1973 Fujigen Greco EG420, < Back 1973 Fujigen Greco EG420 Pre-serial Number Model A fine example of a very rare1973 Greco EG-420 is now available at Matsumoku. The 420 retains the dimensions and playing character of the 360, but these 420 models have the benefit of the involvement of Narumo san, who knew a thing or two about the real things. The Maxon pick-ups are controlled through the original pots (250!) and have none of the scratchiness of many 50 year old examples. Have a listen to them on the video with Vox AC30 and Lazy J amps, and then a bit of GT-100 effects to see how they perform. These 420s were produced in the Fujigen factory and there are plenty of folk who have the opinion that the quality control operatives overseeing these guitars were more diligent than those working at Gibson at the time. These are not pure faithful Les Paul copies - those didn't appear until 1975, but these earlier ones are still lovely to play and have character of their own. E to E on the saddles is 50mm, the nut is 41mm instead of the 43mm you may expect. The 12" radius will seem familiar, the bolt on neck may not. The original saddles and tail piece have succumbed to the effects of time, and are no longer shiny and new. We can replace these with equivalent Gotoh units if this is an issue. Just contact us via the website to discuss any modifications you might like. The original tuners function very well and the guitar generally has that run-in vintage feel, but other than the bridge finish, no significant signs of being 50 years old. I bet a ECL/CMI '72 out of Kalamazoo would be well over 3k now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nC1cbtKljM We have given it a thorough service, careful nut and bolt rebuild, and a fresh set of strings and now it's ready for anther 50 years. The neck pick-up is now the original 'GNECO' stamped unit which we were repairing the lead connections at the time of the first set of photographs. While we were there, we converted the unit to a 4 conductor state and replaced the neck volume potentiometer with a big body Alpha push pull which when pulled up provides this neck humbucker in parallel mode. Push it back down for the full fat series humbucker tone. It is very useful for cleaner tones. It has has a new set of pick-up surround screws - the original ones weren't quite gripping enough. It has has a new set of pick-up surround screws - the original ones weren't quite gripping enough. You don't have one of these instead of a Gibson, you have one on the way up to one, or next to one in the rack. Price Availability £££ Sold Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1973 Pick-ups 2 x Maxon Selector 3 way Bridge ToM style Board Rosewood 3.56kg; 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

Greco SE-600J (Upgraded), The Swiss-army knife of guitars? < Back Greco SE-600J (Upgraded) L790805 These Jeff Beck models were built by all the main factories around the time of his Japanese tour - there are a couple of photos of a similar (presumably a Fender) guitar on the Nagoya publicity shots - there are certainly a few reverse-phase sounds present if you listen to the recordings. Matsumoku, Fujigen, Chushin, Tokai, they all produced a replica of this guitar and offered different degrees of complexity between the 500, 600 and 800 models. The 500 and most 600 models were offered with simple on/off/on switches to control the pick-ups and select the phasing; some 600 and all 800 models had a very complex arrangement where series/parallel functionality replaced a couple of the normal pick-up selections - so complex that even the brochure writers gave up trying to explain it. The series options are worthwhile with these magnificent Excel pick-ups - they work together without the muddiness, but it seems annoying to have to forego some of the parallel combinations. So, here is an alternative that gives you a traditional Strat, a decent go at a Tele, and some immense series tones that come into their own with the phase reversal facility. It's genuinely impossible to give a comparison with other guitars as this configuration is only really available via Brian May, but we can't have 6 switches on a Strat - I don't want to mess with the looks. The 3 mini switches control the pick-ups for on/off and which phase you wish, and a stealthy S-1 switch in the volume control will bring you all the series options. A master tone completes the arrangement. In the aim of keeping things simple and not having more switches to contend with, the series options require all 3 pick-ups to be engaged - then you decide what phase relationship they have with each other, and this unlocks a surprisingly versatile palette - this is beyond "offering a Gibson sound", and into powerful alternative tones that you'd usually require a square metre of foot pedals for. The demo video attempts to let you hear these tones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9bZQk44bnk Once familiar with the controls, this becomes quite a beast, and you can either recreate the Stanley Clarke stuff, or go your own way and find some really interesting tones to get you noticed. Those familiar with JV Fenders will recognize the neck profile - not super skinny, but decidely slim and slick. This has been a busy guitar (a good sign) and you'll have to forgive the sticker rash behind the bridge. We have put brand new Gotoh SD-91 tuners on this one along with a brand new Gotoh GE-101 vintage style bridge. The pick-ups are original, as are the switches, but the pots and knobs are brand new Fender/CTS units. The appeal of this guitar ought to extend beyond Jeff Beck fans - it is a good useful tool in its own right - we decided to wait a while after his sad passing before offering this one. This could easily serve as your only guitar, but will happily sit alongside more traditional instruments ready to be called upon when you need those special tones. It's a cracker. Price Availability £1,195 Sold Recommendation Enjoy, create, explore Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1979 Pick-ups Maxon PU-119 (Excel) Selector 3 mini-switch Bridge Gotoh GE-101 Board Rosewood 3.47kg; 7lbs 10oz Modifications Series Parallel on S-1, new Gotoh Tremolo and Tuners 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

