PALM BAY MODEL ARCHIVE
LIGHTNING
THE ICON
A distinctive Palm Bay model with the bold styling and unmistakable attitude.
2000 • LIGHTNING • FADE
MODEL NOTES
ABOUT THIS MODEL
The Palm Bay Lightning is one of the lesser-documented models from the company’s original era. Like many Palm Bay instruments, it combines an individual body shape with the performance-focused design and striking visual identity for which the brand became known. Relatively little information about the Lightning survives, making photographs, specifications and first-hand accounts particularly valuable. This page brings together everything discovered so far, with more details to be added as further examples and original material emerge.
KNOWN DETAILS
SPECS
BODY
Mahogany
TOP
Quilted maple
NECK
Maple neck with mahogany and Maple scarfed headstock
FINGERBOARD
Ebony with abalone dots
18 inch radius
PICKUPS
Dimarzio PAF Neck Pickup
Dimarzio Tone Zone Bridge Pickup
BRIDGE
Gotoh Fived Bridge
TUNERS
Gotoh
CONTROLS
Master volume and tone
3 way selector switch
PHOTO EVIDENCE
GALLERY
THE COMMUNITY ARCHIVE
THE OWNERS
Behind every Palm Bay is a story. First gigs, years of searching, unexpected discoveries and instruments that became lifelong companions. These memories are just as important as the specifications and serial numbers. Together, they help tell the story of Palm Bay through the people who played them.
OWNER STORY #001
"I'd wanted a Palm Bay since seeing the adverts in guitar magazines as a teenager. After nearly two years of checking Facebook Marketplace, eBay and Reverb every single day, a black Tidalwave finally appeared. It's now my number one guitar and the one I reach for more than any other."
— Simon, UK
1993 • Tidalwave • Black • Acquired 2024
OWNER'S GUITAR
BUILD THE ARCHIVE
REGISTER YOUR GUITAR
The Palm Bay Archive relies on contributions from owners around the world. By registering your guitar, you can help document serial numbers, finishes, specifications and the stories behind these remarkable instruments.
4
KNOWN TIDALWAVES
3
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
1991–1997
YEARS DOCUMENTED
KEEP THE STORY ALIVE
JOIN THE ARCHIVE
Own a Palm Bay? Help preserve the history of one of Britain’s most distinctive guitar brands by sharing photographs, serial numbers and stories.
REGISTER YOUR GUITAR →