The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

I've done considerable searching and still don't know for certain what the relationship was between Matt & Teisco- has anyone interviewed any of the designers/builders from the early years who can say with authority what it was?

Also wondering if anyone can verify Condor as a Matt issue.

I love this forum.

Thanks for lookin'!

I am not sure you will find there was much if any of a relationship. Many guitars built in the 60's were sourced from multiple factories but they usually were geographically close. There were several guitar factories (including Matsumoku) in and around Matsumoto in the Nagano prefecture. Tiesco was based in Tokyo. After 1969, Teisco was owned by Kawai. I have not read anything indicating Kawai had a relationship with Matsumoku.

Both Masumoku and Teisco made guitars that were branded by distributors, music stores and other retailers. Some of these "brands" undoubtedly sourced some guitars from Teisco and some from Matsumoku as well as other makers. the Lyle brand comes to mind as a line that probably had guitars made by both Teisco and Matt.

Thanks RSBass, anyone else know about this?
Any "insiders"?
Much appreciated!