1979 Zemaitis Metal-Front

A super early 1979 Zemaitis formerly owned by legendary producer Jerry Finn. This highly-collectible piece of rock history plays great with a super slim neck that's a breeze to navigate. Like most Zemaitis guitars the pickups have been upgraded to a set of fantastic-sounding humbuckers for classic LP-esque tones. In great condition with moderate dings and a vibey patina. If you know, you know. Includes Gibson hardshell case.
 

Check out the feature from our luthier Tyler in the ECG Newsletter:

"I must confess, the guitars of the late Tony Zemaitis have recently been growing on me, which is quite surprising. It's akin to gradually accepting your sister's boyfriend, who happens to be a drug dealer, after several months. Perhaps begrudging acceptance would be an appropriate term. Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly support the sleazy charm emanating from this instrument. It was constructed in 1979, just before the company shifted its aesthetic towards aggressive pearl mosaics and excessive fleurs de lis. While this metal top possesses tasteful gunstock engraving, it is far from the gaudiness reminiscent of Ed Hardy that would soon gain popularity in the market.

Originally, the metal top was designed to minimize hum as much as possible. Although this solution had limited success, once validated by influential players like Ronnie Wood and Eric Clapton, the demand for Tony's guitars skyrocketed. He effectively ran a custom shop long before companies like Fender and Gibson monopolized the term. His output was notoriously limited, resulting in an ever-expanding waiting list from the early 70s until his death in 2002. Rarely do these early models become available for sale. Once they are snatched up, they tend to remain in collections for a lifetime. When you hold one in your hands, the reason behind the obsession becomes abundantly clear. It is not just an instrument; it is a piece of folk art, representing a bold leap in the evolution of the electric guitar by small-shop luthiers and embodying a significant part of rock history."