2,138 thoughts on “A-Z of top Manufacturers”

    1. Re: Vantage Guitar FV-575
      Micke K

      I had one of those. Think I bought it ’83. It was red with a white pickguard. Had it for a few years, and then sold it to my ex girlfriends brother. I think he still has it. I replaced the pickups, cause they gave me feedback-issues…..I replaced them with a "DiMarzio Super Distortion" and a "Gibson Dirty Finger", and that did the trick!
      After selling it I’ve had a Kramer (sold), a Jackson (sold), 4 Stratocasters (Still have them), 1 Gibson LesPaul (still have it), 1 Epiphone Les Paul (still have it) and 1 PRS Tremonti (still have it)….

      Rock on!

    2. Re: Vantage Guitar FV-575
      Anthony

      : I bought a Vantage guitar Flying V (575) …red and tthe pickboard is white and i’d like to know how it is worth koz i’m gonna trade it !
      : ThX

      How much are you willing to sell it for?

      Call Anthony 416 422 3238

    3. Re: Vantage Guitar FV-575
      Trace Senger

      My first guitar was a Cream colored FV-575 Vantage Flying V. I loved it and grew up with it. I once saw the group "FLOCK OF SEAGULLS" in concert and their guitar player had the exact same guitar. Wish I had it now to give to my son. I bought mine new with hardshell matching case in 1982 for $300 and sold it with an amp in 1993 for $275.

    4. Re: Vantage Guitar FV-575
      RT

      : I bought a Vantage guitar Flying V (575) …red and tthe pickboard is white and i’d like to know how it is worth koz i’m gonna trade it !
      : ThX

      I bought mine new almost 22 years ago for $239.00. I have seen people pay between $150-$175 in good condition. the neck is great on these guitars with good action.

    5. Re: Vantage Guitar FV-575
      James Goad

      I’d like to know the same thing. I have a cream one with a white Pickboard which I’m thinking of selling. Please let me know if you find out.

      1. Re: Vantage Guitar FV-575
        Emme Copparstad

        It’s not worth alot. I have a blue fv-575 and i bought it in sweden for 110$ without case. I like it dough. Have you sold it? I might by it if you still got him. I could give you more for it than what i gave for the one i have.

        Emme

      2. Re: Vantage Guitar FV-575
        thais schafer

        No idea, but I just purchased the Jap. manufactured VantageVP820 80’s model, though a lefty mind you, for $500.00AUD,asking price $695AUD. Don’t know if this can help at all.

    6. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Christ
      Christ

      I bought a Vantage guitar Flying V (575) …red and tthe pickboard is white and i’d like to know how it is worth koz i’m gonna trade it !
      ThX

  1. Hoyer, Höffner, Levin, Crafton, Burns and Landola
    Raimo Patala

    [The body of this post has been reconstituted from replies so it may differ from what was originally written.]

    Hi! If you have any of theese guitars named abow, please do not, for Goods sake. do not burn of them! Maybe they are not so valuable in money but they are representing many years of magnific European guitar manufacturship. I have seen Levin (from Sweden) orginal, full acoustic orchestra guitar from 1940 still in perfect shape and valued upp to 1 000 USD, Crafton (Sweden, Gothenburg) orginal full acoustic orchestra guitar valued 500 USD, Höffner (from Germany)orginal acoustic valued to 2 000 USD (mostly handmade) (remember that ex. The Beatles used to play with a Höffner Violinbass-guitar !) My brother in Finland had a handmade Höffner made of birch and now he have a Höffner "Stratocaster" from 1970 with original Höffner microphones, valued to 900 USD.And I by my self have now one Arnold Hoyer, probably an Esquire from late 50;s with original microfones. Valued to 1 000 USD!
    Then we have the Landola from Finland, not so well knowed, specially their big, 12-stringed Country&Western guitars from middle of 70;s. Robust crafted, big sound, not so easy to find any more!
    And of course Burns! used by many European rockgroups during the decades and if you are lucky, may be you can still find theese guitars in very good shape.
    So if you have one of theese guitars, play them! Do not let them stay on closets and collect dust!

    1. Re: Hoyer, Höffner, Levin, Crafton, Burns and Landola
      R A Langham

      I bought a Hoyer "cello" acoustic guitar in 1957 which I still have, but I don’t know much about it. Can any one throw any light

      1. Re: Hoyer, Höffner, Levin, Crafton, Burns and Landola
        Marvin B. Naylor

        : :Hello, I have just bought a Hoyer 12 string acoustic from an online auction. Got it for an unbelievable £24.00! I believe it dates from the late 50s. After polishing up the machine heads and cleaning the rest with T-Cut, it looked great (it was already ingood condition, having been in someones’ attic for years, possibly decades, i’m sure the strings were as old as the guitar). It sounds brilliant. Very much like the old Stellas Leadbelly and Blind Willie McTell used. Especially when the whole lot is tuned down 3 or 4 semitones, like on those old records. I think it’s good to keep the tension down on a 12 string guitar of this vintage, too. I contacted several guitar shops as to it’s worth. Some said "as much as someone’s willing to pay", another said between £200-£300. I’d never sell it, but was curious to know.
        Regards, Marvin.

      2. Hoyer guitar.
        Ann Van Scoy

        I am in possession of an old Hoyer accoustic guitar, this was my uncles and dates from 1950 approx, I wondered if anyone could educate me as to its approx value as it has just been lying in my attic for the last 25 years. Thanks.

      3. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Paul Murray
        Paul Murray

        : Hi! If you have any of theese guitars named abow, please do not, for Goods sake. do not burn of them! Maybe they are not so valuable in money but they are representing many years of magnific European guitar manufacturship. I have seen Levin (from Sweden) orginal, full acoustic orchestra guitar from 1940 still in perfect shape and valued upp to 1 000 USD, Crafton (Sweden, Gothenburg) orginal full acoustic orchestra guitar valued 500 USD, Höffner (from Germany)orginal acoustic valued to 2 000 USD (mostly handmade) (remember that ex. The Beatles used to play with a Höffner Violinbass-guitar !) My brother in Finland had a handmade Höffner made of birch and now he have a Höffner "Stratocaster" from 1970 with original Höffner microphones, valued to 900 USD.And I by my self have now one Arnold Hoyer, probably an Esquire from late 50;s with original microfones. Valued to 1 000 USD!

        : Then we have the Landola from Finland, not so well knowed, specially their big, 12-stringed Country&Western guitars from middle of 70;s. Robust crafted, big sound, not so easy to find any more!

        : And of course Burns! used by many European rockgroups during the decades and if you are lucky, may be you can still find theese guitars in very good shape.

        : So if you have one of theese guitars, play them! Do not let them stay on closets and collect dust!

        Help, Help, Help. Just bought a Hoyer 12 string acoustic guitar from a charity shop in Glasgow Scotland as a restoration project, any info or even pictures would be a great help to restore beautiful beast to its former glory
        Thanks Paul

    2. Re: Hoyer, Höffner, Levin, Crafton, Burns and Landola
      Allan Leschhorn

      :hey nick! im from dominican republic in the caribbean,and my grandmother give to me an acoustic guitar that she play when she was a young woman(like 20)…so she was in germany and buy this guitar…its a crafton nylon acoustic from Göteborg..the guitar looks like its was in the store only two days after..im looking for information about this guitar but in the label that is the name only reads these sweden words:
      Detta instrument ur ett aka/frun crafton verkstuderna/Göteborg/svenskt master hantverh…so my grandma pass away 5 years ago…make some calculations maybe the guitar its early 40’s…any help will be good…thanks

      1. Re: Hoyer, Höffner, Levin, Crafton, Burns and Landola
        J

        Translation of this ("frun" is "från" right?, but "aka" i don’t know what that is–maybe "äkta"):

        "This instrument made out of aka/from Crafton
        workshop/Gothenburg/Swedish mastercraft"

        : Detta instrument ur ett aka/frun crafton verkstuderna/Göteborg/svenskt master hantverh…so my grandma pass away 5 years ago…make some calculations maybe the guitar its early 40’s…any help will be good…thanks

          1. Re:The original ARNOLD HOYER semi acoustic electric sunburst col
            Emlie Carter

            : I am in possession of this guitar, with the original case. It appears to be about forty or more years old – in first class condition. Where can I get more invformation on this model, and how much is it worth today for auction or private sale ? Raddy Ferreira

            I recently saw one in mint shape sell at auction for $4,550.00 and I think it might have gone a lot higher if the right people had been there..

            1. Re:The original ARNOLD HOYER semi acoustic electric sunburst coloured guitar
              Kurt

              : : I am in possession of this guitar too! I am the original owner, bought this in 1966. It has some check marks from age but is in good shape Serial #001090. My model looks like the Gibson ES335….has a full 2 octive fretboard is starburst & has 2 pick-ups. It sounds great! Has many, many hours on it too!
              What’s it worth?

          2. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Raddy Ferreira
            Raddy Ferreira

            I am in possession of this guitar, with the original case. It appears to be about forty or more years old – in first class condition. Where can I get more invformation on this model, and how much is it worth today for auction or private sale ? Raddy Ferreira

            1. BLONDE ACOUSTIC ORIGINAL ARNOLD HOYER
              BAZSAW

              IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS TYPE OF GUITAR,I PURCHASED IT 25 YEARS AGO SECOND HAND.THANKS,BAZSAW

    3. Re: Hoyer, Höffner, Levin, Crafton, Burns and Landola
      nick

      : i found a 1963 hofner strat rip off in mint condition only missing a e string. the best part is i got it for free and then i got a 63 gretch from i girl that i go toschool with because she didnt want it because (it was to heavy and old!) well your lose is my gain. wait til her dad finds out she gave away his guitar

    1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
      wray

      : Hi i have a marlin pa-10t….Does anyone know anything about this particular guitar? It has a sunburst finish w/ black around the body. It has two volume knobs,3-way switch, and 2 pickups. Any comments will help thanks.

      I have a Marlin Les Paul copy,(black).Solid body.

      I bought mine from the Eaton’s department store in Canada,around 1974.It was made in Japan.Has two chrome pickups I believe they are Alnico magnets and not humbuckers.Has 2 Vol&2 tone controls with 2 switches to select between the 2 pickups or both.

      The body feels like it might be basswood but am not sure.

      I like the sound of mine,and would be interested if anyone has one for sale that is good condition.

      E-mail [email protected]

      1. I have a Marlin PA-10T electric guitar....
        John S

        Hello:

        I know this has been a long time and your sbcglobal.net email does not work so I saw this posting and I do have an impeccable Marlin PA-10T electric guitar that I am considering putting it up for sale so let me know if you are still around and interested. Thanks.

    2. Re: i have a marlin.
      ChAoS

      i bought it from a friend; its a good guitar and im happy with it, but i dont know the model, i just know its a marlin, it is kind of a copy of an Ibanez, it annoys me because i want to know what i have, any suggestions?

      1. Re: i have a marlin.
        the coxter

        i have a marlin..and am the same cant get any history on it i have never seen one the same…its an electric marlin stingray in silver..my dad bought it for me about 15 years ago from his mate at the pub who was skint and really needed the money..lol..its had some hammer and its still in mint condition and sounds awesome 🙂 ..i love it!

    3. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
      Callum

      I have just bougt a marlin loner of ebay for 27 squid, i have no idea what theyre like but the one i have bought has some shit glued on and the bridge is done , the headstock screwed back togethar and is missing the bridge humbucker. I hope they fix up easy as this is just my temperary guitar until i can afford my fender jaguar which ill stick a humbucker in, i bought this guitar as i sold my explorer to get the jag money as my jag obsession is continuing and i still am 100 or so what im after in money so i hope this marlin can fill in rhythmical duites until my jag shows up,ill let you all know if i can make it a kick ass guitar or wether i should have bought a new watch or something with the money,

    4. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
      jonathan bean

      ive got a marlin. bought it off a mate for £70 years ago, swapped it back with him for a surfboard, then bought it back off him in december for £30. they were made by a company called british music strings that was based in wales (it says that on the neckplate). mine was originaly white with 2 single coils and humbucker in the bridge, with 5way selector, 1 volume, 1 tone. But i am in the process of customising it. i have created a wicked distressed-psychadelic-vomit-burning-water-punk1977 paint job and i am making a black scratch plate, removing the two single coils and replacing the ‘bucker with a seymour duncan and doing away with the 5way selector switch. it should all be finished by the end of january ’03 ready for playing in the band im in: the blue super giants.

      1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
        Free Spirit

        Not sure bout the guitar but i’ve got a British Music Strings- Marlin amp!!! made by the same peeps as your guitars, it’s the 10L model n it it 40W. That’s all i know bout it. If anyone can tell me where the f*** it came from I would be most greatful. Total beast of an amp.

      2. Re: Marlin Loner
        David

        I have A Marlin Loner. They were very popular in the 1980’s. Mine plays very well, it has a solid body finished in white with no scratch plate. has 2 humbuckers , one at bridge & one at neck with a single coil in between. It has a 5 way selector switch & 2 swithches that switch each of the humbuckers to single coil if required.
        Mine has an extremely low action with locking head nut & tremelo & is in mint condition.
        I originally paid £80 for it in about 1986, it was originally sold at £120 in early 1980.
        I have several guitars & this one still remains my favourite for playing Shadows/Ventures type instrumentals.

        1. Re: Marlin Loner
          tym

          I have a Marlin Loner DS-1. I bought it for five pounds and a can of fosters – it has no single coil, as this has been removed at some point in its mysterious life. It used to be used in a punk band during the 80s, i now have it as a momento to 80s hair metal. I must admit mine plays shit, but looks cool & i’d love to one day spruce it up a bit and give it the respect that a british made guitar deserves…

        2. Re: Marlin Loner
          adam

          i’ve have a marlin loner. metallic red, 2 humbucker, one single coil, 5way sel, two switches for humbuckers, lock nut and tremolo arm. i paid £150 for it a long time ago. i like it, it’s very low action and sounds great because of the multiple settings you can do.

          why can’t i find any pictures of one on the net. are they rare? there’s one identical to mine in ‘Branigans bar’, peter street, manchester, it’s in a glass display above gambling machine with another posh looking guitar.

          does anyone think they are worth much today??

          1. Re: Marlin Loner
            Wood

            yeh i’ve been looking for pictures and crap for ages i can’t find anything for loners it’s a pain in the ass, if anyone knows anything about it give us a shout

        3. Re: Marlin Loner
          DL

          : I have A Marlin Slammer. The paintwork is chipped, but otherwise in good condition. it is black with a white scratchplate, 2 tone controls, 1 volume and a five way selecter, it is my first guitar, but plays well.

        4. Re: Marlin Loner
          Nat

          I too have a marlin, a marlin sidewinder, a strat style body, with humbucker – single coil – single coil pickup lectrics, and a little switch thing that turns the humbucker into a singlecoil, fantastic guitar, gorgeous sound and excellent action, flloyd rose stylee bridge, with locking neck, ace and only £95.

          1. I had a Marlin Loner as my
            Anonymous

            I had a Marlin Loner as my first guitar. It was dreadful, weighed a ton, action like a longbow but still managed to have fret buzz on pretty much every fret. It was so bad that it really held my playing back. I took it to bits just so no one else would ever have to play it.

      1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
        elliott

        : i have a marlin loner with 2 humbs and a single coil between does ne1 know anything about it?

        i also have a marlin loner and i also no nothing about them
        i was given it, it had previously toured europe with a friend.

        good luck on your search

    5. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
      dubbed_out

      i have a Marlin Slammer which is a really nice red and white strat… thats not useful to you in any way but it’s still worthy of a mention. I also (by pure chance) have a Marlin bass… I haven’t really looked into it before but i think that Marlin guitars were taken over by HOHNER, hope that might help you…

      1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
        terry

        My son has a Marlin LONER its silver with red edging on the body, a rosewood faced neck with red fret markers. There are three pick-ups (two humbuckers and one single coil).

        A plate is on the back of the body and says BRITISH MUSIC STRINGS,WALES,U.K. with the serial no. 8010303.This guitar dates back to the 70s and was played on stage and T.V. by a group called AIRBORNE who won a UK talent show (OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS) for six weeks.It was bought for approx. £400 by a member of the band and a relative who was also in the band sold it me six years ago for £50.

        I am told that MARLIN were taken over by HOHNER and in my opinion the quality has suffered.The guitar is heavy and takes a lot of setting up but is worth it.My son also has an IBANEZ RG550 and says the MARLIN plays well but nowhere near the 550.

        I hope the info may be of some use,please let me know if you find any more,HAPPY HUNTING.

        TERRY F.

        1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
          dave

          : My son has a Marlin LONER its silver with red edging on the body, a rosewood faced neck with red fret markers. There are three pick-ups (two humbuckers and one single coil).

          : A plate is on the back of the body and says BRITISH MUSIC STRINGS,WALES,U.K. with the serial no. 8010303.This guitar dates back to the 70s and was played on stage and T.V. by a group called AIRBORNE who won a UK talent show (OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS) for six weeks.It was bought for approx. £400 by a member of the band and a relative who was also in the band sold it me six years ago for £50.

          : I am told that MARLIN were taken over by HOHNER and in my opinion the quality has suffered.The guitar is heavy and takes a lot of setting up but is worth it.My son also has an IBANEZ RG550 and says the MARLIN plays well but nowhere near the 550.

          : I hope the info may be of some use,please let me know if you find any more,HAPPY HUNTING.

          : TERRY F.

          i own two of these guitars both bought in the 80s
          the first one was purchesed in aprox 86 after discusing the merits with bms who were still trading back then .
          the first was a sidewinder serial 7110005.this was
          fitted with a double humbucker and two singles-i have just
          stripped this m/c to carry out rebuild and respray -our
          friends abroad wernt too fussy about qc in those days.
          the second m/c is a jasmine semi acoustic serial 8020655 fitted with an active peizo bridge pick up.the build quality on this m/c is far superior, i have enjoyed
          playing these guitars all these years and and hope to carry on for some time yet.
          [the purchess of a les paul this week prompted the rebuild]
          ps. sorry about the delay only got on the net this week!!
          fellow guitarist
          dave smith.

          1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
            Steve

            I’ve got a Marlin LONER left handed. The guitars were marketed by BMS but I am lead to believe were built by Samick. They are heavy for a ply body, but the quality is pretty good for a cheapish guitar. I’m dubious about the £400 tag you mention, I can remember seeing them in a shop for around £100 in the early eighties. BTW: I believe they were only made in the eighties and the style is certainly of that era. I picked one up in excellen condition about 12 years ago for £75. The sound it puts out is pretty top notch too, great pickups, good resonance. I love it, apart from mine is a metallic red colour which I’m not too made up about.

        2. Re: Yeah I have one
          Ben Smithson

          I have a Marlin Sidewinderit is glittery sliver and a neck that has given me trouble but it is my first bass and heres me looking into it. It has 1 twin coil and one the usual precision single coils.

          good to know some else has one in the world.

      2. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
        JimmyD

        :I recall the guitaris in an old band of mine,having a Marlin Sidewinder. It was by far the most horrible thing ive ever had the misfortune to try and sing along with.Wouldnt staay in tune,had a pointless tremelo etc.YEEEUCCH! Horrid thing!

        i have a Marlin Slammer which is a really nice red and white strat… thats not useful to you in any way but it’s still worthy of a mention. I also (by pure chance) have a Marlin bass… I haven’t really looked into it before but i think that Marlin guitars were taken over by HOHNER, hope that might help you…

        1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
          Mick

          I bought a Marlin Sidewinder as my first ever electric guitar in 1985. A mate of mine who was an excellent player suggested it to me as a decent budget guitar to learn on. Over 20 years later I still have it propped up next to my Rickenbackers. It was a top of the range Sidewinder (if ever there was such a thing) with floating bridge, tremelo arm, locking nut and allen key holder on the reverse of the headstock. I think it cost in the region of £250 though I’m not sure what the RRP was back then. I always liked it and it played fine although scorn was inevitably poured upon both me and the guitar when I went to jam with mates who all owned Gibsons and Fenders or at least reasonable well known copies.

          As I never really wanted the tremelo I removed it and tensioned the floating bridge so that it basically became fixed. Then, around 15 years ago I TIG’d out a stainless scrathplate for it and swapped out the tone and volume knobs for chromed knurled replacements. Maybe I thought that customising it might make it more acceptable amongst fellow musicians. I always though that if I ever made it big in music I’d drag it onstage at Wembley and try to give it some credibility. I think more than anything, Marlin suffered at the hands of guitar snobs and in my experience they were nowhere near as bad as people made out.

          As much as I love playing my more "credible" guitars, the Marlin will always stand alongside them and be played when the mood takes me. I can’t ever see me getting rid of it and not simply because it was my first guitar, but because it’s still a good guitar when all said and done.

        2. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
          Joe

          Do anyone know the where-abouts of George Marlin? Last news item was his ‘bigfoot’ guitar in Florida… his name tag still said Marlin Guitars. Any Idea how I can contact him?

        3. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
          daniel belcher

          : :I recall the guitaris in an old band of mine,having a Marlin Sidewinder. It was by far the most horrible thing ive ever had the misfortune to try and sing along with.Wouldnt staay in tune,had a pointless tremelo etc.YEEEUCCH! Horrid thing!

          : i have a Marlin Slammer which is a really nice red and white strat… thats not useful to you in any way but it’s still worthy of a mention. I also (by pure chance) have a Marlin bass… I haven’t really looked into it before but i think that Marlin guitars were taken over by HOHNER, hope that might help you…

          I have a marlin sidewinder and personally i have not a clue what u r on about if you know what you are doing its a pretty f**ing good guitar

        4. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
          matthew palmer

          i have a marlin sidewinder and i think its great its got a great smooth feel to say they are not that great a guitar.

          1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
            paul guest

            : i have a marlin sidewinder and i think its great its got a great smooth feel to say they are not that great a guitar.

            i have a marlin sidewinder could you tell me if its worth anything or is it worth hanging on to?

        5. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
          Raz

          : :I recall the guitaris in an old band of mine,having a Marlin Sidewinder. It was by far the most horrible thing ive ever had the misfortune to try and sing along with.Wouldnt staay in tune,had a pointless tremelo etc.YEEEUCCH! Horrid thing!

          : i have a Marlin Slammer which is a really nice red and white strat… thats not useful to you in any way but it’s still worthy of a mention. I also (by pure chance) have a Marlin bass… I haven’t really looked into it before but i think that Marlin guitars were taken over by HOHNER, hope that might help you…

          My son has a Marlin sidewinder bass with humbucker pickups and a rather beaten up sidewinder six string. Both very heavy but fine for a young lad. Originaly made in wales in the 80’s by ‘British music strings ltd.’ paid about £70 each 2nd hand.

          1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
            PhilthyPhil

            : I’ve got a marlin sidewinder bass – i had the frets ground off it professionally & its great!
            sounds cool as **** !

        6. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
          Rich

          I have the most beaten up Marlin Slammer EVER, and it’s most remarkable feature is the way it stays in tune for sooo long. No other stringed instrument I own does this.

          1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
            h

            does anyone have any information about Marlin guitars – e.g when they started? where they came from? and what not

            1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
              Lou

              Hi,I have just completely restored a L/Hand marlin sidewinder,and it sounds great.The firm producing them was in Wales,and were bought out by Honer and shut down.I am now looking for the year mine was made.cheers,Lou.

