The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

Hi,
I'm a new member trying to identify a guitar I just bought. I'm told, in other forums, that The Cameo guitar I bought was an Aria made by Matsumoko around 1969-1970. I cannot find any information about the Cameo brand. It's a Strat copy. I found a picture of a very similar Strat copy made by Aria in 1970. The unique feature is it uses 3 slide switches rather than a knife switch for pu selection. Can anyboody help me confirm this information.

Thanks,
Keng113

Sadly, there is next to no information out there on Cameo. It was one of hundreds of re-brands that were available in the 60's and 70's. SOME models were essentially twins of models offered by Shiro Arai Company under the Aria and Aria Diamond labels.

Early on Aria guitars were subcontracted form several manufacturers and there is little to indicate which models were made by Matsumoku and which were made by Kasuga for example. Japanese manufacturers at that time often subcontracted with each other making identification of origin even more difficult as even subtle differences were not good indicators.

Hi Keng!I've got that same guitar.Mine's labelled " Lero" though.I've seen it with many different names,most common though is Hondo.This is only the second one that I've seen that uses the 3 switches as opposed to 1 5 way switch.Anyone know where to get a bridge cover that would fit one of these?
Lero

I have two of these guitars which are identical hardware wise, except it has a three way selector rather than the switches. The ashtray bridge and three bass saddles are identical to mine. I was lucky enough to get both guitars with the ashtray cover still in place. My pickups and knobs have yellowed just like that one. Mine are labeled as Lark, but have the same headstock shape along with the same black truss cover and same tuners.

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j.k.