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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 Post subject: Memphis 335
PostPosted: Sat 28 Feb 2015 05:18 AM 
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Joined: Sat 28 Feb 2015 05:14 AM
Posts: 3
Hi Matsumoku experts!!

This is Carlos from Barcelona (Spain)

I can not find enough info to know if this guitar that I want to buy is a lawsuit model and which is it right price. The owner ask 850 dollars!
This is the beauty! A Memphis ES335 80/81 Matsumoku http://www.guitarristas.info/anuncios/3 ... pan/389457
Thank you so much for sharing you knowledge and experience
Carlos
http://www.carlosshelly.com


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 Post subject: Re: Memphis 335
PostPosted: Sat 28 Feb 2015 02:01 PM 
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Joined: Mon 19 Mar 2007 08:50 AM
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OK I will do what I can to answer your questions. Some Mephis guitars were made in Japan, most likely by Matsumoku. Memphis instruments range from not so good to pretty good. I don't know the market in Spain but here the price is at least three times what it should be. Unless I had a chance to play the guitar and fell in love I would not even consider buying it at that price.


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 Post subject: Re: Memphis 335
PostPosted: Sat 28 Feb 2015 11:22 PM 
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Joined: Sat 25 Mar 2006 09:25 PM
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Location: Grand Absurdity, TX
It sure looks nice but I don't know that its $850 nice. :-?


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 Post subject: Re: Memphis 335
PostPosted: Sun 01 Mar 2015 04:49 AM 
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Joined: Sat 28 Feb 2015 05:14 AM
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Thank you both for the answers! Tha fact is that there is no way to know if is pretty good! no serial number, nothing to identify it. The market in USA is even expensiver, the same guitar in Ebay cost 1269 dollars! Is that possible? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-Memphis-Ar ... 2c83e7f0d7
Regards,
CArlos


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 Post subject: Re: Memphis 335
PostPosted: Sun 01 Mar 2015 11:02 AM 
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Joined: Mon 14 Dec 2009 11:23 AM
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Location: Vienna, Austria
Forget the ebay price. Noone will pay that much. It's just a clue for interested persons not to make offers near next to nothing.
If the guitar was made by Matsumoku in 1981, she is probably of the same quality as a Vantage VSH. I paid EUR 450.- for my Semi-Hollow Vantage in very nice condition, if this is of some help for you.... :wink:

_________________
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)


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 Post subject: Re: Memphis 335
PostPosted: Sun 01 Mar 2015 11:21 AM 
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Joined: Mon 14 Dec 2009 11:23 AM
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Location: Vienna, Austria
BTW, nice homepage, Carlos, and very skillful playing! :up:

Living in Barcelona, check out Romàn Gil Romeros custom made pedals, if you don't know them so far....
http://www.manlaysound.com/
"The Sound" is a fantastic "Plexi-Tone-box" and I like it very much. :D

_________________
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)


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 Post subject: Re: Memphis 335
PostPosted: Mon 02 Mar 2015 02:24 AM 
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Joined: Sat 28 Feb 2015 05:14 AM
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Thanks Mozart for your reply and for seeing my homepage!
I knew these pedals but never had one!!
Vantage and Memphis are both Japan made and same woods?
I will do and offer to get the Memphis cheaper!!!
Have fun and play guitar!!


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 Post subject: Re: Memphis 335
PostPosted: Mon 02 Mar 2015 11:08 AM 
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Joined: Mon 19 Mar 2007 08:50 AM
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Some, but not many Memphis guitars were made in Japan. From what I have seen (which is not comprehensive) some models labeled as Hondo II were made in Japan. Most Hondo guitars were made in Korea. In general, guitars made in Japan are considerd more desirable than those made in Korea. There is no direct link between Vantage and and Hondo.

While some guitar brands made in Japan such as Aria, Vantage, and Electra evolved into having original designs and high standards of craftmanship, Hondo continued to market mostly copies of Fender and Gibson guitars. The quality of Hondo guitars varies greatly from decent to pretty good. Unless it was very inexpensive, I would not consider buying a Hondo guitar without trying it out first.


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 Post subject: Re: Memphis 335
PostPosted: Tue 26 May 2015 05:07 AM 
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Joined: Mon 16 Apr 2012 04:29 AM
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Great! So I got mine very cheap! I paid 251EUR plus 19,90EUR Transport. That's it. Only two very Little Ding Dongs, nearly like new. The original Mechanics and the Sound is great, love it. Tested against a new Epiphone 335 and the VSH 445 ist better, much better! A Framus end of the 60th Sounds for me better, but I believe this VSH 445 is good as an Gibson ES 335.

I'm Happy!

It seems to be standard to get it for approx. 300 - 350 EUR.

_________________
Vantage VS600 (sold)
Vantage AV325 red (sold)
Vantage VLP500 (sold)
Vantage FV575 (sold)
Vantage Ghost
Vantage Avenger X-35
Vantage VSH 445


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