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A Closer Look
Take a closer look at the framed Frank Zappa portrait and vintage ready-made frames (scroll down).
Framed Portrait:
Frank Zappa & the “Baby Snakes” Guitar
Back in 1973, while working at the Juan Roberto School of Luthiery in Phoenix, Arizona, Bart Nagel was given a ruined Gibson SG. Drawing on the South American woods available at the shop, he rebuilt the instrument and crafted a completely new neck with an ebony fingerboard extended to 23 frets—beyond standard Gibson specs—and added striking inlay work to the body.
A year later, he showed the guitar to Frank Zappa at a stage door; Zappa was instantly taken with it and purchased it. The instrument went on to become one of Zappa’s signature guitars and later picked up the nickname “Baby Snakes.”
This December 5, 2025, the Zappa Family Trust is offering that guitar at Heritage Auctions (Vintage Guitars & Musical Instruments, Sale #7407), together with two Zappa portraits Bart made at the time—photographs he recently brought to us to frame. (Portrait 1) (Portrait 2)
Frank Zappa with "Baby Snakes," the custom SG built by Bart Nagel. Photograph © Bart Nagel. Framed by The Framer’s Workshop, Berkeley.
Premium Ready-Made Frames
(One-of-a-Kind)
Click slideshow to expand and view descriptions.