              1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
                Billyc

                : Hi,I have just completely restored a L/Hand marlin sidewinder,and it sounds great.The firm producing them was in Wales,and were bought out by Honer and shut down.I am now looking for the year mine was made.cheers,Lou.
                :If you restored one I gues you know where all the wires go? does anyone have a diagram? Bill

                1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
                  Colin,s

                  : : Hi,I have just completely restored a L/Hand marlin sidewinder,and it sounds great.The firm producing them was in Wales,and were bought out by Honer and shut down.I am now looking for the year mine was made.cheers,Lou.
                  : :If you restored one I gues you know where all the wires go? does anyone have a diagram? Bill

                  1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
                    colin.s

                    : : : Hi,I have just completely restored a L/Hand marlin sidewinder,and it sounds great.The firm producing them was in Wales,and were bought out by Honer and shut down.I am now looking for the year mine was made.cheers,Lou.
                    : : :If you restored one I gues you know where all the wires go? does anyone have a diagram? Bill

                    Hi bill, l got a marlin state of the art guitar
                    off a car boot for £10.00 and it was a bag of nails, so l made it project to do it up, the main fault was the tone control, l put a new 500k pot in and checked the capacitor o.4mfd.
                    it now sounds a lot brighter, for the wiring go to the guitar wiring site theres loads of diagrams. http://www.1728.com/guitar.

                    colin
                    on it

                    1. marlin guitars
                      Richard S.

                      I aqiured a Marlin PA 25, its red sunburst and is a semi hollow like a Gibson ES 335. The serial # is 3515. It also says Made in Japan. The fit and finish is as good as it gets.The Serial # puts the thing back to the late 50s. This Guitar is as mint as they come . The frets have no marks and are not shiney under the strings.I played it for 5 mins and thats all the mileage on the thing. The neck is as good as any Gibson I own. Finish is unmarked and is MINT. Does any one know how to trace this Gorgous Red Sunburst Guitar? It Looks like a Gibson ES335 but the two cut-aways are Huge and look like Horns , Reminisant of the Japanese style I guess.It has 2 pick-ups and 4 knobs and a toggle on the top cut-away

                    2. Re: marlin guitars
                      jimijames

                      : I just snagged a guitar that sounds exactly like you described, except the original neck plate is gone, which is where I assume you found the s/n. I bought this one cheap off of eBay. Seems to play pretty well. I’m not particularly fond of zero-frets in general, but this one isn’t too bad. The uniqueness of the body alone makes it a worthy collector guitar, and aside from me, you’re the only person I’ve heard of with another. Pretty rare, me thinks. Maybe you’d like to buy mine to have two! LOL. Seems to hold it’s tuning pretty well, even w/ the fake Bigsby. Quality MOP block inlays on the fingerboard, which is a nice rosewood. Mine has a little damage here and there, and smells a little mildewy, but I’m hoping that’ll fade.

                      I aqiured a Marlin PA 25, its red sunburst and is a semi hollow like a Gibson ES 335. The serial # is 3515. It also says Made in Japan. The fit and finish is as good as it gets.The Serial # puts the thing back to the late 50s. This Guitar is as mint as they come . The frets have no marks and are not shiney under the strings.I played it for 5 mins and thats all the mileage on the thing. The neck is as good as any Gibson I own. Finish is unmarked and is MINT. Does any one know how to trace this Gorgous Red Sunburst Guitar? It Looks like a Gibson ES335 but the two cut-aways are Huge and look like Horns , Reminisant of the Japanese style I guess.It has 2 pick-ups and 4 knobs and a toggle on the top cut-away

              2. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
                steve

                : Hi,I have just completely restored a L/Hand marlin sidewinder,and it sounds great.The firm producing them was in Wales,and were bought out by Honer and shut down.I am now looking for the year mine was made.cheers,Lou.

                i want to find out when mine was made to.told it was a earlier one mid 70s.is there anything on the makers still about. steve.

                1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
                  zander

                  : : Hi,I have just completely restored a L/Hand marlin sidewinder,and it sounds great.The firm producing them was in Wales,and were bought out by Honer and shut down.I am now looking for the year mine was made.cheers,Lou.

                  : i want to find out when mine was made to.told it was a earlier one mid 70s.is there anything on the makers still about. steve.

                  1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
                    zander

                    I have a red marlin sidewinder bass 4 string. nice low action and a good looking guitar. I have no idea when it was made. It say on the bolt plate at the back =British Music Strings Wales UK. serial no 7102389

          2. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
            Derek Green

            I have a State of the art series, which is just incredible, I found it in a bin, cleaned it up and it plays great and the sounds are equal. Wish I knew more (hint hint)

        7. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
          Jack

          I had also a Marlin Sidewinder for a couple of years but it’s the best Electric Guitar I’ve ever had! It always stay in tune, a perfect buy.

          1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
            Mike

            : I had also a Marlin Sidewinder for a couple of years but it’s the best Electric Guitar I’ve ever had! It always stay in tune, a perfect buy.

            I love my marlin =] got it for 100 with a hard case off a friend its not 100% amazing but i would not trade it for the world

      3. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
        Sam

        I got a Marlin guitar from a shop the other week for £35, Its got 2 single and 1 duel pinckups and a 5 way flik-stik. It plays like and Ibanez, and it was, I think a great find. However there doesn’t seem to be anywhere on the internet that has anything about them on…but anyhow, thats my wonderous find

        1. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
          yamsi

          mine was awful…strat style with locking trem but still went out of tune when u touched trem…..pickups were terrible and frets wore down really quick

        2. Re: Does anyone know about marlin electric guitars?
          HUSNAIN LOTIA

          I’m getting a 30 year old Marlin acoustic at a flea market. However, the guy wants about $225 Canadian. Is this a good price for a flea market? I know nothing about Marlin’s.

    6. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... shawn
      shawn

      Hi i have a marlin pa-10t….Does anyone know anything about this particular guitar? It has a sunburst finish w/ black around the body. It has two volume knobs,3-way switch, and 2 pickups. Any comments will help thanks.

      1. I bougth at a flea market a guitar. Red Marlin number 7101717.
        Someone has changed mikrophones, where I get original spare parts ?
        the guitar body ok but the parts have been changet.

      2. marlin loner
        jock

        I have a marlin loner .got it from r&t music in barrow.the guitar is in mint condition.not a mark.these guitars are severely under rated.if set up properly they sound beautiful.yes there heavy but get a decent strap and its no probs

      3. Marlin Slammer
        Colin

        Bought my Marlin Slammer about 1985.The Slammer was slightly cheaper than the Sidewinder. My Slammer is red and was made in The GDR. The action is a little high but have been told this can be rectified at not to much cost.

        1. Planetbotch has some useful
          Anonymous

          Planetbotch has some useful info, but is rather inaccurate comparing Marlins with Korean Squiers. Early MIK squier models (87-88) definitely had solid wood bodies, quality hardware, don’t have microphonic pickups and are far superior to any Marlin. Squier quality only really fell off in 89 which are the models think the planetbotch bloke is basing his opinions on.

      4. Just bought one for £40 from my guitar teacher, the pickups weren’t working. So I put a new 5 way selector switch in. It works like a dream now. The sound is somewhere between a fender and a Gibson. Best 40 bucks I spent of my life.

      5. red lefty
        Big thunder

        i have a red lefty since 1987. i loved it and the feel though it was a bit heavy compaired to others, i gave it to my brother about ten years ago to learn on and he had it in the loft for about the past 8 years, my friend phil is now restoring it to its former glory and i for one can’t wait, loved that guitar and it is so good to see it all shinny and new looking again nearly 30 years later \m/

      6. red lefty
        Big thunder

        i have a red lefty since 1987. i loved it and the feel though it was a bit heavy compaired to others, i gave it to my brother about ten years ago to learn on and he had it in the loft for about the past 8 years, my friend phil is now restoring it to its former glory and i for one can’t wait, loved that guitar and it is so good to see it all shinny and new looking again nearly 30 years later \m/

      7. Marlin PA 25
        jtracy

        I am so glad that finally someone has the same guitar that I just picked up there is not a serial number or orginal neck plate so I had know idea what model this was it looked like an ES335 and it is sunburst the only thing is no electronics so I am trying to restore it. Can you help me or stir me in the right direction.

        Thanks!

      8. Studio Mystic
        Tanuki Dub

        I’m a fulltime career musician and producer in my own Brisbane studio called The Tanuki Lounge and I own a Marlin Sidewinder. Its the most interesting guitar i have ever owned or played and has the best neck. Its true the tone is a little narky and its squeals terribly when on high gain settings but sometimes thats just the mystic you need.

        All instruments have a sound and a character worth exploring and my marlin has provided me with some of the best guitar features i have ever written.

        Get one. Play it. Explore sound. And ignore branding.

        Bless

      9. I picked up an amp recently
        Anonymous

        I picked up an amp recently for £15, its all natural wood and looks like a coffee table, I cant get it working though, because i know nothing about electrics, but it too has a sticker on the back saying “BRITISH MUSIC STRINGS LTD., SOUTH WALES, UK”

    1. Re: Information on a Liberatore bass
      mauro liberatore

      : ive got a bass that nobody has ever seen before can u help me with finding out any information? it is a Liberatore

      Hello, I’m mauro liberatore a luthier guitar maker in montreal canada.If you have any questions on liberatore guitars and basses you can send me an e-mail at [email protected]

      1. Re: Information on a Liberatore bass
        mauro liberatore

        : : ive got a bass that nobody has ever seen before can u help me with finding out any information? it is a Liberatore

        : Hello, I’m mauro liberatore a luthier guitar maker in montreal canada.If you have any questions on liberatore guitars and basses you can send me an e-mail at [email protected]

    2. Re: Information on a Liberatore electric
      Bill Dravez

      : ive got a guitar that nobody has ever seen before can u help me with finding out any information? it is a Liberatore

    3. Re: Information on a Liberatore bass
      Anhony

      : ive got a bass that nobody has ever seen before can u help me with finding out any information? it is a Liberatore

      Hi! I’ve heard of Liberatore before when a friend of mine picked one up about 10 years ago. I know for sure that the luthier(builder) originated from Montreal,Canada and used to have a shop in the city. I have no idea if he is still in business.

      see ya

    4. Re: Information on a Liberatore bass
      Rocco Liberatore

      My name is Rocco Liberatore, My brother is the builder of this bass, he made over 300 guitars and basses, If you want to get it touch with him his number is 514-287-9315
      My brothers name is MAURO LIBERATORE, Luthier Liberatore, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

      : ive got a bass that nobody has ever seen before can u help me with finding out any information? it is a Liberatore

        1. Hi Bruno , I'm sorry to say
          Anonymous

          Hi Bruno , I’m sorry to say that Rocco past away a few years ago . And I just found out Mauro closed his shop in spring 2013 . If you want more info you can join my group on facebook ” Liberatore guitars rule !” .

          Cheers
          John

    5. Re: Information on a Liberatore bass
      Alex

      : ive got a bass that nobody has ever seen before can u help me with finding out any information? it is a Liberatore

      Liberatore is a fine luthier here in Montreal Canada. I deal with him from time to time, he makes really great necks with very low action. I heard that for basses he uses 2 truss rods, I’m not sure about it, I never asked him.

      1. Re: Information on a Liberatore bass
        sam garrick

        : : ive got a bass that nobody has ever seen before can u help me with finding out any information? it is a Liberatore

        time to time, he makes really great necks with very low action. I heard that for basses he uses 2 truss rods, I’m not sure about it, I never asked him.

      2. Re: Information on a Liberatore bass
        Jeff

        Montreal based metalband Voivod used to play Liberatore guitars (both bass and guitar) from ’86 till ’88. Very cool shapes and killer sound! go to http://www.voivod.com and check their discography. There’s some pictures of their axes on their record called Rrrrrooooaaaarrr!!!!

  2. rare mitchell guitar model!!!
    jeff h

    [The body of this post has been reconstituted from replies so it may differ from what was originally written.]

    I was wondering if you found anything out on that instrument…I have a MD 100 CE model and also cant find any information regarding this guitar. Its a electic/acoustic 6 string. Any help you could give me would be amazing-thanks
    i own a rare model of a mitchell guitar.i hav searched the web and cannot find any information about it!the model is a md-100/tvs. any information will be very helppfull. thank you

    1. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
      Jeff

      :This website will provide reviews and info on some Mitchell Guitars. It really helped me learn more. Its still dissapointing that Mithchell doesnt have their own site.

      http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Mitchell/

      : i own a rare model of a mitchell guitar.i hav searched the web and cannot find any information about it!the model is a md-100/tvs. any information will be very helppfull. thank you

      1. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
        aaron

        I have a MD 100 CE model and I cant find any information regarding this guitar. Its a electic/acoustic 6 string. Any help you could give me would be amazing-thanks. Aaron

      2. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
        Keith

        I am thinking about buying one from an individual in San Francisco for $100 firm. No model # is given to me. Looks like Michell only made MD-100. Can anyone tell me if this is a good sounding guitar and if $100 is a good price? A carring bag is included. I start searching and also not able to find any information on Mitchell guitar. But I found this page and see you are also looking for it. Please e-mail your experience on this guitar. I would appreciate. The address is [email protected]

      3. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
        Robobo

        : : I was wondering if you found anything out on that instrument…I have a MD 100 CE model and also cant find any information regarding this guitar. Its a electic/acoustic 6 string. Any help you could give me would be amazing-thanks
        : STEPHANIE

        :
        : : i own a rare model of a mitchell guitar.i hav searched the web and cannot find any information about it!the model is a md-100/tvs. any information will be very helppfull. thank you

        : I also have a Mitchell md-100/tvs. I’m guessing it is not an endangered species ??

        Bobert

        1. MD-100 Mitchell WFM Guitar.
          Stephen

          I have and MD-100 . Bought it in 1994. Paid $150.00 . It is a fine guitar with very sure intonation & action. I ‘ve played Gibsons , Martins, Taylors … But I always come back to this well made Mahogany with spruce top guitar as my go to for all time. It has Grover tuning pegs and truss rod . The action is fantastic for me.

        2. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
          James Milton

          I’ve got an MD100 too. They told me at the Guitar Center where I bought it that the maker used to work for them.

          : : : I was wondering if you found anything out on that instrument…I have a MD 100 CE model and also cant find any information regarding this guitar. Its a electic/acoustic 6 string. Any help you could give me would be amazing-thanks
          : : STEPHANIE

          : :
          : : : i own a rare model of a mitchell guitar.i hav searched the web and cannot find any information about it!the model is a md-100/tvs. any information will be very helppfull. thank you

          :
          : : I also have a Mitchell md-100/tvs. I’m guessing it is not an endangered species ??

          : Bobert

        3. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
          louise

          : : : I was wondering if you found anything out on that instrument…I have a MD 100 CE model and also cant find any information regarding this guitar. Its a electic/acoustic 6 string. Any help you could give me would be amazing-thanks
          : : STEPHANIE

          : :
          : : : i own a rare model of a mitchell guitar.i hav searched the web and cannot find any information about it!the model is a md-100/tvs. any information will be very helppfull. thank you

          :
          : : I also have a Mitchell md-100/tvs. I’m guessing it is not an endangered species ??

          : Bobert

          Me, too! Got a Mitchell MD 100S acoustic, a stylized WFM insignia and Mitchell embossing; the interior label says "since 1924", but I can’t seem to find anything, and my local guitar guru was mystified as well. Love the instrument, tho!

          1. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
            Ryan

            : : : : I was wondering if you found anything out on that instrument…I have a MD 100 CE model and also cant find any information regarding this guitar. Its a electic/acoustic 6 string. Any help you could give me would be amazing-thanks
            : : : STEPHANIE

            : : :
            : : : : i own a rare model of a mitchell guitar.i hav searched the web and cannot find any information about it!the model is a md-100/tvs. any information will be very helppfull. thank you

            : :
            : : : I also have a Mitchell md-100/tvs. I’m guessing it is not an endangered species ??

            : : Bobert

            : Me, too! Got a Mitchell MD 100S acoustic, a stylized WFM insignia and Mitchell embossing; the interior label says "since 1924", but I can’t seem to find anything, and my local guitar guru was mystified as well. Love the instrument, tho!

            yeah, definately got an md- 100s. who makes it??

            1. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
              bs

              : : : : : I was wondering if you found anything out on that instrument…I have a MD 100 CE model and also cant find any information regarding this guitar. Its a electic/acoustic 6 string. Any help you could give me would be amazing-thanks
              : : : : STEPHANIE

              : : : :
              : : : : : i own a rare model of a mitchell guitar.i hav searched the web and cannot find any information about it!the model is a md-100/tvs. any information will be very helppfull. thank you

              : : :
              : : : : I also have a Mitchell md-100/tvs. I’m guessing it is not an endangered species ??

              : : : Bobert

              : : Me, too! Got a Mitchell MD 100S acoustic, a stylized WFM insignia and Mitchell embossing; the interior label says "since 1924", but I can’t seem to find anything, and my local guitar guru was mystified as well. Love the instrument, tho!

              : yeah, definately got an md- 100s. who makes it??

              do yourself a favor. save your $$ and buy a good guitar. really, not being mean, just helping out.

              1. WFM MITCHELL
                dave

                : : : : : : I was wondering if you found anything out on that instrument…I have a MD 100 CE model and also cant find any information regarding this guitar. Its a electic/acoustic 6 string. Any help you could give me would be amazing-thanks
                : : : : : STEPHANIE

                : : : : :
                : : : : : : i own a rare model of a mitchell guitar.i hav searched the web and cannot find any information about it!the model is a md-100/tvs. any information will be very helppfull. thank you

                : : : :
                : : : : : I also have a Mitchell md-100/tvs. I’m guessing it is not an endangered species ??

                : : : : Bobert

                : : : Me, too! Got a Mitchell MD 100S acoustic, a stylized WFM insignia and Mitchell embossing; the interior label says "since 1924", but I can’t seem to find anything, and my local guitar guru was mystified as well. Love the instrument, tho!

                : : yeah, definately got an md- 100s. who makes it??

                :
                : do yourself a favor. save your $$ and buy a good guitar. really, not being mean, just helping out.

                Ialso have a wfm mitchell 100-s, excellent guitar, very nice action and sound.I read that it’s a guitar center brand,but can’t find any info on the wfm, i did find out that the founder of guitar center is william f. mitchell.

              2. WFM MITCHELL
                dave

                : : : : : : I was wondering if you found anything out on that instrument…I have a MD 100 CE model and also cant find any information regarding this guitar. Its a electic/acoustic 6 string. Any help you could give me would be amazing-thanks
                : : : : : STEPHANIE

                : : : : :
                : : : : : : i own a rare model of a mitchell guitar.i hav searched the web and cannot find any information about it!the model is a md-100/tvs. any information will be very helppfull. thank you

                : : : :
                : : : : : I also have a Mitchell md-100/tvs. I’m guessing it is not an endangered species ??

                : : : : Bobert

                : : : Me, too! Got a Mitchell MD 100S acoustic, a stylized WFM insignia and Mitchell embossing; the interior label says "since 1924", but I can’t seem to find anything, and my local guitar guru was mystified as well. Love the instrument, tho!

                : : yeah, definately got an md- 100s. who makes it??

                :
                : do yourself a favor. save your $$ and buy a good guitar. really, not being mean, just helping out.

              3. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
                Victor

                : : : : : : I was wondering if you found anything out on that instrument…I have a MD 100 CE model and also cant find any information regarding this guitar. Its a electic/acoustic 6 string. Any help you could give me would be amazing-thanks
                : : : : : STEPHANIE

                : : : : :
                : : : : : : i own a rare model of a mitchell guitar.i hav searched the web and cannot find any information about it!the model is a md-100/tvs. any information will be very helppfull. thank you

                : : : :
                : : : : : I also have a Mitchell md-100/tvs. I’m guessing it is not an endangered species ??

                : : : : Bobert

                : : : Me, too! Got a Mitchell MD 100S acoustic, a stylized WFM insignia and Mitchell embossing; the interior label says "since 1924", but I can’t seem to find anything, and my local guitar guru was mystified as well. Love the instrument, tho!

                : : yeah, definately got an md- 100s. who makes it??

                :
                : do yourself a favor. save your $$ and buy a good guitar. really, not being mean, just helping out.

                I have a WFM Mitchell 6 string acoustic guitar model MD-700. I bought it at a garage sale in southern California in 6-21-2003. The guy I bought it from was moving from LA to NY and said he was, I believe a producer for Columbia Records. The case had a label that had the address to some building in NY and said 1 of 12 Columbia Records. His friend said to me "you scored on that guitar" and I said why, he said because that guitar has a lot of history. I said what kind of history, he said that guitar has been played by many famuos musicians. I asked who and he said Nirvara, Alice and Chains, Perl Jams, Toad The Wet Sprocket and Soul Asylum. So I asked the owner if he could put that in writing so I can have the history on the guitar. So I bought it and he gave me a paper with all the bands names that his friend had said and signed it. I believe he said his name was Mike. As a producer he said these bands would come visit him at his office to conduct business and he kept the guitar in the waiting area so thay would pick it up and play it while they waited for him to recieve them for there meeting. I know, too much information but I thought it was interesting.
                Any ways, I also cannot find the manufacturer. All I know it’s a very nice looking guitar and it sounds beautiful. Must be custom made. It has ivory trimming all around, mother pearl with a very nice finish and brass keys. I’ll be checking in every onca in a while.

                Vic
                12-13-2008

                1. mitchell guitar
                  GRAHAM

                  HI THERE FROM THE UK I HAVE JUST ACQUIRED A MITCHELL MD 750 S FROM THE STATES I OWN MANY ACOUSTICS INCLUDING 2 JEDSONS AND 2 TOKAI TAKAMINE LAWSUIT THIS IS UP THERE WITH THEM SOLID SPRUCE TOP FIGURED ROSEWOOD BACK AND SIDES ABALONE ALL OVER EDGES AND SOUND HOLE ABULOUS CONDITION YOU CAN KEEP YOUR OVERPRICED M R T N S AND G B O S THIS SOUNDS AS GOOD AS ANYTHING I HAVE PLAYED FOR 200 BUCKS ON E BAY UNBELEIVABLE LIKE A CANNON HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BELIEVE ME

              4. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
                Will

                These Mitchell acoustics are Guitar Center’s "house brand" guitars. Worth about $120-$250, any model.

                They are great guitars with low action and great playability.

              5. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
                Victor Monterroza

                : : : : : : I was wondering if you found anything out on that instrument…I have a MD 100 CE model and also cant find any information regarding this guitar. Its a electic/acoustic 6 string. Any help you could give me would be amazing-thanks
                : : : : : STEPHANIE

                : : : : :
                : : : : : : i own a rare model of a mitchell guitar.i hav searched the web and cannot find any information about it!the model is a md-100/tvs. any information will be very helppfull. thank you

                : : : :
                : : : : : I also have a Mitchell md-100/tvs. I’m guessing it is not an endangered species ??

                : : : : Bobert

                : : : Me, too! Got a Mitchell MD 100S acoustic, a stylized WFM insignia and Mitchell embossing; the interior label says "since 1924", but I can’t seem to find anything, and my local guitar guru was mystified as well. Love the instrument, tho!

                : : yeah, definately got an md- 100s. who makes it??

                :
                : do yourself a favor. save your $$ and buy a good guitar. really, not being mean, just helping out.

                There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Mitchell guitars. They are IMHO the best bang for the buck. I bought an MD100S last night at my local Guitar Center. I compared it to guitars costing hundreds more and the fit and finish and most important the SOUND is great! I looked at the Yamaha FG730S which has a street price of $299.00, the Mitchell looked and sounds better. I also looked at Epiphone, Fender, Ibanez, Taylor and Martins. In this price range nothing can touch the Mitchell. Who knows? I noticed most manufacturers are making their products in Indonesia, China, Mexico, and other countries where labor is cheap. This Mitchell is made in Indonesia and it’s funny as the label states it’s designed and engineered in California and built to specs by Javanese craftsman in Indonesia. I wonder if they meant Japanese craftsman in Indonesia? Anyway, this is my second acoustic, I have a Mexican made Gilb "REQUINTO" which is like a quarter size guitar and the thing looks like it was put together with gum and penny nails but it sounds great too!
                The folks at GC told me the Mitchells are made specially for Guitar Center. They must also be affiliated with Musician’s Friend and I found the MD100S on sale for $129.99 at MF and GC matched the price. They had the guitar for $179.99 I am very satisfied with my purchase.

