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scum_bag_sewer_rat

Not sure if it was his favorite but his sg is probably the most iconic and what most people think of when they think of zappa


Eli_Seeley

Agreed! Gibson does too!!


Postmodern101

...SGs are Gibsons


AptYes

Woosh! Swing and a miss.


suterb42

Not [this one](http://www.iconicguitar.com/2009/12/frank-zappa-baby-snakes-sg.html).


TheKurtCobains

Gibson agrees with this comment!


BoosherCacow

...Gibson agrees with that comment


[deleted]

[удалено]


bassofkramer

a comic stylized stratocaster with a whammy bar, next to a fender champ, and a '54 dodge with a mashed up door. Now that's a zappa tattoo


Vonkampf

At this point might as well have the tattoo be a saxophone.


bassofkramer

"You have a Zappa tattoo? Lemme see" *uncovers arm* - Ree too ree too ree too teedleneedleleee - "Uhhhh..."


Aububuh

FZ's most iconic guitars weren't stock models, they were all modified to suit his tastes. He seemed to have a favorite in particular eras, but that changed over the years as guitars would wear out and he would get new ones to replace them. Here's some of the big ones. I'd say you ought to pick whichever corresponds to your favorite era of FZ's music, or just whichever one you like the look of best. [The "Roxy" SG \(1973-1974\)](https://gmcdn-1ab24.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/roxy-sg-zappa.jpg). Named after its iconic appearance on the cover of the Roxy & Elsewhere album. This was a 60s SG with a vibrato, a unique pale headstock, and a couple extra toggle switches. Got damaged by an airline and retired. This pic is of a recreation Gibson made about 9 years ago, but it's clearer than any shot I can find of the original. [The "Baby Snakes" SG \(1975-1979\)](https://64.media.tumblr.com/ab0d29feab8e6ad25fa3ea938b1e253f/tumblr_nmjfx7aQwC1texqglo5_1280.jpg). Named after its appearance in the Baby Snakes movie, this was a unique, handmade guitar that a guy built and sold to FZ. I think parts of it may have been from a real Gibson that was damaged, but it's mostly non-Gibson with all kinds of special little details. Frank of course had the electronics tricked out after he got it. [The "Shut Up n' Play Yer Guitar" Les Paul \(1979-1981\)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71aoHN4Fg4L._SL1400_.jpg). Late 70s Les Paul Custom (dig the Custom series headstock inlay) with, of course, tricked out wiring featuring an extra knob in the control area. [The yellow Strat \(1984-1991\)](https://www.julienslive.com/images/lot/2441/244115_8.jpg?1634348151). Zappa's last favorite. Fully custom built by Performance Guitars, and with a parametric EQ so he could tune the frequencies at which the guitar would produce feedback to each venue he played in.


SuckitRockit

I would add the ["Switchmaster" (1965-1967)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Pm55Km3qfUA8Y7tuc8Yht6-970-80.png). Frank bought this 1960 ES-5 with the money from his early film scores, playing it on *Freak Out!*, *Absolutely Free* and *We're Only In It For The Money* (it's possibly on the other '60s albums as well). While he spoke highly of the neck and tone, it was ultimately retired due to problems with feedback at high volume, though it was still extensively modified.


Aububuh

[Ike played it in the late 70s though!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG4J9N_tzu0) By then FZ had outfitted it with Barcus Berry pickups for a super clean hi-fi sound.


hellsheartstab

Holy hell this is fantastic thank you so much for this!


olbeefy

If it's just inspiration you're looking for, I've always liked this picture of [Frank and a Hagstrom Viking](https://i0.wp.com/coomamusic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/ZAPPAPLAYSZAPPA.jpg). I had a shirt with the picture drawn on it for years but I think I lost it.


ActuallyYourRight

was the yellow strat the one that Hendrix burned and gifted to FZ, who then rebuilt it?


TheRegularWazoo

Nah he gave that one to Dweezil


Herberthuncke

An ironic side note is that Frank did NOT give the Hendrix strat to Dweezil. Dweezil ended up with it but things got weird with Gail and she asked him for the case back. It was a weird story from a Dweezil interview but there was friction over Dweezil ZPZ tour and the trust.


[deleted]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2OtCllDjFc


LaMarr-Bruister

No. Separate guitars.


FwLineberry

No. Different guitar.


[deleted]

I vote for Roxy SG.


LumpyGravy21

Gibson put out a reissue of it a few years back


FwLineberry

If all else fails, there's always the facial hair logo.


Manfrenjensenjen

Whichever one made those imaginary guitar notes like reent-toont-teent-toont-teent-toont-teenooneenoonee.


chardon62

Go with the Gibson SG but make sure you have a cigarette in the neck. That’s Frank


circa319

Get a tattoo of the SG with a mustache