Maya Guitars
Posted by Bryan on Mon, 05/13/02 - 22:44:45.
Hi.
Does anyone have any information on Maya Guitars. What I know so far is they were/are a Japanese maker and were apparently based in Kobe from the early 70's until the earthquake in the 90's. They made high-quality knock-offs of major brand instruments in the lates 70's and 80's at least as good as the Ibanez Lawsuit models of the same era. Not quite up to Gibson yet, but learning fast.
I have a really nice copy of a late 70's early 80's Gibson ES 175. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Email me if you want to see pictures.

Re: Maya Guitars
: Hi.
: Does anyone have any information on Maya Guitars. What I know so far is they were/are a Japanese maker and were apparently based in Kobe from the early 70's until the earthquake in the 90's. They made high-quality knock-offs of major brand instruments in the lates 70's and 80's at least as good as the Ibanez Lawsuit models of the same era. Not quite up to Gibson yet, but learning fast.
: I have a really nice copy of a late 70's early 80's Gibson ES 175. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Email me if you want to see pictures.
yep Id love to see pictures and I believe maya was made by ibanez not sure whether before or after lawsuit
Re: Maya Guitars
About 15 yrs ago I bought a real nice and well built japanese guitar. The label says MAYA Artist Model No. C7426 Japan. I don't know anything about this manufacturer and would appreciate any info out there... the guitar is as good as new and sounds better as it ages.
Re: Maya Guitars
: I bought a Maya Artist guitar about 25 years ago. A beuatifully made copy of a Martin D45. All strutting and materials are to Martin specification. The guitar continues to improve in sound quality and is far superior to play than many equivalents: Takamine, Ibanez etc.
Re: Maya Guitars
I was just GIVEN a Maya Flying-V (White). I have never heard of these guitars and have enjoyed trying too find out info on the Maya brand. Like I said I have just been given this guitar, I'm still at work and can't wait to try it out tonight at band practice.
Anyone know how much something like this may be worth? It's mint, original strings, case, and receipt from Khobar, Saudi Arabia where the his father-in-law paid 60 SR or US (don't know). He only plugged it in once!
Any info would be appreciated
Thanks
Giorgio
: : Hi.
: : Does anyone have any information on Maya Guitars. What I know so far is they were/are a Japanese maker and were apparently based in Kobe from the early 70's until the earthquake in the 90's. They made high-quality knock-offs of major brand instruments in the lates 70's and 80's at least as good as the Ibanez Lawsuit models of the same era. Not quite up to Gibson yet, but learning fast.
: : I have a really nice copy of a late 70's early 80's Gibson ES 175. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Email me if you want to see pictures.
: yep Id love to see pictures and I believe maya was made by ibanez not sure whether before or after lawsuit
Re: Maya Guitars
: I was just GIVEN a Maya Flying-V (White). I have never heard of these guitars and have enjoyed trying too find out info on the Maya brand. Like I said I have just been given this guitar, I'm still at work and can't wait to try it out tonight at band practice.
: Anyone know how much something like this may be worth? It's mint, original strings, case, and receipt from Khobar, Saudi Arabia where the his father-in-law paid 60 SR or US (don't know). He only plugged it in once!
: Any info would be appreciated
: Thanks
: Giorgio
I was been given a Les Paul Standard copy yesterday, and I have been working on this piece part of the night (yes, I'm very much tired).
I will go to the luthier this afternoon, to check how the guitar is. This piece has been about 20 years stored in its case.
I will post the luthier opinion.
What about build a Maya Guitars web page? It could be a good stuff. I can to do it with a bit of time, but I will need photos of your guitars, setups, opinions, modifications, etc.
Re: Maya Guitars
Just as You I was been given a Maya guitar and this three weeks ago. I have no idea what's it worth and what kind of type it is. And I can't find anything. Not on the guitar, not on the internet.
I really hope there is some one out there who has some new information about this Maya Guitars..
Greetz
Elio, Belgium
Re: Maya Guitars
: Hi.
: Does anyone have any information on Maya Guitars. What I know so far is they were/are a Japanese maker and were apparently based in Kobe from the early 70's until the earthquake in the 90's. They made high-quality knock-offs of major brand instruments in the lates 70's and 80's at least as good as the Ibanez Lawsuit models of the same era. Not quite up to Gibson yet, but learning fast.