Red Rooster Rodster 52, Incredible Tele with sounds to match its looks. < Back Red Rooster Rodster 52 No. 42 A very very rare sight outside USA, this Red Rooster was brought to UK by the original owner. Like every guitar in the owner's collection it is immaculate - I have put more hours on this fretboard in recent days than it has had in its entire life. This is the Rodster '52 and number 42 off the line, this Hugger Orange/Racing White Rooster was one of 4 made (the others blue, green and yellow) in 2015 and sold through Rebel Guitars in Alabama. The body is single piece solid pine and the 0.88 to .095 neck is maple with Dunlop 6150 medium jumbo frets. Can it sound as good as it looks? It has Lollar pick-ups, so yes. The El Rayo at the neck is perfect for this - very little compression and through the 250k pots, it hits the mark perfectly. Mixed with the Alnico 3 bridge pick-up, we get an in-between tone that starts bright and sustains warm - it's pretty addictive - and the A3 bridge on its own begs for chicken-pickin' (I wish I could do it!). Clean, crunchy or driven, these pick-ups are very versatile and should get you through a full set without compromise. None of Margolis' creations were made in great numbers, and this is a very rare opportunity to get hold of one. It comes with a Gator TSA hard case and its sale tag with the spec sheet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap1uHS0tW_c Price Availability £1,615.50 Sold Recommendation Turn up to the Red Rooster Festival with this… Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2015 Pick-ups Lollar El Rayo (neck) and Lollar A3 (bridge) Selector 3-way Bridge Joe Barden Board Maple 3.34kg, 7lbs 6oz 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

An amazing combination of old and new where it really matters. < Back Matsumoku Monaco C78 Price ££££ Add to Cart Chat with Us Back in the mid to late 1970s, factories such as Matsumoku, Fujigen, and many others were working hard to produce viable guitars to be sold with the Fender name on the headstocks. A chap called Norikatsu Harayama had mastered not only the Fender style neck, but also designed and produced his own take on it - these guitars have a quiet but solid following and respect. Harayama worked at Matsumoku throughout this period before going out on his own - one of his prodigies was the very same H Noble whose name graces the headstocks of many collectible guitars from this era. H Noble (Nobuaki Hayashi) was in charge of Matsumoku when the Stagecasters and Strikin' Sounds models were in production. Ol' Lumpy started life in March 1978 as a tobaccoburst Aria Stagecaster ST-600 with the SP-1B Fat Strat pick-ups. It had been gigged relentlessly by a guitarist under the influence of Pete Townshend - this poor old ST-600 had battle scars that defied belief, but had a fretboard that indicated proper constant use. No relic'ing here - this is all real. Passing the guitar around a team of professionals and luthiers for their comment, the absolute consensus was that the guitar played brilliantly - absolutely worth saving. A plan was drawn up, a willing new owner found, the project began. We decided to produce a tribute to the Fender International range - the gorgeous Monaco model in particular. Yellow guitars are always great. We specifically tried to blend the new and old - the only perfection required was the hardware and electronics - the perfect sound and playability with the 'old friend' look. The look of the fretboard was retained beneath its new Dunlop 6000 frets, the lumps in the bodywork also retained under its new nitrocellulose yellow finish. A set of custom wound Häussel AlNiCo5 pick-ups configured in a Gilmour fashion - the bottom tone control acting as a blender for the neck pickup - are now fitted. The bridge is now a Gotoh 510TS in Cosmo Black with matching Gotoh SGS510 locking tuners at the other end on a black headstock. A new nut and matching Cosmo hardware elsewhere complete this fascinating instrument. We played the guitar for a few months to check the decisions made, and then gave it a master-luthier set-up. The brief achieved, we now move on to produce more of these. We have a stock of donor instruments, a mature list of options that work well, and have 2 more in production currently. There remains the option of using your Aria Pro II guitar as the donor - some basic fundamental checks on the instrument will declare it fit to proceed or not. Doesn't have to be yellow, but to wear the Monaco name on the headstock, it ought to be! The choice of pick-ups and configuration will depend largely on how you'll use the guitar - the mega-bucks Häussels are only one of the options. We have plenty of other recommended pick-ups to suit different budgets. Ol' Lumpy was commissioned for a close "friend of the show" and the guitar is often here at the Hall and available to be sampled. Attention left-handers! We have one remaining ST-500L in stock here - one of the very few left handed guitars produced in 1980. The perfect donor for an upgrade project. Details The Look Refinished over those scars and lumps with cheerful yellow nitrocellulose paint. Cosmo Black Gotoh hardware with black plastic parts. A nod to the Fender International range produced by Fuji in the early 1980s Headstock Matsumoku logo with Monaco model name in Japanese. Cosmo Black Gotoh SGS510 locking tuners for stability and fast string changes Neck New Dunlop 6000 frets on original neck. Gibson frets on a Strat was a thing back in the 1980s according to the members of the team here who are old enough to remember. There is no relic'ing here - this is natural and real board wear. Pick-ups 3 x Häussel AlNiCo5 custom wound (Desperado spec) with black covers. A great output - not too hot, yet the perfect amount of mids for clean and crunchy tones. A neck blender tames the aggression from the bridge if you need to dial it back. Bridge The Gotoh 510TS in Cosmo Black has smooth solid saddles - comfortable and ultra high quality. Controls Traditional 5 way selector blade working in conjunction with the lower knob to blend the neck pick-up into the mix. Master Volume and Master Tone controls - highest quality 250k. Gallery ← Previous Next→

