Mojo Chessmaster
The Mojo Chessmaster is a custom-body lefty Fender Telecaster designed and played by John Flansburgh. The Chessmaster (named for its resemblance to a chess rook) was built by the NYC-based Mojo Guitar Shop during the recording of Apollo 18. It has a rosewood Telecaster neck and a Joe Barden pickup mounted on a vintage Telecaster bridge, with a second Gretsch pickup by the neck.[2] The guitar is wired for 5 pickup configurations: neck, bridge, both in series, both in parallel, both in series (out of phase).
The Chessmaster has been compared to Bo Diddley's signature rectangular guitars. Due to its unique appearance, it has been featured in promotional images and videos since the early 90s.
History[edit]
The original Chessmaster prototype was what Flansburgh describes as a "highly misguided" modification of a black, right-handed Fernandes Guitars Telecaster. The additions to the body were constructed out of cardboard, duct tape and foam core.[3] The squarish shape was inspired by the interior of the Fender guitar case, which was rectangular instead of form-fitting.[4]
In 1991, Chris Cush of the (now closed) Mojo Guitar Shop built the Chessmaster. Cush suggested elongating the "horns" of the guitar. The gold paintjob on the body was done by Pat Wilkins. At some point between its creation and first video appearance, an analog VU meter was added to the body. While real, the meter was not actually connected to anything and did not function.
There was a plan to add a black pickguard to the body, but the guard was never permanently installed.[5] The guitar was used during the Apollo 18 tour and made live appearances up until sometime in the early 2000s when the jack became damaged.
In 2011, Flansburgh was approached by Mike Buffington, who had made a replica Chessmaster. Impressed, Flans was inspired to have his guitar repaired and brought it back for the music video for "Cloisonné". Two years later, Mike provided him with a custom designed VU meter driver to allow the VU meter to work.[6]
As of 2015, Flansburgh said that the guitar had been semiretired to recording work.[7] In October 2019, Flansburgh showed off on Instagram that the guitar had been fitted with a new pickup surround and a new white pickguard. It then remained out of public eye until it was used in the Dec 15, 2022 show at the 9:30 Club. However, Flansburgh later reported that the guitar was having trouble staying in tune.
Notable Appearances[edit]
- Clips from the "Rabid Child" music video show Flansburgh holding the black Chessmaster prototype. The image on the Pink Album's vinyl Side Two label, likely from the same photoshoot, also features the prototype.
- "The Statue Got Me High" music video (1992)
- Johnathan Ross Show live performance of "The Statue Got Me High" (1992)
- The Tonight Show live performance of "The Guitar" (1992)
- Conan O'Brien show live performance of "S-E-X-X-Y" (1996)
- "The Devil Went Down To Newport" Mono Puff music video (1996). The Chessmaster has a black pickguard in this video only.
- The "Older" segment of ABC's Brave New World mini-series (1999)
- "Working Undercover For The Man" demo QuickCam video (2000)
- "Cloisonné" music video (2011)
- "Push Back The Hands" Dial-A-Song video (2018) shows an animated pixel-art Flansburgh playing the Chessmaster.
Gallery[edit]
Chessmaster prototype
Pink Album record label featuring the proto-Chessmaster
Rabid Child screenshot featuring the proto-Chessmaster
Before the installation of the VU meter
In Mono Puff promotional image
In Mono Puff music video The Devil Went Down To Newport
Chessmaster with black pickguard.
Back of Severe Tire Damage with black pickguard. (This same shot can also be seen more clearly on the "Doctor Worm" single.)
Taking It To The Bridge (We Reinvented The Remix) (aka "Kooky Little Remix") cover
Older music video
Promotional image
Another Mono Puff promotional photo. Note the red color of the back of the Chessmaster in bright light, which under normal lighting conditions is an extremely dark maroon.
Animated in the video for Push Back The Hands
The refurbished Chessmaster as of its 2019 comeback.
The refurbished Chessmaster with new white pickguard.
Back in action at the 9:30 Club, Dec 15, 2022.
