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1980 Aria Pro II TS-500, Matsumoku began to go its own way < Back 1980 Aria Pro II TS-500 099095 At last we find a TS-500 we can offer for sale. The TS-500 is the mid-range model with all of the toys, but the regular grain woods. An extra 10,000 Yen would have got a choice of the premium woods, but still you needed 80,000 Yen to get the thru'neck version. Of course we all want one of these, but they are very rare and expensive now - the 500 with the set-neck gets all the functionality, and a pair of excellent Extra III (aka Protomatic III) humbuckers. These were evolutions of MMK53, and we know them the best from Westone Thunder II models. The specification on these is vast. The two humbuckers can be split into single coils with dedicated mini-switches; a third mini-switch will reverse the phase of the bridge pick-up when both are selected. A final mini-switch will activate an active booster circuit which has its own volume control. You'll make good use of this control as the boost is enormous. We have a master volume and a tone control; and the final control is a type of Varitone function with a variety of high and low passes to get some interesting tones. There is an enormous array of tones once the switches, the varitone and the booster is configured - so much to play with, and lots of genuinely useful tones. It's a guitar to be creative with. The neck is a double octave affair with a nice thick rosewood board on a maple neck. The body has a strip of maple flanked by wings of ash. The matching headstock gives this a real 80s look. This is an earlier 6 in a line model - the TS range became 3 by 3 as the earlier headstock migrated to the more expensive RS range. While the general direction for most of the big guitar plants in Nagano was to emulate as closely as possible the Fenders and Gibsons, Matsumoku never lost the spirit of adventure and looked in more exciting directions such as Alembic for inspiration. This example has just arrived from Japan, and has just been serviced, and now we can offer it for sale in excellent condition. Price £895 Availability Sold. A dark version just arrived! Recommendation Enjoy it as is. Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1980 Pick-ups Protomatic (Extra) III (Alnico) Selector 3 way Toggle Bridge Matsumoku Design Board Rosewood Weight TBC Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

You can hide a packet of JPS on it < Back Matsumoku Frontman I Price £2,895 GBP | SOLD Add to Cart Chat with Us Missed out on this model? Talk to us for a rebuild! The person at the front of the show needs an instrument that really stands out. David Rusan put the Cloud into Prince's hands. Auersfeld too. Didn't do any of them any harm! Bono looked better with Waller's green Gretschercaster than he did with a standard Gretsch. Göran Malmberg was single-handedly responsible for Waterloo winning Eurovision 1974 (in my mind). But back in sleepy Norfolk and scaling this inspirational stuff down to what makes the most sense and money is in fact an issue, and cheques are not blank, we set about deciding what our particular Frontman needs instead of a pair of Peavey EXPs and a (admittedly beautiful) Tokai Love Rock. At the time, his guitarist was rocking a salmon pink Gibson and an iridescent PRS so we had some headroom. Our Frontman stood at the front of a fair few bands and covered a multitude of styles - always the vocals and waving the microphone stand around, but still a guitarist - the Frontman does the intros a lot. The few gigs I saw to get the measure of the man revealed he's only at home to the bridge pick-up and its volume control. The man needs an Esquire. So much more timeless and adaptable than a LPJr and a Kramer puts too much pressure on him from guitarists in the audience. They are all EVH-heads and demand a lot. Keeping Prince in mind, I sourced a very special Esquire from the workshops of Toshio Moridaira - a tenuous but nevertheless bonefide link to Prince as his HS Anderson MadCats came from him. Hohner was later. Out came the Bill Anderson pick-up (I know, sacriledge) and off came the rather generic tremolo (this Esquire was routed for a vintage tremolo - this concept eventually evolving into the Bill Lawrence BTOR range). Our Frontman likes a super skinny neck and they don't get much skinnier than 1980's Nagano. On went a new set of Jescar 55090 frets, and talks started with pick-up chaps and tremolo manufacturers. After 2 failed attempts at getting an A8 Dual Rail from Germany (if anyone finds them, please send them to me and I'll share some of the 400 quid with you) we turned to UK and an Evil Sheep tapped Tele unit. We had adored the ones we had put in Floral Teles, and therefore settled on a fairly hot wind with a really hot wind via an S-1 switch on the single volume knob. Begging the master luthier and game-changer Frank Deimel to flog me one of his proprietary bridges came to nothing (still friends though). Wales then, and a Wudtone unit. I had to keep the brass barrels, but our Frontman needed an occasional warble, so a suitable unit was ordered. As Black and Gold as a JPS Lotus, an eye-catching scratchplate was produced here in the workshop to suit the guitar. Gold Gotoh SD91 tuners, trees and boat in place, the Matsumoku Frontman I was finally and slightly belatedly born. Clang. KerLANG. It won't get lost in the mix! Take a man's neck pick-up away because he never uses it soon evolves into missing a neck pick-up. A Frontman II then... Details The Look If Vertu made guitars... Headstock Glossy black parrot-beak - personalized decal Neck Super skinny - only the Japanese can make them this slim and still be comfortable Pick-ups Evil Sheep Tapped Tele - wound for this build 7.4k and 11.3k really makes sure it is heard Bridge Gotoh haven't got around to making such a device - Andy from Wales to the rescue. These units are big cost options on Custom Shop Fender and PRS. The Frontman gets one. Controls Master Volume with output switch on the S-1. Gallery ← Previous Next→

