Versatile old warrior < Back Greco DB-600N Price £1,275 - SOLD Add to Cart Chat with Us Recommissioning old warriors gives us great satisfaction. This particular iteration of the 600 survived in the range from 1974 until 1978 after which the nut width increased by a few mm and the headstock shrank to the vintage style. This one personifies the 1970s - no nonsense, no need to hide the grain, 3 way switch and 4.17kg (9lbs 3oz) of heft. This is no boat anchor; just a little heavier than those before and after the 1970s. We have given this one a few extra things to warrant its place on the DreamBuild wall - firstly the frets. As with many hard-working Strats in the 70s, a fresh set of Gibson jumbo frets are set into a restored and unfinished neck. The lacquer on this one had perished to the point of getting painful, so we took it off completely. Now it really has a new guitar feel. The nut on these early 600s is just shy of a B spec, but nothing as narrow as a Jag. The nut is 40.2mm and the 12th fret is 49.7mm. It doesn't feel crowded, and nothing like the 'A' nut - the nearest equivalent we have had here would be a Custom Shop Bonnie Raitt. Sound-wise this has a few tricks up its sleeve too. The neck and middle pick-ups are original PU-100 Maxon single coils - very bright and plenty of guts in the output; and a 9.5k rewound bridge unit to provide a hotter tone than you'd expect from a 70s Strat. The 3 way switch remains, and careful fishing will get you the in-between sounds; there is the normal Master Volume, a Master Tone and now it gets interesting. We have re-purposed the lower tone control to add growl and punch from the bridge and neck pick-ups. There are no batteries in this guitar - no voltage addition, just changing the way the pick-ups behave. Rolling off the lower tone control alters the bridge pick-up tone from hot single coil to a calmer and less intense treble at the mid-point, then onto a growly P-90 type tone and then finishing with a big boost in the mids. This works on the neck pick-up in a similar fashion starting with the glassy airy blues tone through subtle jazz, then finishing at a Gibson-like howl - very reminiscent of the early Maxon humbuckers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT-QDOgKD8U No batteries, no booster pcbs, just making the best use of the magnets and wire in those pick-ups. If you play through a variety of different amps, or have a complex signal path on the floor, this control will allow you to tailor the guitar output immediately. You may end up ditching some of those pedals. Obviously I am always going to melt over an older vintage guitar, and I continue to do so here with this 50 year old Greco. With no headstock tax, this is a vintage guitar that won't cause anxiety when it is unattended while you're at the bar, and won't mind a few additional knocks and scrapes. I recommission these oldies to be tools and pals, not assets to monitor the value of. As normal, old and new where it matters most. Details The Look 1970's Natural - plenty of signs of life and ready for more Headstock CBS big headstock with original MH-803 tuners in great condition Neck Refretted with Jumbo frets like so many were in the 70s. Lacquer-free now, and a lovely natural feel to the slim C 7.25 radius neck. The nut is just shy of 41mm - a real 60s feel. Pick-ups 2 vintage PU-100 at the neck and middle, and a 9.5k hotter P-100 at the bridge. Bridge Original Greco vintage tremolo Controls 3-way switch, Master Volume, Master Tone. The lower Tone control dials out some treble, then boosts the mids as you roll down to 0. No mud, just useful power. No batteries, just making the best use of the pick-ups Gallery ← Previous Next→

1979 Greco SE-700 Early Sixties Black on Black, Black on Black with Rosewood - perfection... < Back 1979 Greco SE-700 Early Sixties Black on Black I790431 This 1979 Greco SE-700 has a 2-piece body and retains its original PU-119 pick-ups with unusual but original black covers. This is another vintage Greco that blows the minds of Fender traditionalists - the neck will feel very familiar to a sixties Oval C, the weight and balance will give the impression of a very expensive original. The colour scheme is reminiscent of the Fender Black-outs and large headstock Highway One editions - it does look sensational. These PU119 pick-ups are held in high regard amongst the MIJ crowd - they respond well to subtle control changes on the guitar and the amplifier and exhibit a good clarity and slight nasal characteristic when driven. Everything on this guitar remains original - the bridge and tuners are all in great aged condition - most importantly perfectly functioning. The black scratchplate was an option at the time, and gives this guitar a really purposeful look. At a fraction over 3.59kg (7lbs 14oz) this has "that perfect Strat" weight and feel to it - there are a few parking knocks and scars on the body that give it that authentic vintage touch too - we have attempted to catch them all in the photos. None of them down to the wood. The frets have lots of life left in them, this is fast slick and comfortable like all SE-700s - arguably the sweet-spot of the range. The serial Number on this one is I790431, an early November 1979 Fujigen build from the time they were really showing off to impress the boys from Corona. A Fender guitar from this CBS era is hit and miss - there were some real howlers, and even the good ones are likely to have been upgraded by now. During this era, Fujigen and their contemporaries were just the opposite - getting better and better. This guitar feels like one of their very best. This SE-700 will put guitars twice, even three times its price to shame. