Well, I'm certainly a late-comer to this thread, but the guitar I play most is an AP II PE-180. It's a factory 2nd with several cosmetic & non-threatening structural flaws that have appeared over time through some very well done cover-up jobs (the sides have caved in in several places, most likely because they weren't formed properly before the guitar was made, & these spots were "expertly" covered over).
There's something wrong with the wiring, but whatever it is makes the guitar in the neck pickup setting sound absolutely HUGE. The bridge pickup sounds weak & thin, & I've thought of repairing/refinishing it--but I like the neck position sound so much I'm afraid to change anything on it.
With the neck pickup, the guitar gets this big, thumpy, bassy sound--like a cross between a cello & a really nice old upright piano.
Had I not found this guitar (in spite of the fact I paid too much for it, not knowing it was a 2nd), I would have packed it in & quit playing altogether. I'm not sure whether the fact I'm still playing is a good thing or a bad thing.
Is a Robert Conti PE-190 available anywhere (Japan?) & what would be the going rate for one?