Search Results

Maison® Junior, A real one - a Korean rarity < Back Maison® Junior No Number The little ® symbol on the headstock is the important bit - this is a genuine Korean Maison. This is not a modern Chinese house brand (even though they are actually quite good!) This is a mid 80s guitar (Pre YooJin acquisition) with a bolt on neck and a very good quality feel. The previous owner has upgraded the tail piece to get some intonation adjustability - always a decent idea on any Junior if you are soloing or chording high up the neck. The beauty of a bolt-on is that you can adjust the neck angle to your hearts content, and reverting to a traditional fixed tail is always possible. The P-90 is gritty, tamed well with the volume control, but rude as you like maxed. It is a little brighter than traditional TV Yellow, but none the worse for it - the paint is fairly thin in places as the previous owner was a keen polisher. It gives it a nice vintage look. This is simplicity and beauty combined - lovely to play also therefore a really eligible addition to any collection, or your sole guitar if your music style suits. We have a reputation for putting really fantastic pick-ups in guitars that had generic mass produced units, and getting the absolute best out of a guitar, therefore the guitar getting the absolute best out of you. From Arcane to TV Jones, from Haeussel to our own custom wound units, if more than one fundamental tone is required from a single pick-up, we have the ideas and the examples here for you to try. A set of Gotoh SE-770 at the other end would make this a proper sleeper. Price £845 Availability Sold Recommendation Perfect as is, but upgrade fun can be had... Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1980s Pick-ups P-90 Selector N/A Bridge Hosco Board Rosewood Weight 3.12kg; 6lbs 14oz Modifications Adjustable Tailpiece ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 07:40 Play Video Play Video 01:46 Play Video Play Video 07:27 Play Video Play Video 08:53 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 06:31 Play Video Play Video 05:36 Play Video Play Video 07:42

Echopark Arroyo, Your chance to be Dean Fertita (or Johnny Depp). < Back Echopark Arroyo Brooks Collection This is one of Gabriel Currie's Californian builds, and is the precise same spec as Dean Fertita's (QOTSA Reading 2014 video Burn the Witch). At a shade over 7lbs, the NOS mahogany results in a decent comfortable weight - the substantial C neck is very comfortable indeed - a solid handshake from this Arroyo. The choice of pick-ups on this build is sensational - the Arcane Echotron built to Currie's spec, and gives the lead tone a very special character clean and driven. The neck pick-up is a single coil goldfoil , another custom winding that manages to combine clarity and "lo-fi" perfectly. For the bridge pick-up, just listen to the Reading 2014 QOTSA Burn the Witch – that guitar is the exact same model and spec as this one. It is an Arcane Echotron which cuts and bites without overdoing it. The balance between the two is sublime. This is a guitar that lends its lo-fi character to every other tone you have in your head and delivers something more than you may have expected. It is old-stock Mahogany for body and neck , and a Macassar Ebony fretboard with medium Jescar frets. The bridge is a Tonepros wraparound, all other components are what you would expect (CTS, Gotoh, Switchcraft, PIO capacitor). There is a characteristic of all Echoparks that I have experienced – is it one of Mr. Curries idiosyncrasies? Maybe. The scratchplate doesn’t fit brilliantly – it curls a bit at the edges. It is a lot better than the aluminium affair that graced the Clarence that passed through here a while back. It’s character – proves it’s a real one! This is one of Gabe’s Californian builds – some say his best era. He’s not the easiest chap in the world to deal with, especially lately, but this guitar represents the finest qualities of his hands and mind. A solid handshake without being heavy, a neck like a telegraph pole without being unwieldy, and a green-burst finish that oozes quality and class. This is one of 2 Echoparks we have had here recently – both sublime. This one is still available here at the Hall – come and try it to see what the fuss is all about. Price £4,895 Availability 1 at Ketteringham Hall Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2016 Pick-ups Echopark Goldfoil and Echotron Selector 3 way Toggle Bridge Tonepros Wraparound Board Macassar Ebony Weight 3.23kg; 7lbs 2oz Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 07:40 Play Video Play Video 01:46 Play Video Play Video 07:27 Play Video Play Video 08:53 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 06:31 Play Video Play Video 05:36 Play Video Play Video 07:42