                🙂

              6. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
                Richard Hertz

                Guitar Center’s house brand, I read somewhere.Can’t be very rare if so. Now this thread is all I find. I’m looking because I just went down to get my MD-100 CE and the tuning head was standing up at a 45 degree angle. It split across the head, AGAINST the grain, just under the tuners closest to the body. Very disappointed with this – it was a great guitar with a cutaway. I might glue it but I’ll certainly bitch at GC about it. It was a little over 5 yrs old.

                : : : : : : I was wondering if you found anything out on that instrument…I have a MD 100 CE model and also cant find any information regarding this guitar. Its a electic/acoustic 6 string. Any help you could give me would be amazing-thanks
                : : : : : STEPHANIE

                : : : : :
                : : : : : : i own a rare model of a mitchell guitar.i hav searched the web and cannot find any information about it!the model is a md-100/tvs. any information will be very helppfull. thank you

                : : : :
                : : : : : I also have a Mitchell md-100/tvs. I’m guessing it is not an endangered species ??

                : : : : Bobert

                : : : Me, too! Got a Mitchell MD 100S acoustic, a stylized WFM insignia and Mitchell embossing; the interior label says "since 1924", but I can’t seem to find anything, and my local guitar guru was mystified as well. Love the instrument, tho!

                : : yeah, definately got an md- 100s. who makes it??

                :
                : do yourself a favor. save your $$ and buy a good guitar. really, not being mean, just helping out.

              7. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
                dave

                Rare, they’re not, though I can’t seem to find much info on them either. I can tell you that they’re in no way associated with Bil Mitchell ( http://www.bilmitchell.com ). A quick look at Sam Ash, Musician’s Friend or the like will show you any number of Mitchells going for $199 on the average. Of course, they all say listing for $300- $500, but who comes up with these list prices anyway?

                That said, I just bought one today. I went in to Guitar Center with the intention of buying a decent "fest guitar". Maybe a $99 Yamaha. Picked this one up for fun, played it, and couldn’t believe the price tag. I actually asked if it was a mistake, and who the hell is this Mitchell company? I’m blown away by such quality for $200. The binding is nothing short of beautiful, while the inlay work around the soundhole and up the center back binding is downright pretty. The body shape is a soulful curved taper, letting the rich bass really come out. I plugged it in while in the store and that sold me on the spot. ‘Course, I defeated the entire purpose of the "fest guitar", so I still have to be super careful about temperature and humidity, but I just couldn’t resist it. Oh- and as to the individual who was trying to "help" by ragging on it and sagely advising you to save your money- f’ him. That’s not helping- that’s just being a d1ck. For what it’s worth, I’ve been playing for 23 years now. I’ve played just about every make and model of acoustic & electric guitars, basses, mandolins and banjos. Not to mention classical violin and various vintage-to-modern keyboard instruments and percussion, from hand-made tribal pieces to your standard 5 piece trap kit. I know a quality instrument when I see/play/buy one. This is a quality instrument. Somehow, they managed to build ’em cheap, and we’ve reaped the benefits, so enjoy the hell out it. I know I am and will continue to do so. This summer’s festivals are looking better already.

                Peace- db
                cyber-punk.com
                myspace.com/davebrownmusic

            2. rare mitchell guitar model!!!
              jarim

              I got that guitar too, and I don’t now how to string it.
              it is to difficult, if somebody knows how to string it
              please!!!!!!! let me know.

            3. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
              Rich

              It’s made exclusively for Guitar Center stores. Not exactly "rare". I bought a Mitchell MD-100S from them about 4 years ago. I’ve been pleased with it.

            4. Re: rare mitchell guitar model!!!
              mattymatt

              I just got one from guitar center. They were going for only $200 but i got this one for $130 because of a chip on it! Damn this thing rings! I heard they were made by Samick, but am not sure. The weird thing is the headstock looks pretty much like a gibson and has grover tuners! Which is sort of odd. Also note the name WFM ( mitchell) was the founder of Guitar center.Anyone know more,please email me! Thanks!

      4. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... steph
        steph

        : I was wondering if you found anything out on that instrument…I have a MD 100 CE model and also cant find any information regarding this guitar. Its a electic/acoustic 6 string. Any help you could give me would be amazing-thanks
        STEPHANIE

        : i own a rare model of a mitchell guitar.i hav searched the web and cannot find any information about it!the model is a md-100/tvs. any information will be very helppfull. thank you

        1. Mitchell 700S
          Anonymous

          I have owned a Mitchell 700 S for years. I bought my son a Martin and he likes my 700S better. Unbelievable sound. Everybody that has heard its beautiful sound has loved it. A gift from my wife decades ago. It was purchased at Guitar Center. I bought a twin for my brother and we played together prior to his untimely death.
          I do not care about the brands and the sales pitches. In my opinion this is one of the finest acoustics ever made and I am grateful to have it. If anyone has one that wants to “toss it” because they think it is unworthy or a piece of junk let me know. I would love to get another. That model is very hard to find. My niece has my brother’s. I bought another a few years ago after a few years of searching as the two together is a connection with my brother.
          I do not really care if people believe it or not. I do not really care if they say you should have a Martin or a Gibson or a whatever. This guitar is awesome in every way!!!

          1. Mitchell Guitars: original great guitars vs gc laminate copies
            fre

            to the gent who loves his MD700 – you are absolutely correct! These are amazing guitars! I have the next step up – MD750s … Solid AAA Spruce Top, Solid Brazilian rosewood sides and back, double abalone binding…. my martin and taylor friends as well choose to play my guitar over theirs.

            The problem with opinions on Mitchell is everyone doesn’t know the facts: there are two different Mitchell guitar companies. The original company who made masterful solid wood guitars, based out of New York and made in Japan and Korea that I have seen and owned and have been told also made in the US. The company folded and years later GC acquired the name, log and rights to start making laminate versions. These are made in China and Indonesia. Not the same company – Not the same quality – Not in the same ballpark….. hell, not even in the same continent :).

            The new GC Mitchells are nice enough $200-300 entry-intermediate level guitars. They are not a fraction of the quality, build, sound, tone of the originals.

            Just to drive the point home – Bill Mitchell founded Organ Center in 1959, which them rebranded itself mid 60’s to Vox Center and finally to GC in ’69. The use of Brazilian Rosewood for guitars ended in 1969. There is no way possible GC built the Brazilian Rosewood models.

        2. Mitchell guitars
          Anonymous

          I will comment and give some clarity on Mitchell Guitars. It appears the company was sold to Guitar Center around 2002. They were made by the original company in Japan, Korea and Indonesia. The guitars made after 2002 are nothing special, however, from the specs I see, the original company had different factories that they worked with, one being Samick in Indonesia from late 90s to early 2000’s. There is a slight change in headstock and inside label when GC took over the brand. I have 2 Japans and 1 Korean and they appear to be made by the same factories that Alvarez may have used. I have never seen any info on the original company online anywhere. The GC scenario is only part of Mitchell’s history.

        3. MD Mitchell 750
          Anonymous

          Can anyone tell me how much an MD Mtchell 750 Acoustic Guitar should sell for. I found one at a garage sale. It was like new, hardly ever played. I wondered if it was over priced? Would like to check it out if it isn’t. Thanks!

        4. MD 500?
          Anonymous

          Ive had an MD 500 for years and never new much about it. Rosewood sides and back. Solid spruce top. Ivory trimming and teeth. mother of pearl inlay. brass tuning keys. WFM on the head.

        5. The Truth About Mitchell Guitars
          Fre

          The Mitchell Guitar Company was based out of New York and was in operation from 1924 until the early seventies and has nothing to do with Guitar Center. I have a number of early Mitchells that are truly wonderful guitars. Mine were made in both Japan and Korea – all are solid top and the best i own is triple “A” solid spruce top and solid brazilian rosewood sides and back and appraised at $3000.

          Guitar Center bought the name, logo and rights to use the model numbers etcetera – hence much of the confusion – , much like Gibson bought the name and rights to the 60’s Baldwin guitar company and Korg bought the rights to Vox – the new models have zero to do with the historic models. I called the new Mitchell company and inquired about the old and was told….. the they THREW OUT ALL the old records of the former company years ago. i find it very deceptive on GC’s part to label the new Mitchell’s as “since 1924”.

          1. Thank you!
            Tyler

            I don’t know if you will ever see this but thank you so much I have been trying to find the history of my old Mitchell md100tvs. If indonesia uses the same serial number system as the u.s. it is from 71. Couldn’t find any history on old wfm mitchell guitars. They really do a poor job now compared to what I have. If you know anything else about dating it please let me know.

        6. Rare Mitchell Guitar Model
          Anonymous

          I agree with those who find the Mitchell Guitars to be an incredibly high-quality, high-bang-for-the-buck guitars. Thank Guitar Center for keeping this alternative available for those of us to whom $2,000+ is the unattainable Holy Grail, of a Rosewood-Body Martin, or Taylor.

          I purchased my brand new Mitchell MD300S for an unbelievably low price, given its $699 MSRP. This guitar is BEAUTIFUL. Solid Spruce top with Indian Rosewood sides and back, with the most beautiful body/neck binding, with inlaid Abalone around the body, and the Rosette as well. Looks like a $6,000 D-45!

          String height is as low as I’ve ever seen on a straight-from-the-factory acoustic guitar! Neck radius is actually friendly to those making Barre chords. And (critical to someone like me, who has perfect pitch), the intonation is drop-dead perfect!!!!!. This guitar is actually more playable and musical than many Martins and Gretsches I’ve seen that were priced well above $750.00. The Rosewood body contributes to a real traditional full-bodied Dreadnaught-type tone, reminiscent of those iconic acoustics from Pennsylvania.

          The guy who interjected – “do yourself a favor. save your $$ and buy a good guitar. really, not being mean, just helping out.” – is a combination of s–t-for-brains moron, ignoramous, dick, and troll, all rolled together into one steaming, stinking pile of dung.

          I’ve been playing since 1968, at the pro level since 1994, am a songwriter with CD rated by critics at 5-stars – so I think I know something about this subject, and I know a great guitar when I see and play one. The Mitchell is a drop-dead bargain, from the cheapest MD100 all the way up the line.

        7. WFM Mitchell MD100B
          Big Dave

          Recently bought this guitar, used, from a Goodwill store. Paid $41.00 with shipping.

          Got to say, it is great. Sounds great, wonderful workmanship, easy to play, even for a beginner such as I am. It is a bit rough, tuners have taken a beating, nut has a couple of chips out of it, but that considered, it stays in tune and the strings stay put and the sound is nothing short of angelic.

          So, to my ear, buy a Mitchell. This line of guitars is built specifically for Guitar Center and pays homage to the founder, his name was Wayne Mitchell.

        8. Mitchell MD-50acoustic guitar
          linda

          I recently found this guitar in relatives house, had it stringed bridge put on, it was missing as were the strings. I have found no information at all on this guitar. I know it’s not high dollar,but it sure plays nice. Any info would be appreciated.

        9. Mitchell Jet Mini Electric Guitar
          Tim

          I have what I believe to be a rare Mitchell Jet mini les paul style electric guitar. I can not find any info on it. Any help please?

        10. WFM Mitchell M-30 acoustic guitar
          Anonymous

          I recently bought a Mitchell M-30 acoustic guitar and it sounds beautiful. I cannot find any information on when it was built or the original price. This one is apparently an earlier model. It is in “like new” shape. Can you help me out?

  3. Nakade Guitar
    Phil Valdez

    Hi. I have a rare 10-string Toshihiko Nakade Classical Guitar. Cedar top and Jakaranda back/sides. I’m planning on selling it for $2,500. E-mail me if you’re interested. Thanks.

    1. Re: Nakade Guitar
      Ed Fischer

      :I have a "Rokutaro Nakade – Tokio Ano 70 A5" (inside label) 6-srting classical guitar purchased in Spain early 1970’s. Does anyone know its value or quality?

  4. Sedona Guitar... I have a 12 string... value? history?...
    Kurt

    Any info about my 12 string Sedona acoustic guitar would be helpful. It’s in nice shape. I’m wondering it’s value, new, used, whatever… and/or any info about the company. Does the company still exist. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks. Kurt.

    1. Re: Sedona Guitar... I have a 12 string... value? history?...
      Brian E.

      : Any info about my 12 string Sedona acoustic guitar would be helpful. It’s in nice shape. I’m wondering it’s value, new, used, whatever… and/or any info about the company. Does the company still exist. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks. Kurt.
      Kurt, I have a Sedona 6 string and am also curious.
      Thanks

    1. Re: martin n-10 classical
      the quail

      : does anyone have any info on the martin n-10 classical guitar??thanks in advance!!

      I know of a marlin classical for sale – but no idea on model number. Just something used in a studio that is shutting down – think he is asking a c note…

  5. La Grange Electric Guitar???
    Daniel

    Hi, I recently had a La Grange Electric Guitar Stolen From me. If anyone knows of any details on these guitars I would greatly appreciate a message back as my insurance company needs some more details on it. As I picked it up second hand I’m not sure If the company exists anymore. It was metallic red paint, black pick guard, gold plated bridge, tuning pegs and Waa Waa Handle, and I think it was made in Texas somewhere. Any info would be good
    Cheers
    Dan

  6. Austin Round Neck Resonator
    JoAnn Phillips

    I just purchased an Austin model AU680 on e-bay to give a friend as a birthday gift. It is a round neck resonator, traditional "Dobro" style. The specs say that is has a traditional resonator body style, spruce top, mahogany neck. back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, chrome resonator, pearl inlaid logo, traditional pearl button machines and glass tobacco sunburst finish.

    I’ve been trying to find out more about Austin guitars but can’t find a web site for the company. Does anyone know anything about this model or the company?

    I’d appreciate any feedback you can offer.

    Thanks

    1. Re: Austin Round Neck Resonator
      Ethan Rode

      Austin guitars are low end chinese instruments. they are manufacured under various names and by various manufacturers. If i’m not mistaken your Austin Resonator is probably made by Johnson

    1. Re: Bently guitar info please $$$
      Chase

      I bought a Bently acoustic guitar at a flea market in Flordia, but i don’t know what kind it is. I honestly have no clue how much it’s worth or any info on it, but this guy sold it to me for $70. If you find out any info, please let me know becuase I am also interested.

    2. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... BCWEST
      BCWEST

      Ive been given a bently model#5150R acoustic/electric.I really like it so Im not gonna sell it.Does anyone know what this guitar is worth,I just found out theyre no longer made and very rare so I was thinkin maybe this lilguy is worth some bucks.Thank you very much to anyone who repleys.

    1. Re: Arnold Hoyer "Esquire"
      Gerard Mandersloot (Netherlands)

      Hello,

      I own a Arnold Hoyer Esquire. The year that it has been build is 1960. It needs alot of work. Can anyone tell me (or show pictures) about this guitar. Is it worth to restore it?

    2. Arnold Hoyer Esquire 19 rot
      Alwin Haug

      habe eine etwas leicht verzogene Arnold Hoyer Esquire 19 rot bekommen, kann mir jemand sagen ob sie überhaupt noch etwas wert ist!!!!

    3. Arnold Hoyer Esquire 19 rot
      Alwin Haug

      habe eine etwas leicht verzogene Arnold Hoyer Esquire 19 rot bekommen, kann mir jemand sagen ob sie Überhaubt noch etwas wert ist!!!!

    1. Re: Tanglewood Baretta Jetstream????
      mads denmark

      : i got a tanglewood baretta jetstream dirt cheap and in mint condition and im just curious to find out how much one usally costs. if u know email me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      1. Re: Tanglewood Baretta Jetstream????
        berry

        : : i got a tanglewood baretta jetstream dirt cheap and in mint condition and im just curious to find out how much one usally costs. if u know email me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        thay used to retel in the uk for £379 new and about £180 used was about 5 years ago so maby a bit less now

        1. Re: Tanglewood Baretta Jetstream????
          chris

          i picked up mine for 150 with an amp, beautiful tonal range, very comfortable… did u get the s400 or the s100?

          : originally 170 pounds but now discontinued

    2. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... SpunkyMunky88
      SpunkyMunky88

      i got a tanglewood baretta jetstream dirt cheap and in mint condition and im just curious to find out how much one usally costs. if u know email me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  7. What is my guitar? Is it worth anything?
    Emma

    I got a guitar as a gift from my aunt it was my uncle’s guitar it was given to him in the late 60’s on the box it says Banez mo#v300 and on the neck on the guitar it has an H and in the inside there is the word Heater it is a acoustic guitar it is red and yellow with a humming bird in black next to the hole.

    1. Re: What is my guitar? Is it worth anything?
      Alyce

      : I got a guitar as a gift from my aunt it was my uncle’s guitar it was given to him in the late 60’s on the box it says Banez mo#v300 and on the neck on the guitar it has an H and in the inside there is the word Heater it is a acoustic guitar it is red and yellow with a humming bird in black next to the hole.

      Hey there – it sounds like an Ibanez probably made for Sears or Montgomery Ward in the late 60s or 70s. Probably sold under the Global or Harmony name at the time.

  8. Arnold Hoyer 1950's Original
    Jane Crowe

    I have an AH original, wondering if anyone knows the value of such a guitar, it’s in great condition, made in the 50’s, it has had an Arnold Hoyer pick-up put on it, color: blondewood, with f-holes. Don’t know much about these things, so if anyone can help, that’d be great?!

      1. Lyle guitars
        Anonymous

        I have a really nice classical C-620. Got it for 50 dollars. Like new but now 40 year old wood. I went to a local store to sample what they had and to get the sound and build quality on my Lyle I had to look at name brands upwards of 500 dollars. That’s where I stopped and realized I had gotten a great deal. I won’t sell mine. Should last a long time. I just got a nice case for it, used, for 50. So. 100 dollars for a great guitar and case. I also got an attachable pickup.

      2. Re: LYLE GUITARS
        dave stepp

        : : DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LYLE GUITARS. I ONCE WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE AFFILIATED WITH GIBSON.

        I have a Lyle arch top, hollow body , electric guitar.Modle no.t-120 ,in mint condition. Does anyone know what the value of it is?

      3. Re: LYLE GUITARS
        dave stepp

        : : DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LYLE GUITARS. I ONCE WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE AFFILIATED WITH GIBSON.

        I have a Lyle arch top, hollow body , electric guitar.Modle no.t-120 ,in mint condition. Does anyone know what the value of it is?

        1. Lyle guitars
          Anonymous

          Dave, I looked it up and somehoe Gibson bought out the company. It originated in Japan.Ive had one since 1966.as a teen ager woulnd sell it for the world. Its a C605. Maddy

          1. lyle classical guitar c-605
            phil parada

            i also have a lyle c-605 small nylon string guitar with loud voice. ceder top,mohagany back and sides. paper label, also says 3144 in red print.have 4 more nylon sting guitars. this one sounds best. would not sell, without vintage appraisal! good luck fellow lyle owner

    1. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      kati

      I have been playing for two years. I use to play (and still have) a fender squier. Today I bought a Lyle on impuls. I wasn’t planning on buying one, i just walked in and it looked so beautiful. I have a feeling it is about 10 years old or so, but the sales man didn’t know much other than it was a Lyle and it had new tunning pegs on it. I got it for 150$ and i would REALLY love to know more about it. Thanks.

    2. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      Craig

      : DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LYLE GUITARS. I ONCE WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE AFFILIATED WITH GIBSON.
      I have found more information on this site regarding Lyle Guitars, than anywhere else on the internet. Mine is a flat top model L-12. The guitar appears to be in very good to excellent condition, with some minor wear on the finish near the pick guard, and sounds fantastic to my tin ear. I have just begun to play guitar and would like to know if this is a good guitar? Is it actually worth anything?

    3. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      mandy

      i have a lyle. i know nothing aobut it. my dad bought it when he was 17. model number :692. serial number :291. somebody tell me something about my guitar.

    4. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      Carol

      I have an M 470 Hummingbird 12 string copy from the early 70’s–don’t remember where I got it or how much I paid, but it’s been all over the country with me and only sounds better with age. I haven’t been able to find any info other than here…

    5. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      sean

      I also too have a lyle elestric guitar. It was my first guitar. I must have a cheap version becouse it has very crapy sound and looks cheap. It says that it was made in japan on the back plate of the neck. It hase no model number on it. It is all black and it says lyle on the head of the guitar in gold leaf. It looks like a rip off of a gibson with a single hummbucker. I think that it was made in the early 70’s. If any could please give me some more info on it and some differnt pics then the ones list in the replys that would great. I can send pics if any one wants to see. Thanks

      1. Lyle guitar
        CindyAnonymous

        I think I have one like the one you are talking about, can’t find any info either.
        Sure would like to know more about it so I can put a decent price on it to sell it.

    6. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      Al

      : DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LYLE GUITARS. I ONCE WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE AFFILIATED WITH GIBSON. I got a W-460 hummingbird copy in 1976 and it knocks everyone out with the sound for a plywood guitar. I also saw the identical model in a diorama at the Roy Rogers museum in Apple Valley. thought he played a martin but could just be a prop for the public.g

      1. Re: LYLE GUITARS
        Jackie

        I have just recently purchased a Lyle acoustic guitar,the model number is hard to read,but i believe it starts with "F-5" and its really hard to find any information on these guitars.i was just curious of their origination,how much they may be worth, and any other additional information would be greatly appreciated.
        thanks,
        -Jackie

      2. Re: LYLE GUITARS
        Guy America

        Thanks for the 411. I bought a Lyle F-540 for TWENTY BUCKS about 12 years ago and it’s still my resident acoustic. Sweet sounding and just the most upscale construction. Will never get rid of it.

    7. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      Barbara

      Count me in — just bought one and know nothing about it. Can’t find any info either. Mine’s a Model L-14 12-string. Bought it ‘cuz it was cheap as 12-strings go.

      1. Re: LYLE GUITARS
        mike

        GREETINGS, IF YOU OWN A LYLE YOU ARE VERY LUCKY. MOST PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO ADMIT TO OWNING A GUITAR MADE IN JAPAN,BUT WHEN I BOUGHT MY LYLE HUMMING BIRD IN 1973 FOR $50.00 AND THE GUY WAS GOING TO SHOW ME THE DIFFERENCE IN SOUND BETWEEN A 50.00 LYLE AND A 800.00 GIBSON AFTER HE PLAYED BOTH HE SAID WELL I WON’T DO THAT AGAIN. THE LYLE SOUNDED TWICE AS GOOD. 2 WEEKS LATER I BOUGHT MY DAD A LYLE DOVE WITH ADJUSTABLE BRIDGE FOR 85.00 THEY ARE STILL BOTH PLAYABLE TODAY. I ALSO OWN A MARTIN D-18 AND A GIBSON F-HOLE GUITAR AND WILL PLAY EITHER OF THE LYLES OVER THEM ANY TIME. CONGRADS ON YOUR LYLE,YOU ARE IN FOR SOME VERY ENJOYABLE TIMES. I WAS TOLD THAT THE LYLE GUITARS WERE BUILT BY JAPANESE TECHS THAT WERE TRAINED AT THE GIBSON FACTORY AND BASICALLY ALL THEY MADE WERE COPIES OF THE GUBSON LINE, MUCH LIKE THE SIGMA LINE COPIES MARTIN.

