The Guru, he is as one with the guitar wisdom of the gathered universe. "One what?" Eh? "I said one what?" Well, er, y'know, just 'one' — all seeing, all wise, all.. em .. sort of thingy. Anyway he knows an awful lot about weird old guitars, and he's prepared to answer any question you throw at him regarding the identity of such peculiar instruments. In print, or by personal reply. But, there are some rules.

Only the best and most interesting queries will be published, though everyone who writes in will receive details of their guitar's identity on a specially printed form, However, there are two things you MUST do to avail yourself of this service.

Thing One: A STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE. No SAE, no reply.
Thing Two: A DETAILED DESCRIPTION.

Make it as accurate and revealing as you can, and remember it's electrics only, no acoustic guitars. Supply a clear, colour pic if possible, or failing that, a sketch can be useful. You should write to: GUITAR GURU, Making Music, (Contact Details).

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First, a letter from Malta — nice to know that MM reaches the parts of the world that other music mags don't. "I own a Fender Telecaster Deluxe (USA), serial number 8806924," writes Mr D Vella of Paola, Malta, "with twin humbuckers, three-way toggle, Strat-type maple neck, black finish, two volume and two tone controls. I now wish to sell it as it's hardly the ultimate axe for heavy metal; I bought it for £425 in 1984, what's it worth now? And what else can you tell me about it?"

Well, D, this model isn't exactly a rare bird in the UK. I can understand your reasons for wanting to sell it, but I could think of worse guitars for heavy metal style playing — after all, it is humbucker-equipped. The Tele Deluxe appeared in 1973 as a strange amalgam of Telecaster, Stratocaster and Gibson features, the latter brand being very fashionable back then. Like so many guitars designed as everything-for-everyone, it ended up appealing to comparatively few. However, it continued in production until 1981 — the serial number indicates yours is a 1978 example. Its lack of appeal has been reflected in its value on the secondhand market, and over here they've never sold too well or too fast. However, the recent upsurge in interest and demand for any USA-made Fenders has helped push prices up even for the models and vintages previously regarded as beneath consideration, so yours is in with a chance now. Over here it should fetch around £275 — still not high, I'm afraid, but a definite improvement on previous values.

Carl Allen from Aintree, Merseyside tells me he has an SG-shaped Gibson electric. "It has one single coil pickup, 22 frets, a volume and tone, and serial number 634535. Can you tell me when it was made, which model it is, how much it cost when new and how much it would fetch now in excellent condition."

Congratulations, Carl, on owning what has to be one of the least desirable Gibson solids ever made. Yours was designated the SG100 and was produced between 1971 and 1975 (duplication of serial numbers during this period makes it hard to pinpoint the exact year). This series was an attempt at a downmarket SG, but Gibson's aim was too low and definitely off. The resulting instruments became classic lemons to Gibson aficionados. Original retail of your SG100 was £160, and current value is around £80.

I have a drawing of a guitar sent by Chris Collard of Chesterfield, Derbys, who wants details, date of manufacture and current value. And the guitar turns out to be a Hayman — yet another branch of the UK guitar making family tree that deserves more respect and attention. Your 1010 model is a 1973 example; by 1974 the humbucker-equipped version had appeared. Yours has the lighter-weight obeche body and the Shergold connections are unmistakable, as guitar maker Jack Golder was responsible for Hayman necks and bodies (he based his successful Shergold designs on the Hayman originals after the demise of that company in 1975). The 1010 retailed for £165 and current value is around £125. Not a sought after brand these days, I'm afraid, but I must admit to having a soft spot for Hayman.

Next, a letter from Germ of Taunton, Somerset. Germ, eh? Nothing catching, I hope? Anyway, proceed. "What are the guitar and bass Age Of Chance play?" he/she/it asks. "They're sort of triangular and have the world FLYTE on the lower right of the body. With every new bass and guitar on this planet being variations of an ugly and boring shape (yes, I've seen those Westones), I want to know who from and how much. Chill out!"

"Yet another creation from Jim Burns, loosely based on the shape of Concorde..."

Your graphic description tells me that the instruments in question are Burns UK Flyte models, made in this country between 1974 and 1977, and yet more creations from the ever-innovative guitar maker Jim Burns, these loosely based on the shape of the Concorde aircraft. Bodies and necks were made by Jack Golder (again), and original standard finish was silver, later options including natural, white and shaded finishes. Hardware included two 'Mach One Humbuster' pickups. Both guitar and bass retailed at £218 each, including case, and current value is around £95, examples being pretty common and not too popular. A good time to buy one, in fact, Germ.

A Taylor from London SE17 sends a picture of what he describes as "a three pickup semi-acoustic with a blue 'Made in Germany' sticker followed by the logo 'perl Gold ges gesch'. The tremolo puts the strings out of tune rapidly, it has no serial number and nothing on the headstock, and I paid £30 for it."

What an oddity, and you almost foxed me on this one. However, by virtue of some educated guesswork and the info provided I think I can come up with some answers. It certainly isn't West German — far too odd and clumsy, even for that lot. But styling and components indicate East German origin. In fact if it wasn't for the German sticker, I'd be inclined to think it came from Yugoslavia or even perhaps Czechoslovakia. It has all the hallmarks of such designs. I'd be very surprised if it was a legit mass production model — it probably came over via some foreign matelot who sold it in exchange for western capitalist goodies. That's why I love such odd oldies, they evoke these fantasies. It is quite old, too — I would say late 1960s, but its current value is about what it would have cost back then, around £45, as apart from you and most certainly me I can't think of anyone who'd really go for such a strange, ugly duckling.

Ken Street of St Albans, Herts, has a Chet Atkins Gretsch which he bought new in 1960. "Details are as follows," he tells me, "serial number 35940, semi solid (no f-holes), single cutaway, two pickups, Bigsby, shape similar to early Les Paul, tangerine, and cost me £220 in 1960. I've only seen one other identical example, and I believe it was the forerunner to a dual colour variation called the Firebird. Any info on my prized possession would be appreciated."

This is one of the less fashionable Gretsch models — but very desirable, in my opinion. Yours is the 6121 Chet Atkins Solid Body, 1960 vintage, and it was top of the Gretsch small body range. I can't describe it as solid, despite its title; while it's similar in style to the Gibson Les Paul, the body was semi-hollow and considerably lighter in weight. Other models in this range included the Duo Jet and Jet Firebird. Styling was revised in the early 1960s to a twin cutaway design, but the Chet Atkins solid body was discontinued at this time.

As you say, Ken, your Gretsch certainly isn't too common and thus commands a higher figure than most of this series which suffers in comparison to the poseability of its big bodied brethren (for details of which, see our Gretsch Guide in the June issue). Current value for such a 6121 is £500 plus, and it has to be my fave Chet Atkins Gretsch, providing THAT sound without the bulk — the ideal combination for this definite non-poseur.