About Bill Ruxton Expertise What kind of old guitar do I have? Is it valuable? How old is it? Where was it made? Is it worth repairing? Advice on buying new or used guitars, accessories, etc. [Note: While I can give some general info on approximate values of types of instruments, neither I nor anyone else can do an "appraisal" without actually seeing and handling the instrument] I have almost 40 years` experience as a player and afficianado. If I don`t have an answer myself, I can often refer people to other authoritative sources.
Question Thanks for the reply Bill....
I have researched the hell out of this thing and it seems that the company name Matsumoko of Japan keeps popping up as the MFTR. I dont know that all the pieces were made there, neck, body, etc but from what I have read, they started building these things in the early 70's or earlier. The headstock seems to be the only giveaway as to an approx date. They changed after the Ibanez/Gibson thing. As for the Dimarzios, my local music store used to sell this make. They told me that the earlier ones did in fact have the Dimarzios in them. The soldering looks original according to some who have inspected it and know what to look for. I just cant find anything anywhere on this particular model number. I know that Matsumoko made a number of brand names such as the Aria, Westone, Vantage,etc as well as some Epiphones, before moving operations to Korea and China. Damn hard to track these things though. As for playability and sound, it is quite impressive. Sustain is incredible. The thing weighs almost 10 pounds. Value to me is not important. Just like to have some history. But as you say, not much out there. Thanks for your time.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...
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I recently picked up a Vantage Les Paul copy. Has a cherry sunburst finish, 2 Dimarzio Usa pickups with a 3 way selector switch. Does not have the coil or phase switch I have seen on other Vantage 'Pauls. It does have the so called "pre-lawsuit" headstock with binding and the mother of pearl inlay on the headstock (triangular shapes with a bar in the middle) as well as mother of pearl bar neck. No serial number on the backplate, just a sticker that says V100. The headstock tells me its a mid 70's guitar, but I cant find any info to back that up. I got it from a guy on EBAY after the original deal fell through. A local pickup. This is the item # if pics will help. 120032526925 Thanks for taking the time to consider this question.
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Dear Rockie,
All I can tell you is that the Vantage brand was established in 1977 for guitars made in Japan and sold in the USA by various distributors. Later production of Vantage instruments has been in Korea and polssibly China, Indonesia, or Malaysia.
Yours is pretty certainly one of the Japanese models, but I can't tell the exact maker. Some of the Japanese import instruments of this period were made by consortia of makers, with necks, bodies, and assembly and finish by different companies, making it very difficult to identify the source.
The Dimarzios are probably not original.
If the electronics on yours work properly, and if if plays well and sounds good, I'd say you got a good deal. These instruments presently have little appeal to collectors, but are great players.
Hope this helps. Have fun with it,
Bill
Answer Rockie,
It may well be a Matsumoko. That maker also built some great Martin clones and exceptional classical guitars during the '60s and '70s.
I remembered that SOME importer was selling Japanese LP clones with USA pickups, but thought it was St. Louis Music's Westone or Electra brand. Maybe they did, too?
No, there's very little documentation available on Japanese guitars of that period.
The nice detailing on yours would fit Matsumoko.
Take care of that sweetheart axe. In another 20 years, it might be a collector's prize you can retire on (just kidding).