        MIKE.

        1. Lyle 12 string.
          Anonymous

          I have a Lyle 12 string, with adjustable bridge and a long tail piece. It clearly says it was made in Korea. It sounds really nice. It does need some set up adjustments, as it is a little high and the adjustable bridge is all the way down, but I believe it is fixable. It looks really nice, since most of its life was spent in the case.. I found it difficult to play (as I was new for a 12 string and not good at any regular guitar for that matter). Now, I have had more experience and I can make it sound really good, even as a amateur guitarist. I wish I could find out more. IT seems there is very little information. I have never seen mine on any website. I am taking it to a good Luther and will determine if I am going to sell or not. Most likely not, if it can be improved, as the sound is truly great, even with the old strings. But I digress. Anyone knowing where I can find out more about the Korean made models please let me know.

    8. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      Don

      Lyle was owned by Norlin, the same company that owned Gibson in the 70’s. I’ve heard that this was going to be Gibson’s answer to the influx of japanese boxes at the time but after just a few years of production they move Epiphone to Japan instead. I’ve got a Model 630-L (Hummingbird) that I’ve owned for over 30 years. It is stil my favorite player although it is showing it’s age after being drug all over hell’s-half-acre. ANYBODY with more info or having any model for sale, contact me!!

      1. Lyle guitar for sale
        Elaine

        Hi, I have a Lyle guitar I want to sell. It looks to me like the model is 0-620. The serial number is 210086. It was sold out of the “Stan Boreson” music shop near Seattle Washington (he was a very popular long-time musician in the pacific northwest). It looks in perfect condition, to me. I don’t play or know much about guitars.

      2. Re: LYLE GUITARS
        dave stepp

        : Lyle was owned by Norlin, the same company that owned Gibson in the 70’s. I’ve heard that this was going to be Gibson’s answer to the influx of japanese boxes at the time but after just a few years of production they move Epiphone to Japan instead. I’ve got a Model 630-L (Hummingbird) that I’ve owned for over 30 years. It is stil my favorite player although it is showing it’s age after being drug all over hell’s-half-acre. ANYBODY with more info or having any model for sale, contact me!!

        I have a Lyle hollow body,electric guitar. Model no.1203 T. It is in mint condition.Red w/white trim.Two pickups,whammy bar,and a strat-like headstock.I am courious what the value of it is and I am wanting to sell it also.Please contact me if you are interested or have any information regarding this guitar and it’s value.Thanks, Dvae Stepp

        1. Re: LYLE GUITARS Lyle 630-L
          Terry Finstad

          I have a 630-L 6 String Sunburst Top Accoustic that I would like to sell for a friend of mine. It’s in good shape but has dings on the neck butt/heel where it joins the body. One of the kids banged it with a toy years ago. Looks good and has double perl inlay rosewood neck. Make offer. No case but have cardboard shipping box from a gretch I purchased and will ship for actual cost fob Portland, Oregon UPS or your preference.

          Terry Finstad
          : : Lyle was owned by Norlin, the same company that owned Gibson in the 70’s. I’ve heard that this was going to be Gibson’s answer to the influx of japanese boxes at the time but after just a few years of production they move Epiphone to Japan instead. I’ve got a Model 630-L (Hummingbird) that I’ve owned for over 30 years. It is stil my favorite player although it is showing it’s age after being drug all over hell’s-half-acre. ANYBODY with more info or having any model for sale, contact me!!

          : I have a Lyle hollow body,electric guitar. Model no.1203 T. It is in mint condition.Red w/white trim.Two pickups,whammy bar,and a strat-like headstock.I am courious what the value of it is and I am wanting to sell it also.Please contact me if you are interested or have any information regarding this guitar and it’s value.Thanks, Dvae Stepp

      3. Re: LYLE GUITARS
        Guy Repa

        I own a Lyle acoustic guitar, Model #F-500. It’s a concert style body guitar with what appears to be a solid spruce top and probably mahogany sides and back. My father in law left it to me and it has always had an amazingly good sound for what I always thought was a pretty inexpensive Japanese instrument.

    9. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      matt

      i have a 12 string lyle guitar and i would like to know if anyone else has one.i couldn’t find anything on the net about lyle guitars.are they rare?

      1. Re: LYLE GUITARS
        James Burns

        I also have a Lyle 12-string that is a copy of a Gibson Hummingbird 12. This thing has the nicest neck of any 12-string I’ve ever played. I understand Gibson had them made in a deal with Matsumoku Mfg. in Japan. ANybody able to date these things?

    10. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      john barnhart

      : DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LYLE GUITARS. I ONCE WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE AFFILIATED WITH GIBSON. I have inherited a Lyle Acoustic guitar. Model No HDLN. On the face of the guitar is some roses and a white dove. It is in perfect condition. It also says "Custom" above the neck. Any Info. would be fantastic. Thanks.

    11. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      Micah

      My Lyle is a copy of a Gibson Humming Bird. It was my first accoustic. I strung it backwards to accomidate my left-handedness, and played the hell out of it for 10 years now. I’ve cracked it, broken the head stock off, and generally beaten the crap out if it (youth and stupidity). But it still plays well. I’ve compaired it to the sound of an actual Gibson humming bird (all be it upside-down to me), and could not tell too much difference. I’ve never heard of anyone else having a Lyle Hummingbird. Any ideas of where another is?

      1. Lyle Guitars
        Mark

        If you have been on this site then you know many people own Lyle Guitars in various versions.mI have a hummingbird fro 1970 and it beats many other brands for sound.

      2. Re: LYLE GUITARS
        Brian

        I have a lyle hummingbird copy as well. It was made in about 1966, and has been in storage for a while. I need to set it up and replace the tuners. It’s in pretty nice condition, and sounds nice when professionally setup. Does any one know anything about these guitars?

    12. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      Teri

      I have a lyle guitar with a cherry red back and the front has a bluebird on it. Has any one any information of this. It has a W415 on the sticker on the inside. thanks

    13. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      plonk9

      my first electric was a lyle SG copy. it was cool for me at the time (I was 10). very cheaply made — bolt-on neck, etc…–cheap. I ended up selling it for 25 bucks to a friend in high school. I’ve seen maybe 2 lyles since then and one was an acoustic.

      : DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LYLE GUITARS. I ONCE WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE AFFILIATED WITH GIBSON.

    14. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      Moose

      I myself have come across a Lyle P-Style bass guitar. the guitar plays exceptionally well, has a great feel, and is just a really nice instrument all-around. from everything i have found, ive heard that Lyle guitars came from the same factories that produced epiphone guitars in the 60s and 70s in Japan. as far as i can tell, they dont really have any collectible value, and arent worth anything… but i can say that for those of us who are fortunate enough to own one, we are the lucky ones.

      1. Re: LYLE GUITARS
        Brad

        I have a transparent, cherry red, Lyle hollow body, "F" hole bass. It’s a handsome bass and actually does’t play too bad, for what it is. But, I, like everyone else cannot find any information on Lyle Guitars. Odd, considereing I’ve found numerous websites on guitars brands that were so obscure very few people have even heard of them. I have no idea where, or when I aquired it, or how much I payed. (Of course, I don’t remember much else from twenty years ago either.)

    15. Re: LYLE GUITARS
      CHRIS SHRYACK

      I, too, own a Lyle from the late 70’s and only recently have become appreciative of what a top quality inexpensive guitar it really is — but I can’t find ANY info on the company, the guitar, etc… HELP!

      1. Re: LYLE GUITARS
        mark

        I recieved an old lyle 335 copy tobacco burst from an older woman who said it belonged to her recently departed husband. she said that he had owned it since high school and they grad together 1960 so I know an approx age. she was going to give it to the GOOD WILL. plays great and even sounds cool through old amp she gave me too….what a score

        1. Re: LYLE GUITARS
          brent

          i was in a pawn shop the other day and there is a lyle bass there for 89 dollars. has anyone played one of these and do you think it would be worth the money? thanks, brent

          1. Lyle 710
            Anonymous

            I got my Lyle model 710 in Burbank CA in 1973 for my 17th birthday. It’s serial number is also a 3 digit one, and starts with a 1. I read somewhere that the first digit was the year… so if that’s true then mine is a 1971 (and yours would be a 1975). I also have a Lyle 690-DL (Dove) with no serial number that I can find. I work at a guitar repair shop and so ‘ll have the luthier there check for one. My dad bought it back in the 70s but can’t remember exactly what year. Both play well and are played regularly by my son and I.

            These guitars were made at the Matsumoku plant in Japan and the acoustics are made well: spruce tops, mahogany sides/backneck and rosewood fingerboard.

            Laura

          2. Re: LYLE GUITARS
            Ross

            Well I guess I’m in the club. I have a Lyle L5 with a sunburst finish. It plays and sounds great the wood is very seasoned. It has become my main studio guitar. I donot have any info. Thanks

            1. Re: LYLE GUITARS
              Devon Marino

              I picked up a lyle today for 1 dollar yes ONE DOLLAR. i am repainting it and refabing it. i hope it sounds good, i have heard nothing but good things about them. its electric, dual humbuckers. its missing the bridge and the bottom string suport… if anyone has these i would be intrested in them. have fun

      1. Lyle F540
        OkiePicker

        I collect lawsuit era, pre 1980 acoustics. I picked up a Lyle F540 a couple of years ago. It is a Martin 000 clone with Martin style headstock, rosewood back and sides. Beautiful craftsmanship, and the sound is amazing. Full range from lows to highs and projects really well. I consider Lyle one of the higher quality Japanese built guitars. Again, I only collect pre-1980, but I never pass up a Lyle, Carlos, or Alvarez(pre-1974 even better). The quality control of the 1970-80 Japanese and Korean built guitars was amazing. I avoid any Indonesian and Chinese built. Most of what I buy requires very little work to bring them back in line. Standard replacing saddles and nuts with bone, occasionally need a fresh set of tuners, and a set of Martin 11’s and you have a pretty decent player.

      2. Lyle G-200 acoustic guitar
        Spike

        Bought in the 1970s and no longer played. Ergo, I would like to sell it. Can’t find anyone online selling this model. It is in good, playable shape. It seems that Lyle acoustics from this era go anywhere from $100 to $600. Anyone out there who can whittle down that $ disparity a bit?

      3. How to date a Lyle
        Donnie Waddle

        Hi I recently picked up a Lyle 1280-L for $125. Then put $50 more into it, and now it’s a pretty cool great okaying and sounding guitar. It was actually in an equally old (cheap) case. I’m just curious if anyone can tell me how to date this guitar? The label is still on the guitar, but no serial number there or anywhere else that I can see. Thanks.

      4. Correction to my Lyle Comment
        Brian Ellard

        Lyle guitars were made in Japan between 1960 and the late 1970s in the Matsumoku guitar factory, which also produced Univox, Arai, Aria and other guitar brands.

      5. Lyle Guitars
        Buck

        I have a Lyle L-50S that I got brand new for $325.00 back in the very early 1980’s. I have had a little work done. Changed the nut and saddle to bone and had an adjusted B saddle instead of straight. It plays extremely well. I use it on stage as the backup. My main guitar is an expensive Taylor. I put a Sunrise pickup in it and use a Sunrise preamp. It has all the power it needs. Louder and just a clean and clear as the Taylor. Super easy to play and after all these years, the body is still in good shape. The neck doesn’t need to be reset. Frets could used being replaced but I’m not good at that. I think they were built by the Yokohama Guitar company and one of the guys from Gibson worked with them in the design. They are very good. They aren’t made anymore as the factory burnt to the ground or so the story says.

      6. Lyle L5 guitar - Recording of me playing it through GE-200 (vox)
        Philip Lee

        Something I recorded for Church during the pandemic. Bought this guitar for $150 on ebay just for the looks. I replaced the bridge with the bridge of a gibson special.

        Soundcloud (this playlist has songs that i recorded using the Lyle L5:

        Video of me playing the Lyle with Vocals/Band

        I used a Lyle L5 guitar. Use GE200 vox AC15 using TC Electronic Flashback for space echo.

      7. I bought a Lyle F-500 of craigs list for $50 in 2012 in Boulder , CO. I’d been looking for a good sounding acoustic, that I could toss if it broke, and that I could tie on my motorcycle for a trip to Alaska, one that would hold its own in a campground jam. I had no idea what a nice instrument this was. I supported it securely and fully padded for the trip, but then bought an $80 case along the way once I started playing the thing daily. I realized that aside from a Martin OM, this was the next best thing. And a couple grand cheaper. Neck is straight , plays great and I just hung it on the wall in the farmhouse to grab and play without pulling something out of a case all the time. Not much info on thee but my sn says 700885 on the inside neck joint.

        1. Lyle F500
          Cathy

          This was recently passed to me. I dont play but it has a really nice tone. I looked for serial number but only found something written on the inside label. Looks like O or D359. Was given to my sister in 1970 ish. Thinking about donating to a school program. Perhaps should have it looked at in a shop. Any thoughts or info appreciated.

      8. Lyle p14 12 string
        Anonymous

        I have a couple Lyle 12 strings w470 and a w440 I think.
        Like so many of you others I can’t find info on it.
        A p14?What the heck is it? Looks like Indian rosewood back and sides, don’t know if it is spruce or cedar top.

        I guess it is like my Sakura 12 string.
        Nobody knows anything about them either!

      9. Lyle L - 30 with Grover Locking Tuners.
        LyleHunter

        Hello all!

        Have a mystery for you all. Recently I was gifted a guitar from a friend of the family who felt sorry for me that I lost my Taylor Acoustic Electric due to theft.

        This guitar plays better than my Taylor, no lie. The sound is rich, deep lows, balanced middle with crisp highs. Action is gorgeous. Headstock looks like a Martin and has genuine 1965 Grover locking tuning pegs.

        However, I have Googled for months to find any mention of such a guitar. Guitar is in MINT condition with only one or two slight scuff scratches that could easily be buffed out by a professional luthier. SO, what is this guitar I have? Any clues?

        I would love to know if you know anything.

      10. Lyle Guitars C-640 and C-660
        Marilyn

        I have read many of the comments on this site but nothing was mentioned of the Lyle C-640 and C-660. They are both classical guitars which I purchased at an auction years ago.

        1. Lyle Classical Guitars
          DonnieBoy

          Your comment is the only online mention I have seen of the C-660. The “C” series of the Lyle Classicals are their better instruments the number corresponds with the value. Unfortunately there is very little documentation of these guitars which makes your C-660 all the more unusual. I was thinking of C-650 as the premier and then I saw your comment. I also recently saw an ad on craigslist for a Lyle G-200 and by my reckoning it was the finest example of any Lyle Classical I have seen (the label was gold and the wood selection was excellent). That was listed at $200 for 27 days before it sold. To give the matter of value some further perspective, I recently bought a C-630 at auction for less than $30. People like their Lyles but “money spending” guitarists aren’t that concerned with them. I would like to see pictures of the C-660. And if you sold them I would be curious to know for how much. These comment threads are the apparent life blood of Lyle classical guitar online assessment.

      11. Lyle guitar
        Jack

        I have a Lyle guitar mod 712 serial 204. It is in excellent condition but has a little wear near strings where pick has worn the finish. Anyone know it’s value. Bought it at an estate sale on last day very reasonable cost

      12. Lyle Acoustic Guitar Model 690
        Anonymous

        I have a Lyle Acoustic Guitar Model 690 purchased about 1966 or 67. It appears to be in near brand new condition as I’ve rarely played it and it has been stored in a felt lined case its entire life. All the keys still turn, it has steel strings. I’m ready to part with it and want to ask a fair price and not get soaked. Does anyone have any idea what this beautiful instrument is worth?

      13. Lyle guitar
        Skott

        I have a Lyle Dove acoustic guitar that I’d like to get rid of. It’s in great shape early 1970s. Straight neck and super low action. Hit me up if you’re interested. W-415 model

        1. LYLE Dove acoustic guitar
          Lyle Freeman

          Good Day,

          As you can see my name is Lyle. I am very interested in obtaining a Lyle Guitar. If yours is still available and you would be willing to ship it
          to Pitt Meadows, B.C. Canada, I would like to purchase it. Please advise total amount required including shipping costs.

          Thank you
          Lyle

      14. Lyle 12 string guitar
        Treesweeper

        I have a Lyle 12 string guitar model number W-440 made in Korea this guitar has the Gibson insignia at the top of the neck, I would like to know what year it was made and its value

      15. Lyle EB-3 Bass Red Vintage
        Anonymous

        I have a Lyle EB-3 Copycat four string electric Bass For Sale.
        I bought it brand new from the Gibson Guitar Dealer in San Clemente California in 1972.
        It still plays well and have always kept it in it’s original case purchased from that dealer.
        Can somebody make me an offer I cannot refuse. In 1990 I wired it for Stereo recording work by splitting the pickups but can be restored to original wiring. Love the neck and the ease of playing this Gem.

      16. Lyle Acoustic Guitar
        Debi

        I have a Lyle Acoustic Guitar that I bought 47 years ago – it’s a Model # G2110. I haven’t seen that model # anywhere in this blog so I was wondering if anyone ever hear of it? It’s in great shape – straight neck, good tuning and fretboard – Never been abused – cased most of the time.

      17. How old is my Lyle ?
        First Lyle

        I just bought my first Lyle guitar model# 5102T the serial number is on the neck plate 0051979 can anyone tell me the year of manufacture ?

      18. LYLE W455 ?
        BASS

        I HAVE A LYLE W 455 AND I CANT FIND ANYTHING ON THE INTERNETABOUT THIS MODEL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH $$$$. ITS ABOUT 32-40 YEARS OLD

        1. Serial number?
          DanaAnonymous

          I have a vintage Lyle electric gitar. Where is the serial number? I see 2151780 on a silver plate on the back….inside there is a paper label but no serial number written on it. Can you help?
          Dana

      19. Lyle F-540.
        Anonymous

        Have been searching for a Lyle F-540 for a while now. It seems I’ve missed a couple that were sold some time ago. Does anyone know of one that may be available? I’d really like to find one. I already have a C-600. Thanks. Mike

        1. Ltle F-540
          Bernie

          I have a Lyle F-540, I bought it in Albuquerque ,NM in 1970. I don’t remember what I paid for it. If you are interested, contact me.oq6en

      20. Lyle Acoustic guitar
        Kathi

        I just purchased a Lyle acoustic guitar in excellent condition. It’s Serial # 204 and Model # 712. The top of the guitar says Lyle with a gold cross-like design up by the tuning keys. It looks like it was painted on the wood by the manufacture. The top tuning key head and neck are the color of milk chocolate with pearl-type fret inlays. The body of the guitar is a light tangerine color showing the natural wood grain under the clear lacquer finish. It has a dark chocolate bridge, and a black pick guard with a white pearl engraved inlay of a floral sprig or vine-type design. There is a set of three circles around the center opening (1 thin black line, a wide band of black and white lines and another thin black line. It has light tangerine and milk to dark chocolate stripped sides and back which is the natural wood grain showing through the clear lacquer finish. JAPAN is engraved on the back of the tuning key head in back.

        Can anyone tell me the purchase year this guitar was made? Does anyone know the value of this guitar? Please reply. Thank you.

      21. lyle guitar
        Anonymous

        I got this lyle acoustic (w-400) for $40 at a yard sale – it is THE MOST INCREDIBLE GUITAR you could ever ask for – looks just like a martin d-18 – solid spruce top – sweet figured mahog b&s’s – back of headstock even has the valute like a martin – just kicks my buddies real d-18 to pieces – he’s so jealous – if you get the chance to own one don’t pass it up – it will probably be too cheap to pass up and you WILL regret it later (like I have been kicking my own ass for decades for passing up a 60’s Gibson byrdland for $400)

      22. My grandfather was Lyle. I
        Anonymous

        My grandfather was Lyle. I wish I had one of his instruments. Sounds like the quality of them were not spectacular. Still be fun to have one tho.

      23. lyle model A690
        Anonymous

        I purchased a Lyle model A690 recently from an old man in northern California who had gone blind and developed arthritis and didn’t feel like playing anymore. He mentioned in passing that he had found (?) The guitar somewhere. The case was thickly covered in dust and pretty much rusted toast, but the guitar is immaculate, looks brand-new with the exception of the tuners, rusted tight. The serial is #480 so I guess its fairly old, but how old is my question? A weird aside; in the case was a handful of fender-style medium tortoise-shell picks monogrammed Eddie Kramer. Does that ring a bell for anyone? Any and all information would be appreciated! Thanks!

        1. YOUR LYLE GUITAR AND EDDIE KRAMER
          Anonymous

          I just bought a Lyle w-460 Hummingbird “lawsuit” guitar and i just have 3 words for all y’all I’M IN LOVE!!!! OMG -this guitar nails the “Gibson Tone”
          just nails it! Certain Gibson guitars have a “plaintive voice” and a “soul” that i have never heard from any other guitar and i have played 5 thousand
          dollar Taylor guitars and all types of Martins and Japanese “copy” guitars-but this Lyle is “the one” it has that beautiful soulful “voice” -mine has a few scratches in the top and a very slight “bellying” by the bridge,but it is a beautiful guitar and it sounds like God opened a window in the sky and poured
          down a blessing on you when you play it-i think your A690 Lyle was made a little earlier than my W-460,i’m guessing around the late sixties-you have found a really cool guitar and with a visit to a guitar shop for a cleaning and new strings,i think you will be amazed by your Lyle A690!
          RE:EDDIE KRAMER -THERE IS A VERY FAMOUS ENGINEER/PRODUCER WITH THAT NAME WHO WORKED WITH MANY GREAT ARTISTS,MOST NOTABLY……………………..WAIT 4 IT ……………………..J-I-M-I……FREAKIN……H-E-N-D-R-I-X!!!!!! BUT WE ALL KNOW LOTS OF PEOPLE SHARE
          FIRST AND LAST NAMES-SO WHO KNOWS? BUT IF IT WAS HIM-HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE? HAHA

      24. Lyle 12 string.
        Anonymous George

        I have a 12-string Lyle in really good shape. Bought as a b-day present from me back in late 1970’s from a pawn shop. I need to take it to a luthier to have it set up better, but it sounds really good. Just right now the action is a little high, but not that much wear. For a long time, I put it away, finding it hard to chord as a relative newbie back then. But now, I am more than ready. It does say it was made in Korea ~ which makes it seem a little more rare. The sound is still great or maybe even better! Wish I knew what it was worth, but I hope the guy I find to set it up will know more.

        1. Lyle 12 string from Korea
          George

          I wish someone could fill me in on the 12 string guitar that was made in Korea that I got back in the 70’s as my original post above says. If you know anything about the KOREAN production of Lyle (especially 12 string acoustic) I would be grateful.

      25. I inherited a Lyle guitar from my first cousin once removed and I don’t know a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g about guitars. Can someone tell me a little about mine or where to find more info? It’s a classical with the model # cp-366.

      26. SG copy
        Fossil

        I have a sl. different SG Special copy. #50000548. Almost mint except for 2 tiny dings. Immaculate mahogany construction and cherry red finish. Single bat wing guard. Typical Lyle tension rod cover. The unusual features are MOP Lyle logo, jumbo frets and ?ebony fingerboard. Ebony fingerboard on an electric Lyle? Maybe ebonized rosewood, but the grain pattern to me is ebony. Puny 3/16″ thickness nut but it works OK. One sixteenth inch narrower width nut than Gibson, hmmm maybe for smaller Japanese hands? Scale not exactly the same as Gibson, metric. No ring around the selector switch. I don’t know what humbuckers are on it. They look stock, but the tone is superb. It has (obviously add-on) lock tuners. The female plug is larger than stock phone plugs here. Loose. Overall, its eems the equal of any quality SG.

