The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

The useage of two different Vantage logos on the headstocks of - apart from that - equal instruments has led to a lot of confusion here over the years.
Well, I've found the dividing line by comparing serial numbers and specs of more than 100 guitars from 1980!
The logo change has taken place in April 1980!

In 1980 Erikson Music/Jam industries started international VANTAGE business by contracting distributors in the world's main guitar markets. For a better appearance the guitars of the brand got some "facelifts".
Beside other modifications Matsumoku changed the unflashy horizontal "Vantage" logo into a more "eyecatching" Big "V".
AT THE SAME TIME they changed the confusing 1979 serial number system to a consistent 7 number system, showing month and year of pruduction, starting with 004xxxx.

004xxxx Vantage guitars and basses are the first instruments with Big "V" and vertical "Vantage" lettering.
You will NOT find a 003xxxx, 002xxxx or 001xxxx serial #! The change (both the big "v" and the 7digit serial#) happened in April!

If you've got a big "V" Matsumoku made Vantage, it was built between April 1980 and (most likely) June 1984 (406xxxx).

(Within this time frame Matsumoku has made some exceptions from the usual 7digit ser.# system:
- The V900 series: 6 digits: 005xxx - 105xxx (probably built between 5-80 and 5-81 only!!)
- The 24 frets VA800/VA810: 5 digits, 81xxx or 82xxx (likely not datable)
- VP700/VP710 with 5 digits, 71xxx or 72xxx (likely not datable)
- VP795, Vp710B: 6digit ser.#)

But all models which follow the 7digit system are really easy to date by year AND MONTH!!

Horizontal "Vantage" lettering branded guitars are either from 1979 (my guess: 6/79 - 12/79) or the first 3 months of 1980!
Their serial numbers are related to the model and do not allow to draw reliable conclusions on the month of production!)

J.

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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)