The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

here is another Vantage mystery model that can't remember it's name. can somebody help?

the markings on the pickup covers quite unique.
the neck and middle pickups are double wound pickups, with the switches for single/off/double.
the bridge seems to be a standard humbucker, same switch setup, single/off/double
the switches seem like they were original to the design, but these appear to be replacements.
body and neck have the same red metal-flake finish, headstock has black front w/vantage logo

Looks like a post matsumoku, korean avenger to me.

Or does she have a made in japan backplate?
Any serial number?

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All vantage-branded guitars were lower-priced instruments aimed at the beginner-to-intermediate market. It has no interest to collectors and very little demand among players! (www.allexperts.com)

here is the neckplate. no vantage logo or anything other than the serial number.
there was something on the back of the headstock, not sure if it was a manufacturer label or something the previous owner put there. now it is just residue whatever it used to be.

Headstock logo and pickups point to a late matsumoku model.
Dating of letter prefix serial numbers from 1985/86 is unsure.
But your guitar could be from May 1986 !!?

The 1984/85 catalog was valid until the end of japanese VANTAGE production
http://www.matsumoku.org/ggboard/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4985
But there have been several model updates in 1985 and 1986 (according to test reviews in music magazines from that time)

Your guitar looks like an updated X-Series model: X-38 with H/S/S pickup configuration.
The metallic red finish fits into this time of production !

Again: dating Vantage guitars from the last mat years ain't easy! Might also be a post mat from the early nineties, but I tend to say 1986 X-38 from my momentary point of knowledge!

_________________
All vantage-branded guitars were lower-priced instruments aimed at the beginner-to-intermediate market. It has no interest to collectors and very little demand among players! (www.allexperts.com)

Just to make things more complicated:
http://www.matsumoku.org/ggboard/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=8231&p=53876#p53876

_________________
All vantage-branded guitars were lower-priced instruments aimed at the beginner-to-intermediate market. It has no interest to collectors and very little demand among players! (www.allexperts.com)

Sorry but all confirmed bolt neck Matsumoku made guitars that I know of say Made in Japan on them. I vote post Matt.