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHG_mLr4_K8 Despite being in fantastic condition, we can talk about upgrade ideas, we can recommend Tall Narrow frets on these lovely necks; we can give it a Gotoh 510T tremolo; we could convert the electrics to Sao Paulo spec (rail humbuckers), but these are all fun indulgent options - this guitar is genuinely good to go as it is. Price Availability £1,195 Sold Recommendation Enjoy as it is Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1979 Pick-ups PU-119 x 3 Selector 5-Way Bridge Vintage Tremolo Board Rosewood 3.60kg; 7lbs 14oz Modifications None Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

1974 Greco TE-350 | Star Fretboard, < Back 1974 Greco TE-350 | Star Fretboard Pre-serial number model These Gneco Teles are getting very thin on the ground now - even more so in this condition. Completely original, and having suffered only a tiny amount of parking damage in its 47 years, the Maxons retain their classic sounds. The bridge pickup does look a little weedy and slim compared to the classic Fender type, but it has a soul of its own - also a lot more power than you'd think. We considered upgrading the bridge unit, but every time we discussed it, we decided to just leave it as it is. It has a real soul of its own. One of the characteristics that make these old Grecos Teles stand out is the slightly shorter scale. At 24.25 inches, it is an easy swap to and from a Les Paul during a set. This is a Matsumoku built Greco (Gneco) , these skipped across town to Fujigen 1 year later. Keeping it in this condition and with regular use and servicing, this TE-350 is unlikely to ever lose value. The frets are not new, but have that glorious run-in feel with plenty of life left- the main thing is the neck (as they all are on these) is perfectly straight, and the frets are level. It has a few little scratches and dinks, but nothing unusual or out of place on a guitar that has seen this much life. It has that little mystery star at the end of the fretboard that no-one seems to understand the meaning of. I suspect it is a dealer stamp as we have seen a few of these little stars on Mats built instruments from 74 and 75. Body: AshNeck: MapleBridge: Original T-Style back-loaderPick-ups: Original MaxonControls: 3 way blade with Master Volume and ToneWeight: 3.88kg (8lbs 9oz) Perfect as it is, but we have a few upgrade options you can discuss with us - watch the video to get more information on this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5BqJA3JLI8 Price Availability £795 Sold Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1974 Pick-ups Original Maxon Tele Selector 3-way Blade Bridge Back Load Tele Board Maple 3.88kg; 8lbs 9oz Modifications None Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

Rickenbacker 4001 CS - Signed by Chris Squire, A Must-Have for a Yes Fan < Back Rickenbacker 4001 CS - Signed by Chris Squire 306/1000 Limited Edition This desirable and collectible bass is signed by the late great man himself and is photographed around his neck for provenance. This is #306 of the limited run of 1,000; only a tiny fraction of these were held and signed by Chris Squire in person. The Certificate of Authenticity accompanies the guitar. It is a large headstock version produced in December 1991. The bass is in fine condition, and has been put to use - it is no case queen; yet still in great condition. Under the red and cream is a maple body, maple neck and the normal Rickenbacker rosewood board. It is a fine tribute to Chris Squire's 1974 4001. Obviously this is a serious investment and we welcome any communications via the website to discuss and review the instrument and the provenance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nov2NA4WaLw Price Availability £12,495 No longer available Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1991 Pick-ups Original Rickenbacker Selector 3-way Bridge Original Rickenbacker with operational mute Board Rosewood 4.54 kg; 10lbs 0 oz Modifications None Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

