About James Koontz Expertise Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, Amplifiers, Most anything Music related... Also most anything related to security, Fire and access control, as well as CCTV system.
Experience 20 years as a sound engineer, part time luthier, and general all around technical dude for many local bands. One of which was fairly large in the 80's and 90's with multiple recordings, and was the opening act for David Allen Coe, as well as got a nashville recording opportunity. The band disbanded before making it mainstream.
Organizations Loyal Order of the Moose, Boy Scouts,BMI
Publications Highlights for Children, Mystery Magazine,several online Publications, multiple cd's from various artists.
Education/Credentials I have 20 years experience, some electrical college experience. Studied Law, philosophy, and theology.
Awards and Honors well, too many to listm and none worth much more than a paperweight to hold down the ones that are on paper.
Expert: James Koontz Date: 10/13/2007 Subject: Aspen Sierra AD-45 Acoustic 6-string Guitar
Question I have an Aspen Sierra Model AD45 Acoustic 6-string Guitar (Serial No. 286376) which I bought in 1976. It is in almost perfect condition. It almost never needs tuning and then when it does, it is usually just a minor adjustment. It has a mother-of-pearl aspen leaf and "ASPEN" name on the headboard, mother-o-pearl inlaid fretboard, Tokai tuning nuts and pegs and a blond-colored wavy maple sides and backboard with intricate inlay around the front board, side and back edges and down the spine. When I first bought it over 30 years ago I was not so impressed with its sound, but since then it has aged beautifully and I have had many people tell me they think it's sound is now wonderfully full, mellow and mellifluous. I am just wondering if anyone can tell me about this guitar model, any heritage info about it and what these guitars present-day value is. I can provide digital pictures of the instrument if that will help. Just curious if this could be a decently valuable instrument by today's standards.
Many thanks for any reply.
Answer Well, not much information is available on Aspen guitars, they are simply a nice import guitar.. During the time you got yours they were being made in Japan.. Later they moved to Korea.. The Japanese ones were very nice, as they had solid tops, which is what accounts for the mellowing of the sound. Though the back and sides are laminated on some. Considering this has the figuring you mentioned it probably is laminate, but it's hard to tell.. I would have to really inspect it up close. You can take the endpin out and look at the wood there and see if it's solid or laminate. As for value, I am afraid it isn't a valuable collectors guitar. It is simply a nice Import. That means value wise your looking at whatever someone is willing to pay. I have seen them go for around $50-$100 so, That is the basic idea of what you have to work with.. I would love to see pictures. I am a guitar freak. So, if you can, and it isn't too much trouble, Please do send pictures.. My email for that is guitaranswerman@jkoontz.com
