Object Details
Manufactured by
ESP Guitars, Japanese, founded 1975
Ernie Ball, American, founded 1962
Subject of
Living Colour, American, founded 1984
Used by
Vernon Reid, American, born 1958
Description
2021.92.2a: A custom electric guitar manufactured by ESP and owned by Vernon Reid. Reid played the guitar on Living Colour's debut album Vivid.
The guitar has a multicolored swirling pattern with a black colored neck, bridge and pickguard. The colors that make up the pattern on the guitar are green, red, blue, and tan. The pattern continues on the guitar head. Printed on the head in black is “ESP.” The guitar has volume and tone controls on the right side of the body on the pickguard. A color image of a rocket is between two pickups near the neck of the guitar. A strap button is attached to the bottom of the tailpiece. Another strap button is located on the left side of the body of the guitar near the neck.
2021.92.2b: A guitar case owned by Vernon Reid. The case is black with white trim and metal hinges and clasps. The case has a black handle at top. The interior of the case is lined with grey fabric. The interior of the case has a lidded box for storage of additional items at center. Printed in large white letters on the bottom left corner of the front of the case is “ESP.” Handwritten in large white letters on the bottom right corner of the front of the case is “CÜLT ’86.” A green piece of tape is adhered to the right side of the case. Handwritten on the tape in red marker is “Vernon Reid.” A white sticker is adhered to the right side of the case below the green piece of tape. Printed on the sticker in black ink is “CSTCULT ’86,” and a barcode.
2021.92.2c: A key to a guitar case (2021.92.2b). The key is metal. Portions of the key are corroded.
2021.92.2d: A key to a guitar case (2021.92.2b). The key is metal. Portions of the key are corroded.
2021.92.2e: A neck strap owned by Vernon Reid. The strap is black fabric. Printed in gold lettering on one side of the strap is “ERNIE BALL.”
2021.92.2f: Whammy bar owned by Vernon Reid. The bar was found in a guitar case (2021.92.2b) and likely used with a multicolored guitar (2021.92.2a) owned by Vernon Reid. The bar is black and slightly curved. One side is threaded and can be screwed into a guitars body.
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Donated by Vernon Reid
Date
1985-1986
Object number
2021.92.2a-f
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
guitars
Medium
wood with metal and plastic
Dimensions
H x W x D (2021.92.2a): 39 1/2 × 12 1/2 × 2 3/4 in. (100.3 × 31.8 × 7 cm)
H x W x D (2021.92.2b): 45 × 15 × 4 1/4 in. (114.3 × 38.1 × 10.8 cm)
H x W x D (2021.92.2c): 1 3/8 × 13/16 × 1/16 in. (3.5 × 2 × 0.1 cm)
H x W x D (2021.92.2d): 1 3/8 × 13/16 × 1/16 in. (3.5 × 2 × 0.1 cm)
H x W x D (2021.92.2e): 43 11/16 × 2 3/8 × 1 in. (111 × 6 × 2.5 cm)
H x W x D (2021.92.2f): 6 11/16 × 1 9/16 × 3/16 in. (17 × 4 × 0.5 cm)
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Musical Instruments
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Composers (Musicians)
Instrumentalists (Musicians)
Musicians
Popular music
Rock and roll (Music)
Singers (Musicians)
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2021.92.2a-f