Posting #AllMyAxes. 🎸 (Part 1)

Since the world is a bit strange right now, I decided I wanted to see more guitars on social media.  Maybe it’ll start a trend, maybe not. 

I like classic guitars, I like modern guitars, I like classy guitars, I like ugly guitars.  I like guitars.  I like playing them.  I like looking at them online.  I like looking at them on my wall.  I like looking at them in the store.  I like hearing them.  I like arguing about them on the internet.  I also like other assorted stringed instruments.

Maybe this will make the world a little brighter.  Maybe people will like these guitars.  Maybe people will argue about these guitars.  Maybe absolutely no one will notice.  Who knows?

Below the collage, here are the ones I have posted so far via Instagram with the #AllMyAxes hashtag, minus today’s.  The rest will be in the next post.  This is the bulk of my guitar collection.  The rest of the stuff in the house are my ukuleles and mandolin, the wife’s ukuleles, and the kids’ guitars and ukuleles.

There is a little bit written about each guitar if you click through to Instagram or follow me on Facebook.  I hope to blog more in-depth about each of them, or more than I have in the past anyway… reaching out to some manufacturers and designers, especially for the most interesting ones.

🎵🎶♩♪♫♬🎸♬♫♪♩🎶🎵

Epiphone Les Paul

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. Epiphone Les Paul, made in Korea. Probably a 1997 according to the serial number dater search I found online. It's been dropped, and modified with cheesy knobs and a skull-shaped bottle opener. #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #Epiphone #LesPaul

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 14, 2020 at 5:37pm PDT

Dewey Decibel FlipOut (Lit CIgarette)

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. DeweyDecibel FlipOut guitar. Lit Cigarette model/color. I forget what year, 2004-ish I think? I gigged with this one quite often. Pickups replaced with @gfs_guitarfetish Lil Killer Rails by the inimitable @ironhead_guitar_works. (Sorry that the string ends are not trimmed.) #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #DeweyDecibel #FlipOut

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 15, 2020 at 6:19pm PDT

Indy Custom FlyCaster by Indiana Custom Guitars

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. Indy Custom FlyCaster by Indy Custom Guitars. I got #059 out of 100. Not sure of the year? I gigged with this a handful of times with Ernie and the Berts. I strive for the ridiculous. This one seems to make people lose their minds. It is comfortable to play and sounds so good I didn't even feel the need to swap pickups. I wanted to drop rails in it so bad. But, why? #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #IndyCustom #Flycaster

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 16, 2020 at 6:26pm PDT

Waterstone Voltaire by Mod Guitars

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. Waterstone Voltaire by Mod Guitars. This was a posthumous gift from a dear friend and fellow bandmate who understood my penchant for odd guitars. Modded ever so slightly with purple tolex over the pickguard in honor of Erin "Ernie" Payne and his penchant for brightly colored amps. I need to get a clear plastic pickguard cut for over top of it. If I understand correctly, this Thunderbird/Firebird style was mainly a bass model by boutique builder Mod Guitars, but they did make a few guitars… and some of them are this green color which is nearly impossible to photograph correctly. My dad would have called it "Baby Shit Green." Fuzzy strap also from/in honor of Erin. This thing sounds and feels great and warms my heart to jam on. #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #Waterstone #Voltaire #ModGuitars

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 17, 2020 at 4:08pm PDT

Glen Burton GB2009-RWB

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. Glen Burton GB2009-RWB. American Flag themed USA map guitar. These were online while I had disposable income and here we are. They also inexplicably made a Confederate flag model even though this wasn't the shape of the Confederacy. I can hope these were inspired by the Gibson and Epiphone models. I would maybe someday sort of like to have it painted (or printed on) like an old school pastel map that the social studies teacher would pull down in front of the chalkboard. The flag is a bit over-the-top, but then again it has a certain charm. @ironhead_guitar_works did some serious work to the bridge/saddle (and other stuff?) to make this playable! It was sort of a turd out of the box, but at the price point I knew that going in. I have never gigged with this. I don't think, anyway? I mean, it's not terrible. It sounds OK. I should start another band. #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #GlenBurton #GB2009 #RWB #GB2009RWB #USA

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 18, 2020 at 5:44pm PDT

Galveston B.B. Stone

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. Galveston B.B. Stone. This started my obsession with weird guitars. Purchased in 2000 at the American Music Café in Murrysville, PA. Traded a Cimar by Ibanez Super-Strat style guitar for it that I hadn't had very long. I eventually tracked down & received correspondence from the creators. (I was even on their website for a minute!) Not sure on the model year? Jerker Antoni the designer, Orjan Jacobsson owner of Eagle Instruments in Sweden, and Dae Young Suk (a.k.a. B.B. Stone), salesman at UnSung. The guitar was built by UnSung in Inchon Korea, branded as Eagle in Sweeden, and exported at Galveston and even Brownsville (by Sam Ash) in the USA. From what I can gater there are 12 to 18 Eagle branded ones (with a different headstock altogether) and about that many Galveston ones. I have seen them online in a black/grey finish. I have never seen a Brownsville branded one. I gigged with this guitar a lot with AiXeLsyD and Gasoline Dion, and it shows. There are some dings, most notably in the body by the jack. Guitar shenanigans used to be my thing and sometimes there were casualties. Friend and frequent collaborator (co-conspirator?) Dave Warren @nothingbutstarsinside dropped some @gfs_guitarfetish humbuckers in it for for me a long time ago. #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #Galveston #BBStone #UnSung #Eagle #Brownsville #SamAsh #EagleInstruments

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 19, 2020 at 1:49pm PDT

New York Pro Stargazer (by Galaxy Guitars USA)

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. This is a heavily modded New York Pro. I believe New York Pro is now branded Galaxy, but this may be a Galaxy New York Pro Star Gazer model. Not a whole lot can be found about them on the internet. There is no model name or serial number on the guitar. I picked this up for a super cheap price with more traditional hardware, a boring white pickguard, questionable pickups, and a twisted neck from a magical place in Bedford PA called Hoke-E-Geez. I loved that body and woodgrain. I dig the black hardware look and for some reason love leopard print or cheetah print or whatever this is. Hardware from GGS pit on by me. Lil' Killer bridge & middle pickups, & a lipstick neck pickup from @gfs_guitarfetish have been dropped in by the guitar guru @ironhead_guitar_works… he also twisted that truss rod into submission when I thought I was going to need a new neck. Pickguard from somewhere thanks to Google, and Tigerwood knobs from AllParts. (I remember Aaron questioning the choice of lipstick pickup at the bridge, but going with it despite his best judgement – to later be pleasantly surprised.) This thing plays beautifully. I have used it to record and I think to gig a few times. It is usually the electric I pick up first to jam at home. It feels so good, it sounds so great. I feel like it's all mine. #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #NewYorkPro #StarGazer #Galaxy #GalaxyGuitars

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 20, 2020 at 4:51pm PDT

B.C. Rich Dagger

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. BC Rich Dagger. "Metal" headstock. Matte black. There are a ton of variations, glossy, other headstock, some have a Bigsby-style trem, I have even seen a red one online. No crazy pickup mods, I did add straplocks. I have no idea where the serial number is or how to date it, or if they had specific numbers for each of the model variations. There's no neck-plate as it's not bolt-on, and that's where all the stuff online says to find the serial number. I wanted a hollowbody because I hadn't had one yet. Izzy Stradlin and TimnArmstrong had to be on to something, right? I had thought about an Ibanez Artcore because I think I noticed that Rob from @AnnBeretta had one at a show once. I think @hornertommy had one too? When I saw this, it fit my fondness for weird guitars more than any other hollow body I have ever seen. Is it punk? Horrorpunk? Psychobilly? Metal? Sure. I always thought my first BC Rich would be one of those translucent green Warlocks from the late 90s. I still kind of want one of those… even though I do not shred and am generally not into axes setup for that. This thing has a beautifully smooth neck and just sounds full and warm. A good eye can catch a glimpse of the Chewbacca-inspired seat belt cover over the strap. #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #BCRich #Dagger

