

ThePrettyDamned;164451" said:

I NEED ONE

Never heard of this player, but he plays like one bad mutha.

He was brought in by Ozzy when Randy Rhoads died. Good player and Nightranger are still going with BG

JMP220478

ThePrettyDamned said:

I NEED ONE

Never heard of this player, but he plays like one bad mutha.

try this link - Brads one time guitar partner Jeff Watson - who is no slouch either - trading licks with a certain Allan H ...

Bucket

Jeff Watson is perhaps even better, his 8-finger tapping stuff is ridiculous!

racefaceec90

that night ranger track was on one of the gta vice city radio station 

nice guitar btw 

stickyfiddle

That gain boost looks exactly like the Alembic one with a different logo. Interesting- never seen something like that (ie on the jackplate) fitted to a production guitar before

http://www.chordism.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Fender-Stratocaster-1962-alembic-stratoblaster.jpg

FX_Munkee

Handsome_Chris said:

It's got a copy of the prototype Floyd too.  According to Brad, the trick is to tune half a step down before tightening the locking nut.

It should be OK as it's got a retainer bar (big string tree thingy ) as long as that's set at the right height, locking it down shouldn't make it go sharp. That's what it's job is.
Oh and yes I too remember Brad Gillis, which obviously makes me ancient as well
Happy new "Axe"* day to your Dad.

*I deem this as an acceptable term due to the 80's'ness of the piece in question.