The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

I am pulling the pickups etc and doing a breakdown of it this weekend, I will post pics etc of what i find.

Thanks for the comments so far

Here are the rest of the pictures of the bridge, pickup cavities, pickups and circuit board

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/358/br ... rhas42.jpg
http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/164/ ... board2.jpg
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/2161/circuitboard.jpg
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/4213 ... hamber.jpg
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8212/neckpickup.jpg
http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/1200 ... bridge.jpg

Thank you in advance for any additional feedback

From Wikpedia, will keep checking

Similar Models

Univox guitars were produced by a Japanese guitar factory called Matsumoku. This factory produced a variety of guitars for many manufacturers, including big names like Epiphone, Aria, Univox, and later, Westbury. They would often take standard models they made, and apply a variety of brand names to the same guitar, to fill orders, depending on the market the guitar was headed for.


Models that are absolutely identical to the Hi-Flier in every way have been seen wearing a variety of brand names, including:
Unicord- late models shipped to Canada. Raised plastic Unicord logo.
Raven- Very early models shipped to Canada. Identical to the Phase 1 Univox Custom except for a peculiar integrated bridge/taipliece that was also used on the Epiphone ET-270 model. Raised plastic logo with raven bird
PAN - Three types - One early variety identical to a Phase 1 Hi-Flier with a small black decal of the pan figure playing a set of pan pipes, and "Pan" text. Another model similar to a Phase 2 Hi-Flier with a gold decal the same as described previously. Later versions had an inlayed M.O.P PAN logo, and were mostly sunburst phase 2 models.
ARIA - These were widely sold within the Aria range in the "Aria Diamond" series, as the 1702T model. Identical to a Phase 2 Hi-Flier with an Aria decal under the finish, horizontally at the top of the headstock.

DIA - Very rare, "DIA" is possibly short for "diamond," the series of Aria guitars containing this Hi-Flier twin. Identical to Phase 2 Hi Fliers, mostly
sunburst, with an Inlayed DIA logo, or circular Dia decal

From the build quality and attention to finish and details, she's lookin' more and more like a Mats to me.
The screw in the neck tenon is a typical Mats touch, no?

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"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
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seems so doesnt it .. hard as hens teeth to get any information on though

Thanks Barry,

Anymore thoughts before i slowly lose my vision staring blankly at google

Like many factories in Japan, Mat made guitars for anyone who would pay them. They then slapped on whatever logo was wanted. The Skylark guitars are a case in point. The chances are this was a very limited run for a distributor or music store. I would give up on Google and play it in good health.

Yep!

This is a Mat, and a very nice one... Enjoy, you have a great guitar in your hands.

P.

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MAA Member since June 29th 2009, taking one baby step at a time..... and failing miserably!

Ty, obsessing is over

Thanks for the replies all,