Greco EG-480S (patina), Affordable Vintage Soul < Back Greco EG-480S (patina) Pre Serial Number A timeless alternative to a new Epiphone - there is a lot of sense in affordable vintage guitars over brand new ones; and yes this is bolt on neck and therefore a much smaller appeal to a traditional set neck Les Paul. If this isn't a complete turn-off, this guitar is a wonderful example of how well Fujigen were producing guitars in the mid-1970s. This one has been busy - we have refurbished it appropriately. As with many guitars of this era and from warm climates, the finish has a proper relic look, except this is all natural. Just the lacquer that is cracked - the top beneath it is fine. The 480 was the top of the range for the bolt-ons, and has superior hardware to the lower order 360s and 420s. The tuners are the the evolution of the well regarded and reliable "star-tuners" - these have an action and feel missing from all but the most expensive tuners today. The body is a chambered sycamore topped pancake mahogany construction, the weight is a medium 4.00kg (8lbs 15oz); and the acoustic resonance is very pleasing even before you plug it in - it does a decent impression of a National. The maple neck is capped with an ebony fretboard - the scale is faithful and the neck has a substantial 50s-style C-shaped profile carve, measuring .890” deep at the 1st fret and .975” at the 12th. It has the feel of a far more prestigious brand. The Maxon pick-ups are never a disappointment, and have a soul, a warmth and can be as smooth or growly as you wish with the controls. This is the type of guitar you can lose hours and hours with, and it defies its price tag, and hopes you'll give it a chance despite the presence of a neck plate. A 1974 Gibson will set you back many thousands of pounds or dollars - this one will be a tiny fraction of that and is a very viable alternative to a brand new Epiphone. 50 year old guitars built by the big manufacturers in Japan are a bit of well kept secret - nothing new of a comparable price will play like these, and while the top end Super Real and Mint Series Grecos now approach the astronomical price levels that rival the Gibsons themselves, make the most of this well kept secret while it lasts and bring an EG480B into your life before the market pulls these prices up too. If you like a bit of heft to your Les Paul, prefer the company of an older guitar that looks like its been around the block a few times, give this one some serious thought. They are getting rarer in this condition - this one is in excellent condition. Price £845 Availability 1 at Ketteringham Hall Recommendation Play it forever Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1974 Pick-ups Maxon Selector 3-Way Toggle Bridge ToM Board Ebony Weight 4.00kg; 8lbs 15oz Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Hofner Colorama II 1960, < Back Hofner Colorama II 1960 184 The serial number of this wonderful old Colorama dates it to 1960, and it remains with its Selmer branded snakeskin effect hard case. It is a twin pick-up, tremolo model that has had a refinish in an accurate colour, and done to a very decent standard. The original control panel still exists but the slider switches have perished. Instead of buying the normal aftermarket replacement, we decided to give this one a slightly more modern look, cut our own plate and ditch the rhythm/solo circuits for a series/parallel option. These 1960s guitars are obviously a different prospect to a regular Strat or Les Paul – they are just as useable and give a very distinct stage presence. They have a very distinct sound too and happily keep up with modern traffic when wired up appropriately. The lead pick-up is a particularly raunchy unit, and together in series will have you taken very seriously! This is more than Beatles/Undertakers covers, although it will handle that easily; and it will not be the ideal guitar for drop C metal riffing, but for any other style, it will ply its trade with pride. Does it keep tune? Yes. Is the neck bent like a banana? Not exactly, but it isn’t and will never be rod straight. Does it intonate? Yes! There is ample adjustment on the saddles and stick to 009 and 010 gauge, and your ‘up the neck’ stuff will be fine. Is it slide action? No, but let’s be realistic, it is a 1960s guitar. It is perfectly playable, rhythm and lead. Are the frets worn? Yes, but not to the point of needing remedial work for a while. There is no buzz, and bending is fine. Are they humbuckers? No, they are single coils with double magnets. They