Tom Verlaine mid 80's black Jazzmaster

[sal paradise]

Hi ...
Jimmy Rip here, I just noticed this thread. If anyone's interested in Tom's gear I had 42 years playing with him and would be glad to fill you in. The black Jazzmaster (which was actually a very subtle black sparkle) he always cited that one as his favorite, sadly it was stolen from a tour bus in Europe when Tom was a special guest playing in Patti Smith's band. There were probably 8 or 9 Jazzmasters throughout his life, when he passed last year he left me 2, an Olympic white '65 that he used extensively since the CBGB's days and a Sunburst '65. I also have his '65 Olympic white Jaguar ...
I really miss him.
Cheers to all
J.

Welcome Jimmy

Lots of fans of your playing & music on here. And most of us would love any detail you’d be willing to share on those Guitars, plus any interesting offsets you’ve used/owned over the years

[Pacafeliz]

Hi ...
Jimmy Rip here, I just noticed this thread. If anyone's interested in Tom's gear I had 42 years playing with him and would be glad to fill you in. The black Jazzmaster (which was actually a very subtle black sparkle) he always cited that one as his favorite, sadly it was stolen from a tour bus in Europe when Tom was a special guest playing in Patti Smith's band. There were probably 8 or 9 Jazzmasters throughout his life, when he passed last year he left me 2, an Olympic white '65 that he used extensively since the CBGB's days and a Sunburst '65. I also have his '65 Olympic white Jaguar ...
I really miss him.
Cheers to all
J.

Welcome and oh an honor to have you here.
Sure we'd like to see close up pics and have indepth info on those legendary guitars.
Do you have the Jaguar with the lipstick pickups?

[JamesSGBrown]

Always so cool when the guys themselves pop up on the board. I’m sure we’d like to hear anything and everything you have to say about your time playing with Tom, and the many other incredible experiences you’ve had, Jimmy!

[antisymmetric]

Yes, welcome aboard! A very sad loss for you (and felt by many of us too): viewtopic.php?f=13&t=124652 Your presence here would be much appreciated!

[s_mcsleazy]

Hi ...
Jimmy Rip here, I just noticed this thread. If anyone's interested in Tom's gear I had 42 years playing with him and would be glad to fill you in. The black Jazzmaster (which was actually a very subtle black sparkle) he always cited that one as his favorite, sadly it was stolen from a tour bus in Europe when Tom was a special guest playing in Patti Smith's band. There were probably 8 or 9 Jazzmasters throughout his life, when he passed last year he left me 2, an Olympic white '65 that he used extensively since the CBGB's days and a Sunburst '65. I also have his '65 Olympic white Jaguar ...
I really miss him.
Cheers to all
J.

welcome to the forum dude. i love hearing that those guitars are still in good hands, even if the black one isn't.

[oldbuco]

Thanks for the welcoming words.
The black sparkle JM (which definitely wasn't a refin ) was earlier '60's as I remember. The Jaguar with the lipstick tubes was stolen along with ALL our gear in '81 after the first show of the Dreamtime tour (my first show with Tom). There were also a couple of Jazzmaster backup guitars stolen in that caper.
In the black Jazzmaster video clip (btw, that's from a full production, one hour show broadcast on Spanish television ...) I'm playing a Roland 505 guitar synth (it WAS the 80's after all hahahah) Tom's records had all kinds of keyboard sounds in that period and he was into me trying to simulate 'em.
Tom's stage guitar since the 90's was a Frankenstein thing that Roger Sadowsky put together for him after the black Jazzmaster was robbed. It was an unfinished Sadowsky body (cut down, not a full sized Strat) vintage lipstick tubes, a bound 60's Jazzmaster neck and a volume pot that was scratchy for 30 years hahaha .... but that was Tom.
cheers
J.

[Pacafeliz]

Oh wow I'd never known you'd also been robbed. So those iconic guitars are all out there somewhere.

