Here's something you won't see on ebay very often
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/Steve-Cripe-Custom-Stratocaster-7-Jerry-Garcia_W0QQitemZ7354331001QQcategoryZ2384QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
Jonathan

Wow - a rare find! Looks like some of the Garcia and Kimock faithful are looking for the reserve. I love the ebony top.
 
Tom

I threw my hat into the ring, but I don't know how far I'll go.

Good luck Jonathan. I've heard Steve Kimock's Cripe, which is similar, and it sounds amazing. Of course, Kimock could play a plank with wires nailed on and make it sound good.
 
Tom

Jonathan, so you're veenie!  I've been watching this one since it was $2025.  I'm very interested but with more than 5 days to go it's a little early for me to throw my hat in the ring.  I suspect, however, that this will go for more than I'm willing to go.  It looks stunning and the question on the listing about the weight was mine.  This would be a good potential investment given the Jerry connection and the rarity.  On the other hand, I just can't justify paying as much or even more than I'm paying for my custom Further.  No matter how well it's made, it can't be any better than Alembic.  Then there's the question of the electronics.  Here the Cripe pales in comparison to the Further.  The electronics are fairly mundane.  Remember, Jerry had Gary Brawer completely redo the electronics on Bolt and Top Hat, the guitars Cripe made for Jerry.  It is a fine looking guitar, though.
 
Bill, tgo

Bill,
 
Veenie was my nickname in residency. I agree that this thing will probably go for much more than I'm willing to spend. My next Alembic is still in the drawing stages...hopefully to get going very soon... and I don't want to chew up much needed funds. But, I'll see what happens. This could be my first and final bid. I love my custom Resurrection Lightning Bolt, though it would be nice to own a Cripe original.
 
Jonathan

That is one pretty guitar.  I love the way the satin finish shows off the carving around the inside of the horns in front.

Looks like there is another one . . .
 
I guess the real question is, aside from limited production, why doesn't everyone own one at a mere $25,000.00?
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/CRIPE-Stephen-Steve-Electric-GUITAR-LIGHTNING-BOLT-Dead_W0QQitemZ7355936092QQcategoryZ2384QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I was outbid today. It's getting a little rich for my blood.  
 
The only thing I have to say about the next one for sale is...and award for the world's ugliest headstock goes to...
 
I would definitely want some documentation on this guitar. The body is like a morph between a Bolt and Tiger. For that kind of money, I'd expect one of Steve Cripe's more traditional looking Lightning Bolts. I wonder if this thing will sell?

Jonathan:
 
I stayed out of the bidding on the Cripe strat as you were the highest bidder for most of the auction.  Over $6500 is a lot for a pretty strat handmade by an essentially novice luthier.  Without the Jerry connection, this guitar doesn't get over $1500.  As for the second Cripe, $25,000 starting bid??!!!  HOLY CRIPES!  There's a similar guitar on eBay right now starting at one tenth that price.  Anybody ever heard of the builder?
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-Jerry-Garcia-Tribute-Guitar_W0QQitemZ7355965297QQcategoryZ2384QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
Bill, tgo
 
(Message edited by lbpesq on October 07, 2005)

Yeah Bill, I think that is an Olympic.  I think they are mostly known for basses or something though . . .

I never really paid attention before, but isn't it ironic that Cripe's logo is an exploding firecraker?  
 
Sean

Bill,
 
I have to agree and disagree. If the construction of one of Steven Cripe's guitars is anything like my Resurrection (which I assume it is), I'd have to say anywhere in the neighborhood of $5000 is fair. The craftsmanship definitely is there. Plus you get a lot standard on the Bolt that would be extra on an Alembic - bookmatched to center top, continuous wood backplates, bound fretboard, inlayed battery compartment cover etc...He may have been a novice, but he obviously was talented.  I can't imagine Jerry would have played one of his instruments otherwise.
 
However, to say that the second guitar is worth anywhere in the universe of $25,000 is insane. I could see a diehard Jerry fan paying maybe half that for a Cripe Lightning Bolt, but this guitar isn't even that. It's some hybrid that, in my opinion, is pretty ugly.  
 
Jonathan

I got this interesting e-mail from ebay regarding the Steven Cripe guitar that I was bidding on. Bill, as the site's reigning legal counsel, can you explain what this means?
 
The following listing:
 
7354331001 - Steve Cripe Custom Stratocaster #7 - Jerry Garcia
 
was removed because the intellectual property rights owner notified eBay that the listing potentially infringes its copyright, trademark or other rights. Due to this claim, and the fact that the feedback system is no longer available, we strongly urge you not to complete this transaction.

Got another interesting e-mail regarding the guitar, from the guy I think I was bidding against:
 
hey there..i am not bidding anymore because udemon wants to gift  
this instrument to steve kimock..if you wanted to verify that you  
could email him but it sure would be nice to see steve get this  
guitar.. aloha-j