have a sound of their own. Are they microphonic? Of course they are - that is part of the charm. You could probably lay down some interesting vocals with them! A reproduction tremolo arm is now fitted as are two shiny new strap pins (after photos were taken). Have a listen to the demo which I am feeding the guitar into the Blackstar and trying it through all the channels. Also, it will be in its original snakeskin Selmer case. Price £££ Availability Sold Recommendation Enjoy as it is, or consider Curtis Novak Goldfoils… Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1960 Pick-ups Hofner Diamond Selector 3 x sliders Bridge Hofner Tremolo Board Rosewood Weight 3.55kg; 7lbs 13oz Modifications Refinish, new console with on/off and either phase or parallel/series ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Fender Japan TLG-94P, Rare model in great condition < Back Fender Japan TLG-94P A006871 A real rarity, and not just in UK, this is a Dyna-Gakki produced premium model of Telecaster. I say premium as the only way of paying more for a Tele was to opt for the TL-52 with the B-Bender, USA hardware and nitro finish; the TL-60 made entirely out of Rosewood; or one of the endorsee models such as Ritchie Kotzen and Nolie Edwards. Then in the price range was this TLG-94 - a double bound, modern bridge and matching headstock model. Stunning to look at and fabulous to play, this was a very discerning choice. Somewhere on the internet there is a picture of Edge playing one of these guitars. This model seems to be missing from the catalogues - don't mistake this for a 40th Anniversary TLG-70P - the model designation for this one is very clearly stamped on the neck and the body. In 2010, a similar model called the TL-62B was available, but with different neck and binding. This is a TLG-94P, Crafted in Japan, so a transition model as Fujigen gradually transferred to Dyna. Whilst it will be tempting to rank this below Made in Japan models - it is a popular opinion that MIJ is superior to CIJ, bear in mind this is Dyna showing off, and just letting everyone know that they produced incredible quality guitars such as the Alembic-rivalling AG-170. The 1990s mean invariably ceramic pick-ups - a bright snarly immediate bridge, and a neck-up which is mounted slightly further away from the strings to deliver a jazzy warm bloomy tone - in the middle it sounds just as it should. This has been the pride and joy of its previous owner - there is some wear on the saddles and plate, but nothing to detract from its playability or just how amazing it looks. There will not be many chances to get hold of a TLG-94P, this one is freshly serviced and ready for the stage again. Price £1,795 Availability Sold Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1997 Pick-ups Fender Vintage Selector 3-Way Bridge Modern 6 saddle Board Rosewood Weight 3.58kg; 7lbs 14oz Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Asher Electro Sonic, Looks good, plays great, be one of the lucky few < Back Asher Electro Sonic No. 1090 Bill Asher is another one of the few incredible master luthiers that supply household name guitarists with beautifully designed and crafted instruments. Frequenters of Coda Music may be familiar with the Asher guitars, but if you want Bill to build the one you have in your imagination, you'll have to join a long queue. These unique commissioned instruments very rarely appear on the market outside USA, but we are honoured to be able to offer #1090 for sale. The Electro Sonic resembles the lap-steels that Bill Asher is best known for. This individual black / TV yellow colour scheme combined with the unusual pick-up covers provide a timeless look - the Creamery pick-ups sound superb, as they always do. This is a 'neck-thru'' construction using quartersawn Okoumé (also known as Gaboon , a variety of mahogany) and has a nice bright tone and combined with the single coil Sweet 14s give outstanding clean sounds. The fretboard is ebony with a 12 inch radius and Dunlop 6155 frets . The bridge is an TonePros AVR2 - well known for its high engineered quality and low tolerances. Kluson Deluxe tuners complete the very high specification of this guitar. This special Asher can be viewed at Ketteringham Hall by appointment, or can be reserved with a deposit of £500 if this is the guitar you know you have been holding out for. Price £5,799 Availability Sold Recommendation Perfect if you are looking for new tones, and a break from the traditional look Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2018 Pick-ups Creamery Sweet 14 Selector 3 way Toggle Bridge TonePros AVR2 Board Ebony Weight 3.51kg; 7lbs 12oz Modifications None ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Fernandes STJ-80BT VH7, A left-field choice well worth trying < Back Fernandes STJ-80BT VH7 No Number Buck Tick was (and still is) a well-known post-punk rock band in Japan – both guitarists are very loyal to Fernandes and have had signature models since the beginning. This is one of Hisashi Imai’s models – they became increasingly wild as the years progressed. We have had a few of these STJs in the last year - always popular due to the power to weight ratio. A double octave super slim and slick neck, fixed bridge and simple set-up – basically a Telecaster on steroids , then a dose of something illegal. These are pro-level instruments – obvious as soon as you pick it up. As we never tire of mentioning, we sourced, made and experimented with guitars for the late Keith Levene and this particular STJ was singled out by him for us to experiment with. We replaced the FGI-T pick-ups with a pair of VH-7 hot-rails style pick-ups, added a series option for them and now this guitar punches and shouts, yet with a quick roll back of the tone, becomes creamy and smooth. This now suits virtually any style of music you need it to deliver, but relishes the high gain - even metal - settings. Price £££ Availability Sold Recommendation A left-field choice, but well worth a try. These pick-ups really make a difference. Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year Mid-1990s Pick-ups Fernandes VH-7 bridge and neck Selector 3 way Bridge Gotoh GTC102 Board Rosewood Weight 3.21kg, 7lbs 1oz Modifications VH-7 pick-up upgrade; series/parallel via tone pot ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

1974 Greco SE-500 , A high performance genuine vintage guitar you can and should take on the road. < Back 1974 Greco SE-500 Pre-serial number model This is another superb example of a pre-serial number Matsumoku built Strat clone - it features the slightly more substantial neck profile than the later Fujigen and Aria products. This one arrived in decent condition but had worn its frets to the absolute limit. We decided to refret it with Jescar 55090 (similar to a vintage Gibson feel), and so favoured by guitarists in the 1970s who had worn their skinny vintage Fender frets down. These are proving very popular here with customers requiring new frets on their Fender products. Most of our DreamBuild creations have these unless a customer desires an alternative. We had a set of custom Clausen Alnico 3 pick-ups made and fitted them with a new 5-way switch and potentiometers to control them. The neck unit offers everything from Gilmour to heavy blues, the bridge is wound a little hotter and thicker, but is governed by the lower tone control which can be backed off slightly to find a more traditional bridge single. Backing the volume back to 8.5 also calms the bridge down if a super clean sound is desired. It's all there, but most importantly we think, there is enough aggression and power in that bridge pick-up to get a nod of respect from the guy with the Les Paul. The in between settings are very wide and scooped - Knopfler to funk catered for. In the middle you can be Bonnie Raitt. The bridge and tuners are original Gotoh units - a (very) narrow string spacing (10mm saddles) and 2 1/16 E to E. The tuners are also in fine health although we have upgraded the string trees. Compared to many 50-year-old working guitars, this one has led a fairly kind life - just a few parking knocks and scrapes. The finish has aged gracefully - just a few cracks in the lacquer and a nice bit of nicotine sheen in the darker areas of the sunburst. It looks and feels like a genuine vintage guitar (because it is one!), but plays and sounds like a modern upgraded reissue. Check out the other guitar in photo (1978 Fujigen Greco Early Sixties Rosewood Neck) HERE . Price ££££ Availability Sold Recommendation Play it, tour with it, gig with it, hold your own next to mega-bucks Fenders. Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1974 Pick-ups Clausen A3 custom wound single coils Selector 5-way Bridge Original Gotoh vintage narrow space Board Maple Weight 3.56kg; 7lbs 14oz Modifications Clausen pick-ups, 5-way switch, full refret with Jescar 55090, Gotoh string trees ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

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→

Rose Morris Shaftesbury 4001, ex-Darkness studio hack < Back Rose Morris Shaftesbury 4001 No Number From the well known Rose Morris dealer in Shaftesbury Avenue, this old warrior was resident in a studio in Lowestoft and has more than likely had Frankie Poullain's talent pouring out of the stereo jack - no provenance, but the current owner engineered the early Darkness years - this was a parting gift. Gone is the Rickenbacker truss rod cover, as this has never been to Santa Ana - but it is a very well built bass from the Japan years when Rose Morris provided Rickenbackers to those without the budget for one. This is Stereo, which works perfectly, and the neck is like most Japanese constructions - in better nick than most Rickies from the period. Looks like one, feels like one, plays like one, sounds pretty close to one, and without the price tag of one. A regretful but necessary sale, this is ready to rock (the Rickie rod cover is in the case); and like most Shaftesbury 4001s, the pick-up cover has long gone. These are essentially the same construction as the highly regarded El Maya and Greco RB series from the early and mid 1970s - made on the same production lines but specifically for Rose Morris to sell alongside the real ones. Nice and solid, the electrics are all original and just serviced. Unlike real ones, the pick-up selector switch doesn't crackle; and there is a strong chance that you'll be playing the bass on the two volume controls as you kick out some stereo glory. We include a stereo cable with it. The original case is in poor shape, but still functional - this has been a busy bass guitar and should continue to be so. If you are local, come and sample it, if not we can demo it over a Whatsapp/Facetime call. We can ship it to you fully insured. There is one crack in the scratchplate - from the neck pick-up to the top, but it holds together, and Jack at TinyTone will make a replacement for it without the usual Rickie-taxed price-tag. Price £££ Availability Sold Recommendation 2 amplifiers!!!! Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year early - mid 1970s Pick-ups Nisshin Onpa Selector 3 way Toggle Bridge Rickenbacker style (mute works) Board Rosewood Weight 4.22kg; 9lbs 5 oz Modifications Replacement Truss Rod Cover ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Aria Pro-II ST-400, Time-warp mid 1970's Matsumoku at their finest < Back Aria Pro-II ST-400 K770468 To think this was an entry model to the Stagecaster range is to understand why so many guitarists stuck with the brand and gradually upgraded to the upper end. A lovely full C profile neck, so almost impossible to put down, and never failing to bring the best out of your capabilities wherever on the scale they may be. Still featuring its tremolo cover and original arm, this guitar looks and feels almost new. There are 2 parking dents along the underside - other than that, there are new instruments hanging in Music Stores with more signs of life. The SP-II single coils are characterful; some may say this guitar deserves an upgrade, but have a listen to the video and maybe these are good enough. SP-II and their PU-100 equivalents are actually pretty damn nice sounding pick-ups - Maxons have a firm following - after a modern Strat at this price point, these will feel like upgraded already. Price FLASH SALE! Click Buy button to reveal latest price. Availability 1 only at Ketteringham Hall Recommendation See how good entry level instruments were back then Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1977 Pick-ups SP-II Selector 3-way Bridge Vintage tremolo Board Maple Weight 3.66kg; 8lbs 1oz Modifications String Tree (Gotoh) ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13

Mystery Greco TE-280, < Back Mystery Greco TE-280 No Number These Gneco Teles , especially the buttery biscuit base 280 models are getting very thin on the ground now - even more so in this condition. The selector and pots have been recently upgraded, but the pick-ups are original Maxons in a condition I have never seen before. This 280 model retains its wafer thin tuning pegs, and truss rod cover - they can't be from 1972 can they? The pick-ups have not discoloured and the brass plates still look like its 1974. They can't be original can they? The fret dot markers are the exact colour and texture of the 71/72 Teles from Matsumoku, the neck plate is missing a Matsumoku stamp, so this could be either a replacement Chushin style Made in Japan (they are the same size) plate; someone is going to extraordinary lengths to recreate a 71/72 spec Greco Tele (unlikely - not even here!); or Kanda Shokai contracted out to a different manufacturer for this one. We can't decide. We want to say this is from 1972 - the body is right, the paint has aged precisely, the pick-ups are spot on for detail and resistivity. There is a crack on the heel that has been there a fair while. The decal has an odd detail on it that we haven't seen before on an early 70s Tele, but it feels and plays like the old ones. Never mind the suspiciously immaculate condition of metalwork, this is a cracker of a Tele. The noises it makes are sublime - up to and including the microphonic howl you can tease from the bridge unit at high gain settings. The 3 piece neck feels just right - suspiciously deep lacquer and just a tiny bit of wear along the top edge - all way too pristine to be 50 years old. Right? Surely. We have 5 year old guitars here with more parking knocks. Can't be a 72, can it? We took a chance on this one, and we're suggesting you do the same. Don't buy this if you need to be absolutely sure that it is a 1972 TE-280, instead buy this because you love a Tele that looks like the top 2 layers of a trifle, and sounds and feels exactly like a 50 year old MIJ Tele. Thing is, if someone has "re-issued" this more recently, they have gone to such lengths and efforts that it would actually be worth more than an original. If I could be sure of this guitar's provenance, I would price it at millions of pounds so no-one buys it and I can keep it forever, but however much I want to believe it is a time-capsule example of a TE-280, I am selling this as an absolutely fantastic Maxon-equipped Tele with reliable modern controls and a dependable gigging / studio mate. Price £795 Availability Sold Recommendation Perfect as it is, but we have a few upgrade options you can discuss with us. Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1972 Pick-ups Original Maxon Selector Modern 3 way blade with modern Master Volume and Tone Bridge Original T-Style back-loader Board Maple Weight 3.46kg; 7lbs 8oz Modifications New selector switch and controls ← Previous Next→ Latest Videos Play Video Play Video 04:37 Play Video Play Video 03:15 Play Video Play Video 05:58 Play Video Play Video 03:26 Play Video Play Video 02:27 Play Video Play Video 06:20 Play Video Play Video 02:28 Play Video Play Video 04:13