< Back Schecter Omen Free Consultation Book Now Repair and Recommission This Schecter Omen is the Master Volume version - most are 3 controls. Affordable for a Schecter, but still not cheap. This one arrived under a fair covering of dust, and with its neck pick-up hanging off, and an output jack socket behaving like a kill switch. These Indonesian models are well built and can survive a fair bit of punishment. The neck pick-up had been punched so hard, the thread had stripped, but this is a simple fix, and now it is suspended appropriately from the surround. The output jack replaced, and a slightly errant earth wire no longer brushes against the push-pull chassis. These faults would have confined the guitar to a dusty corner for sure, but now it is back to life - fully recommissioned and sporting a set of DR Blacks in 011-050 guise to really give the metal rhythm the look as well as the sound. Everything cleaned and looking as if it has just left the factory. Gallery ← Previous Next→

Westone Paduak I, Really early Paduak < Back Westone Paduak I F810081 The previous owner of this had it from new, gigged relentlessly with it until life took over. It's missing its brass knobs currently, but we'll put that right as soon as we can. F810081 is an early model of Paduak with the regular Matsumoku neck plate, not the later Westone embossed plate. Not exactly a one-trick-pony - the F-450 humbucker is splittable, and the active boost gives a proper boost even when in single mode. The Brochure stated "greatly increased output" for the active circuit. They weren't kidding. It's no secret I am borderline obsessed with Paduaks. Not without reason I reckon. Price £595 Availability 1 only at Ketteringham Hall Recommendation Ideal donor for sensitive upgrade Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1982 Pick-ups F-450 Selector coil split and boost mini-switches Bridge HD Brass Board Maple Weight 3.48kg; 7lbs 11oz Modifications Fender knobs ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 07:40 Play Video Play Video 01:46 Play Video Play Video 07:27 Play Video Play Video 08:53 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 06:31 Play Video Play Video 05:36 Play Video Play Video 07:42

Gretsch Penguin - Stephen Stern Masterbuild, Rare chance to acquire a Stern Masterbuild < Back Gretsch Penguin - Stephen Stern Masterbuild UC22032277 Custom Shop Gretsches are usually very special, and this one was commissioned to be very special indeed. This is a Stephen Stern hollow body Penguin, in an extremely dark metallic green - almost black until it catches the light. Sparkly silver binding and cream sides and rear really makes this one stand out even amongst other Sterns and Madrigals. There are 3 Dynasonic pick-ups - these are 10.33k, 10.57k and 10.45k from neck to bridge, and all 3 sound phenomenal at any level of gain, and their character transforms from a warm clarity with low levels of gain right up to aggressive brightness as the drive increases; but they always feel in control - a more refined version of the original DeArmond 2000 on which they are based. Thanks to the crystal clear clarity on offer, mixing the pick-ups offers enormous versatility with tones you may not expect from a Gretsch. The control layout assumes a normal twin pick-up Gretsch in that the pick-up selector offer neck, neck and bridge, and bridge in its 3 settings, and each pick-up has its own volume control. The neighbouring toggle switch will activate the middle pick-up in any of the settings and its own volume control is the bottom knob. The middle can be heard on its own by turning the other pick-ups' volume down. On its own it is a very pleasant tone and pleasingly different. A third toggle switch feeds the signal through a pair of Squeezeboxes to give you the usual Gretsch tone pre-sets. A Master Volume with a treble bleed completes the control layout. The Bigsby provides the normal wobble of the pitch, but stays firmly in place at all times - no chance of tuning instability with this one. Almost unplayed since new, this joined a large collection and shows no signs of use. It comes in its original case complete with all the paperwork including CoA. This beautiful guitar has one tiny cosmetic flaw in that the paint has minor cracks in 2 places - one at the heel and the other at the bottom below the strap pin. The binding and paint have expanded at slightly different rates and this occurred a few weeks after delivery and has not changed since. Some have suggested this occurred in the aeroplane, but we can't commit to that. We have captured this in the photos and please contact us to let us show you over a videocall if this may be an issue. That tiny flaw aside, this is an outstanding guitar with an interesting and useful specification - Stephen Stern models are perhaps the most sought after modern Gretsches and chances to own one are few and far between. It is here at the Hall and can be viewed and played by appointment - thanks to recent UK politics, the exchange rate may well suit overseas buyers - we will ship worldwide, pack to extremely high standards and guitars are despatched with full value insurance. Price £7,450 Availability Sold Recommendation Be quick... Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2022 Pick-ups Gretsch Dynasonic Selector 3-way Toggle Bridge Bigsby Board Rosewood Weight 4.06kg; 8lbs 15oz Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos

Arnold Phoenix Electro Acoustic 2020, Sensational sounds, timeless class. < Back Arnold Phoenix Electro Acoustic 2020 No Number This is a very rare chance to sample the delights of an Alan Arnold acoustic guitar. Made in very small numbers by an internationally renowned luthier, Alan Arnold, this special Phoenix model is one of the finest he has ever built. This is one a handful he built with the Indian Rosewood body which gives it a lot of presence - all the Phoenix' are loud, but this has an incredible volume acoustically. The bass response is remarkable, but the one property that springs out immediately is the responsiveness. It can whisper, it can know its place in a line-up, but also bang out an amazing solo - your fingers really decide. This is the same plugged in - this is equipped with a Headway pick-up. Only the best for Alan. Tuners are Gotoh 510 in gold. The guitar suits a soloist perfectly - the neck is perfectly shaped for upper fret work. We have this guitar at the Hall now, and it will reside here until the next owner collects, or we ship it out. The guitar comes in a sturdy case and we would pack it with utmost care, and unless the buyer wishes otherwise, use an insured service. Price £4,195 Availability Sold Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2020 Pick-ups Headway Selector N/A Bridge Ebony Board Ebony Weight N/A Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 07:40 Play Video Play Video 01:46 Play Video Play Video 07:27 Play Video Play Video 08:53 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 06:31 Play Video Play Video 05:36 Play Video Play Video 07:42

1980 Aria Stagecaster ST-500L, Lightly facelifted Lefty Strat with familiar MIJ feel. < Back 1980 Aria Stagecaster ST-500L L800383 We have one remaining lefty in stock here. This is a very rare model - left handers are few and far between. With its original tobacco-burst finish, and its VIN-54 pick-ups , this is already a fine guitar. We are stocking this as a donor for a DreamBuild upgrade , but would be happy to let it go as it is for the person who falls for its charms. As it is left-handed, the headstock decals are limited in what they tell us, but had this been right handed, it would have said Strikin’ Sound - the mid-range version that for a 20% price hike, could be offered in left handed orientation. We recently completed a DreamBuild based on an identical model - they are perfect donors for refinishing, and for hardware and electrical re-specification - keeping their vintage feel yet performing so much better than the established branded alternatives. We have given this ST-500L a slight makeover with a new black scratchplate, FS-1 DiMarzios from an ST-600D , and a good set-up, but the potential is here to go further and modernize its delivery. We can part with D800383 in its current specification for £725, but this is the ideal opportunity for a left handed player to get a maple neck Strat style guitar to sound and play precisely how they wish. The original finish on this guitar is remarkably nice, but a refinish is also feasible. Price £725 Availability Sold Recommendation Perfect quality donor for a left handed Dreambuild. Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1980 Pick-ups VIN-54 Selector 3-way Bridge Original Gotoh Vintage Board Maple Weight 4.08kg; 9 lbs Modifications New black scratchplate ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 07:40 Play Video Play Video 01:46 Play Video Play Video 07:27 Play Video Play Video 08:53 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 06:31 Play Video Play Video 05:36 Play Video Play Video 07:42

70s Maya SC36 Electric Guitar, A truly retro-cool pair. < Back 70s Maya SC36 Electric Guitar No Number The full spec for this guitar can be found on the Stormshadow GuitarWorks website in their archive section - despite that company ceasing to build guitars any more, they keep a great database of their builds. Price £275 Availability Sold Recommendation Beginning or improving in a truly retro-cool way. Gig with the bass though. Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1970 Pick-ups Nisshin Onpa Single coil Selector 5-way Bridge Vintage style Board Maple Weight TBC Modifications New Output Jack ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 07:40 Play Video Play Video 01:46 Play Video Play Video 07:27 Play Video Play Video 08:53 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 06:31 Play Video Play Video 05:36 Play Video Play Video 07:42

