Oh deary me.
Just when ya think the GAS is all gone, up pops another bubble!
So there I was just a browsing the local ads, ya know, like you do when you have nothing else to do in yer life.
When I spotted a little Kijiji ad for a Vantage electric:
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-guitar/city-of-toronto/vantage-electric-guitar/1006821182Only 3 fuzzy pictures, none of which showed the back or headstock, so I was left to ponder over which model, which year, etc.
I figured it was a VP700...but then again, maybe...a neck thru 800?! Maddening. I was worrying it to death all last evening, until I finally decided I didn't care if it was neck thru or set neck. Either way it would be beautiful I reckoned. And the price was goo-o-o-d! So, early this morning I struck out for the little "pawn shop" store, way, way over there, on the East side of Toronto, about 80 KM from my place in the West.
Well sir, I walked into the shop, headed for the back corner where the instruments were and quickly grabbed it off the stand! As soon as I had my grubby little paws on it it immediately felt "right". It was slim, light, beautifully contoured and absolutely in gorgeous condition! Hardly played by the look of it.
I flipped her over.
Set neck.
VP700.
Or, to be more specific, if I'm reading Mozart's ongoing history post correctly, this is finished in Harvest Ash, which would make it a VP710.
And according to Trevor's dating post, the serial # is 71447 making her a 1979 build.
Before, tear down and after pictures will be coming later.
Right now my camera batteries are recharging and all I have is the old Android phone camera which likely won't do it justice.
Meantime, not much to with her. Aside from the hideous "Volume" and "Tone" knobs the only thing I've found amiss so far is that the previous owner used a
nail to fasten the neck side strap button!
Sadly, this ain't the first guitar I've bought with this lovely fix. Apparently wood screws are shockingly scarce in my part of the world!
I also noted that the micro switch (coil cut) toggle was a little wobbly, indicating that it might be time for replacement. Other than some finger jam on the fretboard, she plays well and sounds like the "roar" of MMK45's in there. To be confirmed.
Am I a happy chappy? You betcha!
And for those playing along at home, this makes number 32 in the herd, the 18th Mats, and the 8th Vantage (2 acoustic)