Stratosphere Twin

NickS · Post by **NickS** » Tue Aug 11, 2015 2:55 pm

Someone in UK is selling a Stratosphere Twin on T'Bay - never seen one before.

Interesting pickups.

Post by **Doog** » Tue Aug 11, 2015 3:24 pm

Man, the single version is even more bonkers:

I think I find the double version SOMEHOW more pretty; a phrase I never thought I'd type.

George · Post by **George** » Tue Aug 11, 2015 3:31 pm

dig the style but looks like it'd play like total arse

Fakir Mustache · Post by **Fakir Mustache** » Tue Aug 11, 2015 5:30 pm

Doog wrote:Man, the single version is even more bonkers:

I think I find the double version SOMEHOW more pretty; a phrase I never thought I'd type.

I think that bridge and bridge pickup are not original.

Zack · Post by **Zack** » Tue Aug 11, 2015 5:46 pm

George wrote:dig the style but looks like it'd play like total arse

Yea but judging from the pictures of the back on the double neck there's at least some room to access the upper frets.

I like the sandwiched stripe on the body, that being said, the design is still a bit too bizarro for me.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 12:11 am

Looks like Paul Bigsby's back-scratcher prototype.

ultratwin · Post by **ultratwin** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 3:33 am

Yeah, the Paul Bigsby oddballs came to mind, and then everything that probably inspired Michael Spalt to use his resin skillz to make funky collage guitars.

Fakir Mustache · Post by **Fakir Mustache** » Wed Aug 12, 2015 5:34 am

I was thinking more O.W. Appleton.

Here is the solid body single cutaway from 1941 (bottom):
http://www.owappleton.com/pictures.html

1950s aluminum neck:
http://www.owappleton.com/APP2.html

1968 24 fret weird shape, some black hardware (I think doesn't pre-date the Hallmark Swept Wing, but still cool):
http://www.owappleton.com/OtherInventions.html

Fakir Mustache · Post by **Fakir Mustache** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 9:58 am

The Stratosphere here looks like it was doubleneck that was modified to be a regular single neck guitar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ViMLut3Jkc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-yRZEu0fZ8

(that channel does not allow embedding)

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Mon Apr 10, 2017 3:19 pm

paul_ wrote:Looks like Paul Bigsby's back-scratcher prototype.

lolz

jcyphe · Post by **jcyphe** » Mon Apr 10, 2017 3:26 pm

Also to any fans of Bigsby guitars or C&W themed guitar stuff checkout TK Smith.

He makes pickups, pickguards, inlay work, and Bigsby inspired and original guitars and mandolins.

Rock-Ola · Post by **Rock-Ola** » Mon May 17, 2021 9:29 pm

I am interested in this blond Stratosphere Twin.
Can anyone help me track it down for a commission if I am able to purchase it?
Thanks
Chris Yent
941-330-7041
Spectravox@aol.com

Post by **dots** » Tue May 18, 2021 4:09 am

Welcome to the forum! Into some blues? Might be tough to find this particular guitar given the age of this thread. Have you hit up the seller in the eBay link of the original post?

Rock-Ola · Post by **Rock-Ola** » Tue May 18, 2021 5:15 am

Never had Ebay sellers ID unfortunately!
Guitar was in a book, but fellow given credit for photo unavailable according to his friend, or would have an in.

Let me see if Ebay can give me some help!

Thanks for your help!