      27. RE:Lyle guitars
        BadPenguin

        Ok, Lyles were made by Matsumko in Japan from the mid 60’s to around 74 or so. Are they rare? Ummm, no, not so much. Unusual, yes, rare no.
        For those who have 335 copy Lyle, the model 5102T, it’s the EXACT same guitar as the Aria’s, Westbury’s, Epiphone’s of that era. See, Matsumko built for dozens of companies guitars. Aria, Westone, Phoenix, Westbury, Conrad, some early Domino’s, Epiphone, and some house brands for Sears and JC Penny. Much like Ibanez and Teisco did.
        For example, let’s say you were a distributor, named Bob. you would put in a bid to the different companies,. and say, “Who can build me 5000 Bob 335 copies, for around $30.00 wholesale?” Matsumko would say, “I can!” and boom, 5000 Bobs were lining the store shelves.
        The company that distributed the Lyle’s, LD Heater, WAS NOT Owned by Gibson or Norlin. They distributed them, much like they distributed Lyles.
        Quality-wise, they range from complete and utter crap, to OMG! Acoustics, tend to fall into the former range. Electrics, mostly the hollow bodies, were somewhat, but not always better. Solid bodies, mostly made from plywood, BUT they do have their own feel and sound. I happen to love them, others despise that cheap feel and sound. Remember, they were built to fill the growing demand of guitars, that the kids saw on tv, with the Monkee’s and the Beatles

      28. Lyle Hummingbird copy
        Chris

        Two years ago I purchased what was supposed to be a Suzuki Hummingbird copy for spaces or repair from eBay. It duly arrived through the mail with a Gibson headstock sticker and a Suzuki label on the inside! Since I was expecting a Suzuki I peeled off the sticker. Ta dah! No Suzuki makers mark! Faint lines in what was obviously a new coat of black paint which looked like Lyle. Careful removal of the paint revealed Lyle in inlaid mother of pearl. The repairs required involved removing a wave shape in the table centred on the bridge saddle. This was apparently quite common fault. A trip to Jim Fleeting a luthier in Ripon has removed just about all of the wave and the guitar plays wonderfully. I have tried to determine which model it is and came up with W460 as this was the nearest similar I could get an image of. Only difference is that mine has a zero fret and a slightly different shape bridge with an adjustable saddle. Everything else looks Hummingbird. Don’t think the person selling it off as a Suzuki realised how rare it was. Any info on models with zero fret would be helpful? Regards to all lucky owners of these lovely guitars.

      29. Lyle Guitars - the True History
        Mike eCee

        Having come from Portland Oregon and growing up in the 60s… we all know the real story of Lyle Guitars. In the 60s there was a musical instrument distribution warehouse in Beaverton OR – L.D. Heater Music Company. they were bought by the Hatton Corp – parent company of Gibson, Epiphone, Kalamazoo and some other brands. one of the conditions of the sale was that Lyle D. Heater was allowed to make copies of select Gibson models, Lyle already had models produced with his name on them – but this would allow for an increase in sales and quality. he contracted with Matsumoko in Japan to build licensed copies of the various Gibson guitars – complete with their copyrighted “open book headstock.”. at some point Ibanez noticed the Les Paul and SG copies that were branded with the Lyle name and contracted with Matsumoko to produce the same guitars – but with the Ibanez name on them. Gibson learned of this unauthorized copy of their guitars and filed a Cease and Desist order and a pending lawsuit. this was in the mid-seventies. Matsumoko filed bankruptcy and thus ended the production of the Lyle Guitars, and a number of other brands. Lyle has always been incorrectly identified as the reason for the lawsuit.

        I own a 1970 Lyle L-1100 Acoustic guitar. spruce top, mahogany electric guitar neck set into the body with a anchor block on the inside – with the truss rod – and no heel on the exterior. the sides and back are a blonde flame maple, with the back being book-matched. it is a beautiful playing. sounding and looking guitar. I paid $120 for it brand new.

        I recently picked up an early 335 style full hollowbody (more correctly a 330) with two single coils and a six-on a side headstock. this was prior to the matsumoko production. missing the wammybar and spring from the vibrato assembly. plays beautifully.

        1. I found a Lyle 710 with
          Anonymous

          I found a Lyle 710 with fancy pick guard and mother of pearl squares on the fret board I think I can get it for 90.00. I’ve only heard one negative comment about them and he said All Lyles suck. The one I found was out of tune and missing strings,but just pickin with the 3 it sounds great. I think I’ve talked myself into getting it. Peace and happy playin. Chief

      30. Lyle hollow body bass model 5120 no serial number
        Marianne

        I had this guitar handed down to me. It is in pretty rough shape. I think it is in good enough shape to restore to good condition/used shape. Before I attempt such a thing I would like to know more about the guitar itself. I know the history of Lyle and “Lawsuit” guitars so that part is done. The body has a cherry red finish with 2 “f” openings. The neck has had some stress on it, enough to have the wood lift a little on its grain pattern about 2 inches long from the nut to the fret board. I am not sure if injecting glue into this will keep the neck from breaking in the future. The fret board is loose at the nut but I believe I can glue it again. This is not the first restoration I have done. I have restored a flute and a grenadilla wood clarinet. Any comments regarding how to or if I am wasting my time will be welcome.

        1. Lyle-same model and serial
          Lew

          I also have a Lyle model 692 serial # 57 I purchased new in 1970s direct from dealer for Norlin. No case -some defects in the finish from the factory beautiful tone after adjustments. Remember the dealer saying it was a Martin copy but did not mean anything to me at the time. Duplicate serial number is interesting.

      31. I have a lyle 335 copy i got
        Anonymous

        I have a lyle 335 copy i got back in the early seventies for christmass ser. no. 15734. Maybe someone has some ser. no. close to that and can compare dates.

      32. Sold
        D Roberts

        I just sold my brothers Lyle C-640 Classical nylon 6 string for $175. I Thought I would post this to help out the Lyle comunity in providing info on what these are worth in todays market. 3-4-2013

      33. Vintage 60s Lyle SG copy
        Caxton

        It looks like there was no information about Lyle guitars on google back in the day.Now you can find some info, but very little. I purchased my first guitar of my life age 14 from a seller on ebay for $100. I baught an awesome looking black SG style guitar with the name Lyle on it. Years later now, I know a lot more… Lyle is one of the rarest brands of guitar manufactured in the world. This rarety however does not increase the value of the instrument. Lyle is not a brand that can even be found in the guitar Pricing Guide. I have looked. The value is determined usualy by the seller. If your selling one, hit me up. Lyle was never associated with Gibson. Lyle was never purchased and closed down by Gibson. However, Lyle started manufacturing Gibson style guitars at a cheaper rate but they failed to observe copyright laws. Lyle was created by the Motsimoku Company in Japan from 1965 to 1970. In 1970 the Motsimoku Company was slapped with such high lawsuits by the Gibson Corp of the US, that they bankrupted and closed. Making Lyle one of the rarest brands of guitar because of their extreamely limited production life of 5 years.

        Long Live The Lyle! May You Play On For Another 30 to 40 years and beyond!

        1. Lyle thin hollowbody
          Ed

          I have a Lyle thin hollowbody electric that I have been doing a lot of research on as well. It has the Gibson “open book” headstock with a pearl inlay of – well, it looks like a firebird & at the top of the headstock, it has Lyle in pearl inlay as well. Email me at [email protected] & I’ll send pics

        2. Lyle thin hollowbody
          Ed

          I have a Lyle thin hollowbody electric that I have been doing a lot of research on as well. It has the Gibson “open book” headstock with a pearl inlay of – well, it looks like a firebird & at the top of the headstock, it has Lyle in pearl inlay as well. Email me at [email protected] & I’ll send pics

        3. Lyle 'copy' guitars from Japan -
          Anonymous

          Lyle guitars were some of the best COPY CAT guitars made during the LAWSUIT years – years where Lyle (made in Japan) attempted to COPY higher end American made Gibson and Fender guitars – hence ‘lawsuit’ guitars. There are some other companies that attempted to ‘copy’ American instruments but many of those were made in Korea or other countries and were not of the quality that the Japanese ‘Lyle’ copies of American instruments. They would have done well to make their own branded guitars – they’re very well made. Another ‘copy’ company from that era is Ibanez – they made excellent instruments, too, and they paid quality guitarists to help them market their marque – George Benson, for example. Enjoy your guitar.

        4. Lyle SG guitar
          RedNatti76

          i have an old red Lyle SG guitar has some roadwear but still plays well and sounds great. Who would buy it? where would i find them? and what could i get for it?

      34. lyle p bass find
        Badapleguitar

        I got this one on cl last. Week. I bought it for the case which is early 70’s Fender.
        After a bit of work this is an awesome p bass. Solid alder body. Mildly figured maple neck.plusthe pickup had been changed to a quarter pounder with cts and Sprague wire job.
        I gave 200 bucks. The case alone is worth twice as much.I don’t think I will ever get rid of it.

      35. Lyle 630L
        Compadre

        I picked up a Lyle 630L recently for $100. Best playing acoustic I’ve ever played and sounds awesome, but it has a few issues. First being the fact that it’s been played long and hard, with at least 3 frets showing hard wear. I had to tweak the torsion rod and raise the adjustable bridge some to stop a few frets from buzzing, but one is still a stickler. Bridge has cracked between the peg holes but the pegs still stay secure. My thought is to use good epoxy to stabilize it. Any thoughts? Also, leaving the strings taught over the years seems to have warped the body some, but there are no cracks or finish peeling from it. One tuner has been replaced with another style tuner, (looks like crap from the back) and I’d love to replace it.

        Does anyone know where I could find a single tuner knob? It’s the G string, (first on the bottom) so I’m thinking that is right-handed tuner? Maybe someone has replaced their stock tuners and has a single or set of them I could buy? Please reply to this thread if you do. Otherwise I need to go buy a set of Grovers or something.

      36. lyle c-600 w-415
        Anonymous

        the first one I bought was the c-600 in xint condition of craigslist for 40.00 the second is the w-415 dove looks just like the gibson picked up for 65.00 as one of the world’s rarest guitar brands and being associated with gibson you would think they would hold more value than they seem to I guess all that matters is whether you like them who cares what anyone else thinks right?

      37. gibson/Lyle
        guitarman

        I have a very unique Lyle guitar. It is apparently a 1972 but on the headstock it has the pearl from Gibson and it says Gibson on it as well on the headstock. It has the tail trapeze and the adjustable saddle. I recently had it set up and there is absolutely no fret buzz, it looks like it just came off the wall, stellar condition. My tech was stunned at the body condition and even the frets were like a new guitar? This is the only guitar I have seen that is definately a Lyle but it has Gibson, correctly done on the front of the headstock? I went in to the acoustic section and played a Gibson new hummingbird next to mine and it sounded cheap! I was stunned. I have no idea what this is worth but is like the perfect guitar. No dents, nicks, scratches, just and old guitar that has been babied, no warping anywhere, I think this will play another 30 years easy. If anyone knows about a Lyle with a Gibson logo and Gibson written on the headstock, please let me know

    1. Re: D'Agastino Guitar
      Chad

      in 1980ish I have a "SWEET" D’Agastino, Gibson Les Paul exact copy. Beautiful condition. Bought from my guitar teacher for $400. Has MOP inlay on tune key face. Thru neck. Nicely built. Great sound. Looking for value also. Not selling unless its worth a million bucks. Anybody have any info on this?

    2. Re: D'Agastino Guitar
      Michael Riley

      My girlfriend, as a gift bought for me a D’Agastino D-65, 25yrs. ago. I had never heard the name before or since. I only know that the sound quality and playability rival any Martin, Fender, Gibson, Taylor, that I’ve ever played. I’m looking for another as the fretboard of my current model is lovingly worn.
      Never would I trade or sell this instrument. Anybody know where yo look?

      1. dagistino acoustic guitar
        Anonymous

        i have a dagastino i bought in the 70’s and it has a sweet sound it has mother of pearl in lay in the frets and around the hole and i wa trying to get a value on it if you have any idea let me know

    3. Re: D'Agastino Guitar
      mike golden

      : I just found a guitar when I was on Vacation….. It is a D’Agastino 335 type guitar. It has Benchmark Series on the trussrod plate…. Does anybody know what it is and what it is worth? It’s really a nice axe,and just like my cherry red 1961 ES-335. Please e-mail and let me know if anyone has info on this piece… Thanks

      1. Re: D'Agastino Guitar
        mike golden

        : : I just found a guitar when I was on Vacation….. It is a D’Agastino 335 type guitar. It has Benchmark Series on the trussrod plate…. Does anybody know what it is and what it is worth? It’s really a nice axe,and just like my cherry red 1961 ES-335. Please e-mail and let me know if anyone has info on this piece… Thanks

        1. Re: D'Agastino Guitar
          mike golden

          i was 15 years old back in 1991 and my father came home from the local dump with three guitar cases and a amp , i was like wow!!!! ive played on a peice of shit for about a year and this was like god sent.so i opened a case and it was an acoustic i was bummed opened another and it was also an acoustic bummed again but opened the sleek black electric case and new it was going to be good. i foung a d’agastino new yorker its titled on the head stock its a copy of a strat but it has two humbuckers that i can hit a switch and make it two single coils and this gutar i fell in love with ive been playing it for fourteen years and the neck is about worn out but ill never sell it and i still play it live i lovethis guitar more than my lespauland will never sell it . i found a blue book and it said its worth around 400 bucks or so i guess . thats tthe only info i found on them any how kids jam 0on bye

    4. Re: D'Agastino Guitar
      Karen

      : I just found a guitar when I was on Vacation….. It is a D’Agastino 335 type guitar. It has Benchmark Series on the trussrod plate…. Does anybody know what it is and what it is worth? It’s really a nice axe,and just like my cherry red 1961 ES-335. Please e-mail and let me know if anyone has info on this piece… Thanks
      HEY PIETER,
      LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FIND OUT. I HAVE ONE TOO THAT I’D LIKE TO GET A VALUE ON. ACTUALLY IT BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE BUT THEY WANT TO SELL IT IF YOU KNOW ANYONE INTERESTED. THIS ONE HAS A KIND OF INTERESTING HISTORY. IF I FIND ANYTHING OUT I WILL LET YOU KNOW. I HAVE A GUITAR SHOP LOOKING AT IT NOW.
      KAREN

      1. Re: D'Agastino Guitar
        Ira

        I have a D’Agastino "George Benson" jazz single-cutaway guitar that I bought in Connecticut in 1984. I’d love to find out how much it’s worth…

        Ira

        : : I just found a guitar when I was on Vacation….. It is a D’Agastino 335 type guitar. It has Benchmark Series on the trussrod plate…. Does anybody know what it is and what it is worth? It’s really a nice axe,and just like my cherry red 1961 ES-335. Please e-mail and let me know if anyone has info on this piece… Thanks
        : HEY PIETER,
        : LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FIND OUT. I HAVE ONE TOO THAT I’D LIKE TO GET A VALUE ON. ACTUALLY IT BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE BUT THEY WANT TO SELL IT IF YOU KNOW ANYONE INTERESTED. THIS ONE HAS A KIND OF INTERESTING HISTORY. IF I FIND ANYTHING OUT I WILL LET YOU KNOW. I HAVE A GUITAR SHOP LOOKING AT IT NOW.
        : KAREN

      2. Re: D'Agastino Guitar
        Luke

        : : I just found a guitar when I was on Vacation….. It is a D’Agastino 335 type guitar. It has Benchmark Series on the trussrod plate…. Does anybody know what it is and what it is worth? It’s really a nice axe,and just like my cherry red 1961 ES-335. Please e-mail and let me know if anyone has info on this piece… Thanks
        : HEY PIETER,
        : LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FIND OUT. I HAVE ONE TOO THAT I’D LIKE TO GET A VALUE ON. ACTUALLY IT BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE BUT THEY WANT TO SELL IT IF YOU KNOW ANYONE INTERESTED. THIS ONE HAS A KIND OF INTERESTING HISTORY. IF I FIND ANYTHING OUT I WILL LET YOU KNOW. I HAVE A GUITAR SHOP LOOKING AT IT NOW.
        : KAREN

        I never thought in a million years that I would find another with a D’Agastino. I am the proud owner of a cream colored D’Agastino BenchMark. The headstock is beautifully sculpted with a mother of pearl inlaid design, and at the "base" of the body there is a D’Agastino logo also inlaid mother of pearl. The body style is more so like a PRS with a fixed bridge, neck through design and coil taps on each pickup. I would love to know what this is worth. Not for resale value because it is my "baby", but more so out of curiosity. I love the action, the sound, and the fact that I get a ton of "what the hell is that", and "D’Agastino?" I love my $150.00 flea market find, no matter what the dollar amount. In my opinion, the value comes from within, not off of a tag.

        1. Re: D'Agastino Guitar
          Todd Eisgruber

          Dagastino loved mother of pearl. My acoustig dag has beautiful MOP inlay work
          : : : I just found a guitar when I was on Vacation….. It is a D’Agastino 335 type guitar. It has Benchmark Series on the trussrod plate…. Does anybody know what it is and what it is worth? It’s really a nice axe,and just like my cherry red 1961 ES-335. Please e-mail and let me know if anyone has info on this piece… Thanks
          : : HEY PIETER,
          : : LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FIND OUT. I HAVE ONE TOO THAT I’D LIKE TO GET A VALUE ON. ACTUALLY IT BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE BUT THEY WANT TO SELL IT IF YOU KNOW ANYONE INTERESTED. THIS ONE HAS A KIND OF INTERESTING HISTORY. IF I FIND ANYTHING OUT I WILL LET YOU KNOW. I HAVE A GUITAR SHOP LOOKING AT IT NOW.
          : : KAREN

          :
          : I never thought in a million years that I would find another with a D’Agastino. I am the proud owner of a cream colored D’Agastino BenchMark. The headstock is beautifully sculpted with a mother of pearl inlaid design, and at the "base" of the body there is a D’Agastino logo also inlaid mother of pearl. The body style is more so like a PRS with a fixed bridge, neck through design and coil taps on each pickup. I would love to know what this is worth. Not for resale value because it is my "baby", but more so out of curiosity. I love the action, the sound, and the fact that I get a ton of "what the hell is that", and "D’Agastino?" I love my $150.00 flea market find, no matter what the dollar amount. In my opinion, the value comes from within, not off of a tag.

          1. Re: D'Agastino Guitar
            Carol

            I have a friend who was given a guitar about 23 years ago, a Dagastino Model D60 who would like to know more about it and it’s worth, I don’t believe he wants to sell it, just wants to know. It too has MOP inlays and looks very old, but extremely well kept. Any info would be appreciated.

            Dagastino loved mother of pearl. My acoustig dag has beautiful MOP inlay work
            : : : : I just found a guitar when I was on Vacation….. It is a D’Agastino 335 type guitar. It has Benchmark Series on the trussrod plate…. Does anybody know what it is and what it is worth? It’s really a nice axe,and just like my cherry red 1961 ES-335. Please e-mail and let me know if anyone has info on this piece… Thanks
            : : : HEY PIETER,
            : : : LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FIND OUT. I HAVE ONE TOO THAT I’D LIKE TO GET A VALUE ON. ACTUALLY IT BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE BUT THEY WANT TO SELL IT IF YOU KNOW ANYONE INTERESTED. THIS ONE HAS A KIND OF INTERESTING HISTORY. IF I FIND ANYTHING OUT I WILL LET YOU KNOW. I HAVE A GUITAR SHOP LOOKING AT IT NOW.
            : : : KAREN

            : :
            : : I never thought in a million years that I would find another with a D’Agastino. I am the proud owner of a cream colored D’Agastino BenchMark. The headstock is beautifully sculpted with a mother of pearl inlaid design, and at the "base" of the body there is a D’Agastino logo also inlaid mother of pearl. The body style is more so like a PRS with a fixed bridge, neck through design and coil taps on each pickup. I would love to know what this is worth. Not for resale value because it is my "baby", but more so out of curiosity. I love the action, the sound, and the fact that I get a ton of "what the hell is that", and "D’Agastino?" I love my $150.00 flea market find, no matter what the dollar amount. In my opinion, the value comes from within, not off of a tag.

    5. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Pieter Holland
      Pieter Holland

      I just found a guitar when I was on Vacation….. It is a D’Agastino 335 type guitar. It has Benchmark Series on the trussrod plate…. Does anybody know what it is and what it is worth? It’s really a nice axe,and just like my cherry red 1961 ES-335. Please e-mail and let me know if anyone has info on this piece… Thanks

      1. I bought this circa late 76 early 77 from Astor’s Music on Broad Street in Richmond (on layaway, broke college kid, it was about $300). Wonderful guitar for some 43 years now, has a warm, lush sound to it and plays like an old friend. Still my go to guitar despite several others in the house. Curious thing is there is no sticker inside, never was. Mr. Astor pointed out the hand inscribed “serial number” in the long brace inside the hole when I bought it. It’s all but faded away all these years, wondering if I got a prototype or pre-production model. It’s beautiful, rosewood back & sides and nice spruce on the front, with the vine inlay running up the neck. I don’t think I’d ever sell it but I wonder what I have. It’s not given me a lick of trouble over 43 years, I’ve been fairly rough with it but it still kicks ass. If anyone has any ideas what I have I’d love to hear. There are pictures of it in the Reddit D’Agostino sub group.

        1. D'Agostino D70
          Aldo Casiraghi

          Hi there, greetings from Uruguay!
          I recently bought a D’Agostino D70 here in Uruguay and I’d like to know more about these guitar too. It’s barely nothing about theses guitars on the internet -about the company or these model- and I’d like to hear about them, like where were them build, years of production and general opinions about their quality.
          I’m not considering to sell it because I’m in love with it, but I’d like to know about the resell price of one of these. I paid about $100 for my D70 2 days ago (It needs some work on the nut and the saddle but nothing serious). I bought it with the original case, it’s pretty damaged butt I’ll try to fix it to keep the guitar in the most original condition.

          If anyone can bring me some light about this I’ll be grateful!!

          Cheers from Montevideo, Uruguay!

      2. D'Agastino acoustic guitar
        Tom Boehm

        I have a D’Agastino acoustic guitar that I bought when I was 17 – actually my father bought it for me and that was 41 years ago. I just had a little work done on it it plays like new. Always stays in tune no matter how long I let it sit. It has Abalone inlay on the fretboard the name D’Agastino is also in laid in abalone it has a three piece cherry wood back with Abalone inlay as well. It certainly does have some scratches but other than that after playing in the rain at a rainbow gathering 40 years ago it is straight as an arrow. I’ve never seen another one like it and would be interested to know if there are others out there.
        Tom

      3. D’agostino D68
        Rick

        Pat Dagostino was my guitar teacher in 1962 bklyn ny. When he opened pms music in 79 i got a benchmark. 82 i got acoustic D68. Good memories.i lived across the street from the family from 61 till 71.

