The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

Q&A, discussion, and information for the labels covered by The Guitar Gallery (Specifically and exclusively guitars made by Matsumoku up to 1987)
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PostPosted: Wed 02 Nov 2011 05:57 PM 
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Virtuoso

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Every once in a while a Vantage or an AP2 will show up with an inital letter followed by a string of numbers. Unlike most serial numbers there is no obvious correlation with a likely date of manufacture. It recently occurred to me that these letter-prefix SNs always seem to occur on the neckplates of boltneck models. Have any of you seen them elsewhere? (I'm referring only to AP2s and Vantages made between 1981 and 1987.)

Is it possible that these neckplates were made for use as replacement parts or to identify refurbished or renecked instruments? Could the letters identify particular service centers or distributors?

Any other thoughts?


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PostPosted: Wed 02 Nov 2011 07:38 PM 
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I think the letter-prefix neckplates were introduced around 1985. The letter might have indicated the client. Some more research might reveil this. Good point, BR!

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PostPosted: Wed 02 Nov 2011 08:46 PM 
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Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Canada
My Vantages:
VS600 = 009xxxx
AV310 = 104xxxx
AV325 = 108xxxx
VE550? (Entertainar) 206xxxx
X-77T = 310xxxx
My only Aria Pro II Urchin U60T = 212xxxx

No letters. All bolt on's.

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PostPosted: Wed 02 Nov 2011 08:51 PM 
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MY TS 350 has a letter prefix. It is a bolt one. The neck laminate is a very good match to the center body laminate. The fit is also very good. I think it is all original. My 84 RSB deluxe does not have a letter prefix but it is a bolt neck. i will have to check on my others. My set neck Vantage 790 does not have a serial number I can find.


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PostPosted: Wed 02 Nov 2011 09:43 PM 
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Virtuoso

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Any setnecks or neckthroughs with letter-prefix SNs?


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PostPosted: Wed 02 Nov 2011 10:45 PM 
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Virtuoso
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Joined: Sat 25 Mar 2006 09:25 PM
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Location: Grand Absurdity, TX
I've seen some CS with a letter prefix but I believe they were early, like around 80 or 81. None of mine have a letter.


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PostPosted: Thu 03 Nov 2011 06:05 AM 
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Location: Vienna, Austria
For Vantages: So far I've seen them on '85 and '86 models only!
All my Vantages are from 1980 - 84, and don't have letter prefixes!

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PostPosted: Thu 03 Nov 2011 06:40 AM 
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Virtuoso

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Thanks for all the replies, gentlemen!

RSB, can you estimate approximately when your TSB 350 was built? Can the numbers be interpreted to show a plausible date or do they just look like random numbers?

None of my Mats (5 Vantages, 3 AP2s, 2 Westones, an Electra and an Aria) have letter-prefix serial numbers.


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PostPosted: Thu 03 Nov 2011 08:27 AM 
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Virtuoso
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Location: Vienna, Austria
The best source for serial numbers is Frenchy's huge collection.
He has got 50+ mats under his bed, and a computer harddisc full of pics and numbers.
The only problem with Pierre: sometimes he is away for some weeks or months :wink: Must have a special job (oil platform, CIA agent, surf pro, president or something like that ...)

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PostPosted: Thu 03 Nov 2011 10:00 AM 
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Virtuoso
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Joined: Sun 12 Sep 2004 04:02 PM
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Location: Grand Absurdity, VA, temporary refuge of the Hollywood Avenger
mozart wrote:
The best source for serial numbers is Frenchy's huge collection.
He has got 50+ mats under his bed, and a computer harddisc full of pics and numbers.
The only problem with Pierre: sometimes he is away for some weeks or months :wink: Must have a special job (oil platform, CIA agent, surf pro, president or something like that ...)


Actually, he's got a similar job to what I used to do in NY- designing & programming & managing absurdly complicated audio/video/lighting/HVAC/security control systems for gazillionaires.

je

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