Luthier/designer and musician David Bunker has been building guitars and basses for more than forty years. In 1955, Bunker built his first doubleneck Touch Guitar with his father, Joe Bunker. This model was named the Duo-Lectar. Bunker later received input from Irby Mandrell (Barbara Mandrell's father) regarding scale length. Bunker was granted his first patent in June of 1961. Bunker and his Touch Guitar was the foundation for The Dave Bunker Show, which was very popular in Las Vegas at the Golden Nugget between 1965 and 1974. Bunker also built other guitar models for his fellow performers in the band.
The Astral Series models, often described as "radically designed," debuted in the early 1960s. The advertising for Bunker guitars proclaimed them to be "The Guitars of Tomorrow!" Of course, the same advertising also had a favorite catchphrase: "It Looks Like No Other Guitar - Because It Is Like No Other Guitar!" Rather than be different for different's sake, Bunker's Astral Series models were designed to solve certain inherent solid body design flaws. Bunker instruments are completely modular - you can change out any piece (neck or headstock or body or electronics, etc.) rather than repair the guitar, if you so chose. These detachable body and headstock pieces bolted to the center neck/minimalist body. Pickups and bridge hardware were also directly attached to the center frame.
In 1976, Bunker built a small number of Pro-Line models (twelve, actually). These models are identifiable by their headless (reverse tuning) headstock, upswept lower bout with reverse tuners, and Bunker pickups. Even the cases were custom-made, and built by Case's Inc. of Seattle, WA.
After the Bunker company, David Bunker was later involved with PBC Guitar Technology, Inc. in Pennsylvania, which had noticeable success with the "Tension-Free" neck design and the Wishbone hollowbody series (see PBC). PBC was in business from 1989 to 1996, and produced a number of high quality bass and guitar models with innovative ideas.
After PBC closed their doors, Bunker relocated to Mill Creek, WA. In 1998, Bunker was back to building the same quality PBC-style models, as well as the Through-body Bridges, a new Touch Guitar model, a new full body acoustic model, and Tension Free neck modifications. Bunker and a number of the key employees from PBC will be debuting the "new" Bunker models in the near future, but information and purchasing news is currently available at the company's website. So, for current information regarding the new Bunker instruments, contact Bunker Guitars directly. Bunker model information courtesy Ryland Fitchett of Rockohaulix.
Also Bunker Instruments. Instruments currently built in Sequim, WA. Distributed by Bunker Guitars, LLC, of Mill Creek, WA. Guitars were previously built in Tacoma, WA between circa early 1960s to mid-1960s (Astral Series), 1976 to 1982 (Pro-Line), and in Mill Creek circa late 1990s.

BUNKER GUITARS Electric Guitars Models

BUNKER GUITARS ASTRAL ATB400 Image

BUNKER GUITARS ASTRAL ATB400

- double offset cutaway hollow body, figured maple top, alder back, five-piece quartersawn maple necks, 22 frets, gold or chrome bridge, rosewood fingerboard, two-per-side tuners, EMG dual coils or Bill Lawrence Keystone pickups, two knobs,...

BUNKER GUITARS GALAXY I (MODEL GL-305-4) Image

BUNKER GUITARS GALAXY I (MODEL GL-305-4)

- minimalist neck-through eastern hard maple or black walnut body with two attached wings, bolt-on neck, 23-fret fingerboard with dotted circle inlay, metal Bunker logo on headstock, two-per-side tuners on end of body, four individual strin...

BUNKER GUITARS HELLBENDER (MODEL HB-25-10) Image

BUNKER GUITARS HELLBENDER (MODEL HB-25-10)

- minimalist neck-through eastern hard maple or black walnut body with 2 attached wings, 25 in. scale, bolt-on neck, 23-fret fingerboard with dot inlay, metal Bunker logo on headstock, 3-per-side tuners on end of body, 6 individual str...

BUNKER GUITARS AT 100 Image

BUNKER GUITARS AT 100

- single cutaway hollow-body archtop, figured maple top with f-holes, alder back and sides, maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, two pickups either Seymour Duncan or Bill Lawrence Keystone's, ebony or Brazillian rosewood bridge, three-...

BUNKER GUITARS GALAXY BTX400 Image

BUNKER GUITARS GALAXY BTX400

- double offset cutaway, figured maple top, alder back, five-piece quartersawn maple necks, 22 frets, through-body bridge, rosewood fingerboard, two-per-side tuners, EMG dual coils or Bill Lawrence Keystone pickups, three knobs, thumb rest...

BUNKER GUITARS BAT 375 Image

BUNKER GUITARS BAT 375

- single cutaway hollow body Jazz Fusion archtop, exotic maple top and back, alder sides, maple neck with choice of fingerboard, 22 frets, two Seymour Duncan or Bill Lawrence Keystone pickups, three-per-side tuners, bridge with tailpiece, f...

BUNKER GUITARS SUNSTAR GTB354 Image

BUNKER GUITARS SUNSTAR GTB354

- double offset cutaway, figured maple top, alder back, five-piece quartersawn maple necks, 24 frets, through-body bridge, rosewood fingerboard, two-per-side tuners, EMG dual coils or Bill Lawrence Keystone pickups, three knobs, thumb rest...

BUNKER GUITARS NOVA (MODEL N-25-6-FT) Image

BUNKER GUITARS NOVA (MODEL N-25-6-FT)

- minimalist neck-through eastern hard maple or black walnut body with 2 attached wings, 25 in. scale, bolt-on neck, 23-fret fingerboard with dot inlay, metal Bunker logo on headstock, 6-in-a-row brass Bunker Peg Tuner pegs/Delrin Brak...

BUNKER GUITARS BG-2000S Image

BUNKER GUITARS BG-2000S

- offset double cutaway (Showmaster style) body, different types of body tonewoods, figured maple top, hard-rock maple neck, 22-fret fingerboard with dot inlay, reverse headstock six-on-one-side tuners, Magnum bridge, available in Sunburst...

BUNKER GUITARS MVP Image

BUNKER GUITARS MVP

- offset double cutaway archtop body, American Northwest alder, mahogany, rockhard maple, and ebony body woods (others available), figured exotic maple, hard rock maple neck, 22-fret rosewood, ebony, or maple fingerboard, matching headstock...

BUNKER GUITARS PRO-2K2 Image

BUNKER GUITARS PRO-2K2

- symmetrical double cutaway archtop body, American Northwest alder, mahogany, rockhard maple, and ebony body woods (others available), figured exotic maple, hard rock maple neck, 22-fret rosewood, ebony, or maple fingerboard, matching head...

BUNKER GUITARS PRO SCREAMER Image

BUNKER GUITARS PRO SCREAMER

- offset double cutaway body with extended bass horn and short treble horn, 24-fret fingerboard with dot inlays, six-on-one-side tuners, Mangum bridge, one humbucker and two single coil pickups, 25.5 in. scale, mfg. 2006-present.

BUNKER GUITARS SUPERNOVA (MODEL SN-265-12-FT) Image

BUNKER GUITARS SUPERNOVA (MODEL SN-265-12-FT)

- minimalist neck-through eastern hard maple or black walnut body with 2 attached wings, 26.5 in. scale, bolt-on neck, 24-fret fingerboard with dot inlay, metal Bunker logo on headstock, 6 in a row brass Bunker Peg Tuner pegs/Delrin Brake B...