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Post subject: NGD: Matsumoku Mystery!
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 4:58 pm
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https://imgur.com/a/lDv1c

I picked up this 12 String violin body electric guitar for extra extra cheap yesterday. It was only $110 out the door. The condition is immaculate, given the age and how many of these were chucked for firewood.

The only issues are the broken nut and missing ferrule., but that's being taken care of by my tech this week.

What puzzles me is the brand. There was clearly once a nail/screw in badge on the headstock, but it's no longer there. I've googled every combination of words related to this guitar and can't find another on the Internet. I'm hoping someone out there can identify it.

But it's a very high quality (for the era) axe. From the functional strings, the pickups are strong, sweet, and crisp. No feedback either. Triple layer binding all over, red burst and solid build work.

Anyone ever see such a thing?

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Post subject: Re: NGD: Matsumoku Mystery!
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 6:13 pm
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Cool find, thanks for posting pic's.

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Post subject: Re: NGD: Matsumoku Mystery!
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 8:47 pm
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Maybe a Greco?

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Post subject: Re: NGD: Matsumoku Mystery!
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 3:53 am
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Any headstock pics?

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Post subject: Re: NGD: Matsumoku Mystery!
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 8:25 am
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Location: On the loo, regretting that gas station burrito.
This site here has a bunch of guitars like that, and the links for a lot more of them. A lot of those sites I've been to, but I don't recall any Japanese guitars from the 60's, if that is what that is: Here, anyway: https://drowninginguitars.com/odds-and-ends/links-2/ Also, Japanese catalogs, but most of these are from the late 70's/early 80's. Interesting read, anyway: http://brochures.yokochou.com/en_index.html If I come across anything else, I'll let you know.

Oh yeah, here's the direct link to the Japanese guitars on the first link I posted: https://drowninginguitars.com/guitars/japanese-guitars/ It looks like that guy has a lot of stuff there. Maybe you can contact him and he also might know, or know someone who does.

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Post subject: Re: NGD: Matsumoku Mystery!
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 10:17 am
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I think I've narrowed it down to a Greco 974, but I can't find it In 12 string form anywhere online

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Post subject: Re: NGD: Matsumoku Mystery!
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 3:28 pm
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I'm calling it as a Greco. The next closest model is an Apollo, but the key difference is the headstock: the Apollo's logo is painted on whereas the Greco's was a nail on badge. The guitar has nail on holes that have been painted over. They seem to line up with the Greco badge.

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Post subject: Re: NGD: Matsumoku Mystery!
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 3:45 pm
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You come across the coolest odd guitars! Another great find.


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Post subject: Re: NGD: Matsumoku Mystery!
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:10 pm
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Very nice find for a bargain price.

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Post subject: Re: NGD: Matsumoku Mystery!
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:17 pm
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For what I paid, I could probably shred through some profit (avg price of a 974 this clean is $500-$600) but they don't exist in red burst apparently, so who knows. I can't wait to get it back. I want to play it so badly. 8)

I also want to track down a 6 string neck, or at least a 6 string neck that fits it.

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Post subject: Re: NGD: Matsumoku Mystery!
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 9:41 pm
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It’s always great to see what great art with a guitar can be had for little. Finds like this are like a fine wine for less. Satisfaction comes at all levels. IMO. YMMV. Nice James.

Good luck on the badge and/or neck and thanks for sharing your new axe.

FSB

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Post subject: Re: NGD: Matsumoku Mystery!
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 10:03 pm
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Buxom wrote:
Any headstock pics?

Couldn't find any of that body.
Headstocks on other models varied, so I can't say that this one wouldn't have matched yours, I just couldn't find a match for it.

What caught me was the similarity in the pickguard and pickup mounting rings.

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Post subject: Re: NGD: Matsumoku Mystery!
Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 3:52 pm
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What bothers me is that I can't find anything like It online. I haven't found another 12 with all the same features, haven't even found a 6 in red burst.

I guess it'll remain a partial mystery, but the Greco seems to be the closest match.

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