loading
reading
writing
saving
searching
1980 Veleno Prototype - $7,400
QR Code Link to This Post
Built in 1980 during the transitional period when Dave Johnson acquired the rights from original creator John Veleno to produce and sell Veleno aluminum guitars, this instrument represents a rare chapter in the evolution of the brand. Johnson, an engineer and custom guitar builder, continued the legacy of these striking all-aluminum instruments while adding his own refinements.
This particular piece is a non-factory prototype — a unique build that stands apart from standard production examples. The body and core construction remain 100% Veleno aluminum, delivering the unmistakable sustain, clarity, and visual presence these instruments are known for.
Originally fitted with Schaller tuners in the 1970s tradition, the tuners were upgraded in the early 1980s to locking tuners for improved stage stability and tuning control. The rest of the instrument remains true to its Veleno construction.
These aluminum guitars are known for:
Exceptional sustain and harmonic response
Piano-like clarity across the fretboard
Striking visual impact on stage
Extremely limited production numbers
Ideal for the serious collector, studio guitarist, or performer seeking a singular instrument with real provenance and undeniable presence. Instruments from this era rarely surface, especially prototype examples tied directly to the Johnson acquisition period.
This is a conversation piece, a studio weapon, and a collectible artifact in one.