The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

5/11/16

I'm hopping right in....hope I do not violate any "rules".
Just "bought" a LP "clone"....but I really wonder what it is. I can easily attach photos.. I am "new" to guitar playing so I cannot answer very technical questions.

When I opened the box here are my concerns. First the front nut was cracked on the high e string (easily fixed).
The knobs seemed "brand new"....not what I would expect on a "vintage" guitar....
The bridge and tail piece were "brand new"....see above.
The "Number plate" seemed "brand new" no scratches...and the "Serial Number" on the plate is 055914,,,the tuning machines are "Grover"
(I think)....

Sadly, I''d like to know what I bought? I was lead to believe it was a late '70' early '80's VLP-540...but I wonder???

If someone would help me I could supply lots of photos....I'd just like to determine what I have and whether or not I was mislead???

I look forward to hearing back....and I've just learned how to "play" and look forward to learning vintage guitars.

My files are too big...so here's a dropbox link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cnvyz3imx9bd ... 14TOa?dl=0

Jeff
Macon, Georgia

Hi Jeff, from what I see you haven't been mislead.
It does appear to be a "vintage" Matsumoku LP clone. But you did leave out shots of the overall guitar eh? Kinda like trying to identify an elephant by looking at close up pictures of the skin and eyeballs!

Some of the other boyz here will likely have something more intelligent to say.

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Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

Yeah, post pictures of the whole guitar.

It does remind me of a VLP (510?) I had. I think I remember the pickguard had a screw right into the top instead of a bracket. The pickups had a "T" molded into the bobbin and were stamped "FS" on the back. The tuners on mine might have been Gotohs.

-Steve W.

5/12/16
Thanks for the replies....and as requested I took qute a few more pictures and have put them in dropbox...the url for the NEW photos is:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/to30d5xf2g62 ... k1HKa?dl=0

Hopefully there are enough pictures here to determine the "authenticity"...
I must say the seller was quite pleasant over the phone...I was just surprised when I looked at the plate with the serial number...it appears better than new....no scratches whatsoever....likewise the bridge and tailpiece....I can understand replacing a 30+ year old potentiometer....but these structural "pieces"????
I will say I am "new" to guitars...just started playing a few years ago...but have spent many years restoring old British motorcycles....and I've always preferred "original" parts "patina" and all.
Thanks 1,000,000

Jeff

I can't help with specific questions on your Vantage but I can attest to the seemingly brand new appearance of many of the components like the neck plate.
On both of the Mats I have the neck plate and even the finish appear new. It's pretty awesome actually to have 30+ year old guitars that look new.

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Subject to whimsy

Thanks for the extra pics.
As near as I can reckon, you indeed have a 1979 VLP 500 series "Spirit".

I don't really see anything to be concerned about, she's in beautiful condition. The bridge, stop tail and mini toggle switch do appear to be very clean and perhaps are new, but I couldn't swear to it. In any event they are top quality and I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

The neck plate looks completely original and shows a small amount of wear consistent with its age.

The only question for me might be the knobs. I know that models from 1980 on, have a ribbed version of these speed knobs and are very high quality but they may have been changed to conform to general design changes being implemented at the time. Yours may well be original.

_________________
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

Tuners have the Gotoh "G". I think that's what mine had, should be good.

I don't think the original bridge and tailpiece were anything special, so replacements might be better. Maybe you just have a nice clean guitar with minimal wear and corrosion.

I would think the pickup selector knob should have been white/cream and the vol/tone knobs should have notches. Other than those, looks original to me. Even the bridge and tail look like the originals. Perhaps they're not but they look the part. Maybe polished?
Very nice!

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