Anyway, we're always happy to know, hear and see more!

[antisymmetric]

I've been picking up those vinyl reissues of the last 3 TV solo albums as they're released. 2 out of 3 so far. Very special indeed. I know you weren't playing on the two instrumental albums of those three, but I also still spend some time with Music for Experimental Film, and I saw you guys play as Television in Auckland NZ in 2013 or so. Stellar stuff, man.

[tamerofbantha]

it's beyond cool to get to know these little facts from the time you spent with Tom. huge fan of your playing also.

heard you guys play on tour i guess it was in 2018 or 2019. it was about the closest thing i have ever had to a religious experience in my life.

hope you'll stay on the forum and tell us some more tales!

Thanks for the welcoming words.
The black sparkle JM (which definitely wasn't a refin ) was earlier '60's as I remember. The Jaguar with the lipstick tubes was stolen along with ALL our gear in '81 after the first show of the Dreamtime tour (my first show with Tom). There were also a couple of Jazzmaster backup guitars stolen in that caper.
In the black Jazzmaster video clip (btw, that's from a full production, one hour show broadcast on Spanish television ...) I'm playing a Roland 505 guitar synth (it WAS the 80's after all hahahah) Tom's records had all kinds of keyboard sounds in that period and he was into me trying to simulate 'em.
Tom's stage guitar since the 90's was a Frankenstein thing that Roger Sadowsky put together for him after the black Jazzmaster was robbed. It was an unfinished Sadowsky body (cut down, not a full sized Strat) vintage lipstick tubes, a bound 60's Jazzmaster neck and a volume pot that was scratchy for 30 years hahaha .... but that was Tom.
cheers
J.

[oldbuco]

Thanks for the kind words….
When Tom left last year it was up to Television’s sound man (and dear friend of Tom’s) and I to sort through and catalogs all he left … an apartment full of things packed floor to ceiling and five storage lockers (3 of them 10 X 20!) solid, wall to wall ! We opened every box and bag and entered all of it into spread sheets. It was a sad/funny and incredbly healing job. it took nine months but we were determined that it be done with care and a lot of respect. 50.000 books, 7000 vacuum tubes, 140 amps (mostly low watt, custom made and designed by Tom) 150 speakers , over 100 cabinets… and countless pedals , outboard and guitars… We are actively looking for a home for the tubes, most people want 4, we’d like to sell the 7000 in one go … That was my VERY offset 2023
cheers
J.

[construct09]

Thats fascinating Jimmy!

I,d love to know more about Toms amp designs.
Do you have any pics or can you share any details?

Thanks and nice to see you here!

[whitewatersky]

I'm sorry for your loss, Jimmy.

[antisymmetric]

Thats fascinating Jimmy!

I,d love to know more about Toms amp designs.
Do you have any pics or can you share any details?

Thanks and nice to see you here!

Same here- he was obviously paying a lot of attention to his sound, it would be great to know what he was going for with his choices and designs.

[whitewatersky]

Not a G&L, but dig Fred's bass !

from here: https://equipboard.com/pros/fred-smith

[construct09]

Thanks for the kind words….
When Tom left last year it was up to Television’s sound man (and dear friend of Tom’s) and I to sort through and catalogs all he left … an apartment full of things packed floor to ceiling and five storage lockers (3 of them 10 X 20!) solid, wall to wall ! We opened every box and bag and entered all of it into spread sheets. It was a sad/funny and incredbly healing job. it took nine months but we were determined that it be done with care and a lot of respect. 50.000 books, 7000 vacuum tubes, 140 amps (mostly low watt, custom made and designed by Tom) 150 speakers , over 100 cabinets… and countless pedals , outboard and guitars… We are actively looking for a home for the tubes, most people want 4, we’d like to sell the 7000 in one go … That was my VERY offset 2023
cheers
J.

Hi Jimmy, I'd love to hear more about Tom's amp designs if you can shed some light. THANKS!