: I have a really nice copy of a late 70's early 80's Gibson ES 175. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Email me if you want to see pictures.
Re: Maya Guitars
: : Hi.
: : Does anyone have any information on Maya Guitars. What I know so far is they were/are a Japanese maker and were apparently based in Kobe from the early 70's until the earthquake in the 90's. They made high-quality knock-offs of major brand instruments in the lates 70's and 80's at least as good as the Ibanez Lawsuit models of the same era. Not quite up to Gibson yet, but learning fast.
: : I have a really nice copy of a late 70's early 80's Gibson ES 175. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Email me if you want to see pictures.
: I have a copy of a hofner 500/1 Beatlebass. unforttunatly I don't know anything about it history but it plays very well.
Re: Maya Guitars
I have a Strat copy that holds up very well. I got it brand new in Saudi Arabia of all places in 1980, and it still plays well. It buzzes a bit more, but plan to get that fixed soon.
For more info on Maya, check out http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/El-Maya/Various-01.html
Re: Maya Guitars
I'll inlcude my comments since I also own a Maya and would like to find out something about it myself.
I own a Strat copy that I bought about 18-19 years ago. I was taking a guitar class at night at our local jr. college. We had this guy in our 3 person (4 counting the teacher) class playing this guitar. A few months later I found that exact guitar in our local music store and I bought it.
To go through the entire history of my Maya would take too long. But it's gone from a typical Fender Strat setup, 3 single coils and a 5 way; to a 3 humbucker (1 Dimarzio, 1 Seymour JB, 1 Seymour JB Jr) with the two Seymours split with one volume knob and two tone knobs that can be pulled out to split the Seymours. I wanted the Dimarzio to be able to be split, but it wasn't capable of being so. Some day when money isn't a factor, I'm going to have the Dimarzio taken out and something else put in that can be split so I can have a close equivilant of a 3 single coil setup.
I've changed everything on my Maya except the body, neck and the neck plate on the back. Other than that it's mostly been a good guitar. I say mostly because back in the mid 80's I had the Fender style tremlo it came with switched out for a cheap Kahler. If I had spent the extra money and got a higher $$$ Kahler, it might have been alright, but I didn't.
My intonnation has been out since the day that Kahler was put it and there seems to be no way to fix it. The body had to be bored to put the Kahler in, so it's not like I can switch it out with a simpler tremlo system. Given my "druthers", I'd like to have a stop piece put in.
One thing I've noticed about my Maya Strat is that it weighs about a TON more than a Fender Strat. I wish I knew what kind of wood it was made of. I'd like to wish it was mahogany, but I could't be that lucky.
I'm sure I'll have another guitar someday, but I see no reason to part with the Maya. I might give it to a nephew someday, but I don't think I'll ever sell it. I paid around 150-175.00 for it and I've put about 700-750.00 in it.
The man who owns the music store I trade with (and did the work on the Maya) says it's "the best playing guitar you've never heard of". ;-)
Re: Maya Guitars
I have a Maya fretless bass which i purchased 2nd hand for £80 when i was 17yrs old back in the early 80's.I have had it now for over 20yrs now and the quality has not faded one bit.I still play in various bands and has given me much enjoyment playing it with its very low and fast, but very smooth action.
Re: Maya Guitars
: Hi.
i have read your messages,, after a very long searches about MAYA ARTIST
GUITAR. Your description of the Guitar is the same by me, bat the
Mecahanik is not from Schaller.
The only different is the machanik. I think my Guitar is equipmend with
Noname Produkt.
In the body you can read a Label with follwing Text:
"We made this guitar for the people who love guitar music. F344R
Japan"
I purchased my Insrtument on a musik street market in 1999 and payed
250,- DM = 125 Euro.
It sounds very well and looks (abilone Inlays) very nice.
I'm playing Jazz and Boss Nova on the Instrument.
I never found samthing about MAYA GUITAR FACTORYS in the Internet.
Maybe you can help me?
I whish you every time very nice cords and scales.
I'm sorry for my broken-english.