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 21, 2020 at 2:14pm PDT

Fender Stratocaster (MIJ)

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. @Fender Stratocaster. The guitar dater project says it was made between 1984-1987 at the Fuji-jen factory in Japan. I thought it was early to mid 90s as that's when my parents got it for me. It was my second electric, to replace my first little weird Cruise student model. Obviously there are some mods. @nothingbutstarsinside dropped in a @dimarzioinc rail pickup for me, and I added the #StarWars knobs from Fernandes… and some stickers. (Just to make purists cringe.) I never use them tremolo so those locking screws up top are out. This guitar has fallen out of the case and down a flight of concrete stairs. It is a little chewed-up on the back of the body & headstock. It was once spattered in actual blood from a hangnail I had and it looked awesome. I played a lot of AiXeLsyD gigs & made a lot of recordings with this guitar. I may have gigged a few times with it or even recorded with it in Gasoline Dion? I forget. As much as I have gravitated to odd guitars, and was probably a fan of more Les Paul and SG players than Strat players, this guitar feels fantastic and is built SOLID. The humbucking rails cut that glassy twang, but it still sounds like a Fender. It feels better to me playability-wise than the Mexican made or USA Strats of the same era. You can't knock a classic too hard if it's got such mass appeal without becoming a curmudgeonly contrarion. It probably needs some love, but I don't want to polish off any of that punk rock mojo. (I do need some screws with flush heads so those silly knobs spin better!) #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #Fender #Stratocaster #MIJ #AiXeLsyD #FiendClub #Strat #CrimsonGhost #Misfits #DarthVader

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 22, 2020 at 3:36pm PDT

No-name LP copy w/ chalkboard paint

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. Les Paul style copy of indeterminate origin. This used to be a more traditional looking Black Les Paul copy… maybe a kit guitar, probably one that people would incorrectly claim as a "lawsuit guitar." It didn't have a logo when I bought it. It's a physically heavy block of chaos and that's what drew me to it at Warehouse Music in Apollo PA. It was $60. @awelsh138 was there with me. I went home to get cash & went right back to get it. Ha ha. For a long time, it was my "Gotham Bat Paul." I had a vinyl logo cut to look like the Gibson logo that said "Gotham" and had a Batman logo sticker on the body. It was really in need of a re-fret and probably not worth it. For a while I wanted to draw a maze on a guitar, and I also wanted to try one with chalkboard paint. This way I can do both when the mood strikes. I don't know how @ironhead_guitar_works can handle the crap I take to him. I had him replace the neck after I repainted the body with the chalkboard paint. While he was at it, I had him drop in @gfs_guitarfetish P-90 pickups. I don't have anything else with P90's and we gotta have some diversity, right? Someday I may get the itch to drop one of those goofy quad rails in here or the Epiphone Les Paul. Nothing is sacred! I think the neck & all the black hardware were also all from #GuitarFetish. Oh yeah, you probably noticed those @drstrings Neon's too. #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #ChalkboardPaint #drneonstrings #LesPaul #LP #LPCopy #maze #mazes #chalkart #P90

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 23, 2020 at 2:50pm PDT

No-name acrylic Strat-style with LED’s

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. Stratocaster copy with no headstock logo. It came from @ebay, shipped from China. So, it's probably the same stuff that @AliExpress sells. I have always liked the green acrylic BC Rich Warlocks, and all the Acrylic guitars by Galveston… but when I saw them online with LED's in the body and the fret markers, I had to have one. Now I see them with Acrylic necks too and wonder if I should have waited? Ha ha. Is there a difference between Acrylic, Lucite, and Plexiglass? I have heard these called all of the above. This still has the stock pickups, they actually sound pretty good… but I may get bored and put rails or something crazy in it someday. It came with white knobs, and I replaced them with clear. If I can find a clear pickguard that is guaranteed to fit the same screw holes, thay may be fun too. I also sewed some LED lights into a strap to make one that matches because… well, I have no good reason. Again with the @drstrings Neon's too, this time all green. I have yet to gig with this. Maybe it's time to start another band after the current pandemic? #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #LED #Stratocaster #Strat #SStyle #LEDGuitar #AcrylicGuitar #Acrylic #Lucite #Plexiglass