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

Martin Custom Shop 0018, < Back Martin Custom Shop 0018 Private Collection This is one of 16 XII models ever produced - grab a piece of history that happens to be a mind-bendingly good guitar as well. Price Availability ££££ Sold Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2015 Pick-ups N/A Selector N/A Bridge Birdseye Maple Board Birdseye Maple TBC 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

Greco Vee-Strat, Fun curio from Fujigen < Back Greco Vee-Strat G846359 1984 was a revolutionary year for Fujigen - the Fender JV was in full swing; the Boxer range was moving beyond tradition; Greco were heading into their hair-metal phase, and Fernandes catalogues were 130 pages long. The world was on fire and buying a tradional Strat was difficult as the shop windows were rammed with the future. This flyweight oddity is not seen in catalogues of the era (tell us if we're wrong) and matches a super dinky slim-line strat body with a Flying Vee neck. 22 frets, bolt on for convenience, 1980s Blueburst finish. super skinny neck and so light that it floats away. The SQ3 pick-ups found their way to the Greco-Guitar Device (with Spirit Energy) production lines from the JV area and have that bright spanky sparkle that the Squiers of the era were so well known for. Not a ceramic shove, just a bright hi-presence tone, fine on their own, but lacking a lot of punch in the parallel positions. This thing has a Flying V neck, and so needs some proper punchy tones to back that up. In went a Schaller Mega-switch (Type M) and the pick-ups linked in series instead of parallel. The middle position connects the neck and bridge coils into series for a really lovely alternative lead tone. This guitar gives you the single coils you use the most, and 3 more useful and interesting thicker tones begging for a huge helping of drive. Then the killswitch comes into its own. It is 3kg - it almost floats away, but has a set of tones that defy the featherweight nature. Fans of 80s and 90s MIJ super-Strats will recognize the super skinny neck profile and medium jumbo frets. a 41mm nut feels familiar - never crowded, and the 9.5 radius gets you close to shredding comfort if that's your thing. This is good enough to be your only guitar - it isn't a toy - the designs coming out of Japan at this time were brave, modern and massively better quality that "budget guitars" today. Probably suiting a heavier style in general, the trad Strat sounds are also there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl-LPmHjOOs Price Availability £495 Sold Recommendation Have lots of fun with it Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1984 Pick-ups SQ3 Selector Schaller M SuperSwitch Bridge Vintage Tremolo Board Rosewood 3.0kg; 6lbs 11oz Modifications Series tones and killswitch 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

Stormshadow GuitarWorks XII Custom Shop, Rare, brilliant and British < Back Stormshadow GuitarWorks XII Custom Shop 0005 Built in October 2015 in Sheffield, UK, this sensational and rare guitar is here at the Hall and offered for sale. It has been a busy guitar for a very talented local player whose styles have changed (with age!!!!) and who feels he cannot do the instrument justice any more. This is a shredder's paradise - that 25th fret can be bent to the 27th! We saw this guitar a few years ago in a road-worn and tough-life state and have spent the last year gradually and sensitively restoring it back to near original condition. 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. This has a Walnut body with a slim C Maple neck and Ebony fretboard. We have recently dressed the original frets and the guitar is so slick. The FU-Tone Floyd Rose tremolo brings out the hooligan in you. This guitar lost its original pick-ups, but we have just re-fitted brand new Seymour Duncan pick-ups faithful to the original specification: Hot Rails at the neck and an Alternative 8 humbucker at the bridge. An IronAge killswitch (the best ones!) is the control you don't recognise from the Stormshadow website. The rear control cavity cover has been replaced with a clear plastic one, and we can cut a new black one if that is a deal breaker. This is an interesting alternative to an Nuno (with 2 more frets and even more exclusivity), and this has that handmade feel to it that tells you it is special as soon as you pick it up. This is one of 16 XII models ever produced - grab a piece of history that happens to be a mind-bendingly good guitar as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaZv7dVzK_A Price Availability £1,620 Sold Recommendation Enjoy as it is. Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2015 Pick-ups Seymour Duncan Hot Rails & Alternative 8 Selector 3 way Toggle Bridge FU-Tone Floyd Rose Board Ebony TBC Modifications Killswitch addition 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