Vintage c. 1960s Matsumoku archtop hollowbody electric guitar, Japan

Description: Outrageously cool c. 1960s mystery Japanese hollowbody electric. Of unknown brand but pretty obviously Matsumoku-made. I’ve played some VERY cool Japanese guitars (Telestar Sparkles, Trini Lopez copies, Sharkfins, Teardrops…) but this IS the coolest. Doesn’t look like it ever had a badge or logo on the headstock, so no help there. The only thing I’ve come across even close is an Aria with a similar body (although offset), and the relatively common but very tasty EA 270 type single coils with a conventional four-knob configuration. Look at the span across those upper bouts! Hence, I haven’t found a case for it, but a padded dreadnought gig bag (included) holds it. Love those pups! It was missing one when I got it, and I kept my eyes open for years before finding a replacement. They sound great, with a little bit of metallic microphonic edge in a desirable uber-responsive kind of way. I really like the bridge pup, as it stays thick and raspy, and does NOT get thin or shrill. Volumes and on/off sliders work perfectly, but I get no tonal change from the tone pot/cap. I made an executive decision not to try to replace it. It’s all original cloth wiring in there (other than the pup being spliced in), and I also don’t really see anyone using passive tone control here. Normally we use the tone knob to tame down spiky shrill tone at the bridge, of which there is none with this axe. IMO this guitar sounds so good that any minor tone shaping could easily be done at the amp. OK, and I’m just not all that in the mood for yanking a 60-year-old wiring harness out through the soundholes… I think it had a different set of tuners on it once, but those on there are clearly ‘60s – ‘70s Japanese and appropriate. Tiny cracks in the finish at the right-angle corners of the neck pocket. Obviously finish only, and no wood. BTW, plays beautifully, with a modern C-profile neck, and slightly smallish frets but that are in great shape. The tremolo is also really nice. Wanna stand out in the crowd? Not a chance in hell of anyone else bringin’ one of these to your gig! Jimmy Page would look at you and say “WHAT is that?” NOTE: USA regulations under the CITES convention (trade in endangered species) have finally been loosened to allow easy international shipping of vintage instruments, unless they contain BRAZILIAN r******d (Dahlbergia nigra). Unfortunately, I can't be sure there is no Brazilian on this guitar, so it still cannot be shipped internationally without a costly and time-consuming permit process.UPDATE: Ebay now demands that we sellers give THIRTY DAYS for returns. Any honest buyer will know within a few days whether there is any need for a return. I no longer take returns through Ebay, but I will never "stick" another musician with a guitar. Please contact me if there any problems, and we'll work it out.

Price: 895 USD

Location: Youngstown, Ohio

End Time: 2024-12-25T23:41:18.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD