The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

I think i need a second job.

Not exactly sure about the origins of this one, there's an outside chance it's Mats but my gut thinks these people have it right. I have an Antoria LP that is an Ibanez (Hoshino Gakki?) off-brand and the serial number structure is identical. Perhaps this should be posted elsewhere?

Either way this beauty is smokin' dynomite! Looks like possibly rosewood top and back? Not a good pic of the string action available but i'm sure they could produce if asked. Not sure about a case. Little bit of buckle rash but character goes a long way with me.

Be sure to brace yourself before you take a peek.

https://reverb.com/item/77522546-bradle ... japan-rare

Brace yourself, it's like dynamite, about to explode! I had a nearly identical Bradley about 15 years ago. It was very pretty to look at, but area around the neck joint seemed to be a weak point and the guitar was impossible to set up properly. It might have been fully hollow except for a block under the bridge. A lot of earlier MIJ hollowbodies are weak where neck and body join; once the neck angle gets out of whack they're miserable to deal with.

If I were buying a Japanese semi/hollowbody now, my personal rules would be:

- get a brand that you know for sure was made by Mats or another good factory
- don't buy anything made before, say, 1979, and for Mats nothing after 1985
- if Mats, look for the 3 (or is it 5?) piece neck, it's more likely to be a good one

I still might get suckered into buying something pretty that's not a good guitar, though.

-Steve W

Sad to contemplate that something so purdy could be so difficult to live with!

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"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com

Even some of the early Matsumoku hollows had the neck pocket issue. I had two but fortunately I was able to shim the neck (really thick shim) and get the action fairly decent. When looking at these early hollows always ask for a side shot of the end of the neck. Like this:

Crusty is right. I have a couple with neck pocket issues. I bought them for parts mind you.

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MAA Member since June 29th 2009, taking one baby step at a time..... and failing miserably!

It sold.

I remember reading somewhere on here about the 60's/early 70's bolt on, semi/full hollowbody neck pocket problems and am not equipped to handle them so i've steered clear. Thank you!!

...... but Barry sure is making a lot of sense!!

That may be a first according to "she who must be obeyed"!

_________________
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
Guitars: https://legend.barryeames.com
Music/Pix/Videos: https://getback.barryeames.com