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Guitar

Bruce BecVar American
1973–74
Not on view
This solid body electric guitar is carved and inlaid with exotic woods including ebony, koa, mahogany, rosewood, bird's eye maple, as well as bone, wire, abalone, and mother-of-pearl. There are two removable front plates on the body of the guitar on either side of the pickups. The left plate features an inlaid decoration representing the story of David and Goliath. The right (treble) plate holds the tone control knobs. The upper bouts are carved to represent fanged snakes with turquoise eyes. The instrument has ceramic magnetic pick-ups and an adjustable brass bridge and string fastener recessed in the body.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Guitar
  • Maker: Bruce BecVar (born 1953)
  • Date: 1973–74
  • Geography: Cotati, California, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Ebony, koa, mahogany, rosewood, birdseye maple, benen, bone, wire, abalone, mother-of-pearl, ivory, ceramic, brass
  • Dimensions: Height: 39 1/8 in. (99.4 cm)
    Width: 17 5/16 in. (43.9 cm)
    Depth: 1 7/16 in. (3.7 cm)
  • Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-fretted
  • Credit Line: Gift of Arthur N. BecVar, 1980
  • Object Number: 1980.544
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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