An iconic piece of rock history is heading to the auction block for the very first time. Frank Zappa’s heavily modified SG copy, famously known as the ‘Baby Snakes’ guitar, is set to be auctioned by Heritage Auctions on December 5th, with experts predicting it will sell for approximately $500,000. Bidding for this Frank Zappa artifact will begin at $300,000.
“Hitting the market for the very first time, the ‘Baby Snakes’ SG is a true artifact of musical genius,” says Aaron Piscopo, Heritage’s Director of Vintage Guitars & Musical Instruments. “This guitar embodies the boundless intelligence, innovation, and creativity that defined Zappa’s career.”
From $500 Find to Half-Million Dollar Masterpiece
The guitar’s legendary journey began in July 1974 when Zappa purchased the once-damaged SG-style electric guitar for just $500 backstage in Phoenix. It quickly became one of the most recognizable instruments in his vast collection.
Before Zappa took ownership, the instrument was expertly revived and customized by 19-year-old luthier Bart Nagel, a student at the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery. Nagel essentially gave the guitar a second life, replacing the original neck with a three-piece mahogany construction and capping it with a 23-fret ebony fingerboard—an upgrade from the standard 22-fret original. He also added elegant inlays and detailing to the body.
Zappa’s Signature Electronic Modifications
The SG’s transformation didn’t stop there. Zappa later entrusted the guitar to another skilled luthier, Rex Bogue, for a suite of complex electronic modifications that cemented its status as a Zappa signature instrument. These significant upgrades included a custom onboard preamp offering an 18dB boost and specialized phase-switching and tone-shaping circuitry.
The result was a fascinating array of on-body controls that allowed Zappa to achieve the sonic flexibility required for his chameleon-like, boundary-pushing compositions.
A Star On Stage and Screen
This highly customized SG copy wasn’t just a studio fixture; it was a reliable workhorse and a visual centerpiece for many of Zappa’s most memorable performances. Music fans will instantly recognize it from his famous 1976 appearance on The Mike Douglas Show, where he performed “Black Napkins.”
Halloween 77
The guitar is also prominently featured in the 1979 concert film ‘Baby Snakes’ and its 1983 soundtrack, as well as during his celebrated ‘Halloween 77’ show. Still in remarkable condition, the SG remains a tangible link to one of rock music’s most inventive minds.
The auction is scheduled for December 5th. For more details on this truly unique vintage guitar and other items, interested collectors should visit the Heritage Auctions website.
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#Frank Zappa #Gibson SG #Baby Snakes
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