Super-versatile shred/ballad beast < Back TEJ-55G MMK Price £995 Add to Cart Chat with Us Familiarization will obviously be required to remember how these tones are obtained, but it really does soon become intuitive. We always favour a simpler aesthetic and stealthy functionality. The fundamental tuners are original to the guitar, but the buttons have been replaced to match the fabulous Gotoh 510-T tremolo that is a vast improvement over the original Fernandes Knife-edge unit. These Gotoh units are fitted to very premium luthier built MIJ guitars (and some mega-bucks USA makes too). They are eye-wateringly expensive, but with these, you get what you pay for. Not only is the tremolo action smooth, the fancy block provides a bucket load of sustain that the original aluminium block was incapable of giving. It can do a great impression of a lap-steel although the action is a bit low for a bottleneck. Black and Gold strap locks complete the hardware upgrades, and the road-worn finish still polishes up nicely - just add to the ring-dings that pepper the top, and are a testament to how this guitar has plied its trade. Due to the fact that you can hide a packet of JPS ciggies on this guitar, it was very close to joining our Lotus Classic Team series representing the JPS era, but this is just too amazingly good to be a case-queen / show-case guitar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRcbzEzsuT0 The Fernandes TEJ-55 was a rare model even when new, and was essentially a TEJ-70 without the FGI-T active pick-ups, and G models had the gold hardware. These were a whole quality level up from the more basic TEJ models - as soon as your hand meets the neck, this will become apparent. Premium models with cheaper pick-ups are our favourite as we can recreate an instrument that retains the premium feel and then add amazing pick-ups and functionality. The LH-1 humbucker is now replaced by a Kent Armstrong HSDE model (predecessor of the Grinder model) which packs an almighty punch in series mode, but has enough strength and presence in the individual coils to let them be voiced individually and provide some shimmering clean tones. The guitar retains a simple look with the pick-up selector and master volume and tone controls, but both chickenheads are governing premium CTS push pull knobs to enable 4 distinct modes. Mode 1: (Volume and Tone pushed in) This is Power Tele mode with the neck single coil, the neck and bridge humbucker in parallel, and the bridge humbucker available from the toggle selector. Ideally suited for driven tones, the humbucker will struggle to stay clean even on a solid state Fender amp. But stamp on the OD-3 or change to the drive channel and this guitar packs an almighty punch. Mode 2: (volume knob pulled up) This is metal mode - the middle and lower selection on the toggle voices just the full humbucker, and by flicking the toggle between neck and middle positions enables a kill switch function. Great fun and no need for another button. Mode 3: (Tone knob pulled up) This is sweet mode. The 3 single coils behave as individual units - the middle position voices all 3 in parallel for the sweetest Strattiest tone possible; and the bridge position voices the Kent Armstrong in parallel configuration which retains a huge presence but increases the clarity and definition. Amps will break up less and you'll get a P-90 type of aggression but never losing the treble response. Mode 4: (both knobs pulled up) Country Clack. 2 tones to choose from here - the bridge single coil for a hot Tele bite, and the neck position provides a tone most associated with Gretches and Rickies. Some partial phase trickery is taking place as all 3 single coils are connected into series. It's very unusual and not found on any stock guitar we have ever heard (Parker Fly got close). Details The Look Roadworn and ready for more Headstock 1980s and 90s pointy headstock nirvana. Neck Skinny shredder with 43mm nut and 12" radious Pick-ups Kent Armstrong - covers all bases Bridge Gotoh 510 T in gold Controls Master Vol and Tone, both push pull for mode selection. Metal, ballad, Rock, Country Gallery ← Previous Next→

Greco SE-500N, The Case Queen < Back Greco SE-500N F763771 Open the case pocket and find the accessories that accompanied this flawlessly perfect SE-500N including the sales ticket. It may as well be Summer 1976. F763771 is a time-warp condition example - a white-glove job that only comes out for very special occasions. It has a headstock to match full seventies collar, and a skinny neck to match the tight fit tank top. Crystal clear Maxons and a perfectly functioning tremolo invite us to enjoy this guitar, but the condition scares us into gently placing it back in its case. This is a collector's dream. And yes, it is a Fujigen product - production had skipped across town to there by this time. Price Availability £1,500 1 only at Ketteringham Hall Recommendation Collectors of near flawless vintage guitars especially pre-Fender Fujigen Strats Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1976 Pick-ups Maxon Selector 3-way Bridge Vintage Tremolo (covered) Board Maple 3.51kg; 7lbs 12oz Modifications None Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

