Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $3,060

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

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Description

In the world of electric guitars, the La Baye 2x4 Guitar stands as a rare gem, a testament to the avant-garde spirit of the late '60s. Born from the creative mind of Dan Helland, this guitar was crafted in the Holman-Woodell factory in Kansas, a workshop known for its short yet impactful musical ventures, including the elusive Wurlitzer guitars. With fewer than 50 of these unique prototypes ever produced, the La Baye 2x4 is a collector's dream and a player's delight—perfect for those who seek to own a piece of music history.

The La Baye 2x4 Guitar isn't just about rarity; it's about a bold design and sound innovation. Featuring a vibrato tailpiece and two distinctive single-coil pickups, this guitar delivers a classic tone with a twist, perfect for experimental and traditional genres alike. Its bolt-on neck provides stability and ease of maintenance, while the dot inlays offer a clean, vintage aesthetic. With electronics cleverly placed on the sides, the La Baye 2x4 exemplifies unconventional design without compromising functionality.

Whether you're a collector, a performer, or an enthusiast of unique musical instruments, the La Baye 2x4 Guitar is both a conversation starter and a sonic powerhouse. Dive into the rich tapestry of sound and style that only this rare piece can offer.

Key Features:

  • Rare, vintage design from late 1960s
  • Vibrato tailpiece for expressive sound
  • Two single-coil pickups for versatile tones
  • Bolt-on neck for durability and easy repair
  • Unique side-mounted electronics for distinct aesthetics

Product specs

Brand La Baye
Model 2x4 Guitar
Finish Red
Year 1967
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Non Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Tailpiece
Color Family Red
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the La Baye 2x4 Guitar like?

The La Baye 2x4 Guitar features a bolt-on neck construction, which typically provides a comfortable and familiar feel for players, similar to many classic solid body guitars. This design is known for its ease of playability and clear, articulate tonal response.

What kind of tones can I expect from the La Baye 2x4 Guitar's pickups?

The La Baye 2x4 Guitar is equipped with a single-coil pickup configuration (SS), offering bright and clear tones that are ideal for genres like surf rock and classic rock. The pickups deliver a crisp sound with excellent definition, perfect for cutting through a mix.

Is the La Baye 2x4 Guitar suitable for beginners?

While the La Baye 2x4 Guitar is a unique vintage instrument, its straightforward design and comfortable playability can make it suitable for beginners who appreciate its distinctive style. However, its rarity and historical value might appeal more to collectors and experienced players.

What type of bridge does the La Baye 2x4 Guitar have?

The La Baye 2x4 Guitar is equipped with a tremolo tailpiece, allowing players to add vibrato effects to their playing. This bridge type is favored by those who enjoy expressive playing techniques and adds to the guitar's versatility.

How does the non-cutaway body shape affect playability on the La Baye 2x4 Guitar?

The non-cutaway body shape of the La Baye 2x4 Guitar gives it a distinctive look and may limit access to higher frets compared to cutaway designs. This can influence playability for lead guitarists, but it also contributes to the guitar's unique tonal characteristics.

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Eastwood La Baye 2 by 4 Guitar

Video thumbnail for Eastwood La Baye 2 by 4 Guitar by Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Eastwood La Baye 2 by 4 Guitar

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Video thumbnail for Demo: La Baye 2x4 Standard Reissue Demo Video by RJ Ronquillo by Eastwood Guitars

Demo: La Baye 2x4 Standard Reissue Demo Video by RJ Ronquillo

Eastwood Guitars

Eastwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Eastwood Guitars preview: Astrojet Tenor, Surfcaster, H74, La Baye 2x4 (by RJ Ronquillo) by R.J. Ronquillo

Eastwood Guitars preview: Astrojet Tenor, Surfcaster, H74, La Baye 2x4 (by RJ Ronquillo)

R.J. Ronquillo

R.J. Ronquillo

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about La Baye 2x4 Guitar.

Build quality

  • Owners mention a gap where the neck meets the body, typical of Tune-o-matic bridges, which could concern some users but is part of the design.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users experience issues with high strings not coming through on the second pickup, potentially requiring amp or cable upgrades.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A user purchased the guitar for $750, but reduced shipping costs to Hawaii with a newsletter discount.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Inspired by Polysics' Hiroyuki Hayashi, highlighting the guitar's appeal to fans of unique, iconic styles.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The La Baye 2x4's design conceptually mirrors a literal 2x4 wood piece with hardware, emphasizing minimalist aesthetics.

    Source

Critic Reviews

La Baye 2X4 | Vintage Guitar® magazine

vintageguitar.com

The La Baye 2x4 Guitar is a quirky piece of musical history from the Summer of Love, offering a unique minimalist design reminiscent of a literal 2x4 with a neck. While it scores high on rarity and cool factor, its quirky aesthetics are marred by impractical design choices like a poorly placed toggle switch and underwhelming pickups with weak output. The instrument's appeal lies more in its novelty and backstory than its playability, making it a collector's piece rather than a musician's go-to. Ideal for collectors and enthusiasts seeking a conversation starter, but less so for serious players.

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Artist usage

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See how Bob Mothersbaugh uses La Baye 2x4 Guitar

Bob Mothersbaugh

Guitarist

Devo

...
Verified via The Gear Page

Bob playing a La Baye 2x4

See how Bob Casale uses La Baye 2x4 Guitar

Bob Casale

Guitarist, Bassist

Devo

...
Verified via reverb.com

Anyone that has seen Devo live will know that the set has reached its climax when Bob 1 whips out “the stick” and spastically shreds all the strings off of his super-rare La Baye 2x4 in a fit of malfunctioning robot riffage. The solo for “Mr. DNA” is anything but common stock and calls for an axe as jarring as the tune. The elusive and coveted La Baye 2x4 was first manufactured in 1967. This minimalist design was the brainchild of a Green Bay, WI guitarist by the name of Dan Helland and no doubt influenced Ned Steinberger’s futuristic headless composite guitars that reared up a few years later. Essentially, the La Baye 2x4 is a plank of wood with a slim neck bolted on, four thumb-wheel tone and volume adjusters on the top, and a Bigsby-style vibrato unit that is highly expressive. With only 45 or so ever made, one should be prepared to pay a couple grand or more for the real deal. The good news is, those of us Devo-obsessos on a spudget can get a killer reissue from Eastwood Guitars to arm ourselves for future duty.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use La Baye 2x4 Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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