Regard Wolfgang from Berlin, Germany
see more by:
http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Maya/Artist-Acoustic-01.html
Maya
Hallo Wolfgang,
auf der Suche nach der Herkunft meiner Maya habe ich deine Notiz gefunden. Ich habe das Modell F 7450S. Hast Du die Gitarre noch? Bilder?
Gruß aus Laboe
Gunter
Re: Maya Guitars
hi, i'm from chile, and i'm about to buy a ibanez es 175 copy, could you send me some pictures of yours please?, this way i may get a better idea from what i ' m getting . SOME COMMENTS PURHAPS WOULD BE HELPFULL. BYE AND THANKS.
: Hi.
: Does anyone have any information on Maya Guitars. What I know so far is they were/are a Japanese maker and were apparently based in Kobe from the early 70's until the earthquake in the 90's. They made high-quality knock-offs of major brand instruments in the lates 70's and 80's at least as good as the Ibanez Lawsuit models of the same era. Not quite up to Gibson yet, but learning fast.
: I have a really nice copy of a late 70's early 80's Gibson ES 175. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Email me if you want to see pictures.
Re: Maya Guitars
I have a Maya 335 copy that I bought new around 1981. It is fantastic and I bought in preference for a 2nd hand Gibson 335 which seemed to be made of plywood in comparison. I think the price new was about £260 (case extra. Duff decision investment-wise, but still one I would take today.
I have an original brochure.
The reason I am posting this today is that I have been looking for Maya ES175 for a number of years and have just found one. I will be collecting it on Sunday.
Since buying the 335 over 20 years ago I have acquired a number of guitars, including real S400, L5 and J200 Gibsons. So I suppose I could have bought a Gibson 175 but I always wanted the Maya. It will be interesting to compare the quality of the new Maya with those.
Maya guitars were marketed in the UK by Stentor. It looks as if they market Ozark guitars - could Maya have changed its name?
Re: Maya Guitars
: I have a Maya F-335 acoustic guitar presented to me as a gift by my mom in 1976. This is the same guitar i used during my professinal career as a folksinger.
In 1980's John Denver had a concert here in Manila, Philippines. He was guesting as a judge in the popular tv program "Eat Bulaga" where he was requested to sing a song. Fortunately, he requested to borrow my Maya F-335 since i am one of the partipants competing and i am very proud to lend him and he sings.
Until now the memory lives on! please email me if you want to see my Maya. ThanKs a lot
Re: Maya Guitars
: : I have a Maya F-335 acoustic guitar presented to me as a gift by my mom in 1976. This is the same guitar i used during my professinal career as a folksinger.
: In 1980's John Denver had a concert here in Manila, Philippines. He was guesting as a judge in the popular tv program "Eat Bulaga" where he was requested to sing a song. Fortunately, he requested to borrow my Maya F-335 since i am one of the partipants competing and i am very proud to lend him and he sings.
: Until now the memory lives on! please email me if you want to see my Maya. ThanKs a lot
-- i would like to see it and i would like to know if they have a website, because i searched and i couldn't find it.
Re: Maya Guitars
I have two Maya accoustic guitars that I bought new in Vancouver, Canada around the late 70's. One is a "spanish" style C132s and the other is a"C&W" style MF50r both beautifully made and they both sound great. I too would like to find out more about the Company that produced them as it would be a shame if its no longer in business Regards Mike
Re: Maya Guitars
: Maya guitars were marketed in the UK by Stentor. It looks as if they market Ozark guitars - could Maya have changed its name?
I have the information that Maya is now Asturias.
Look here: http://www.casabenelly.nl/default_en.htm
Re: Maya Guitars
My grandfather gave me one of his numerous guitars and it is a Maya F385. Weird thing is , is that it's a twelve string acoustic. Sorry if I sound dumb, I'm new with the whole guitar thing. I don't know where my grandpa got it. I know it was my mom's when she was a kid, so he must have picked it up in the mid-70's. I really enjoy it although I am just learning how to play. Just thought I tell you all that.
Re: Maya Guitars
yea, I just bought a MAYA jazz bass copy, but I don't know a damn thing about the CO. either! it has a decal that resembles the "aspen" brand name on it, maybe another house name? a decent copy for sure!
