FlatEric Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 (edited) Looking for anyone out there who may have any info. Reeve Guitars. Some years ago, there was a guitar and bass maker, called Reeve, who were based in the Luton area. This was my first one: This is the second one: I have tracked down several other owners but would like to know more about Reeve. The company folded many years ago, as one of the brothers passed away. Anyone out there know of them, seen one/played one. . . . . Got One?? I put this out a few years ago - I am hoping that someone new has come along that may be able to help with some more info. More details and pics, here: [url="http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.co.uk/"]http://flatericbassa...blogspot.co.uk/[/url] Fingers crossed - Hope to hear from anyone with anything they can add. Cheers. Edited May 2, 2015 by FlatEric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 I remember them. They were very well known in the Luton music scene back in the 80's and had a workshop next to their house on Gooseberry Hill. Their attention to detail was truly astounding for the time and, as a fresh faced teen, owning a Reeve was high up on my list of 'must haves'. Sadly that never happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatEric Posted May 1, 2015 Author Share Posted May 1, 2015 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1430483171' post='2761868'] I remember them. They were very well known in the Luton music scene back in the 80's and had a workshop next to their house on Gooseberry Hill. Their attention to detail was truly astounding for the time and, as a fresh faced teen, owning a Reeve was high up on my list of 'must haves'. Sadly that never happened. [/quote] Brilliant. Just what I am looking for. Did you used to live in the Luton area? Anything else you can tell me at all, would be much appreciated. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Blimey, it was a long time ago but I lived in Luton back in the 80's. I worked in a music shop for while back then and can remember a Greek guy (Dimetrious?) who did some work with Santana having a Reeve guitar made. It was a Les Paul type body with the rounded top carved into a decorative swirl, all inlaid with mother of pearl, and the fretboard having a snake inlaid into it. It took about 4 months to make and, back then, cost somewhere in the region of £2000. To put that into proportion, a brand new Fender PB was about £800 back then. He used to use a Studiomaster combo, designed by John Gittins and manufactured in Chaul End (on the outskirts of Luton). I'd never seen or heard anything like that pairing and haven't since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatEric Posted May 2, 2015 Author Share Posted May 2, 2015 Thanks for your input. You are right about the attention to detail - if you did follow the link I put up, you can see the allen key that screws out of the body - The string retainer and bridge, seem to be custom made for this bass. The pick-ups (don't know what they are yet) have got custom wooden covers. My next step is to get it all sorted ansd running again - as it says in the blog, it is exactly how I received it, I have done nothing to it. Will keep you posted. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 [quote name='FlatEric' timestamp='1430547965' post='2762436'] You are right about the attention to detail - if you did follow the link I put up, you can see the allen key that screws out of the body - The string retainer and bridge, seem to be custom made for this bass. The pick-ups (don't know what they are yet) have got custom wooden covers. [/quote] Digging into the back of my memory, and taking into account that you're talking to a man who can't remember what he had for dinner last night... I think the 'default' pickups on Reeves were DiMarzios. The choice of hardware back in the 80s was very limited compared to today, and there was no internet to track down awkward items, so a lot of it was produced 'in house'. The name 'Jez Reeves' keeps coming to mind, but there's no easy way of checking that as he died long before the internet got popular. A lot of the electronic parts would have come from Hobbs Components on King Street, but they've gone since the owner, Tom McDougal, died about 15 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlatEric Posted December 2, 2016 Author Share Posted December 2, 2016 For anyone who was following this, the bass is now finished. See Here: [url="http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.co.uk/"]http://flatericbassandguitar.blogspot.co.uk/[/url] Anyone else got a Reeve, Seen one, played one - would love to here from you. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 Your blog's always a great read FlatEric The patchwork Reeve guitar is a belter,the 2 headless basses are no slouches either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted December 2, 2016 Share Posted December 2, 2016 Nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alistair McCaig Posted October 21, 2020 Share Posted October 21, 2020 I had a Reeve headless, straight thru neck, fretless bass. Ebony fingerboard, brass percussive plate for slapping on. Totally unique sound. Would love it back. Had to sell to go on tour. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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