The best value way into Vintage guitars < Back Matsumoku DB-500N Price £££ | SOLD Add to Cart Chat with Us Missed out on this model? Talk to us for a rebuild! This lovely old warrior arrived with us as a long retired but one previous owner late 1973 Matsumoku built Greco SE-500. As normal with long retired guitars, the electrics were very worse for wear - and the neck was bordering on fretless. Low frets on guitars mean it has been played and played - it is usually a sign of a very nice guitar. Tipping the scales at 4.5kg (9lbs 15oz) this is a proper late 1970s Northern Ash weight, but not quite a boat anchor. The 5 piece necks on 1973 models were always a little heavier than later one piece skinnier models so the balance seems fine. The SE-500 bridge units were the first units that genuinely resembled the Fenders, and this one is original with the solid steel block and it sustains beautifully - a combination of the weight and the bridge working together perfectly. There are 2 odd saddles - the E and B are saddles from an earlier SE-430 bridge, and 2 of the fixing screws are different from the rest. With the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality, I have kept this as it is - it works absolutely perfectly, and keeps the costs down to get this to you for a friendlier price. Not everything survived though - the tuners had seen a lot of work and were loose beyond repair. In there place is a set of Chrome Gotoh SD-91 with black buttons - a bit of collars and cuffs for the scratchplate and string guides. The frets were almost completely gone, and were a proper challenge to remove; but in their place is a fresh set of Jescar 55090 Tall Narrow which always works on an old full C Harayama style neck. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfkbXp_eTh8 The pick-ups were sadly shot to pieces - and these have been replaced with a set of Maxon Excel PU-119 units from a 1979 SE-700 which gave them up for a set of Haeussel Desperados. PU-119 pick-ups enjoy a great reputation for a true Fender-like chime and clarity - we have in the past upgraded a few Player Plus Fenders to PU-119 instead of the often disappointing noiseless coils they come with. Some folk would rather have the soul and character of an older pick-up rather than the results of more brutal cost cutting by the 'big boys'. These PU-119s are 5.8-5.9k, and as they are from an SE-700 that had a 5 way switch, the middle is RWRP - quite rare as the vast majority of PU-119 were governed by 3 way selectors. The pots are new CTS250k, the selector is a CRL, and the knobs are the premium comfort knobs as found on the very top end USA Strats. A small design difference but a magnificent one. Precise changes easy and accidental changes unlikely. We mounted this all on a black sratchplate, and cut the scratchplate with the little access cover for the truss rod - a design detail seen on 1973 Grecos. The lower tone control governs the bridge pick-up, the upper tone control looks after the neck and middle. The lower tone control is a push-pull that when pulled up will put the neck and bridge pick-ups into series when the neck pick-up is selected. When the neck and middle are selected, the bridge pick-up joins the neck in series, and the series pair in parallel with the middle. 2 more very useful tones. The outcome of these modifications is a fine sounding guitar with the traditional configuration, renewal of the critical components that spell reliability, and renewal with premium items usually found on guitars costing many thousands of pounds. Not many vintage guitars of this era will have new frets - once this level of expenditure is made, its usually a keeper! It purposefully doesn't have a new guitar look as it isn't one - it's 51 years old, and probably the best value route into the vintage/giggable/'no need to separately insure' area. Quality out of Matsumoku back then was really worrying the CBS boys - a few hours with this one, and you'll see why. We can always continue with the modernization and upgrading now or in the future, but this one is good to go as it is, and has as friendly a price as we can given the love it has had in the last month. Details The Look Naturally aged natural Ash with black scratchplate - a real 1970s vibe here. Headstock Old school Gneco decal but all new hardware on it - new SD-91 tuners, trees and nut. A splash of black to match the plate. Neck This is a classic full C Harayama 5 piece neck - again, right in the 1970s. Pick-ups 3 glorious PU119 units from 1979 - donated by a premium SE-700 that went onto even greater things. Bridge The original Matsumoku produced unit with all its little modifications since new. Not pretty, but in keeping with the character of the guitar, and most of all perfectly functional. Controls new CTS pots and CRL 5-way with soft-touch Fender knobs. A push pull on the lower tone puts the neck and bridge pick-ups into series when the neck pick-up (and neck and middle) is selected. Gallery ← Previous Next→