      4. I also have a D'agostino
        Anonymous

        I also have a D’agostino blonde LP copy. Purchased it in the early 80″s. Gold covered humbuckers and tuners, rectangle mother of toilet seat fretboard inlays. plays as well if not better then most real LP customs i’ve ever played. replaced tuners because like most paul’s a heavy hand runs them out of tune fairly easily. Would love to find another in better shape, really worn fretboard on first 5 frets

      5. D'Agastino acoustic Guitar
        Jess

        I bought a D’Agastino acoustic guitar in a pawn shop a few months ago..It looks very distinctly like a Gibson J 200…It has a blonde jumbo body which has maple back and sides with a solid spruce top..inside is a label that reads…D’Agastino New York PMS Music,Inc. Model No. J2 with another hand written 113J271 ..also a date stamp of Apr. 19 1967…Does anyone have any further info on this Guitar, and what is the approx. Value…Thanks in advance for your response…

      6. D'agastino Benchmark ES 335 copy
        Ray

        I bought one back in 1983 new, $300. Cherry Red, block inlays, thin neck, great looking headstock. Looks exactly like a Gibby 335. I still have this guitar today and it plays just a great. The only thing I changed on the guitar was the Bridge. Everything is perfect. Action is low without a buzz. Never needed to adjust the truss. Took it to a Luthier for it’s first set up a month ago (I do a lot of the maintenance myself) But I thought let a pro look at it. He saw nothing wrong with the guitar and was awe struck by it’s beauty, age and sound. Luthier said it was worth about $1,000 -1,300. He said this guitar is better made than the Gibsons of the same days. If it had the Gibson name it would have be worth 2-3x as much. He said you pay for the Gibson name and not the quality.

        I’ve bought and sold/traded in many guitars. SG/ Les Pauls never attached to any guitar, but this one. This guitar will never leave me. I’m already planning who to WILL it to. ahah.

  9. haynes amplifier
    jgs

    has anyone heard of a haynes jazz king ll amp? this is a fairly large and nice amp. badge on front has amplifier corporation of america. the only thing that i know is that it was made in the early 60s.

    1. Re: haynes amplifier
      RALPH MITCHELL

      I BOUGHT A HAYNES JAZZ KING II AMP IN 1966, I LOVED THE AMP, WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ANOTHER. I HAVE A PEAVEY SPECIAL 150, AND A POLYTONE BRUTE IV. I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE AMP. WHERE CAN A PERSON FIND ANOTHER.

      THANKS
      RALPH

      1. Haynes jazz king amp
        jerry

        Hi, I have a Jazz king amp for sale, it was made in 1965 and sounds and works wonderful, Asking 500.00 but would take 400.00 for it but it is heavy, have the original cover for it to, very nice amp, has one little strip of the gold trim missing but easy fix I think.

    2. Re: haynes amplifier
      Gene Norman

      I have a Haynes Jazz Prince that I purchased new in 1967. It is a great amp. Still works never needed repairs.

      I dont recall a Jazz King, but they may have made one.

      Gene Norman

      : has anyone heard of a haynes jazz king ll amp? this is a fairly large and nice amp. badge on front has amplifier corporation of america. the only thing that i know is that it was made in the early 60s.

      1. Re: haynes amplifier
        Brian Barress

        : I have a Haynes Jazz Prince that I purchased new in 1967. It is a great amp. Still works never needed repairs.

        : I dont recall a Jazz King, but they may have made one.

        : Gene Norman

        : : has anyone heard of a haynes jazz king ll amp? this is a fairly large and nice amp. badge on front has amplifier corporation of america. the only thing that i know is that it was made in the early 60s.

        :I have just purchased A Hanyes amp. It does not say jazz king.It has "Amplifier Corp. Of America" I do not see a model name or #.The amp has tremelo and spring reverb.Great sounding amp.Sounds like the old silvertone twin 12 amps of the 60’s. Please send me an E-mail photo of your amp.
        Thanks BB

  10. Thinking of buying a Vantage VP795
    Levi

    I’m looking at this Vantage VP795, it looks similar to a Gibson SG, it is mostly dark colored w/ two strips of natural wood going up the center. About how much is a good price, it seems to be in good condition

      1. Re: Marlin Sidewinder
        robert

        I’m guessing it’s a P or J type copy. Why not just use standard / third party spares – Schaller etc. readily available – etc.
        Checkout ‘Touchstone Tonewoods’ Or am I missing something ?
        Cheers
        Robert

      2. Re: Marlin Sidewinder
        marcus

        : : : I have a Marlin Sidewinder bass, anyone know a good site for Marlins, I need parts

        : I also have a marlin. unfortunatley the company folded years ago and you will struggle to get parts. your best bet is to get hold of an old knackered one (theres loads about) and use it as a donor.

        i am getting a marlin sidewinder base guitar for £75 in new condition with a few upgrades on it, do you think that is good price for it???????

      3. Re: Marlin Sidewinder
        marcus

        : : : I have a Marlin Sidewinder bass, anyone know a good site for Marlins, I need parts

        : I also have a marlin. unfortunatley the company folded years ago and you will struggle to get parts. your best bet is to get hold of an old knackered one (theres loads about) and use it as a donor.

        i am getting a marlin sidewinder base guitar for £75 in new condition with a few upgrades on it, do you think that ia good price for it???????

      4. Re: Marlin Sidewinder
        marcus

        : : : I have a Marlin Sidewinder bass, anyone know a good site for Marlins, I need parts

        : I also have a marlin. unfortunatley the company folded years ago and you will struggle to get parts. your best bet is to get hold of an old knackered one (theres loads about) and use it as a donor.

      5. Re: Marlin Sidewinder
        Grantos Maximos

        ive just seen a black marlin sidewinder guitar. It aint a bass. Does anyone have any information about the features of this guitar?? if u do PLEASE send me an e-mail.
        Thanx.

        1. Re: Marlin Sidewinder
          Cynic

          I have a Marlin Sidewinder electric Guitar, its WAS actually quite nice for a cheepy guitar, i bought it for £20 off a mate a about 9 years ago.

          a big problem with them seems to be the metal block under the bridge is made of crap-monkey-metal, mine dissintigrated mid restring a few ago, the only replacement i found had cracks apearing in it and would probably have done the same.

          if anyone knows where to get spares i’de like to know 🙂

      6. Re: Marlin Sidewinder
        liam

        : : I have a Marlin Sidewinder bass, anyone know a good site for Marlins, I need parts

        I also have a marlin. unfortunatley the company folded years ago and you will struggle to get parts. your best bet is to get hold of an old knackered one (theres loads about) and use it as a donor.

      1. marlin Guitar With Preamp.
        Anonymous

        hi, I was wondering if any1 could please help. I am after a diagram for the marlin sidewinder guitar with the preamp. for the jack socket., I did take pictures but for some reason they have vanished.

        Could any1 please help.

        many thanks.

      2. Marlin Sidewinder
        Yawroc

        Yes i still have one of these, However the only thing that put me off was the Marlin decal on the 12th fret. I also had a Marlin Slammer which weighed a ton that one was in Glossy red and white a very cheapy guitar but was ok when i was learning to play. I then got hold of this Marlin Sidewinder. It was being sold off cheap in a guitar shop. I was walking past one day when i saw this Mint green Sidewinder in the window. What captured me was the Mint green but then on looking at the Fretboard you could see the grain in the wood it was beautiful. Closer inspection there were little marks or chips in the body here and there but they were all on the back side. Someone had touched these up with tiny blobs of paint which were slightly off from the original finish. But a very good guitar, sounded nice and the action was perfect for me. I later discovered after buying the guitar that it would snap the high E string, this was a faultl in one of those saddles which had a sharp edge and would cut through the string.
        The next problem i discovered to my horror one night at a gig the tremolo arm came off in my hand, the metal block it goes into had broken into pieces the threaded portion for the trem had totally broken away.
        Now although i do have one American and one Mexican Strat i still have the Sidewinder and would never part with it.. Id did at some stage attempt to remove that fish decal, and scratched off the Marlin and Sidewinder name on the headstock. I made up a Fender decal and put that on the headstock and from far way with the marlin 12th fret decal covered it did look the part.
        Nice guitar.. I am sure these were made in Wales England, although the main company British Music stings i think they were called were based in the what was then German Democratic Republic.

  11. What the hell is a Columbus Guitar, looks like a Gibson copy made in Japan. A fair few years old, sunburst colour, everyone who uses it says its great. My brother gave me it, but Ive never heard of it. Anyone know anything about them?

    1. Re: Columbus
      SLASH

      Home Guitar Bass Effects Keys & Synth Drum & Perc Software Computer Recording MIDI

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      Home > Guitar > Guitar User Reviews > Columbus > 335
      Columbus 335
      Summary
      Features 10 (1 response)
      Sound 9 (1 response)
      Action, Fit, & Finish 10 (1 response)
      Reliability/Durability 10 (1 response)
      Customer Support N/A (1 response)
      Overall Rating N/A (1 response)
      Additional Info Search Web
      Submit a review for this product!

      ——————————————————————————–

      Advertisement
      Price Paid: N/A
      Purchased from: N/A

      Features: 10
      A Gibson 335 copy made in 1977 in Japan. Laminated top. 2 volume + 2 tone + 3 way selector switch. 2 humbucker pickups. Mahogany neck, hollow, pinstripe bound body with centre block. Sunburst cherry finish. Thinline body. Good quality unbranded tuners, bridge and stop are Les Paul style. Rosewood board, Gibson style frets, bound neck.

      Sound: 9
      Good jazz and rock and roll sound. More mellow than a Les Paul or an SG. Used through a Fender Twin. Distortion pedal. Rich sound, not harsh or bright. Sounds good.

      Action, Fit, & Finish: 10
      25 years old and still no problems – can’t be bad!

      Reliability/Durability: 10
      I used this regularly for pubs and clubs. Has one or two marks now but everything is solid and still works fine. I never took a backup!

      Customer Support: N/A
      Never delt with them. Stopped making them in the 80s I think.

      Overall Rating: N/A
      Been playing 30ish years. Happy with it. Still have it. Bound F holes would have been nice.

      Submitted by Jack at 12/07/2003 12:19

      ——————————————————————————–

      Summary
      Features 10 (1 response)
      Sound 9 (1 response)
      Action, Fit, & Finish 10 (1 response)
      Reliability/Durability 10 (1 response)
      Customer Support N/A (1 response)
      Overall Rating N/A (1 response)
      Additional Info Search Web
      Submit a review for this product!

      ——————————————————————————–
      Guitar Database by Harmony Central®
      Email: [email protected]
      Copyright © 1995-2002 Harmony Central, Inc. All rights reserved.

    2. Re: Columbus
      Channelman

      I bought a Columbus SG copy (made in Japan) brand new in
      a shop in London late 1960s or early 70’s for £35.
      Although I now have a USA Tele & a USA Strat I won’t
      part with the Columbus. It original had shitty ‘pretend’
      humbuckers fitted (they only had one coil)…changed ’em
      for DiMartzio’s. Excellent guitar

    3. Re: Columbus
      Baz Walters

      My son bought a ‘tatty’ Columbus SG copy from his friend for £15. I took it to bits and stripped the paint off the body because it was chipped and dented (not the neck). Then I sanded it right down to the bare wood and finally stained it mahogany. The hardware I changed for Gibson bits and pieces and then I re-strung it 9-42, then mucked about with setting it up. I will tell you now, I have owned a REAL Gibson SG in the past, and this guitar is not far from the genuine thing. The neck is like a 59 Les Paul all chunky and rounded. It is AMAZING!
      I believe this guitar is over 25 years old.

    4. Re: Columbus
      les

      Bought one for £30 on the 8th August 2003 off of a friend who bought it off a friend for £70 ten years ago. It’s about 25 years old cherry red,great sound, columbus series 3. Don’t know much more about it, but interested to find out more.

    5. Re: Columbus
      Michael

      I have Columbus SG guitar and it’s copy of Gibson SG. I bougth it last month it’s cost 180€. I know somethin of Columbus it makes copy guitars early 60’s form korea and then they moved in Japan early 70’s. The firm was quited, end of 70’s. My guitar sound is best what i’m hear.

    6. Re: Columbus...I have one!
      Joao santos (john) portugal

      I have a columbus archtop!its a ok guitar and the story of mine is a bit odd,im portuguease and i went to england for 2 years to work in a hotel.while i was there ,i was asked to put some things in a old garden shed and i found a beautifull guitar with sunburst finish all full of dust ,no strings and without one button and the some rust,it seems it had stayed there for allmost 5 years .it belonged to a old hotel gardener that was long gone,i asked permission from the owner and kept it and fixed it with gibson parts,now its sounds great.the columbus guitars are very durable and the sound is very rich it needs neck tuning once in a while tough but its made of solid maple and the paint is very durable also…its like the old saying"everything electronic that comes from japan its good"!they are very rare tough,whoever has one keep it in mint condition…in 10 years i bet they will cost a lot of money!!!!!

    7. Re: Columbus
      Matt

      I have a Columbus Guitar too, sounds similar to yours but its black, about 35 years old, i know nothing else about the guitar, i was wondering if anyone could tell me anything else about the guitar (or company). I dont think Columbus exist any more.
      Matt

        1. Re: Columbus
          brian

          I have a columbus sunburst strat. got it for about 70 euro a few years back. Dont know how old it is? As most people agree, it plays beautiful, neck pickup sound is fantastic. I have a vintage gibson sg, but believe me the columbus is my working, gigging guitar. I was so surprised at how well this guitar played, i was drunk when i bought it, just thought what the hell, i need a cheap second guitar to bash on, but what a pleasent surprise.

        2. Re: Columbus
          Joel Hugill

          I got my Columbus of a friend a few years ago for £30 when i was learning to play! Im guessing its from the late 70’s, but i can’t be certian. Its LP shaped, black with cream binding, the whole things looking a bit weathered now. Dont know much about columbus’ origins but im almost certian they have gone bust or been bought out. Everyone who plays it likes it, seen a couple similar retail for £250 second hand. Needless to say, my friend liked that when i told him!

  12. Kay P 4 archtop cut away Guitar
    Robert McIntosh

    I would like to know the age of this guitar and value it has double parrellagrams inlays in neck. and two music notes inlays in between keys ser# L74788911 Thanks

  13. Need info on Series 10 bass guitar by Bently
    Justin

    I have a Series 10 Bass guitar by Bently and have tried doing research to find out more about the bass but have only found stuff on acoustic guitars by Bently, nothing to do with bass guitars by them. If you have any info on the bass guitar at all, please let me know.

    1. Re: Need info on Series 10 bass guitar by Bently
      meke

      : I have a Series 10 Bass guitar by Bently and have tried doing research to find out more about the bass but have only found stuff on acoustic guitars by Bently, nothing to do with bass guitars by them. If you have any info on the bass guitar at all, please let me know.
      I have a four string bass, and I was wondering the to amout it would be. Thank you.

      1. Re: Need info on Series 10 bass guitar by Bently
        josh

        : : I have a Series 10 Bass guitar by Bently and have tried doing research to find out more about the bass but have only found stuff on acoustic guitars by Bently, nothing to do with bass guitars by them. If you have any info on the bass guitar at all, please let me know.
        : I have a four string bass, and I was wondering the to amout it would be. Thank you.

        yeah about that! good luck finding any info on any thing bently because ive been looking for a while and havnt found anything yet! But I did find a bently series 10 four string bass in perfect condition at a pawn shop for $85.00
        it doesnt have a scratch in it! sorry i couldnt help…

  14. there go the string of my heart!
    gingersnap457

    i aquired a vega all steel guitar from my father, when he pass away.I dont too much about it except that it might of been made around 1930s in Boston. Know one seems to know the value of this six string guitar.I wish someone could tell me more about it please contact me atmy mailing address there go the strings of my heart! thank you

    1. Re: Prince Guitar
      jena

      : Prince Acoustic/Electric guitar serial no. WJ760 EA
      : does any one know the history of this guitar.
      This guitar is branded ‘Prince’ and made in Indonesia. I have just bought a model WJ760EA from ‘GuitarMogul.co.uk via Ebay. Looks good, plays well, sounds nice – and well priced too! Hope this info helps.

      1. Re: Prince Guitar
        frets

        John Wesley imports these stencil guitars with his own name as the brand, they are mostly entry level instruments similar to the cheaper Epiphone, and Crafters, that’s not to say they aren’t any good. You could get a similar guitar from Thomann for about £60, but it would have the name Harvey Benton on it which is their stencil brand name.

  15. Hoyer Guitars - Any American Distributers?
    Ron

    Have a German made Arnold Hoyer 12 string guitar from ’70s which I really loved the tone… was damaged in flood… looking to replace it can anyone connect me with a American Distriduter or American retailer who has them?

  16. Johnson acoustic guitars
    laura

    Does anyone know about Johnson acoustic guitars? I have been searching for information before purchasing. Not much out there, any comments would be helpful. Thanks.

    1. Re: Johnson acoustic guitars
      phil

      : I have checked out their electrics, at a trusted local musician/teacher’s shop, and they seem like a good value for the $. they have received very good reviews in Guitar Player mag as a good combo of quality & value.

  17. Whats my guitar
    Rhian Sampson

    I have a starforce guitar with model number 8002, its red god a tremlo arm one single pickup and one double pickup its got tone and volume control, and the sound it makes is excellent! I was wondering if anyone out there knows anything about it please help. i.e How much is it?

    1. Re: Whats my guitar
      Rhian sampson

      : I have a starforce guitar with model number 8002, its red got a tremlo arm one single pickup and one double pickup its got tone and volume control, and the sound it makes is excellent! I was wondering if anyone out there knows anything about it please help. i.e How much is it?

      1. Re: Whats my guitar
        gordon

        : : I have a starforce guitar with model number 8002, its red got a tremlo arm one single pickup and one double pickup its got tone and volume control, and the sound it makes is excellent! I was wondering if anyone out there knows anything about it please help. i.e How much is it?

        I just inherited the same guitar, but without anything to play it through. I am an acoustic player by trade, and I’m wondering what it is worth too. Did you ever find anything out?
        Thx,
        Gordon (P.S. I know it is at least 7 years old.)

  18. Info wanted on a brand called "Melody Guitars".
    jerry S. from Belgium

    Hello,

    I just restored an old guitar from the brand "Melody Guitars" it is an electric guitar with the most "flashy" body I have ever seen it has a pearl colered back body while the front of the body is in a blue with a metallic shine. it has 6 switches for 4 single coils.
    It sounds rather well whan compared to my Fender Jazzmaster.
    Does anyone have any info on the maker of Melody Guitars?

    TIA,

    Jerry S. from Belgium.

    1. Re: Info wanted on a brand called "Melody Guitars".
      sigir

      I Don’t know if they still exist. I own an electro-acoustic fretless bass guitar since about 15 years. Its name is M.7000EL.
      I can’t help you more.

      1. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Pascal from France
        Pascal from France

        Hello,

        j’ai une guitare Jazz de marque Melody, achetée neuve en 1970, acoustique à l’origine, mais électrifiée depuis via deux humbuckers Di Marzzio. la caisse est accajou, et le manche bicolore plus clair.

        En 1971, au BHV à Paris, j’ai vu la même guitare, mais électrique d’origine (un seul micro simple en position neck).

        Je cherche aussi à en savoir plus sur cette marque italienne.

        Pascal
        : Hello,

        : I just restored an old guitar from the brand "Melody Guitars" it is an electric guitar with the most "flashy" body I have ever seen it has a pearl colered back body while the front of the body is in a blue with a metallic shine. it has 6 switches for 4 single coils.
        : It sounds rather well whan compared to my Fender Jazzmaster.
        : Does anyone have any info on the maker of Melody Guitars?

        : TIA,

        : Jerry S. from Belgium.

    2. Re: Info wanted on a brand called "Melody Guitars".
      Piet

      : Hello,

      : I just restored an old guitar from the brand "Melody Guitars" it is an electric guitar with the most "flashy" body I have ever seen it has a pearl colered back body while the front of the body is in a blue with a metallic shine. it has 6 switches for 4 single coils.
      : It sounds rather well whan compared to my Fender Jazzmaster.
      : Does anyone have any info on the maker of Melody Guitars?

      : TIA,

      : Jerry S. from Belgium.

      Hallo jerry, ik heb ook een melody gitaar, het is een "vintage 5300" strat, een prima klinkend instrument. Heb jij inmiddels meer info over het merk? zo ja kun je mij die info dan ook geven? alvast tnx, piet.

      1. Re: Info wanted on a brand called "Melody Guitars".
        Frans de Meijer

        Mijn vrouw heeft een Melody Guitars model 1450: een zwarte twaalfsnarige westerngitaar. Opvallend detail vind ik de geschroefde hiel.
        Meer dan dat Melody uit Italie komt weet ik ook niet.

    1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
      Frank Norwood

      I have a Nagoya Model #NS35H, serial # 8165. It’s almost a perfect copy of a Martin D-28. A paper label inside calls it a NAGOYA SUPER MODEL, and under that it says "Handcrafted by Luthiers of the Nagoya Guitar Company, Japan. The background has a light printing of several stringed instruments. I had a friend in the mid sixties who traveled from Boulder, Colorado to the Baltimore area and brought back 10 or 12 guitars to resell. Sounds like all of them came from that general area. Logo on the headstock is am "N" in a circle. It looks like mother of pearl. This has been a great guitar. Sounds great (I added a Martin thinline pickup) and I love the way it sounds plugged or unplugged. Action is great…a workhorse. I won’t be parting with this one. I think I paid $250 or 300 abck then, which I remember thinking was a lot, but I’vr never regreted it.

      1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
        BriMo

        Frank
        I too purchased a NS 35 H for about $245 in 1975 and it has been a fine player for all this time. Interesting that these models had maple body binding which wasn’t used until the boutique builders in the 90’s(Huss and Dalton). Also a very heavy clear coat finish has kept the guitar from opening up and it sounds the same as 1974, disappointing yes, but it looks great with no weather checking which is rare.
        My guess s there is no Nagoya factory but the Suzuki Company is in Nagoya, Japan and Like St. Louis Music Distributed Alvarez Guitars in the 70’s, Veneman Music in the Wshington D.C. area had Suzuki Build ’em for their stores.
        As far as what they’re worth, About what you paid for them. I saw a N 18 for $75 on eBay a year ago. If any are solid wood,they will appreciate as Mahogany and Rosewood become less available. Bri

        1. Nagoya N-35
          Bryan Watson

          I don’t know where you could buy one for $75.00 I would take all you can find I bought my first one o
          Ebay for $475.00 us sold it 5 years later for $675.00 had more than 25 emails on it
          And bought a N-28 on ebay years later for $375.00 us plus shipping still have it great guitars
          If you see one don’t be scared to buy it the sound is awesome

    2. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
      Ian Kline

      Recently, my mom passed her guitar on to me, because i wanted to learn to play, and its a Nagoya N18 she got from Veneman in the 70’s, I cant seem to find anything about it on the internet but this post. If anyone gets any Info, please pass it on.

      Ian

    3. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
      Bob Leme

      Wow, this really must be an old Nagoya revival! At least for folks that lived in the DC area around the ’70s. I too have been searching the internet for information about an old Nagoya Model N-18S that I purchased in the late ’70s at Veneman Music on Rockville Pike. I have several Taylors but have never given up on my Nagoya. My 14-year-old son has been learning guitar on it. It sure would be nice to have more info. I’m thinking about having some work done to it (the neck is getting a little warped…not much considering it’s age).

    4. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
      Anthony Davis

      I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar model F-10 that was purchased at Veneman’s (I think it was in Rockville, MD) …I would love ANY info regarding the this model, history, value, or ANYTHING about the company….can anyone help?

      1. Nagoya F-10
        Jim622

        This is the only site I found about them. It was my first guitar. I got it in the mid 70’s and took my first lessons on it.
        I still have it. Its pretty beat, but I don’t think I will ever have the heart to sell it. I still use it. At the moment it has nylon
        ball strings on it. I will say I did not get it in the Washington/Maryland area. I got mine at Zapfs Music in Philadelphia.

        Thats all I have.

