Where are the Clarke Guitars?


Bob Clarke with one of his babies.
Serial #1016, on display (not for sale) at Lillo's Music, Edmonton.
There's an extra switch on this one, and no Bigsby.



NEW! Barry Allen and the Rebels on YouTube (click here)

Bob Clarke (left) with George Tomsco of the Fireballs and George's #18 Clarke, which he is presenting to Bob in this photo.

Only 23 were made.
In 1965, in the back room of Award Guitar in Edmonton, Alberta, Bob Clarke founded the Clarke Guitar Company. Merging bodies and necks from Mosrite with electronics ala Fender, they produced 23 amazing custom electric guitars.
Bob finally lost his battle with cancer. I thought it might be a small tribute to him to see if we can find his 'babies' through the internet.

My history with the Clarke Guitar.
I took lessons from Bob at Award in the early 60's.
I remember Tom (who owned Award) hauling me into the back room to show me the pile of unfinished bodies and necks when they first started production.
In '66 or '67 my brother was playing clubs in Vancouver for the summer. Bob and Tom lent him a Clarke (I think it was #1) to play and show around.
My Clarke (#15), was the last one they had. I'm not sure what cases were used for the others; Tom put mine in an old Ric case.

Proud Owner's List
Please send me your name, serial # of your guitar and a picture clarkeguitars@yahoo.ca

Serial #	Owner's Name, City	Picture
1001 the elusive #1? prototype?	Bob Clarke Jr found this image on a slide. note: different bridge, knobs, guard, 2 pickups. WOW
1002
1003
1004
1005
1006
1007
1008
1009
1010
1011
1012
1013
1014
1015	Bob Clarke Jr. Original owner: Don Wagar
1016	On display at Lillo's Music, Edmonton Not For Sale (may not be owned by Lillo's)
1017
1018	Rose Clarke (was George Tomsco's)
1019
1020
1021
1022
1023	Bob Clarke Jr. This was Bob Sr.'s Player
1024	Murray Birch Original owner: Vern Cave, Cave Bros Band	Waiting on a picture. Green body, 2 pickups, and Bigsby

***Very interesting to be contacted by Murray Birch with #1024.
ALL the information we have is that only 23 were made.
Was this a special guitar made for Vern Cave after the
normal production run? Or perhaps one number was either
not made (eg. maybe they didn't make a #13) or destroyed
and never sold?
Either way, it seems likely Murray owns the LAST Clarke ever made!