1978 Greco SE-700 Early Sixties, The ones that scared the hell out of Fender... < Back 1978 Greco SE-700 Early Sixties A783328 The Greco SE-700 was the premium big-headstock model of the range in the 1970s. It has a 2 piece body and the rosewood board gives it a real 70's look (despite the model name). The guitar retains it's original PU-119 (Excels) and they are every bit as good as their well deserved reputation suggests. Each of the 5 positions (including the middle on its own) has a distinctive character and there is no weak position amongst them and all respond well to subtle control changes on the guitar and the amplifier. The controls and switch are all original, in fact everything on this guitar other than the strings remains original - the bridge and tuners are all in great aged condition - most importantly perfectly functioning. At a fraction over 3.6kg (8lbs 0oz) this has "that perfect Strat" weight and feel to it - the aged white finish fading to cream gives it that authentic vintage touch too. It isn't completely flawless, there are signs of life, but nothing to detract. Study the photos, and contact us if you want to see this in more detail. The frets are good with plenty of life left; they are, according to the 2 gentlemen that attend to frets here, of that perfect age and state to be your best friend, and remain so for a fair few years before any remediation required. The serial Number on this one is A783328, a late January 1978 Fujigen build from the time they were really showing off to impress the boys from Corona prior to the partnership. A Fender guitar from this CBS era is hit and miss - there were some real howlers, and even the good ones are likely to have been upgraded by now. During this era, Fujigen and their contemporaries were just the opposite - getting better and better. This guitar feels like one of their very best. This SE-700 will put guitars twice its price to shame. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX1HFDGssFc Price Availability £1,195 Sold Recommendation Enjoy as it is. Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1978 Pick-ups Maxon PU-119 Selector 5 way Bridge Vintage Tremolo Board Rosewood 3.64kg; 8lbs 0oz Modifications None Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

1973 Greco SE-500B (RW), Rare spec time-warp Matsumoku < Back 1973 Greco SE-500B (RW) Pre-serial Number This is a rather rare opportunity to have a rosewood neck on a Matsumoku built Strat from the early 1970s. This guitar fundamentally dates from late 1973 - the bridge and the tuners are perfect for this period. Rosewood necks were an 18,000Yen option on these guitars - quite a chunk of money in the 1970s. Under the rosewood board is the engineered 5 piece maple neck - held in very high esteem by MIJ enthusiasts. A departure from the Fender style, but Matsumoku were always trying to improve on tradition - facsimile copies were not the objective despite the talk of Lawsuit era etc. This one arrived from Japan in almost time-warp condition - the frets were, however, almost worn to nothing so a fresh set have gone on, and the rosewood board refurbished to take a slight hump that the rod couldn't cope with. It's now as good as new and ready for another few decades of service. The pick-ups are classic short fat Maxon singles - 4.5k, and the sort of output that makes you braver with the gain knob on the amp or the OD-3. Bright, airy but digs in and makes sure it is heard in any mix. With the neck refurbishment, this guitar feels and plays like a very premium model; and will happily sit alongside a modern Fender in a rack - it may even put it to shame. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIDT4nmF4Tg This guitar still has its original case, its original strap is still in the pocket. Price Availability £895 Sold Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1973 Pick-ups Maxons Selector 3-way Bridge Vintage tremolo Board Rosewood 3.68kg; 8lbs 1oz Modifications Re-fretted Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38

That perfect combination of 1973 Harayama neck, and modern everything else < Back Matsumoku SE-500 Floral Price £1,600 GBP | SOLD Add to Cart Chat with Us Missed out on this model? Talk to us for a rebuild! I write about Harayama elsewhere on this site - his influence on MIJ output is rarely appreciated, but without him companies we know today such as ESP and Fender Japan wouldn't be what they are today; and Prince probably wouldn't have had his MadCat Tele. You can have a bit of Harayama magic with a lot of our DreamBuild guitars - this is one fine example. Based around a 1973 Matsumoku built Greco (the original Gneco decal stays) SE-500, this already fine guitar has traded most of its hardware and all of its electronics for a modern and vastly improved