A pair of two 1964 Wandre basses - "Cobra" and "Tigre."

c. 1964 "Cobra" bass, an extremely rare red and white finish, plus rare black "loop" "Cobra" headstock, twin Davoli pick-ups, all in excellent-fine original condition. A very rare color combination.

c. 1964 Wandre "Tigre" bass, orange-red and black, near-mint original condition, twin Davoli pick-ups, matching red headstock, original bridge cover, finger rest, black pearl tuners and knobs.

Antony Wandre Pioli was born in Italy in 1926, the son of violin maker Roberto Pioli. He began making guitars in the 1950s. Today Wandre's 1950s & early '60s guitars are celebrated for their radical aluminum necks (which can't ever warp), their unique switching, and most of all their wonderful shapes and fantastic pop-art colors. Many are in art museums. Plus, they've been cherished and played by such noted guitarists as Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Miller (of Emmy Lou Harris fame), and Ace Frehley of Kiss. In 1957, Wandr_ began working with instrument makers Davoli (already well-known for their pick-ups and amps). While production runs were low (compared with US makers Fender or Gibson) they sold well the world over. Many were distributed under other brand names, like Framez, Noble, Avalon, and others. Yet each and every guitar, from their 1957 beginnings right up to the mid-60s, was designed by Wandr_ himself and bears his name. Most were made in his famous round factory (now an Italian landmark) in the small town of Cavriago. The names that Wandr_ whimsically chose for his guitar models sound straight out of an early 60's Fellini movie: the solidbody "Doris", the hollowbody "Bikini" and "B.B." (for Brigitte Bardot), the "Cobra", "Twist", "Spazial", and many more.

From The Ilinois Collection.

Good condition.