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 24, 2020 at 5:12pm PDT

Cort SG-style Doubleneck

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. Cort (@cort_guitars). No idea on official model name. Doubleneck SG copy, looks a bit like Jimmy Page's doubleneck SG. I got a good deal on this at a guitar show in Monaca a while back. Traded in my Ibanez acoustic 12-string as part of the deal. I still need to get a case that actually fits this. It's fun to play, not ridiculously heavy, and feels good in my hands. Doesn't sound all that bad either! The necks are set, not bolt-on. I don't see a serial number anywhere. I would appreciate it it anyone would let me know if they have any information on the official model name, or even a year or range based on the design or logo. I know it could have been manufactured in South Korea, China, or Indonesia. All my emails to Cort (and DM's on Instagram) have gone unanswered. This one hasn't seen a gig yet either. No mods. (Yet.) #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #Cort #Doubleneck #CortGuitars #SG #SGCopy #DoubleNeckGuitar

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 25, 2020 at 6:50pm PDT

Esteban Midnight Legacy

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. Esteban Midnight Legacy. I think I made between 2000 and 2002? It as so cheap I couldn't pass it up. I am intrigued by the traditionally Fender Stratocaster style pickups/knobs/switches on the traditionally Gibson Les Paul shaped body. If you couldn't tell I like guitars that make purists cringe. I also liked the "E" (or "𝓔 ") shaped headstock. This is a cheap guitar in quality also. If I laid this at sea level, the action near the 12th fret would be about the same elevation as Mount Everest. It has a truss rod. It is so bad I may tinker. The black hardware feels painted, not actually black. It is a nice weight. The back of the neck is smooth. The fingerboard is "eh," and the pickups are like some cheap guitars. If I hang on to this, it's totally getting GFS Lil' Killer Rails. I do like the body, but surely someone else offers this. I also like telecaster with 2 humbuckers. Haven't gigged out with this yet, either. You're welcome. #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #Esteban #MidnightLegacy #StratPaul #Lesocaster

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 26, 2020 at 12:27pm PDT

Bohemian Moonshine

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. @bohemianguitars Moonshine Model. 2x single coils. This was a present from my awesome wife @bcarroll_13 because she knows I like weird axes. This certainly looks like a snarling little fuzz machine. The only issue is that it was an "outlet guitar" (according to the manufacterer) and the frets need some work. They are sharp on the edges and uneven. The neck may be a bit warped too. I wrote to them asking about the issue, and inquiring about just purchasing a replacement neck… but after a "let me get back to you" I have heard nothing. All of their stock seems to be marked as sold out on their website, and now emails bounce back instead of simply going unanswered. I would live to plug this in and give it a real run, but the fret issues make simple chords in the first position unplayable. Someday, with help from the guitar whisperer, this will (hopefully) be a mean machine. #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #BohemainGuitars #Moonshine #BohoGuitars #BohoNation #OilCanGuitar

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 27, 2020 at 3:10pm PDT

Six Flags Batman Logo Guitar

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. @sixflags @batman logo guitar! I sadly, did not win this at @sixflagsovertexas (the TX address and "Made in China" is printed on the back) or any other Six Flags location. I won it dirt cheap on @ebay. I could not pass it up. I mean… it's a guitar, it's the classic Batman logo, and it's me. Right? I have written to Six Flags to get some information, maybe in which factory it was produced or if it's a brand we know just without a headstock logo. No answers there. I didn't try @dccomics yet. I doubt they would know. It says this on the back; SIX FLAGS, INC. GRAND PRAIRIE, TX 75050 MADE IN CHINA BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics. (s11) 11-04 Not sure if the s11 or 11-04 are model, serial, or date codes? This one needed some help, so of course I had @ironhead_guitar_works do the deed. He added the string tree (maybe the wrong name for the solid bar?) and a @seymourduncanpickups SH-6 pickup. Unfortunately the nut is super crooked, so it will never be perfect, but it is playable and I have gigged with it… usually whipping it out for the last song. Yes those are @drstrings neons (again). I should have this one on display all the time. #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #SixFlags #Batman #DCComics #BatLogo #BatmanLogo #SeymourDuncan #SH6 #drneonstrings

