1974 Veleno Aluminum

 

  • SOLD!

  • Year: 1974 (Circa)
  • Manufacturer: Veleno
  • Model: Aluminum
  • Case: Hard
  • Color: chrome plated aluminum
  • Condition: Very Good
  • Description: This is an original John Veleno all aluminum guitar ca. 1974, serial #96. John Veleno was an engineer and metal machinist who made his Veleno guitars in his spare time. Just over 200 of these guitars were built. It is an extremely unique instrument that was never available to a mass audience. Veleno guitars have been owned by Eric Clapton, Lou Reed, Greg Allman and Johnny Depp among others. The body is made of two pieces of chrome plated aluminum that come together in the center. The neck and fretboard are from a single piece of aluminum and are finished black. There are 22 nickel alloy frets that show some wear and dot inlays. There is a tail stop and six adjustable pole pieces. The unique V shaped 1/8" raised headstock features a single corundum ruby. Etched in the back of the headstock is: "Veleno Instrument Co. / 8122-15 Way N. Pat . Pend / St. Petersburg FLA 33702." The serial number is engraved in the top of the body near the neck joint. The tuners are likely Schallers and say "Made in Germany." There is a three way selector switch, a mini toggle for coil tapping, a mini toggle for reverse phase, two volume and two tone controls. The tap switch and tone controls have been disconnected. The mini reverse phase switch has been broken off. Veleno used different pickups from various manufacturers. The Gretsch humbucker neck pickup appears to be all original. The bridge pickup looks like it was replaced with a Gibson humbucker as there a couple of extra holes in the pickup cover. There is one missing screw on back neck joint. The aluminum Veleno body is in excellent shape. The action is low but there is no buzz and it plays amazingly well and has a nice sharp guitar sound. It will ship in a hardshell case that is not original. Additional photos are available upon request to serious buyers.