        Jim

        1. Nagoya N-18
          Thom

          Jim,
          I bought mine at Zaph’s as well in 1971. I love this guitar. I replaced the bridge in 2010 and it’s intonation is perfect. The wood is sweet as is the sound. Bass heavy, but awesome.
          I own a Martin D-35 from 1973 and love it, but I love my cheap Nagoya N-18 for its Maple back and consequent projection. When I finger pick it I can’t believe its volume.
          “Willie” was the salesman for both guitars.
          Are you from Olney? I am.
          Thom

          1. Zapfs Music
            PJ

            I bought my Martin 00018 at Zapfs in 1963 and still love it.. I went to the Martin factory in the late 70’s and they replaced the frets for 10.00. I picked up a Nagoya N-18 at a garage sale 3 years ago. I like to take it to places where I don’t have to be concerned for the Martin’s “safety.” I was surprised how good it sounds and feels. Some body told me to sell my Martin and use the Nagoya all the time.. Never happen! My mother grew up in Olney in the 30’s and and I in Wyncote.. Smalll world!

          2. Thom: I lived in Logan. We used to hop frieghts at 18th and Belfield and jump off
            at 5th and Fisher. Mine always a had kind of high action. I changed the nut – I don’t
            know when. I have it in my locker at work. If I have time I’ll be using it today.
            Phil – did he limp and talked like he was on the verge of drooling?

            Jim

    5. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars SD390
      Ross Cooney

      I have purchased a guitar last week – which shows name as Suzuki SD390 Nagoya. I have been unable to find anything on the internet regarding this.

      Can anyone help.

    6. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
      Craig

      I also have a Nagoya (D12-28) 12 string. I purchased it at Veneman’s in 7-Corners VA back in the early 70’s as well. I played it for years and just this past year I had the action lowered a bit. What a difference! It now sounds good and is much easier to play. I’ve looked for links on the internet pertaining to the manufacturer and have found nothing but this thread. It seems Veneman’s may have been a sole distributer. I will keep searching though.

      1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
        rick

        : I also have a Nagoya (D12-28) 12 string. I purchased it at Veneman’s in 7-Corners VA back in the early 70’s as well. I played it for years and just this past year I had the action lowered a bit. What a difference! It now sounds good and is much easier to play. I’ve looked for links on the internet pertaining to the manufacturer and have found nothing but this thread. It seems Veneman’s may have been a sole distributer. I will keep searching though.

        I purchased a Nagoya 12 string N 12-23 in 1974 at Venemaan’s College Park. I was a student at U of M at the time. They had a deal where you could by a Nagoya, then with in 6 mnths, trade it in for full value and purchase the next model nagoya up. I did this one time as wanted to trade to the 12-28, but couldn’t get the extra money (100) togather at the time. The 12 28 looked like an awesome guitar. I still have and play mine. Sounds good and have had to work on the action some but enjoy it. Nagoya must be out of the guitar business at least in under that name. I can not fine anything on them. I ended up on this thread via google search. Must be some kinda "nagoya" revival.

        1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
          HorshamBill

          (Oops! I Hit Submit too quickly on the last post)
          I also have a Nagoya N-12-23 12 string. Purchased it at Zapf’s Music store in Philadelphia back in 1976 (The store has recently moved to New Jersey). I played several brands and liked the sound and the feel of the Nagoya the best. I’ve kept it strung with Martin Marquis strings. I got married 15 years ago and as the kids came (6 in all) I played it less and less. But found myself picking it up more and more recently. Still sounds good, although I’m sure the sound has deteriated slightly. I’ve noticed that the front where the bridge is attached is starting to warp slightly due to the extreme tension (but that’s my fault since I tuned it like a 6-string instead of 3 frets down because I hate using a capo, and it’s been strung this way constantly since ’76.)
          I am also unable to find any info on the company.

        2. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars & Mandolins!
          Craig

          I took another look at my 12 string and it is an "N" 12-28 and not a "D" as I stated previously.

          Anyway, my wife and I were going through an antique shop around Baltimore and I spotted a nice looking mandolin. On close inspection, my jaw dropped when I read the word Nagoya on the headstock. It was quite an attractive looking instrument, and I would have picked it up were it not for the $165 price tag, missing cover on the tailpiece and the fact that there is no mandolin on the face of the earth that has a neck large enough for my fat fingers!

    7. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
      John Sefren

      : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
      : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
      : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

      My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

      John

      1. I have one too. I bought mine at venemans as well. I was a young kid and it was my first guitar and first thing i ever bought. I still remember my voice cracking when asking my dad to get my “lifesavings” out of my bank and im so glad he did. I still have it about 40 years later. Its awesome!

      2. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
        CLIFF THIGPEN

        : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
        : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
        : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

        : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

        : John

        1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
          CLIFF THIGPEN

          : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
          : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
          : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

          : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

          : : John
          Info on Nogoya guitars. I have a Nagoya N28 which is a Martin D28 lookalike. Spoke with Koob Veneman
          who owned Veneman Music.
          Mine was made between 1975-78 in Nagoya, Japan by
          Takamine for Mr.Veneman. The’ Nagoya’ was his tradmarked name so any ‘NAGOYA’is an exclusive of his former company. Back then the N28 sold for $129US so I have to assume the N18 would have been a little less since the Martin equivilant is.
          Mine is in almost new condition, spruce top,
          rosewood back and sides, rosewood fretboard, mahagony neck (I believe), pearl dot marker inlay
          and Nagoya inlay logo, adjustable action. A really
          sweet guitar for the money since I paid $75.
          Take a look at a D28 Martin and they look almost
          alike except for ebony fretboard and my pickguard in black. It’s kinda cool so i’ll keep it.

      3. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
        Kevin O'Keeffe

        I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
        maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
        Kevin

        : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
        : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
        : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

        : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

        : John

        1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
          Ken

          I have a NAGOYA N-12-18 (12 string). It is in great shape. The action is a little slow as you might suspect as you move away from the top of the neck. Sound is ok, I play a ’69 Gibson and new Custom Martin so I am spoiled a bit….

        2. Nagoya suzuki SD340C
          nairB

          hello there , i was wondering if you know anything about nagoya suzuki acoustic guitar i own SD340C man the pitch of the the guitar sounds sweet and also theres a trade mark inside the guitar established 1887 registered trade mark nagoya suzuki SD340C handcrafted and theres some sort of hand written serial # on it the # is 8900334 hand written and when i checked for anything else i turned on my black light and theres this sort of symbol on it thats making me curious is it an antique guitar? any 1 know anything about my guitar? holla at me @ [email protected]

        3. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
          Gene

          I have 2 , a n-28 6 string and a 12 string, both came from Venemans music when they had a location in Falls Church Va , the n-28 has aged well ,still plays and sounds great , the 12 string looks like new ,still after all these years , must be in the different kind of finish on the two .

        4. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
          Mike Schwab

          : I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
          : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
          : Kevin

          : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
          : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
          : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

          : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

          : : John

          I have a model N12-30 s/n74082257 purchased at Veneman Music in MD by K. Leroy 6/23/75. I picked it up at a garage-sale in southern MD in 1999 for a song and it’s gorgeous and sounds awesome. Looks like a spruce top and rosewood sides and back. Would love to get more information on it like type of rosewood? Solid or laminate?
          etc. If anyone knows where I can go for more info please contact me. Thanks in advance, Mike.

          1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
            matt

            :: I also have an n-18 37 years old spruce top
            rose wood sides and back. my dad got it when he was 13 he gave it to me when i was 11. still have yet to find something that sounds as good. had to remount the bridge twice. dont know how much its worth. to me it is priceless.

        5. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
          wally

          I have a nagoya 12 string that I bought in 1975. I remember that when Takamine first came out if you looked closely at the pictures in their early catologues they were nagoyas. Maybe this will clear up some of the questions about what happened to nagoya-I believe they became takamine.: I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
          : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
          : Kevin

          : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
          : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
          : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

          : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

          : : John

        6. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
          Jack

          I have a Nagoya 12 string acoustic guitar model N 12 23 with gold knobs and I beleive two piece spruce top and rosewood back sides and neck, with inlay up the back. Would like any information on age or whatever you have. Thanks, Jack

          : I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
          : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
          : Kevin

          : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
          : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
          : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

          : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

          : : John

          1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
            Jack

            : I have a Nagoya 12 string acoustic guitar model N 12 23 with gold knobs and hardware I believe two piece spruce top and rosewood back sides and neck, with inlay up the back. Inside are the numbers 47.11.10. Would like any information on age or whatever you have. Thanks, Jack

            :
            : : I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
            : : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
            : : Kevin

            : : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
            : : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
            : : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

            : : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

            : : : John

          2. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
            Jack

            : I have a Nagoya 12 string acoustic guitar model N 12 23 with gold knobs and hardware I beleive two piece spruce top and rosewood back sides and neck, with inlay up the back. Inside are the numbers 47.11.10. Would like any information on age or whatever you have. Thanks, Jack

            :
            : : I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
            : : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
            : : Kevin

            : : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
            : : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
            : : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

            : : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

            : : : John

        7. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
          Jack

          I have a Nagoya 12 string acoustic guitar model N 12 23 with gold knobs and I beleive two piece spruce top and rosewood back sides and neck, with inlay up the back. Would like any information on age or whatever you have. Thanks, Jack I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
          : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
          : Kevin

          : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
          : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
          : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

          : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

          : : John

        8. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
          Allan

          I have a Nagoya N 12.28 serial #73122498 that I bought at Veneman Music in about 1972-73. I have had the action lowered, but it always stays in tune and sounds very good.
          I once had it appraised at Norm’s Guitar in Tarzana, CA, and Norm thought that it was worth only about 400-$500. I dont remeber what I paid for it.

          : I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
          : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
          : Kevin

          : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
          : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
          : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

          : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

          : : John

        9. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
          matt

          : I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
          : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
          : Kevin

          : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
          : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
          : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

          : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

          : : John

          my name is matt i also have a nagoya model number 18 that was handed down to me from my dad he had it since the early seventies the lower action was rebuilt about 5 years ago its amazing over 30 years old and i can not find anything that sounds as good. does anybody know how much these guitars are worth?

          1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
            Gregg

            Should be noted that Yasuma also built guitars for the years 1970-1973.., I assume there is a link between both guitar labels.

            : : I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
            : : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
            : : Kevin

            : : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
            : : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
            : : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

            : : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

            : : : John

            : my name is matt i also have a nagoya model number 18 that was handed down to me from my dad he had it since the early seventies the lower action was rebuilt about 5 years ago its amazing over 30 years old and i can not find anything that sounds as good. does anybody know how much these guitars are worth?

            1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
              Karen

              : Dang! We all have the same question, I guess, but no answers. I also have a Nagoya N-18 that I bought from Veneman’s Music in Springfield, VA in — 1972, I think — after someone stole my magnificent Epiphone acoustic. Although I cannot remember what I paid, my recollection is that it wasn’t much, maybe not more than $100, amazingly enough. I didn’t have a potload of money back then so I couldn’t have paid much.

              I love this guitar. It’s sound is rich and full and it has great action, even though, for me, the body is a bit big. I really should play a 000. I have not been able to find out any information on its current value.
              : Should be noted that Yasuma also built guitars for the years 1970-1973.., I assume there is a link between both guitar labels.

              :
              : : : I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
              : : : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
              : : : Kevin

              : : : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
              : : : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
              : : : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

              : : : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

              : : : : John

              : : my name is matt i also have a nagoya model number 18 that was handed down to me from my dad he had it since the early seventies the lower action was rebuilt about 5 years ago its amazing over 30 years old and i can not find anything that sounds as good. does anybody know how much these guitars are worth?

            2. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
              Karen J. McClure

              : Dang! We all have the same question, I guess, but no answers. I also have a Nagoya N-18 that I bought from Veneman’s Music in Springfield, VA in — 1972, I think — after someone stole my magnificent Epiphone acoustic. Although I cannot remember what I paid, my recollection is that it wasn’t much, maybe not more than $100, amazingly enough. I didn’t have a potload of money back then so I couldn’t have paid much.

              I love this guitar. It’s sound is rich and full and it has great action, even though, for me, the body is a bit big. I really should play a 000. I have not been able to find out any information on its current value.
              : Should be noted that Yasuma also built guitars for the years 1970-1973.., I assume there is a link between both guitar labels.

              :
              : : : I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
              : : : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
              : : : Kevin

              : : : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
              : : : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
              : : : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

              : : : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

              : : : : John

              : : my name is matt i also have a nagoya model number 18 that was handed down to me from my dad he had it since the early seventies the lower action was rebuilt about 5 years ago its amazing over 30 years old and i can not find anything that sounds as good. does anybody know how much these guitars are worth?

          2. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
            mary

            i, too, have a nagoya—an f-10 that i bought off my brother back in the mid 70’s for $60… it is my favourite guitar. he also bought it at a veneman music in suburban dc. it is amazing–never goes out of tune and has the best sound. i like it better than my sister’s gibson, my younger brother’s guild and my older brother’s martin. and up against them it definitely holds its own. i would appreciate any info on them you might have! thanks!
            ~mary.

            1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
              El torro Gamble

              I justr found one in my house.Theres a storage space under my stairs and there were two cases with these abandonded guitars in them.One was the Nagoya and the other was a 12 string Vantage.Both strung up and played very well.The Nagoya is still solid and never go’s out of tune and looks like a Martin 0018.Sounds great.They were here in the Dc area,sold at Venemans Music In Va and here in Silver Spring Md.
              I was concidering selling it but man does it play good and it’s very rare.

        10. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
          David

          I was wondering if there was any more info on these guitars. I have a N-28 model Nagoya serial# 80425 that was lent to me by a friend, he later decided to let me keep it. He said that it was a forign brand of Fender and that his Uncle gave it to him when he started playing guitar some 15 years ago, they lived in the Virginia area at the time. It has a nice tone to it, the action is a little high for me, going to see if I can get that fixed, and I am considering putting some electronics in it to make it an acustic/electric.
          I am glad I found this forum, its cool to know that others have and know something about these guitars.

          Cheers!
          David

        11. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
          bob jimsons

          : I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
          : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
          : Kevin

          : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
          : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
          : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

          : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

          : : John

          1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
            Dennis

            : : I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
            : : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
            : : Kevin

            : : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
            : : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
            : : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

            : : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

            : : : John

            I own a Nagoya N-18, also purchased at Venemans in Springfield, I believe in 1975, but I could be wrong. The sales guy pitched me the Nagoya as a Martin copy when I went in to the store set to buy a comparably priced Yamaha. He was persistant that I get the Nagoya instead of the Yamaha. I am so glad he pressured me! Mine has survived 25 years of Florida heat and humidity and still is a great sounding guitar.

            1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
              Harriet

              : : : I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
              : : : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
              : : : Kevin

              : : : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
              : : : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
              : : : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

              : : : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

              : : : : John

              : I own a Nagoya N-18, also purchased at Venemans in Springfield, I believe in 1975, but I could be wrong. The sales guy pitched me the Nagoya as a Martin copy when I went in to the store set to buy a comparably priced Yamaha. He was persistant that I get the Nagoya instead of the Yamaha. I am so glad he pressured me! Mine has survived 25 years of Florida heat and humidity and still is a great sounding guitar.

              I have a Nagoya N-23, bought at Veneman’s in Silver Spring, Md in the early 70’s. Never pampered, restrung a few times, sounds great. Getting the action lowered right now. Tech loves it.

              :

              1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
                Bo

                I recently bought an N-18 based on all previous comments here. Probably paid too much at $70.00. Had to pay $20.00 extra for a hard case. Had to have the action lowered and bridge re-glued. Added new D’Adderio EJ-16 strings. I now have $130.00 in a really fine sounding guitar. I’m pretty sure the top, sides, and bottom are laminate, but it sounds as good as my Martin DC-1E.

                If anybody knows how to determine the age by serial number, please share.

                Thanks.

                Bo

                : : : : I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
                : : : : maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.
                : : : : Kevin

                : : : : : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
                : : : : : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
                : : : : : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

                : : : : : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

                : : : : : John

                : : I own a Nagoya N-18, also purchased at Venemans in Springfield, I believe in 1975, but I could be wrong. The sales guy pitched me the Nagoya as a Martin copy when I went in to the store set to buy a comparably priced Yamaha. He was persistant that I get the Nagoya instead of the Yamaha. I am so glad he pressured me! Mine has survived 25 years of Florida heat and humidity and still is a great sounding guitar.

                : I have a Nagoya N-23, bought at Veneman’s in Silver Spring, Md in the early 70’s. Never pampered, restrung a few times, sounds great. Getting the action lowered right now. Tech loves it.

                : :

        12. i need help
          john785924

          how much is your gitar worth because i have a nagoya model# n-18 and
          and was made in the late 60s early seventys. if you find any info or can yuo email me just to tell me the cost of your guitar

        13. Supply of East Indian Rosewood and Ebony guitar parts
          Ashok Parekh

          GUITAR WOODEN PARTS CO

          MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS OF

          INDIAN ROSEWOOD AND EBONY GUITAR

          PARTS
          December 16, 2002

          Dear Sir, ATTN: Purchase Manager
          We introduce ourselves as one of the prominent musical wooden parts exporter of India. We are regularly exporting various musical instrument parts like fingerboards, side and back sets, bridges etc to various countries like USA, Germany, France, Taiwan, Korea, China, Australia, England etc.

          We can offer you with these parts that you are regularly using for manufacturing of guitars, mandolins,violins etc. We can offer you with fingerboards, bridges, back and side sets and other wooden parts that you regularly use for manufacturing of guitars in Indian Rosewood, and Ebony. We would be glad to supply you with our products. We can also offer you with Indian Rosewood veneers back and side sets.

          We can offer you in any small or big quantity that you would be interested. We are regularly sending material in LCL load and containers loads to various our clients who are fully satisfied with us for our quality as we assure them good quality & service.

          Please inform your interest in our products so that I can send you our most competitive price and also inform port of unloading so that we can quote you CIF price.
          Thanking you, I remain
          Yours truly,
          For Guitar Wooden Parts Co,
          Ashok Parekh (Export Manager)
          Mobile: 0091-9820623741
          FAX: 0091-22-23727953

          We are having our stall at the Music Messe exhibition to be held in Germany 2003. Please do visit us. Our stall would be by our sister concern name CHIRAG ENTERPRISES

      4. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
        Kevin O'Keeffe

        I also have a N-18 Nagoya which I had the inside rebuilt a few years ago by a classical guitar maker up here in Connecticut to repair it and lower the action. I must have bought it in maybe 1977 around the DC area . It may have been from Venimans music but cannot remember.I know that they were built in Japan. I have a friend in Japan who can
        maybe run down the history on the guitar maker.Thos is the only info I could find on the net about Nagoya.

        : : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
        : : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
        : : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

        : My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

        : John

    8. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
      John Sefren

      : I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
      : 2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
      : multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

      My Nagoya was made between 1970 and 1973, and is a model N18. It is indeed a beautiful sounding piece of work. I have played mine for over 30 years, and have and will not replace. I got mine from a surburban Washington D.C. store named Veneman Music Company. If you do find anything out, drop me a note. If you’re close to upstate NY, amybe we can met and do some music together. PS, Linda Ronstadt thinks it’s a beauty also.

      John

      1. Re: Nagoya Acoustic Guitars
        Sean Wilson

        I just won an Ebay auction for a Nagoya acoustic in the 000 Martin bodystyle. Can’t wait to get it, from what I’ev read on this message board, I think I’ll be pleased with it! I’d love some more information about the Nagoya line, if anyone can come across anything.

    9. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Metalaxe
      Metalaxe

      I have a Nagoya acoustic guitar Mdl.# N30 Ser.# 933.It has:
      2 pc. spruce top/rosewood back,sides, and peghead face/top and bottom
      multi layered body binding/inlay down center of back/bound mahogany neck/rosewood fingerboard w/pearl doy inlays/mother of pearl headstock logo/gold hardware. It was distributed by Veneman Music in Springfield Va. circa 1970’s. Any info re: History, Value, etc… would be greatly appreciated. This guitar is beautiful. sounds phenomenal, and is an excellent player!!!

      1. Nagoya N-50 6 string guitar
        Anonymous

        I have researched all of the day and can not find anything on my N-50 Nagoya guitar, which I must agree sounds as good as my Martin or my Fender, really good loud and smooth. It was a gift from my sister n law after my brother n law died 20 years ago. I love it and just got the whim to research it. All the info of the Washington DC connection of the 1970’s when Martin lost connection of their Brazilian red wood. But curiosity has me hooked. Any info on this model I can not find anything would be appreciated.

      2. I HAVE A NAGOYA F400 12 strings from 1972
        alfonso Lettieri

        I have a NAGOYA F400 12 strings from 1972, it sounds excellent, very good aesthetics, someone has an idea of ​​its value, I want to sell it, they have made me some offers but I’m not sure send me a message : [email protected] or whatsapp +52 811-081-49-39

      3. Nagoya guitars
        Anonymous

        I have a Nagoya rosewood 12 string. Its a nice sounding guitar. I wouldnt compare it to guitars i dont have in the same room except some i owned. I had a few
        Yamahas a Gibson B25 12 and its nicer than them my Goya was Maple (TS something?). It was a different sound. This has lot more sustain. Ive had a lot of Guitars. My local Vermont Music store had Gurians i know the owner would have let me layaway but i was a stupid child. I want to reset the neck. Ive done some. I have been putting it off because im not sure of neck joint type. The safe way is removing fingerboard or part of it. But thats no fun. Has anyone removed a nagoya neck? Mine is a N12-30. If its dowels the removal is doing different evil.

      4. Nagoya guitar.
        Anonymous

        I have posted before regarding about using my Nagoya when my Martin’s safety was a concern. I have had my Martin gone over by a local Martin authorized repair guy here in Yardley, PA. Wow! It played and sounded like new. If interested in quality work, look up Martin Authorized service and look for the one in Yardley, PA. The Nagoya is nice but, I still prefer my 55 year old Martin.

      5. Nagoya N-18`
        Anonymous

        anyone know how much a nagoya N-18 is priced at? I recently got it from my grandfather and i’m wondering how much it is worth (not looking to sell)

      6. I inherited my aunt's guitar
        les

        I inherited my aunt’s guitar when she died a long time ago, also came from Veneman. I am trying to find more information about it. It is my main player and it sounds amazing. The model number is N12-23, and while I see info about 28s I see nothing about the 23s. Anyone familiar with this instrument?

      7. Nagoya N-18
        anonymous

        Just picked up a Nagoya N-18 and all I can say is WOW. This thing sings like a bird, what a find and what an Amazing guitar. Why spend $2,400 on a Martin D-18?

      8. NAGOYA N-28 Classical Guitar
        Bill

        I worked in Bethesda, MD from 1972 to late 1976 and bought a Nagoya N-28 Classical Guitar from Venemen Music Store in Bethesda about 1973/1974. I took a few lessons only to discover that I had NO talent for the guitar.

        The guitar has a 2-pc spruce top (with black pick guard); rosewood back, sides and face of the head stock with silver adjustment hardware. The neck is mahogany and the fretboard & peg board are ebony. The Nagoya name is inlayed into the head stock in mother- of- pearl along with dot markers on the fretboard. Inlay divides the rosewood back and surrounds the edges of the body that join the front, back and sides. A Venemen store sticker is on the back of the headstock behind the Nagoya inlay and a Nagoya paper label with Model No. N-28 is visible on the inside.

        It’s a beautiful piece of work and in showroom condition. With no one to hand it down to, I would consider selling it for a reasonable price.

        1. Your Nagoya N-28 guitar for sale at a reasonable price.
          Terry Retter

          Bill: I am trying to set up a meeting so I can view, play and purchase your guitar. Please call me @ (703) 409-2797 cell phone/ if no answer please leave a message and i will call you back. I AM VERY INTERESTED IN THIS GUITAR AS MY N-28 is getting worn and I would give yours a good home. CALL ME PLEASE!

