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: Sun 30 May 2021 12:27 PM 
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Axe Slinger

Joined: Thu 25 Feb 2021 11:00 AM
Posts: 25
Hi,

I know this isn't an aria...but I was trying to identify it. from what I can gather it might be hoshino? Can't seem to find any intel on the "h" logo guitars. It appears to be Hoshino Gakki plant made...possibly early Ibanez, thanks for the help

https://www.flickr.com/photos/192419692@N08/51212402012/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/192419692@N08/51212402032/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/192419692@N08/51213117071/in/dateposted-public/


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PostPosted: Sun 30 May 2021 02:20 PM 
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Virtuoso
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Joined: Sun 15 Jan 2006 04:52 PM
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Location: Absolute Stupidity, Missouri
I am guessing it is bolt neck and has covered gear mechanical tuners. The rounded binding on the treble end of the fingerboard tells me probably early 70s.


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PostPosted: Sun 30 May 2021 02:52 PM 
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Axe Slinger

Joined: Thu 25 Feb 2021 11:00 AM
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It’s a set neck, I can se
That the body is pancake construction too in a different pic.


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PostPosted: Mon 31 May 2021 11:08 AM 
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Axe Slinger

Joined: Thu 25 Feb 2021 11:00 AM
Posts: 25
Mystery solved!

so the "h" logo represents L.D. Heater music company out of Beaverton, Oregon (Portland) area. The short story is L.D. Heater was the only distributer of the brand Lyle guitars....they also were able to put their "h" logo on the same guitars and call it their own brand. So these are out of Matsumoku plant, same as Aria. Perhaps a lower level of quality but still Japan made. Really interesting. Once I receive it I'll tear it apart and share if anyone is curious!?!


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PostPosted: Mon 31 May 2021 09:54 PM 
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Virtuoso
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Location: Absolute Stupidity, Missouri
I'd love to see more pics of it!


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PostPosted: Wed 02 Jun 2021 12:35 PM 
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Virtuoso
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Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Canada
Interesting find.
And if she plays as hot as she looks, I think they should have skipped the "h" logo and labelled it "heater" instead. :devil2:

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PostPosted: Tue 08 Jun 2021 11:23 AM 
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Axe Slinger

Joined: Thu 25 Feb 2021 11:00 AM
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Well the "h" finally arrived. I took it apart to see the construction quality. I am not so sure this is Matsumoku but I do think it is Japan made. The pots are larger, the body appears to be layered...not sure the wood type...there is some cavities or pockets under the veneer cap in some spots...almost like semi-hollow but not exactly. Maybe considered to be a chambered body? Weighs in at 8 pounds and the body is not full thickness, its a little thinner.

I replaced the pickups....they were the "fake buckers" with a single coil inside humbucker covers...pretty interesting...resistance was around 5 ohms. They actually didn't sound that bad.

Going to put on a new set of economy 70s covered tuners, which should be a direct fit. Also swapped out the bridge with a new gotoh TOM style. Plays pretty decent, neck is straight and frets have some life left. I most likely will sell as is, rather than refinish, as this wasn't what I had hoped as far as wood construction goes. Pretty cool find however.

https://flic.kr/p/2m4sZUd
https://flic.kr/p/2m4sZVF
https://flic.kr/p/2m4rwBJ


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PostPosted: Tue 08 Jun 2021 02:32 PM 
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Virtuoso
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Location: Absolute Stupidity, Missouri
The "chambered" top was a common practice in early Japanese LP guitars. It doesn't really hurt the tone too much but since the pickups are mounted to the arched ply top you might get a little body resonance.


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