Eddie, if you go play some of the Daisy Rocks (while no-one is looking, of course) some of them are pretty dang decent instruments compared to cheapo instruments from days of old. If it's simply an objet d'art, then the Daisy Rock route will lead you to more examples.

Just thought about this - also check out the lower end guitars at rondomusic.net I have purchased a solid cedar top classical guitar and a sort of copy of a 62 custom P-bass from there and they are players. Each was under $150 new.

Here's a pink short scale strat copy for $110 http://www.rondomusic.com/RST34BGMYPACK.HTML

And a full scale for $90 http://www.rondomusic.com/eg462mpkpinkpackage.html

Les Paul copy for $140: http://www.rondomusic.com/product1925.html

Some purple guitars there as well. The SX brand, Douglas brand and Agile brands sold by Rondo can be great players. The P bass copy I bought became a favorite of the bass players at our church, one with a master's degree in music instruction from Indiana University. He has a high-end American strat outfitted with a piezo bridge, can play circles around just about anyone I know, and after spending quality time with my bass, bought a 5 string fretless Douglas model and loves it. You might call there and tell Kurt what you are trying to do and he might be able to special order just what you are looking for (painted headstock for example) from his supplier in China.

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