Reaching The Final 5% - The Ibanez Case < Back 2008 Ibanez J-Custom Free Consultation Book Now Reaching The Final 5% This is one of the first RG8470Zs off the Fujigen lines and it is in magnificent condition. A very prudent purchase by a keen talented young guitarist - a very good investment. This particular guitar was originally sold in Japan and arrived in UK needing a little work to get it back to playing as it should. It had been very well looked after, and had received a decent fret-dress that would have satisfied most shredders . This chap needed a little more - he flies around the fretboard faster then my eyes can keep up with, but also wishes to bend the strings quite aggressively. These flat boards should take this treatment, but as the frets get more worn, there is a delicate balance to find between micro-action and fret buzzing. This one choked out on the upper frets unless the action was raised by nearly 1mm - sacrilege on an instrument like this. This is not unusual on this style of guitar at this age. As professional grade instruments, they have mostly been used intensively and it is usual to forgive them for aging gracefully. Here at Matsumoku, we have an attitude that declares if something can theoretically be done, we will do it, even if it is extremely difficult and carries a level of risk. So we dared to hold a different view to everyone else and finally all reached agreement that there was theoretically enough meat left in the frets to get this guitar right for the owner for a few more years. Several hours in a quiet room, no disturbances and the finest touches achieved the improbable. Now re-united with a happy and relieved owner, this guitar will go another few years on its frets playing like the owner desires. Additional work included renewing some wiring on the selector switch to make the potentiometers more accessible to service and clean - these pots had never been serviced properly in their life as Fuji doesn't put enough wire in to get them out without breaking. We now have silent pots - no scratching and dead spots. The output socket didn't quite hold the cable sufficiently, so this was replaced. The tremolo arm insert had given up giving that annoying wobble. That's sorted now. This now looks and feels like a guitar a quarter of its age, and has taken the crown for the nicest Ibanez we have seen here. Gallery ← Previous Next→

Greco APW-500, Punk will return, hard rock until it does < Back Greco APW-500 B000439 Have you seen the price of the Dan Armstrong see-through guitars? As with many catastrophically expensive odd-ball niche guitars from the last century, there is a good chance that Fujigen or Matsumoku probably made a tribute version of it, and they are affordable; and probably equally or better built than the originals. In the heady days of the 1990s, Japanese guitar catalogues were literally 100 pages long packed to the gunnels with signature models for popular pop stars - this is an example of such a guitar. As far back as 1971, Kanda Shokai had a see-through model available - the EG-380 is not a typo for a Les Paul model, it was a proper Dan Armstrong copy. These are rarer than the originals so we need to whizz forward in time to 1990 for another one from Fujigen. The see-through one was mega-bucks as expected, but a more obtainable wooden body version accompanied it, and remained in the range for nearly a decade. Endorsed by a few household names in Japan, they were quite popular, but never exported. Here's one - an early version that has seen a lot of use (good sign), and blew us away with how it played. The original pickup looks mean and nasty, but is "of its time", and a little underwhelming. The bridge unit was in fine condition, but give me a chance to install a Gotoh 510FX6 unit and I'll take it. The blower switch is a bit gimmicky and not really offering a great deal. So in went a 3 way mini-switch, and an Irongear SteamHammer humbucker. This Irongear pick-up really delivers what the 1980s ceramic humbuckers tried to deliver. It also gives me the flexibility to provide 3 distinct lead tones from that miniswitch. In the middle, we get the north coil of the humbucker only - enough power and bite to cut through anything - much hotter than any Strat; only Harry's Hot Chillies get close to this. Push the switch away and the two coils join in parallel to provide a hint of hot Tele, but enough scoop to clean up beautifully. This is the clean sound setting. Bring the switch towards you and the full fat shred tone makes clean playing impossible, and unnecessary. A Master Volume and Tone with 2 easy to see chicken-heads completes the specification. The Gotoh 510FX6 bridge facilitates the harmonics and provides a deep rich sustain that the standard bridges just can't do. They are worth the high price - they do the job brilliantly. The finish has a few dings and chips - all of our best player grade guitars do. These were never supposed to be case queens. Add some more and it won't mind - colour them in with a Sharpie if they offend. It is definitely the lightest guitar we have ever had here - 2.5kg (5lbs 8oz). Have a listen to the demo to get an idea of how this guitar now sounds - from heavy rock to punk - it's all possible. In the even that the value of an original APW-500 suddenly joins the same trajectory as the acrylic ones, I shall include the original Rock-Bullet (yup) pick-up which works, but just doesn't do what the SteamHammer does. You may recognize them from some Fernandes/Aria models where they had an equally as amusing name - Dog Fighter. It is a 2 conductor unit so you will lose the flexibility of the tones, and will have to return the switch to blower duty and add a killswitch function for the 3rd position. This guitar would make a really fun and useful addition to an armoury - they don't come along very often and it will cost quite a bit of money to achieve the specification of this one. Price £895 Availability Sold Recommendation Just play the hell out of it Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1990 Pick-ups IronGear SteamHammer (Rock Bullet original included) Selector 3 way mini-switch Bridge Gotoh 510 FX6 Board Rosewood Weight 2.5kg (5lbs 8oz) Modifications Power and versatility. And Chicken-heads ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 07:40 Play Video Play Video 01:46 Play Video Play Video 07:27 Play Video Play Video 08:53 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 06:31 Play Video Play Video 05:36 Play Video Play Video 07:42

