The Cliff
Govier Collection
Instruments from the Estate
of Cliff Govier
Guitarist and A/V professional Cliff Govier managed to amass a formidable collection of instruments, recording equipment and sound reinforcement gear over the course of 30 years, earning him the well-deserved title of "The Toymaster". He was very determined to have 20 instruments in his collection by the time he reached 40 years of age in June 1999, sparking his slogan "20 by 40". Suffice it to say, he exceeded his target. The following page documents his guitar collection, providing some insight into each instrument.
Click on guitar images for additional views
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MFR: | Fender | Price: | SOLD |
| Model: | Hellecaster | Finish: | Black/gold sparkle | |
| Year: | 1998 | Condition: | Mint | |
| Serial # | 0341 | Name: | John | |
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Description: John Jorgenson model, rosewood neck, 3 p/u's, whammy bar, SBK HSC. www.edromanguitars.com/guitar/fender/hellecaster_fen.htm |
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Comments: Cliff really enjoyed the band The Hellecasters. So much so that he purchased a number of Hellecaster signature instruments issued by Fender. Part of the "20 by 40" push, this instrument saw little, if any, use and never left Cliff's house. |
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MFR: | Fender | Price: | SOLD |
| Model: | Stratocaster | Finish: | Blue wood grain | |
| Year: | 1998 | Condition: | Mint | |
| Serial # | 0343 | Name: | Jerry | |
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Description: Jerry Donahue model, maple neck, 3 p/u's, whammy bar, SBK HSC |
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Comments: Another Hellecasters signature model and part of the "20 by 40" push. This instrument saw little, if any, use and never left Cliff's house. |
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MFR: | Fender | Price | SOLD |
| Model: | Jazz-A-Caster | Finish: | Gold Sparkle | |
| Year: | 1998 | Condition: | Mint | |
| Serial # | 0243 | Name: | Will | |
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Description: Will Ray Model, rosewood neck, 2 Jazzmaster p/u's, B-bender, SBK HSC. www.fenderforum.com/forum.html?db=&topic_number=405854 |
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Comments: And another Hellecasters signature model and part of the "20 by 40" push. This instrument saw little, if any, use and never left Cliff's house. |
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MFR: | G&L | Price: | SOLD |
| Model: | ASAT John Jorgensen | Finish: | Silver Sparkle | |
| Year: | 1995 | Condition: | Mint | |
| Serial # | GO43802 | Name: | Silver | |
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Description: rosewood neck, OHSC. http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/AUTOREG/HISTRY |
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Comments: A G&L produced "Hellecasters" signature model. This instrument saw little, if any, use and never left Cliff's house. |
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MFR: | G&L | Price: | SOLD |
| Model: | ASAT Z-3 | Finish: | Red Sparkle | |
| Year: | 1999 | Condition: | Mint | |
| Serial # | CLF20381 | Name: | Red | |
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Description: rosewood neck, 3 p/u's, whammy bar, OHSC. www.guitarsbyleo.com |
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Comments: Maybe a Hellecasters model? This instrument saw little, if any, use and never left Cliff's house. |
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MFR: | G&L | Price: | SOLD |
| Model: | ASAT Classic | Finish: | Red/Yellow Sunburst | |
| Year: | 1994 | Condition: | Mint | |
| Serial # | GO40861 | Name: | Burst | |
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Description: rosewood neck, OHSC, www.guitarsbyleo.com |
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Comments: Part of the "20 by 40" push. This instrument saw virtually no use and probably never left Cliff's house. |
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MFR: | G&L | Price: | SOLD |
| Model: | ASAT Classic Semi-Hollow | Finish: | Orange | |
| Year: | 1997 | Condition: | Mint | |
| Serial # | CL02916 | Name: | Orange | |
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Description: semi-hollow, rosewood neck. www.guitarsbyleo.com |
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Comments: Part of the "20 by 40" push. This instrument saw virtually no use and probably never left Cliff's house. |
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MFR: | Hamer | Price: | SOLD |
| Model: | Studio Custom | Finish: | Orange Sunburst | |
| Year: | 1996 | Condition: | Mint | |
| Serial # | 646493 | Name: | Burst | |
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Description: 2 humbucking p/u's, rosewood neck, dual cutaway, OHSC. www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=detail&mid=392&sid=180 |
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Comments: Part of the "20 by 40" push. This instrument saw virtually no use and probably never left Cliff's house. |
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MFR: | Hamer | Price: | SOLD |
| Model: | Studio P-90 | Finish: | Gold metallic | |
| Year: | 1996 | Condition: | Mint | |
| Serial # | 646416 | Name: | GoldTop | |
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Description: 2 Seymour Duncan P-90 p/u's, mahogany body, arched top, rosewood neck, dual cutaway, OHSC. www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=detail&mid=391&sid=180 |
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Comments: Part of the "20 by 40" push. This instrument saw virtually no use and probably never left Cliff's house. |
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MFR: | Gibson | Price: | SOLD |
| Model: | Firebird V | Finish: | Red | |
| Year: | mid '90's | Condition: | Mint | |
| Serial # | 92892730 | Name: | Salvation | |
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Description: 2 p/u reissue, reverse headstock, OHSC. www.gibson.com/products/gibson/xfactor/FirebirdV.html |
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Comments: Unfortunately, Cliff took the reason he named this instrument "Salvation" with him. This instrument saw little, if any, use and never left Cliff's house. |
