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Electric · Prototype / King's X

1991 Zion Ty Tabor Prototype #1

1991 Zion Ty Tabor Prototype #1 — body front, metallic red alder, white pickguard, Fender Elite SSS, gold trem

About this instrument

This 1991 Zion guitar, hand built by Ken Hoover, was the first of two prototype guitars made for Ty Tabor of the band King's X. Ty owned this guitar for just a brief time before giving it back to Zion for modifications.

One of the crucial elements in creating Ty's excellent, distinct tone heard on the first 4 King's X albums was the Fender Strat Elite electronics. Ken Hoover & Eric Earnest used the Strat Elite pickups & pre-amp from one of Ty's Strats used on the Faith Hope Love tour to outfit this guitar. A 2 piece, lightweight Alder body was selected and painted metallic red.

The neck is highly figured Birdseye Maple with phenolic material for the fretboard that appears to be painted gloss black. It also features Sperzel Tuners. I so loved the feel of this phenolic fretboard that I had my custom Gus G1 built with a similar feel with glossy chromed carbon fiber.

Ken made a second prototype for Ty that he liked much better and Eric Earnest came into possession of prototype 1. Prototype #2 was later stolen and never recovered.

Eric sold this guitar to me in 2002. It nails Ty's tone dead on and is a great playing guitar. This guitar has focus like no other and has the most incredible vocal tones. It is one of the most "musical" guitars I have ever experienced. And unlike the Fender Stratocaster Elite, it weighs only about 7 lbs. That is at least 5 lbs lighter.

Specs

  • Body2-piece alder, metallic red
  • NeckHighly figured birdseye maple
  • FretboardPainted phenolic (gloss black)
  • TunersSperzel locking
  • BridgeMann tremolo
  • Pickups / electronicsFender Strat Elite pickups & preamp (from Ty's Faith Hope Love tour Strat)
  • Weight~7 lbs
  • Build materials & quality9.5
  • Sound9.5
  • Playability9.5
  • Appearance9
  • Overall design9.5

Personal instrument — not for sale.