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The "Jimmy Fey" 1964 ES-345

Steve Craw

Formerly Lefty Elmo
Joined
Sep 9, 2004
Messages
5,295
Some of you may remember, three years ago I bought a one-off, lefty ES-345 from 1964. The original owner was Jimmy Fey from Belleville IL, who ordered it built with his name inlaid into the fingerboard. That name led to a plethora of info about Jimmy, his bands, The Unknowns, later renamed Spur. The trail lead to the two surviving bandmates, both in their seventies, who recalled some great stories from the days when their band opened for some of the biggest acts of all time. Cream, The Byrds, The Youngbloods, The Greatful Dead, Bob Seger, Steve Miller and Vanilla Fudge to name a few. Recently, I was able to make contact with one of Jimmy's daughters, who provided more pics and stories. I thought it might be fun to share some of this stuff here.

Jimmy Fey, top left at 14, in his first band, "The Four Jays". Check out the kid with a 1952 Les Paul, lower right. Pic is from 1956.
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Steve Craw

Formerly Lefty Elmo
Joined
Sep 9, 2004
Messages
5,295
The above pic shows the guitar with a Maestro tailpiece, where the previous ones show a Bigsby.

The guitar today. The fingerboard was removed before it hit the market and sold to me. Rick Willard, who played bass in the band had a few albums left that three of them had signed.


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Steve Craw

Formerly Lefty Elmo
Joined
Sep 9, 2004
Messages
5,295
thanks JB, you got me started in the right direction, without your skills I wouldn't have gotten where I did on this journey. And I must also say, "The Dude abides"
 

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,276
thanks JB, you got me started in the right direction, without your skills I wouldn't have gotten where I did on this journey. And I must also say, "The Dude abides"

No worries, Steve. Thanks. I am making do -- that is, abiding -- with this new model 345. Still no vintage but plenty of good Gibsons here, many to choose from.

Did you play that new R4 at the HoG?

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Steve Craw

Formerly Lefty Elmo
Joined
Sep 9, 2004
Messages
5,295
I did try the R4 at the HOG. Really nice!! I like the R7 that they have even more! But the R4 has a bridge pickup that will give you "stank face" it's so wicked!
 

Steve Craw

Formerly Lefty Elmo
Joined
Sep 9, 2004
Messages
5,295
This may be the last picture of Jimmy Fey playing. Taken 18 months before he died, THIS is the Telecaster he sent to Parson/White for a B Bender after his band opened for the Byrds. It's MIA, I doubt whoever has is knows why it's so special.jimmy fey  2017.jpg
 

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,276
@Steve Craw

Check this one out, 9 lbs...

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Lefty '65 ES-355 TDC [not my listing, not affiliated, just FYI]
 

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,276
Just came around here again because it's 1964 night here at the JB ranch...

and we luv-uz-sum southpaw electric Spanish!

🍑
 
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