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 28, 2020 at 7:19pm PDT

SX Country 6-String Banjo (from Rondo Music)

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. @rondo_music Rondo Music SX Country 6-String Banjo. You can call it a #guitjo or #banjitar if you will. It's got a @remopercussion head too. This was another gift from @bcarroll_13. She supports my weird guitar habit. I was interested in this because I had been digging Flogging Molly, The Devil Makes Three, and music in that vein… but I had no interest (yet) in learning the alternate fingering for a traditional 5-string banjo with that weird short string. With this, I have learned that I am utterly useless at fingerpicking. I will keep trying though. This thing is a lot of fun. Maybe I'll get a pick that wraps around my thumb and those weird metal clip on rings? Also, it will never not be funny to play the riff from "Crazy Train" on this. Another setup by @ironhead_guitar_works because that bridge goes wherever it wants and Aaron is a guitar ninja. Shaman? Samurai? Kaiju? One of these days, I need an Agile. Rondo makes great stuff. #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #SX #SXCountry #6StringBanjo #Rondo #RondoMusic

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 29, 2020 at 4:21pm PDT

Fender Gemini IIE (G-IIE)

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. @fender Gemini IIE (or G-IIE) acoustic/electric. This was another gift from my parents when I was in jr. high or high school. I had taken a guitar class in school and this was a good practice-at-home guitar. The label inside said it was made in Korea. This guitar has been a staple/workhorse for many many years. It's my main "going to camp" guitar. I recorded (& wrote) some AiXeLsyD stuff on it. It has been my "that annoying guy with a guitar at the campfire/picnic/party" guitar. I learned to play and sing at the same time, to lead sing-alongs, and to entertain a crowd on this guitar at church camp from Rev. Jeff Welsh. I have it stringed with @ErnieBall Super Slinkys just to make purists cringe. I may switch to some bronze strings though? The pickups aren't the most fantastic, but it sounds great mic'd. It shows some wear on the fingerboard in the "cowboy chords" position. There are definitely scratches and cracks… but it's nowhere near as cool as Willie Nelson's Trigger (yet). This guitar feels like an extension of my hands because I have played it so much. #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #Fender #GeminiIIE #GIIE #AcousticElectric #ErnieBall

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on Apr 30, 2020 at 6:10pm PDT

Xaviere RTS 550D Rich Tonewood Series (from Guitar Fetish)

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Posting a guitar (or other stringed instrument) per day until I forget, work too long, or run out. Xaviere RTS 550D Rich Tonewood Series acoustic from @gfs_guitarfetish. This guitar is loud and bright. I love the look of this top that is not sanded smooth (except for the "pickguard" area and dyed black. It's got a great feel on the neck, and those tone markers are classy too. This is a really beautiful sounding dreadnought style axe for a crazy reasonable price. I even wrote to them after I received it to praise the quality and ask what kind of strings were on it. The answer? Olympia strings. They're bronze and they sound gorgeous. This axe hangs above the couch in the living room on an angled mount. When I feel the urge, it is right there ready to jam. #AiXeLsyD13 #AllMyAxes #Guitar #GuitarFetish #Xaviere #RTS550D #RichToneWoodSeries #OlympiaStrings

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on May 1, 2020 at 4:54pm PDT

 

OK.  Now post yours on your social media!  Tag me (@AiXeLsD13 on most everything).  Post them in the comments here.  Use #AllMyAxes or your own hashtag!

🎵🎶♩♪♫♬🎸♬♫♪♩🎶🎵

Want a bonus video of my daughter and me playing a short snippet-sized cover of the Ernie and the Berts classic “Everybody Poops?”  Of course you do!

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#EverybodyPoops honky-tonk style by Molly Carroll featuring Eric AiXeLsyD.

A post shared by Eric Carroll (@aixelsyd13) on May 2, 2020 at 10:32am PDT