Re: Maya Guitars
: Hi. I also would like to know some information about maya, particularly their value. I own a Telecaster copy
: Does anyone have any information on Maya Guitars. What I know so far is they were/are a Japanese maker and were apparently based in Kobe from the early 70's until the earthquake in the 90's. They made high-quality knock-offs of major brand instruments in the lates 70's and 80's at least as good as the Ibanez Lawsuit models of the same era. Not quite up to Gibson yet, but learning fast.
: I have a really nice copy of a late 70's early 80's Gibson ES 175. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Email me if you want to see pictures.
Re: Maya Guitars
Hi everyboy!
I have a Maya JazzBass-copy, it is very beautiful and has good sound. if somebody wants to see some pics about this, write me.
Did you find a serial number on your guitars? I've searched, but I didnt find any...
Re: Maya Guitars
Hi everyboy!
I think Maya was a part of Ibanez, which sold their guitars under Maya's name after Lawsuit (Gibson).
I own a Maya, copy of a Gibson L6S (exactly the same as Ibanez pre-lawsuit copies). All made with Mapple, the PU's were out of order, so, I replace them with Red Rocks humbuckers and a Shalter Varitone : Great sound, thin body, fantastic Neck.
Sorry for my bad english, I'm French.
Greetings.
Re: Maya Guitars
I own a Telecaster copy... a great guitar no doubt..
my father found it here in Bogotá, in 1999, and like the most of you, I couldn´t find any info about the Maya company.. I´m very curious about it because the luthiers that had seen it told me that it is an excelent guitar and a collection piece... any info would be appreciated, and pics of your guitars too.. (sorry about my bad english)
Re: Maya Guitars
Hi, for 20 minutes up to now spended in internet in a search for any information I found only forum posts about Maya guitars. I own Maya SG replicant made in the '70s I think. I have this by all means Japanese masterpiece since 1999 and I wonder how I had never made any search about it 'till now. But you know "The truth is out there" :)
Re: Maya Guitars
: Hi, for 20 minutes up to now spended in internet in a search for any information I found only forum posts about Maya guitars. I own Maya SG replicant made in the '70s I think. I have this by all means Japanese masterpiece since 1999 and I wonder how I had never made any search about it 'till now. But you know "The truth is out there" :)
Re: Maya Guitars
through a lot of research I've found that I own a MAYA 335 semi acoustic guitar. I bought this guitar about 23 years ago in Germany. It's a copy of the gibson es 335 I'm looking for help in trying to find the value :
Re: Maya Guitars
I own a Maya Artist model 12-string guitar, Model Number F7485. It was purchased new in 1991. I would accept any reasonable offer to buy it. Pictures available by email.
: Hi.
: Does anyone have any information on Maya Guitars. What I know so far is they were/are a Japanese maker and were apparently based in Kobe from the early 70's until the earthquake in the 90's. They made high-quality knock-offs of major brand instruments in the lates 70's and 80's at least as good as the Ibanez Lawsuit models of the same era. Not quite up to Gibson yet, but learning fast.
: I have a really nice copy of a late 70's early 80's Gibson ES 175. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Email me if you want to see pictures.
Re: Maya Guitars
I have a Maya model F7460S that I picked up at a pawn shop in Idaho in 1976. It has good sound, but I would like to find out more about the history of it. It appears than nobody can find the history.
: Hi.
: Does anyone have any information on Maya Guitars. What I know so far is they were/are a Japanese maker and were apparently based in Kobe from the early 70's until the earthquake in the 90's. They made high-quality knock-offs of major brand instruments in the lates 70's and 80's at least as good as the Ibanez Lawsuit models of the same era. Not quite up to Gibson yet, but learning fast.
: I have a really nice copy of a late 70's early 80's Gibson ES 175. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Email me if you want to see pictures.
Info on El mayas and Bambu guitars
Get some info here.I tried and dug really hard, including obvious bothering of certain people, to put those up there.
hope you find some of it valuable. Enjoy Maya!
http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/forum/index.php/topic,20346.0.html
http://torchsvintageguitarresearchblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/maya-guitar-mystery.html
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