Guitar
More about Reeve - A Cottage industry in Bedfordshire!
Val Reeve with a Bass & Guitar Twin Neck.
Val is helping me out with the story of Reeve, which relies
on her detailing the story and finding old photos to scan.
So, after sever emails, we are off and running again.
Over to you Val!
Off we go ...... Back to the eighties which, for Reeve Guitars,
was a time of excitement and promise.
In 1983, we were mentioned by a mutual acquaintance to
Pete Tulett who at that time was Managing Director of
Musicians Direct Supply Co producing the Alligator P.A.
Pete was interested in bringing out an Alligator Guitar and
Bass to celebrate the company's first anniversary.
He came to meet Ges and Mick and decided that these two
were more than capable of producing exactly what he wanted.
Pete designed the shape, colours (green) and timbers while a
guitarist and bassist helped out on the more technical aspects.
These instruments would appear as a limited edition (6 guitars
and 6 basses) to begin with.
Each instrument had First Anniversary engraved on the neck
plate and of course 'Alligator' on the headstock.
It was never revealed who had produced these instruments,
only that they were British made.
Ges was a bit 'miffed' at this and each instrument carried a
well-concealed 'Manufactured by Reeve Guitars' engraved plate.
I think over the years, it did leak out.
Obviously the instruments were checked regularly by Pete and
his colleagues to make sure all was proceeding to plan.
Pete had called us 'a cottage industry' and I guess we probably were.
But this 'cottage industry' could produce the finest instruments and
also provide a strong cup of tea!!!!
During this time, Ges had to rent the use of a Carpentry Shop
(at Dunstable) for a couple of days a week because obviously
this offered a range of facilities our workshop did not have.
How I ever found time to go to work I do not know.
I worked in a school and the Headmaster was well into our
guitar-making.
Several times, he waved me off saying ' Off you go, go and do
what you have to!!' Imagine that happened now!!!
The instruments were very positively reviewed in the
International Musician and Recording World (Nov 1983),
Music UK (Dec 83) and Guitarist (June 84).
But after a triumphant debut, the Alligators seemed to
gradually peter out.
Part II of this episode next week.
Anyone out there got an Alligator Bass or Guitar??
[email protected]
- Reeve - Brian May Red Special. . . .
More Reeve! Bit of a delay - still got lots going on. Val sent me another picture she had found, showing that the Brian May Red Special I posted up, was inded a Reeve, made for Adrian - who Val remebers very well but has lost touch with him. Feast your...
- Val Reeve Continues. . . . .
Val continues with the Reeve Story. "Hi Eric Hope you have had a good week. Anyway, on with the story. During this period Ges just could not cope with working full time and the amount of guitar work coming in so he ...
- Reeve Guitars And Basses. . . . .
When I bought my first Reeve, I never thought I would end up getting the whole story. After much research and putting out requets, my call was finally answered. Many thanks to Andy Gilbert, who slotted in the missing piece of the jigsaw!!...
- Reeve - Other Owner.
I've just received this comment and thought it worthy of posting up. "Hi Flat Eric, Some info on Reeve guitars - bear with me it's a bit of a yarn! First, I bought a Mex Tele (I'm a 6 stringer by the way) that needed a set up. ...
- Peavey T-40 And T-60 Users And Literature. .
Peavey were keen to let it be known that their guitars were being used by major artists, at the time - perhaps the most famous, was Ross Valory of the band, Journey. There was also Leon Medica of Le Roux and Banner Thomas from Molly...
Guitar
The Reeve Guitar Story
More about Reeve - A Cottage industry in Bedfordshire!
Val is helping me out with the story of Reeve, which relies
on her detailing the story and finding old photos to scan.
So, after sever emails, we are off and running again.
Over to you Val!
Off we go ...... Back to the eighties which, for Reeve Guitars,
was a time of excitement and promise.
In 1983, we were mentioned by a mutual acquaintance to
Pete Tulett who at that time was Managing Director of
Musicians Direct Supply Co producing the Alligator P.A.
Pete was interested in bringing out an Alligator Guitar and
Bass to celebrate the company's first anniversary.
He came to meet Ges and Mick and decided that these two
were more than capable of producing exactly what he wanted.
Pete designed the shape, colours (green) and timbers while a
guitarist and bassist helped out on the more technical aspects.
These instruments would appear as a limited edition (6 guitars
and 6 basses) to begin with.
Each instrument had First Anniversary engraved on the neck
plate and of course 'Alligator' on the headstock.
It was never revealed who had produced these instruments,
only that they were British made.
Ges was a bit 'miffed' at this and each instrument carried a
well-concealed 'Manufactured by Reeve Guitars' engraved plate.
I think over the years, it did leak out.
Obviously the instruments were checked regularly by Pete and
his colleagues to make sure all was proceeding to plan.
Pete had called us 'a cottage industry' and I guess we probably were.
But this 'cottage industry' could produce the finest instruments and
also provide a strong cup of tea!!!!
During this time, Ges had to rent the use of a Carpentry Shop
(at Dunstable) for a couple of days a week because obviously
this offered a range of facilities our workshop did not have.
How I ever found time to go to work I do not know.
I worked in a school and the Headmaster was well into our
guitar-making.
Several times, he waved me off saying ' Off you go, go and do
what you have to!!' Imagine that happened now!!!
The instruments were very positively reviewed in the
International Musician and Recording World (Nov 1983),
Music UK (Dec 83) and Guitarist (June 84).
But after a triumphant debut, the Alligators seemed to
gradually peter out.
Part II of this episode next week.
Anyone out there got an Alligator Bass or Guitar??
[email protected]
- Reeve - Brian May Red Special. . . .
More Reeve! Bit of a delay - still got lots going on. Val sent me another picture she had found, showing that the Brian May Red Special I posted up, was inded a Reeve, made for Adrian - who Val remebers very well but has lost touch with him. Feast your...
- Val Reeve Continues. . . . .
Val continues with the Reeve Story. "Hi Eric Hope you have had a good week. Anyway, on with the story. During this period Ges just could not cope with working full time and the amount of guitar work coming in so he ...
- Reeve Guitars And Basses. . . . .
When I bought my first Reeve, I never thought I would end up getting the whole story. After much research and putting out requets, my call was finally answered. Many thanks to Andy Gilbert, who slotted in the missing piece of the jigsaw!!...
- Reeve - Other Owner.
I've just received this comment and thought it worthy of posting up. "Hi Flat Eric, Some info on Reeve guitars - bear with me it's a bit of a yarn! First, I bought a Mex Tele (I'm a 6 stringer by the way) that needed a set up. ...
- Peavey T-40 And T-60 Users And Literature. .
Peavey were keen to let it be known that their guitars were being used by major artists, at the time - perhaps the most famous, was Ross Valory of the band, Journey. There was also Leon Medica of Le Roux and Banner Thomas from Molly...