Robben Ford Discussion

Aeolian · Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:08 pm Post subject:

Someone once told me that Robben actually preferred the Japanese guitars. But that doesn't wash with the idea that Gene was building them in the custom shop and Robben liked his work so much he followed him from Fender. Maybe somebody out there knows the genesis of Robben's and Gene's working relationship. There might have been a few made by someone else in the custom shop but when Robben got one of Gene's, they clicked. Just a theory.

I have to go back a dig a bit on the actual re-release date but I think it was in the late 80's, something like 87 or 89. So there are three distinct generations. The originals sold as 84 model year although actually made in 83 prior to the Fender buyout. The resurected ones made in the same Hoshino factory but with Duncan pickups and Robben's name on them. And the custom shop models. Just before leaving Fender, Robben had a bunch of variations made including a sunburst flamed maple top that had Fralin humbuckers. Fender also showed a flame top briefly in their catalog but as a non-chambered body.

It's a fun axe and definitely not your usual cup of tea. A lot of folks are really taken back trying to figure out what it is. A very articulate coil tapped humbucker guitar. In her pre-smooth jazz days, Joyce Cooling used to play one. Maybe she still takes it out on occasion. Of course remember who was playing it. And consider the confusion among the accomplished musicians on this board as to what guitar Robben played on a given song. And that he tends to record with guitars like the 54 goldtop that don't get out on the road and be seen in public.
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juspasinby2003 · Senior Member Joined: 18 Dec 2003 Posts: 255

tonemaster2_11 · Member Joined: 07 Dec 2003 Posts: 37

I had an Esprit Elite. It was made in 1984. The big deal was that the Ultra Esprit which Robben was playing was alder with a spruce top whereas the Elite was mahogany and probably maple. The Elite didn't have the responsive "hollow" sound that the Ultra did. Robben's Ultra had a Duncan '59 in the neck and an older Gibson humbucker in the bridge. Coil tap was on the neck P.U. only since the Gibson pickup was a two conducter type. The pickups on the Elite were ok. I didn't have any issues with them. In fact it was a really versatile guitar (also really HEAVY). I only got rid of mine because of some neck issues. I've always wanted an Ultra. Saw one a couple of months ago at the Columbus, OH guitar show for $999. I think I had ten dollars in my pocket. Bummer.

iamthewalrus · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 12:06 am Post subject: Tele clone

I'm embarking on the Quixiotic task of creating a Robben Tele clone. All parts are in hand. No use asking what's involved. Maybe a few details will be leaked.

Cheers
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wbfree · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 8:04 am Post subject: guitars