          Thank you,
          Terry Retter

        2. Your N-28 Guitar
          Terry

          Good afternoon Bill I am interested in seeing your guitar and would like a call or email from you to facilitate that.

          my phone is (703) 409-2797 (cell) if you miss me leave a message and i will call you.

        3. Nagoya N-28
          Terry

          I have had present guitar for 40+ years and it has been my pride and joy. What a sound and a great instrument. Mine is worn badly at the fretboard and I have always said if I could find another I would consider retiring mine for special occasions only. Please tell me what you would consider a reasonable price. I live in Herndon/Reston area in VA, but would travel for the privilege of seeing/playing and possibly acquiring the guitar. My cell phone is (703) 834-6600 if you prefer to call, If you prefer please email me.
          Thank you,
          Terry

      9. Nagoya Guitars
        Kimbers

        I’ve owned two N-35s in my life, first purchase was in 1974, second was ~ 5 years ago after an exhaustive search on Ebay. Beautiful Brazilian rosewood, I’m told it’s laminate. It really doesn’t matter, though… gorgeous sound, beautiful tones.

      10. Nagoya Guitars
        Tomg

        Little History – The way I heard it ……

        Way back in the late 60’s, the Brazilians stopped exporting rosewood logs to C.F. Martin & Co; causing great consternation in the community and making it impossible to manufacture “matchbook” Rosewood back’s to Martin’s requirements. Venneman Music, a significant distributor in the Washington D.C. area with a bunch of shops was desperate enough for Martin Dreadnought body guitars that they reached out to Nagoya to build Martin knock-offs (The U.S.A did not sign the 1886 (yes, 1886!) Berne Convention prohibiting such thievery until 1989. That’s also how all the fake Rolex watches got in before that.). The deal was made and a heap of pretty nice guitars (that by all that is true and just should be burned) for about 1/3 or 1/2 $ of a Martin that you couldn’t buy anyway. I have a 6 and a 12 string, N-35 and N-28 respectively (I think). I won’t be selling or burning either of mine. I’ve recently picked them up again after a too long hiatus. Now 40+ years later I am of greater means and have the itch to augment the collection with a REAL Martin. The 50th anniversary D-35 is very tempting. But I think there’s a 12 string D28 in Nazareth with my name on it. 🙂

      11. Nagoya 28
        Bonnie

        I bought my 1st guitar, a Nagoya 28, in 1976 from Veneman Music Store in Rockville/Bethesda, MD and absolutely loved it! It had the best sound to it. I got compliments on it every where I went with it. Unfortunately, in 1995, when I went camping in Brunswick, MD, someone broke out a window of my car and stole it before I could get back to get the rest of my stuff to haul to the camp site on the river. I was DEVASTATED! It ranked right up there with the death of a pet (if you can relate). I know, for at least a year, I checked out every pawn shop in the area and read all the local want ads I could find, looking for that guitar. I even posted ‘reward’ signs. It’s been 20 years and none of the guitars I’ve bought since then have been as sweet as my ol’ Nagoya 28. I don’t think I ever went camping again. If you have one, cherish it always. Unless, that is, you’d sell it to me. 🙂 I know…there’s no chance. Been there, too.

      12. I just found this sight and thought I would toss out my comment. I, like most, purchased the N-18 around 1975 from the same music store in VA that is mentioned in most of the comments. It is still beautiful and play very well. I agree the action is a little high compared to an old 1969 Fender Mustang (with the racing stripe), which I saved along with the little Champ Amp, from a neighbor who was cleaning out his garage. Glad to see there are some of the old N-18s around. I think I will go play it right now.

        Happy New Year to all – I miss living in the DC area.

        bert

      13. I too have a Nagoya N40 which I purchased at the Veneman Music Store in Falls Church, Lochmond Plaza, VA, in the mid 1970’s. It is in perfect shape and I haven’t played it for years until just recently. Plays like a new one and the finish is great. I just added new Martin strings. I was thinking about selling or trading it in but since I have read all the comments I think I will keep and pass it on to one of my grandchildren. Leo

      14. Nagoya N28
        Steven Smith

        I purchased this guitar in the 70″s from Veneman’s Music in Greenbelt Mall. I still have it and it plays beautifully! It needed some bracing work after warping a little. I play finger-style with emphasis on moving bass-lines and this guitar performs better than most in that area. I want to perform live and need electronics. This is why I was considering a new guitar. I think I’ll keep it if I find good electronics at a reasonable price.

      15. Nagoya N-18 Acoustic (Martin Copy)
        Mike (Texas)

        I bought my Nagoya N-18 acoustic guitar (first guitar) at Veneman’s Music in Springfield, VA around 1979. A year later Nagoya came out with the same model but with cheap machine heads and cheaper looking wood. I was lucky to get that guitar for my first guitar. The action and sound were and remain awesome. I still have that guitar and I will never part with it. It sounds better than my more expensive Yamaha and Ovation. I’ve been playing for over 30 years and that Nagoya was the best purchase I ever made. One day I will buy a Martin, but until then I am happy with my Nagoya N-18.

        1. Nagoy Brochure
          Kimbers

          Thanks for posting that – great piece of history. The N-35 (D-35 copy) I purchased in 1974, and was – unfortunately – not on this brochure. I really appreciate it and thanks for the upload!!

  19. tornado eclipse
    david lee pickton

    Ive bought my guitar second hand over 10 years ago and its a tornado eclipse by morris and its licensed my kaman. I cant find any information on it about its value and accessories available. Anyone heard of it or anything please e-mail me…thank you

        1. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Guitarhound
          Guitarhound

          I have a rare Black Hoyer Solist model…white binding around the body rim and bound cat eye sound holes…circa 50’s…maybe late 40’s…has in gold on the lower face of the guitar "Original Arnold Hoyer" Arnold Hoyer Solist in Gold script on the headstock. Ebony fretboard with white pearloid markers except for the 12th with is Red…I’ve seen a sunburst like mine sell for $800…the Black one is extremely rare…I turned down $1500 at a guitar show…the dealer was drooling…hehe…he also got ticked cuz i wouldn’t sell it…anyway,they ranged in models..some were very ornate high end models and some were low line economy models. If yours is fancy it could bring at least $500 to the right dealer or collector of German Jazz Guitars. You might check on Ebay or http://www.gbase.com and see if someone has one for sell. Hope this helps, Dan :o)

  20. Mitchell Guitars
    Chris Smith

    Has anybody ever heard of and played a guitar made by the Mitchell company? Not Bill Mitchell coustoms. If so do you know where I can find information on the web

    1. Re: Mitchell Guitars
      Martin

      I bought a Mitchell LC-200/CE and I love that guitar. The price is right and it does the job. Since I stated to play with that acoustic/electric guitar my music has gotten better. Good luck with your new guitar.

    2. Re: Mitchell Guitars
      Fayza

      I just bought a Mitchell guitar yesterday, too, and I’d like some more information on them (especially opinions!) if you have it…I can’t find anything on the Web at all!

      : Has anybody ever heard of and played a guitar made by the Mitchell company? Not Bill Mitchell coustoms. If so do you know where I can find information on the web

      1. Re: Mitchell Guitars
        Dave

        I have owned a Mitchell MBAE-100 Acoustic/electric Bass since X-mas and it is a great instrument. I had never heard of them until my wife brought it home and I haven’t seen another one since. I was told she got a great deal on it and it plays as well as the $500-$600 Fenders I have played, the construction and workmanship are good quality and it plays like a dream. Good luck with yours, and if anyone finds out who really makes them let the rest of us know as I have spent hours looking up the company name and have found nothing. I need a new battery pack and it would be nice to find them so I can get another one!

        : I just bought a Mitchell guitar yesterday, too, and I’d like some more information on them (especially opinions!) if you have it…I can’t find anything on the Web at all!

        :
        : : Has anybody ever heard of and played a guitar made by the Mitchell company? Not Bill Mitchell coustoms. If so do you know where I can find information on the web

        1. Re: Mitchell Guitars
          Jon

          I have a Mitchell MD-100s and I too love my guitar… I just got it a few weeks ago at Guitar Center and I tried looking up information about the guitar and came up dry. On my guitar, it has a symbol with the l;etters WFM on it and i believe that is the company.. its like waveform motion or somethin..If neone finds out anymore information.. please post it!

          1. Re: Mitchell Guitars
            Kunal

            Hey Jon, I bought my guitar from guitar center also and i think we have very similar guitars. Was yours quite expensive because mines was rather cheap i think 250 including tax. Have you noticed any problems with the adhesive on the pick guard? please contact me at [email protected]

        2. Re: Mitchell Guitars
          Lai McHado

          I bought a Mitchell MBAE-100 (that’s what the label says) and it plays pretty good, too. I am selling it and its case, in case anyone who is interested

        3. Re: Mitchell Guitars
          Lai MacHado

          : I have owned a Mitchell MBAE-100 Acoustic/electric Bass since X-mas and it is a great instrument. I had never heard of them until my wife brought it home and I haven’t seen another one since. I was told she got a great deal on it and it plays as well as the $500-$600 Fenders I have played, the construction and workmanship are good quality and it plays like a dream. Good luck with yours, and if anyone finds out who really makes them let the rest of us know as I have spent hours looking up the company name and have found nothing. I need a new battery pack and it would be nice to find them so I can get another one!

          : : I just bought a Mitchell guitar yesterday, too, and I’d like some more information on them (especially opinions!) if you have it…I can’t find anything on the Web at all!

          : :
          : : : Has anybody ever heard of and played a guitar made by the Mitchell company? Not Bill Mitchell coustoms. If so do you know where I can find information on the web

          1. Re: Mitchell Guitars
            kharn

            : : I have owned a Mitchell MBAE-100 Acoustic/electric Bass since X-mas and it is a great instrument. I had never heard of them until my wife brought it home and I haven’t seen another one since. I was told she got a great deal on it and it plays as well as the $500-$600 Fenders I have played, the construction and workmanship are good quality and it plays like a dream. Good luck with yours, and if anyone finds out who really makes them let the rest of us know as I have spent hours looking up the company name and have found nothing. I need a new battery pack and it would be nice to find them so I can get another one!

            : : : I just bought a Mitchell guitar yesterday, too, and I’d like some more information on them (especially opinions!) if you have it…I can’t find anything on the Web at all!

            : : :
            : : : : Has anybody ever heard of and played a guitar made by the Mitchell company? Not Bill Mitchell coustoms. If so do you know where I can find information on the web
            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

            Hey guys, I’m a new guitarist (only played for about 3 hours total so far) and i’m hooked already. I love it so much i bought a guitar from my exgirlfriend’s younger sister. I had noticed it sitting in their basement, unused, and inquired about it. I ended up snagging it up for $155 bucks yesterday, case included. Mine is the MD-100/TBL model. I assume the TBL means its a tabletop style. It’s real pretty sounding, wide fret board, and slides like butter from barchord to barchord.
            I was wondering whether i got a good deal or not. CAn’t find shit for information on the company though. Has anyone found anything about this mystery company? post back!
            🙂

              1. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... billr
                billr

                : : : I have owned a Mitchell MBAE-100 Acoustic/electric Bass since X-mas and it is a great instrument. I had never heard of them until my wife brought it home and I haven’t seen another one since. I was told she got a great deal on it and it plays as well as the $500-$600 Fenders I have played, the construction and workmanship are good quality and it plays like a dream. Good luck with yours, and if anyone finds out who really makes them let the rest of us know as I have spent hours looking up the company name and have found nothing. I need a new battery pack and it would be nice to find them so I can get another one!

                : : : : I just bought a Mitchell guitar yesterday, too, and I’d like some more information on them (especially opinions!) if you have it…I can’t find anything on the Web at all!

                : : : :
                : : : : : Has anybody ever heard of and played a guitar made by the Mitchell company? Not Bill Mitchell coustoms. If so do you know where I can find information on the web
                : ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                : Hey guys, I’m a new guitarist (only played for about 3 hours total so far) and i’m hooked already. I love it so much i bought a guitar from my exgirlfriend’s younger sister. I had noticed it sitting in their basement, unused, and inquired about it. I ended up snagging it up for $155 bucks yesterday, case included. Mine is the MD-100/TBL model. I assume the TBL means its a tabletop style. It’s real pretty sounding, wide fret board, and slides like butter from barchord to barchord.
                : I was wondering whether i got a good deal or not. CAn’t find s**t for information on the company though. Has anyone found anything about this mystery company? post back!
                : 🙂

                mitchell is a samick made –for guitar center. like rogue for musicians friend. good enough guitar–samick makes about 3/4 the guitars made today –with cort. also alot

  21. Zion Classic Model RBB....NEED owner recs/or lack there of?
    Phillip Kirschberg

    I am planning on buying a new root beer burst Zion Classic as my "last purchase guitar" (that and a 52 re-issue Telecaster for the bluest of moments or in case I go country!. Price is 1750.00. I think this is a very competetive price for "one of the best in the Biz"

    Please…anyone that may have an informed objection to Zion as my SWAN SONG AXE…..talk to me now.

    Thank you,
    Phillip

    1. Re: Zion Classic Model RBB....NEED owner recs/or lack there of?
      Scott

      Do you already own a Jackson USA SL1 Soloist. Features are similar except that the Jackson is neck thru with a Floyd instead of a Wilkenson. Probably a slimmer neck profile too. I own several USA Jacksons and their quality, fit and finish is second to none, even Gibson USA of which I own 4, doesn’t come close. Aside from the soloist, the other Jackson models are a bit too radical in body style for a purist. You can check them out at http://www.jacksonguitars.com/ Good luck,SCOTT

        1. Re: alcivar guitar
          Floyd MacLean

          In reply to the person who recently acquried an Aclivar hollowbody electric guitar: I’ve had one for the past 3 years. It’s a great guitar, basically a gibson J3.. without the heavy price tag. I’ve been told they are Asia built, hitting the North American market in the early 80’s, production ceased (under the Alcivar name) when a lawsuite was filed by Gibson. Can’t tell ypu more than that.

    1. Re: Blueridge guitars
      Don

      : I am looking for the value of a blueridge guitar made by Saga. Any leads ?
      You can go to yahoo and type in "blueridge guitar" with quotes and several websites will come up. They are really some nice instruments. I had one of the higher priced guitars the BR-7S with solid rosewood back and sides and spruce top. Finely crafted and played like an older Martin.

      1. Re: Blueridge guitars
        chris ford

        : : I am looking for the value of a blueridge guitar made by Saga. Any leads ?
        : You can go to yahoo and type in "blueridge guitar" with quotes and several websites will come up. They are really some nice instruments. I had one of the higher priced guitars the BR-7S with solid rosewood back and sides and spruce top. Finely crafted and played like an older Martin.

    1. Re: Heater guitar
      Valerie Jones

      I also have a Heater. It’s model A70J, don’t have a clue about anything else. I’ve tried looking them up to get more info, but can’t find them anywhere. Are they rare or what?

      Val

  22. beginer needs help buying his first eletric guitar!!!!
    Andy

    I need to know some name brands and some tip on what to look for when buy your first eletric guitar?

    thank you Andy

    1. Re: beginer needs help buying his first eletric guitar!!!!
      Scott

      Money is always a big factor. Don’t buy some thing that’s too cheap….the lousy action and tough playability will discourage a beginner. Epiphone makes a pretty decent line of Les Pauls and SG’s. You could probably pick one up used for a few hundred bucks. When you get good enough to play in a band, youll need to replace the lead pickup and tuners for better reliability.

      1. Re: beginer needs help buying his first eletric guitar!!!!
        Ethan Rode

        I agree with scott. Epiphone make a wide vaiety of excellent beginner guitars. If you like fenders try the Squier standard series, but stay away form the "affinity" series. For heavier sounds try the Ibanez GRX series. all under 300 Dont be afraid to buy something used, just have it checked out before you buy it. finally stay away from no-name or names that are unfamiliar.

        1. Re: beginer needs help buying his first eletric guitar!!!!
          Ra

          I disagree. I would recomend a cheaper galveston or essex les paul. you will need to have the action adjusted, though. I have been playing for about 7 years, and i’m still using a no name electric. In my oppion it’s not what you play, but how you play that’s important. besides, you’ll probably want another guitar when you’re ready to play in a band.
          Later

  23. Starforce 7005 Bass Guitar...
    Jimmy Hardcore

    I’ve been trying to research a bass I got from my old high school. Its a "Starforce" brand (I have no idea 🙂 model 7005. PJ style pickups, with volume and tone control for each. I can’t find any info on the company, and the only other guitars by Starforce I can find are just electric. Its a *neat* little bass (as in I usually play my Fender :P), and I’d like to know more about the manufacturer. E-mail me at [email protected] if you know anything, thanks 🙂

  24. Kay Accoustic Guitar, Model Number-KC265
    Barrie Cordingley

    Iwould be grateful for any information regardind this guitar that i bought through a mewspaper ad, i.e. age and value,
    All the best,
    L.L.R.&.R.

    1. Re: Kay Accoustic Guitar, Model Number-KC265
      Dennis

      : Iwould be grateful for any information regardind this guitar that i bought through a mewspaper ad, i.e. age and value,
      : All the best,
      : L.L.R.&.R.
      Barrie, I was given my KC265…..so I don’t know the value,
      but it was second-hand, and that was 23years ago. I don’t think it was very expensive, but I love it as much as my Electro-accoustic Fender. Any help ?

  25. EKO 995 bass guitar
    S. Patz

    looking to find the value. the tag inside says made in Italy with some kind of signature on it. the rest on the tag is in Italian also.

    1. Re: Does any one have any information about a mach 1 bass guitar
      mia

      : Does any one have any information about a mach 1 bass guitar

      i’m actually looking for the same info. i have one that i’d like to sell…thanks.

  26. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT STARFORCE GUITARS.... ANYTHING!
    Kev Parsons

    I have a Starforce electric guitar which is black 3 pickups + whammy bar socket. i haven’t i clue about where it came from a definition of exactly what its worth, or where the hell the company is based . i am desperate for any information to help me out along with many more. Please help me…

    1. Re: DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT STARFORCE GUITARS.... ANYTHING!
      Si uk

      Hi, I’ve got a Starforce 8007 that my dad bought in the 80’s in a UK guitar shop; Metallic Red, Skuv Cheuz pickups (who are they?) 2xsingle coil + humbucker. Dig some digging found this quote from the ultimate guitar book…

      "Instruments currently produced in Korea since 1988. Initially exported by Tropical Music of Miami, Florida prior to their purchase of the Dean company.
      These medium quality solid body guitars feature designs based on the original Stratocaster, as well as the "superstrat". With the introduction of models such as the 8007 with its more original body design, and several bass guitar models, Starforce seeks to expand its market niche. "

      I’ve checked round and they retail second hand for uk£125 ($200 approx) for one in good condition. The guitar I’ve got would benifit from better pick-ups which would be an easy upgrade. The fake floyd-rose trem and locking nuts are a bit dodgy so your better off leaving them off and tuning with the machine heads.

    2. Re: DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT STARFORCE GUITARS.... ANYTHING!
      Jeff

      I had a Starforce 2000 Strat knockoff back in 1988. It was actually a decent guitar, but for the glued-on neck. I believe the company that made it is Japanese, but I couldn’t swear to it. My only advice is not to string too heavy (keep it .10-.46 or below) because of the neck.

      1. Re: DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT STARFORCE GUITARS.... ANYTHING!
        alvaro monterrey

        : I had a Starforce 2000 Strat knockoff back in 1988. It was actually a decent guitar, but for the glued-on neck. I believe the company that made it is Japanese, but I couldn’t swear to it. My only advice is not to string too heavy (keep it .10-.46 or below) because of the neck.

        Hy there, my name’s alvaro, and i got a starforce guitar. it’s a good instrument, and i got it when i was in usa back in 1991. Actually i haven’t seen anyone who has one like mine, it seems that the real factory broke. Do u have one?
        keep me posted
        see u.

    3. Re: DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT STARFORCE GUITARS.... ANYTHING!
      Jeff

      : I have a Starforce electric guitar which is black 3 pickups + whammy bar socket. i haven’t i clue about where it came from a definition of exactly what its worth, or where the hell the company is based . i am desperate for any information to help me out along with many more. Please help me…

      1. Re: DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT STARFORCE GUITARS.... ANYTHING!
        TXEMA

        : : I have a Starforce electric guitar which is black 3 pickups + whammy bar socket. i haven’t i clue about where it came from a definition of exactly what its worth, or where the hell the company is based . i am desperate for any information to help me out along with many more. Please help me…
        Hey I have just the same guitar. I have it along time ago (since 1985). It is a good guitar, i used it with a Marshall and it sounds very good, but as everybody here I can`t tell you any more abou it. Good luck in your cruzade!!
        Ah I hope you to tell me any information if you get it.
        Bye

        1. Re: DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT STARFORCE GUITARS.... ANYTHING!
          matt s.

          : : : I have a Starforce electric guitar which is black 3 pickups + whammy bar socket. i haven’t i clue about where it came from a definition of exactly what its worth, or where the hell the company is based . i am desperate for any information to help me out along with many more. Please help me…
          : Hey I have just the same guitar. I have it along time ago (since 1985). It is a good guitar, i used it with a Marshall and it sounds very good, but as everybody here I can`t tell you any more abou it. Good luck in your cruzade!!
          : Ah I hope you to tell me any information if you get it.
          : Bye

          ; I got A starforse fore my 14th birth day it was my unckl’s but he died when I whas A babie it’s an awsome axe better than aney strat hands down.

        2. Re: DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT STARFORCE GUITARS.... ANYTHING!
          Bex

          : : : I have a Starforce electric guitar which is black 3 pickups + whammy bar socket. i haven’t i clue about where it came from a definition of exactly what its worth, or where the hell the company is based . i am desperate for any information to help me out along with many more. Please help me…
          : Hey I have just the same guitar. I have it along time ago (since 1985). It is a good guitar, i used it with a Marshall and it sounds very good, but as everybody here I can`t tell you any more abou it. Good luck in your cruzade!!
          : Ah I hope you to tell me any information if you get it.
          : Bye

          I got sum imfo!! Finally. GO on google and search for information guitar starforce then click on the first one that is listed. HOpe u can find it if u can’t email me the i will email u the imfo.

    4. Christina read here!!
      hector

      Hi Christina. Your guitar and my guitar are Starforce and I only Know that its sound is similar with the Fender stratocaster. Pardon me but my english is poor. Only I can help you with that new.

      Héctor

    5. Re: DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT STARFORCE GUITARS.... ANYTHING!
      christina

      DUDE AMEN TO THAT, I JUST GOT A STARFORCE GUITAR IT WORKS WELL BUT i DON’T KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM, NEVER EVEN HEARD OF IT, JUST THOUGFH I’D LET YOU KNOW YOUR NOT THE ONLY ONE IN THIS.

      1. Re: DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT STARFORCE GUITARS.... ANYTHING!
        Sylvi

        Just bought our son a Starforce Electric Guitar and cant seem to find a website. Any ideas? By the way it sounds really good.

      2. Re: DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT STARFORCE GUITARS.... ANYTHING!
        Jacko

        : DUDE AMEN TO THAT, I JUST GOT A STARFORCE GUITAR IT WORKS WELL BUT i DON’T KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM, NEVER EVEN HEARD OF IT, JUST THOUGFH I’D LET YOU KNOW YOUR NOT THE ONLY ONE IN THIS.

        Ive also got a starforce slimline semi accoutic with piazio pickup and active tone control . I bought it new in about 1990 but I still cant find any details about the manufacturer. it does say USA on the head stock

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