specification. The glorious neck remains with its original frets - all dressed and perfected to retain the vintage "run-in" feel. The body has its original White polyurethane finish - just one or two signs of a good life remain to indicate it has been around for nearly 50 years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE_upA0Ev2Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6msZhf2OGIU This SE-500 is part of a trilogy of 1973 Matsumoku 'Gnecos" - a Strat, a Tele and an Esquire complete the set. As well as the general aesthetics, these guitars also share a common specification for hardware and electronics. This one has a set of Evil Sheep 'Sheep Experience' pick-ups - a clever blend of AlNiCo 2 and 5 across each one to deliver clarity from bass and treble ends. They are medium output - not too hot, but deliver a lot more punch than the original Maxons. We now have a 5 way control instead of the original 3 way, and standard volume and tone circuits. The amazing Matsumoku designed bridge (that featured on guitars for only a year) has been replaced by a Gotoh 510NST unit to retain the narrow string spacing but provide the most reliable and comfortable tremolo function. A beautifully printed scratchplate design really makes this guitar stand out. I frequently hear folk who sample this guitar say "it plays feels like I can't afford it", but compared with the majority of good 1973 Strats, it isn't as pricey as you may expect, and much higher value in terms of how you can use it. All the original parts and components for this guitar are safely stored in our archive and would come with the guitar either stored with us, or with you. All are in working order and could be returned to the guitar at any point in the future. The bridge would require minor surgery, but nothing particularly difficult. Details The Look Part of the floral trilogy, and the scratchplate design aside, this guitar retains a lot of its original look. Shiney new chrome Gotoh hardware always looks good on these models. Headstock The tuners are rebuilt originals - in perfect working order. New string trees improve stability Neck An original Harayama 3-piece maple neck with beautifully dressed frets - ready to provide comfortable and free playing in every circumstance. Pick-ups 3 x Evil Sheep 'Sheep Experience' with all AlNiCo5 for the neck pick-up (5.9k), a mixture of AlNiCo 2 and 5 on the middle and bridge (6.1k and 6.5k) and this results in warm and bluesy, or rock and roll when you need them. A fine balance. Mark takes care to use very specific wire for these - his efforts have paid off handsomely. Bridge Marvin warbles and Gilmour dives are easily taken care of with the Gotoh 510NST bridge unit - a very fine high end unit. Controls Traditional 5 way switching, volume and tone controls here - only the finest quality parts used. Gallery ← Previous Next→

This is what it should have been < Back Matsumoku JPJ-9 Price £945 | SOLD Add to Cart Chat with Us Missed out on this model? Talk to us for a rebuild! The idea here is to take the opportunity to unlock a huge tonal variety and give you traditional tones, powerful tones and some tones of your own. No batteries required, no complex pre-amps, just making the most of a lot of very good pick-ups. Nice and light (3.9kg; 8lb 10oz), balanced and plenty of fret left, the action is highly adjustable from super slick theatrics to rattle free slap - I have it in the middle so plenty of both can be achieved. The rod has plenty of adjustment and is now fairly flat, but releasing it half a turn will get a decent bow without rattling the top frets. Lots of useable flexibility from this bass - not just a palette of every tone possible, just a selection of really good ones and a lot more intuitive than rows of mini-switches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAtRMd72ptI Tucked away on pages 20 and 21 of the 1986 Aria Pro-II catalogue was a new range - the Diamond Series. 2 guitars and 2 basses with specifications that seem like they were the spiritual successor to the Westones that had ceased production, but were still in demand. The JPJ-3 was the proper wild one - using the same pick-ups as the older Concord II and Thunder basses - amusingly but accurately titled Hard Puncher, this one punched and kept kicking. 