A small Alembic for large double bass duty!! < Back Alembic Essence Bass Free Consultation Book Now Recommissioning Alembics need little introduction - they are phenomenal instruments and this early 90s Essence is a small body light weight active model with the expected build quality and quality feel. All this needed was a good recommissioning as it had been in storage for a while. A few hours on the bench took out a slight bow on the neck - the dual rods in these make that nice and easy. A really good clean and levelling of 2 frets get this neck as good as it is supposed to be, and a thorough clean of the electrics removed the scratchiness of the pots. The pre-amp and pick-ups were perfect. The brass hardware now shines again and a set of nylon wrap flats now have this Alembic looking to get that double bass vibe - a small adjustment to the saddles for these strings required, but now it is wonderful. A professional grade bass with an interesting set-up for a talented professional. Gallery ← Previous Next→

Greco SE-500, Ready for another 47 years < Back Greco SE-500 F781864 Always a firm favourite here, a white Greco SE-500, this one with the added bonus of a Rosewood board so a proper 1960s look! The necks on the Fujigen guitars are a much slimmer C than the earlier Matsumoku models from across town. The pick-ups are original to the guitar and by mid 1977 had evolved to PU-100s, retaining the snappy and airy brightness of the older units, but delivering a slightly more defined and controlled set of tones. We are a little excited by the serial number under the scratchplate - it starts with a 1, which can mean the experimental line; and these pick-ups are wound a little hotter than most of the PU-100 we have seen here. What is important though, is that these sound amazing - take a listen to the demo. At 3.74kg, it is right in the middle of the range we see from Fujigen for these years - there were some absolute beasts as well as some featherweights. The handshake says there is plenty there, but won't give your shoulder a hard time. This is the type of guitar that will hook you in before you even plug it in - it has an acoustic ring we only experience with either expensively upgraded models, or very high end Fenders. This guitar has been well used, and on arrival we thought it best to replace the pots that had a reluctant scratch between 0 and 1. In their place are now 3 brand new CTS pots hooked together with proper wire, and good for decades to come. Maybe the slightly faded White finish gives away its age, but that would likely be a premium feature on a new guitar! This is a prime example of a mid range guitar competing admirably with premium models. If you are a serial guitar buyer, I expect this one will be a keeper. Price ON SALE! Click Buy button to reveal latest price. Availability Sold Recommendation Learn some Jeff Beck Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1978 Pick-ups Maxon PU-100 Selector 3 way Bridge Original Vintage Tremolo Board Rosewood Weight 3.74kg; 8lbs 4oz Modifications CTS premium pots ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 07:40 Play Video Play Video 01:46 Play Video Play Video 07:27 Play Video Play Video 08:53 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 06:31 Play Video Play Video 05:36 Play Video Play Video 07:42