The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

I have a 1989 J6 on the way. When did Washburn move production to Korea for J6's?

I know that in 1990, they made a J10 that was solid carved woods, looked like an ES-175, and was MIJ from what I understand. Sometime thereafter they changed the J10 to Korea and made it a laminate with a floating pickup.

I assume that 1989 J6s were MIJ as some of the 1990 archtop models were, but I can't find anything definitive on the subject.

Here is the 1990 catalog page to which I refer above: http://docs.google.com/View?id=ddrmvmzk_2742cqc98wpm

This is what my 1989 looks like:

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Greg

I may have answered my own question per this craigslist write-up: http://nh.craigslist.org/msg/1486145711.html Seems these were indeed MIJ and although this guy bought his in 1990, it is a 1989 model.

Hmm, I don't know much at all about Washburns. They may be MIJ but anything after '87 won't be Matsumoku.
I've always wanted something similar to that J6.

You are correct; not Matsumoku. There is some talk that Washburn and Matsumoku parted ways as early as 1985. There was mention of another Japanese maker who built Washburns, but I can't remember the name... something like Yamitsu.

Actually, the guitar I bought may be a 1988... or a 1989.

Yamaki.

Produced guitars that from time to time exceed what Uncle Mat produced.

Man... that is SWEET.

I'm having a BIG GAS attack.

If any of you guys come across anything similar to this for a fair price & you don't want it for yourself (or if you have any tips regarding how you hunt guitars down), please PM me.