The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

Has anybody ever come across Camel guitars? I bought one recently and I'd like to know its history. According to a source, Camel guitars were made by Matsumoku. There is really no way of verifying this info because he got if from a second hand source.

Below is the picture of the Camel LP that I'm referring to. I consulted a luthier and he said that, indeed, it's a faithful replica of a Gibson -- carved maple top, mahogany back and neck, mother-of-pearl inlays, rosewood fingerboard, even the open book head stock. The luthier also said that this might be from the "lawsuit era."

Any information would be very much appreciated. Any idea what year this guitar is?

[img]http://geocities.com/homebrewph/lespaul1.jpg[/img]

Here's another picture: http://geocities.com/homebrewph/lespaul2.jpg

How interesting! Hope someone can shed light on it.

There is another one just like it made by Marlboro.

Been browsing the Aria Catalog. The Camel does not seem to resemble any of the LP copies. I'm beginning to think this one is not Matsumoku-made. Plus the fact that Joe Camel here is "neck-thru" and does not have a bolt-on neck.