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MFR: | Parker | Price: | SOLD |
| Model: | Midi Fly | Finish: | 2-tone red burst | |
| Year: | 2000 | Condition: | Mint | |
| Serial # | 129110 | Name: | Nosy | |
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Description: White Pearloid pickguard, Hardwood body and solid wood neck encapsulated in glass/carbon fibers, Composite finger board, 22 Stainless-steel frets, Brushed Chrome Sperzel® locking tuners, DiMarzio® custom magnetic p/u's: 2 single-coils & 1 humbucker, Fishman® active piezo p/u system, Built-in Midi-Axe digital guitar to MIDI converter system, Cast aluminum vibrato bridge with stainless-steel saddles, Stereo output jack with "Smart Switching", MIDI IN/OUT connectors, magnetic p/u volume & tone controls, 5-position magnetic pickup selector, Pickup selector (magnetic/both/piezo), Piezo volume control, MIDI/Synth volume control, MIDI mode switch, MIDI octave (transpose) switch. www.parkerguitars.com |
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Comments: This instrument saw little, if any, use and never left Cliff's house. It may be the last guitar he purchased. |
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MFR: | Chapman Industries | Price: | SOLD |
| Model: | The Stick | Finish: | dark natural wood | |
| Year: | mid 80's | Condition: | Excellent | |
| Serial # | Name: | The Stick | ||
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Description: 10 string model, OHSC |
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Comments: He never did learn how to play this thing... |
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The following instruments will remain in the permanent 'Cliff Govier Collection', held by the family, as they represent Cliff's 'working gear':
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MFR: | Gibson | Price: | Not For Sale |
| Model: | Melody Maker | Finish: | tobacco burst | |
| Year: | 1962 | Condition: | Very Good | |
| Serial # | 646493 | Name: | Bee's Toy | |
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Description: single p/u, dual cutaway, Schaller tuners, HSC |
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Comments: Cliff's first guitar, purchased from We Buy Guitars on 48th Street around 1973. The name "Bee's Toy" refers to Cliff's good friend Arnie (street tag 'Super Bee 57'), who loved to play this guitar. |
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MFR: | Gibson | Price: | Not For Sale |
| Model: | Les Paul Special | Finish: | Natural mahogany | |
| Year: | 1955 | Condition: | VG | |
| Serial # | n/s/n | Name: | 'Barley' | |
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Description: 'TV Model' w/ no finish, 2 P-90 p/u's, Schaller tuners, virtually identical to Bob Marley's, Gibson HSC (non-original) |
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Comments: This was Cliff's 3rd guitar, purchased around 1975 from some neighborhood guys who had no idea what this guitar was or what it was worth. The name is a contraction of 'Bob Marley'. |
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MFR: | Gibson | Price: | Not for Sale |
| Model: | Explorer | Finish: | natural mahogany | |
| Year: | 1976 | Condition: | Excellent | |
| Serial # | 00232647 | Name: | Slash | |
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Description: First Explorer reissue, 2 humbucking p/u's, pearloid replacement pickguard, OHSC |
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Comments: This instrument was used during Cliff's days with The Difference and Swami Parade in the early 80's. Once customized with pickup switching, the instrument's electronics were restored to original condition by Cliff. |
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MFR: | Fender | Price: | Not For Sale |
| Model: | Stratocaster | Finish: | Yellow | |
| Year: | 1989 | Condition: | Excellent | |
| Serial # | E913993 | Name: | Yellow | |
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Description: rosewood neck, Sperzel locking tuners, 3 Seymour Duncan SJBJ-1 "JB Jr." twin coil p/u's, 5 way p/u switch, 'coil cutter' switch, Wilkenson trem bar, Schaller strap locks, white pearloid pickguard, chrome knobs, gig bag, opt. Roland synth p/u |
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Comments: This was Cliff's primary 'working axe' in later years. It was purchased brand new from a music store in Brooklyn as a deeply discounted remainder since they could not sell it due to the atrocious color. |
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MFR: | Steinberger | Price: | Not For Sale |
| Model: | GP4TA | Finish: | white | |
| Year: | mid '80's | Condition: | Excellent | |
| Serial # | Name: | Steinberger | ||
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Description: 3 pu: 1 EMG humbucker, 2 EMG single coil; active electronics; rosewood neck; 'Trans-Trem' vibrato/bridge; signed by Ace Frehley & Paul Stanley, gig bag. www.steinbergerworld.com |
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Comments: Though inscribed with signatures of 2 Kiss members, Cliff would regularly take this instrument on vacation with him and was probably the last guitar he played. Purchased with Paul Stanley's signature already on it, Ace Frehley's signature was obtained by Cliff at a later date. |
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MFR: | Woody's Custom Guitars | Price: | Not For Sale |
| Model: | Signature Series (custom) | Finish: |
Orange Burst |
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| Year: | mid '90's | Condition: |
Mint |
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| Serial # | 0084 | Name: | Woody | |
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Description: offset double cutaway chambered body, 2 humbucking p/u's, 3 position p/u selector, gold Sperzel® locking tuners, clear pickguard, custom built for Cliff Govier, gig bag. http://phiferdesigns.com/ |
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Comments: Custom built for him by renown NY area luthier Woody Phifer, this instrument was Cliff's pride and joy. Displayed by the manufacturer at the NAMM show just prior to completion, a very well known jazz guitarist attempted to purchase this instrument directly off the show floor. It was also used in an Eventide print advertisement. |
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Cliff's Jam website v5.0 © 2003 - 2011 Glenn Govier All rights reserved