3 pick-up basses are rare - a few boutique builders offer them with Strat control philosophy and a few folk have customised their favourite basses to try and just need one bass for a gig, and ended up with a scratchplate full of switches and a good memory to remember how to get sounds on the fly. The JPJ-3 had one major flaw in my opinion. The controls are similar to Gretsches where you have a choice of methods of how to reduce the volume. Even back then, a 3 way blade and a couple of push pulls would have unlocked the potential, but all you had was a blend, 2 volumes and a tone. This JPJ-3 keeps the original magnificent pick-ups and features a Freeway switch that has 2 banks of 3; and a further option for 3 more tones. The toggle has a left and right movement too. Point it towards the headstock and the upper position gives you the traditional Precision pickup. In the middle we have an alternative Precision tone where the two outer-most pick-ups deliver a slightly wider more open tone - still punchy, but more mellow. In the lower position we have the bridge pick-up like a Jazz bass. Move the toggle towards the bridge and in the upper position we have both precision pick-ups in series - shoulder barging a Music Man or similar big pole humbucker out of the way. The sound is as huge as you'd expect. In the middle we have both Precision pick-ups in parallel which offers a calmer very mellow open tone. In the lower position we have the alternative Precision pick-up and the bridge pick-up in series to provide a huge growl. There's more: if you pull up the volume control, the phase of the alternative Precision pick-up is reversed and the series options suddenly take you into new territory. Unless you are rocking a mega-bucks Alembic, Phase reversal on basses gives a very empty 'clacky' sound that can easily get lost in the mix. Not so here, Stevie Wonder's Superstition no longer needs a keys player. There is more variety to chase with the tone controls as they alter the phase relationship without affecting the volume. Details The Look 1980s and 90s pointy headstock nirvana - Headstock Gotoh GB-7 tuners Neck Slim fast and comfortable with big chunky frets Pick-ups 2 Super Boomers (HF-600B) with 1 Hard Puncher (SA-800B). Bridge Original Gotoh Controls 6 way Toggle for 6 great tones with a phase reversal on the Volume knob. Precision Pick-up Tone and Jazz pick-up Tone Gallery ← Previous Next→

Fender Jazzmaster 1962 NOS MasterBuilt Custom Shop, Another Ron Thorn Masterpiece < Back Fender Jazzmaster 1962 NOS MasterBuilt Custom Shop R119767 This is one of Thorn's more radical builds, and designed specifically for the previous and only owner. R119767 was ordered in 2018 via Rainbow guitars in Arizona, delivery promised in 2019, and actually arrived in 2020. The SFT has a little note at the bottom leaving the layout of the guitar to Ron Thorn to decide. Masterbuilt Custom Shops are often instruments ordered by customers to their own specific ideals, and the luthiers may not entirely agree, especially for the whacky ones. This one is a perfect mix of whacky requirements done to the luthier's satisfaction. Probably why it took an extra year... Based on a 1962 Jazzmaster, R119767 is a 2 piece Alder finished in the most amazing deep red metallic (classified as 'sparkle') - the code is LAC, and described as Very Dark Cherry Red Sparkle. The sides and back are black. The neck is quartersawn roasted Maple, with a 7.25" radius, and vintage 45085 frets on an Ebony fretboard. The nut width is 1.65", the vital 1st and 12th stats being 0.82" to .90". A familiar Jazzmaster tremolo is paired with Thorn's RSD saddle. I'll dispel the myth - these units are adjustable for both height and intonation. The 3 pick-ups are Curtis Novak Tissue box units and each has an on/off slider so you can select any and all. A Master Volume, Master Tone and Blender complete the controls. The blender operates on both Neck and Bridge pick-up, blending in and out the one that is not selected by the sliders. If the Neck and Middle are selected by the sliders, the blender knob will fade in the Bridge; if the Bridge and Middle are in play, the blender will fade in the Neck pick-up. Take the middle out of play and the same applies - the blender fading in the pick-up that is switched out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpWNOX0liII These Tissue Box units are modelled on the Barney Kessel pick-ups originally made by Kay between '58 and '68 and are very similar in character to P-90s - very present mid-range and a strong treble. These are all wound to the customers' requirements - these are: Neck 8.75k, Middle 9.51k and Bridge 10.59k. Given the differences in Neck and Bridge DCR, the blender provides an interesting mix of the two depending on which pick-up is selected on the sliders. Selecting the Neck, the blender adds a spacey airiness. Select the Bridge and the blender calms the aggression. A huge variety of tones are therefore available. The case is full of candy, and the CoA and SFT are present and correct in their binder. It's as lovely to play as it is to look at, and a marvellous addition to any collection. Price Availability £7,595 Sold Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2020 Pick-ups Curtis Novak Tissue Box Selector 3 x Mini-sliders Bridge Ron Thorn RSD Board Ebony 3.94 kg; 8lbs 11 oz Modifications None Weight ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 03:39 Play Video Play Video 02:20 Play Video Play Video 04:44 Play Video Play Video 05:31 Play Video Play Video 02:04 Play Video Play Video 03:57 Play Video Play Video 02:11 Play Video Play Video 03:38