Aria Pro II PB-1500, Nobuaki Hayashi's 'Masterpiece Prototype' < Back Aria Pro II PB-1500 078082 The Prototype Range was launched by Matsumoku in 1977, and the majority of these models are 6 string guitars. The brains behind the idea was a bass player - he still makes basses today with his Atlansia company. The SB and TSB ranges are more well known, and very highly regarded; used by many professionals in the 1980s. Prior to the launch of these SB basses, a small number of PB-1500 basses were produced to accompany the PE-1500 and PE-1000 models that showcased Matsumoku's capability of designing and producing new basses, not just making high quality copies of the Precisions and Jazz basses. The bass version was only available in ultimate 1500 spec and featured the DiMarzio pick-up on the amazing neck-thru' (Transmit neck was the original term), and the finest choice of woods and luthiers to craft them. Well before Fender had its Custom Shop facility, Matsumoku had a special section of the production line to experiment, create and generally set the scene for the coming decade. Fender had tried to court Matsumoku for a partnership but Matsumoku were not interested in such a co-operation as they wanted to forge their own way and shape the future, not just prop up the past, although they would do that quite well also. Matsumoku seconded several of their master luthiers to Fujigen to enable that partnership to flourish, and as the Fender cost accountants infiltrated the production lines, Matsumoku continued to create and produce high quality guitars with the volumes to enable very competitive pricing. This PB-1500 is a very rare example of the early Masterpiece Prototype Series - produced alongside the 6 string guitars that featured in the brochures. Very rarely coming to the market, this one has had a busy life - earning its living admirably and continues to do so in a condition that will enable that for many more years. While less well known than the SB-1000 and Elites, this bass is a worthy contender and has a timeless design - one of Matsumoku's real skills was to create designs that would stand the test of time. Nobuaki Hayashi was a true artist AND a very good engineer. With its single DiMarzio pick-up and simple Master Volume and Master Tone, this is a very purposeful instrument - like the poshest Precision possible. It tips the scales at 4.69kg (10lbs 5oz) and has a lovely balance to play sitting or standing. Early versions of Gotoh GB707 are original Aria stamped units and are in perfect working order. They are future proof as current GB707 would fit straight in - no need to ever redrill this headstock. The Gibson style 3 point bridge and is in perfect working order - and again, futureproof as Hosco units fit straight on the posts. The Rosewood neck, brass nut and the fat frets are all in magnificent condition - the only indication of its age is the wear to the familiar places such as thumb rest and from the previous players' wrist just above the bridge. All natural wear and proof that this was a busy instrument - busy instruments are the good ones. Currently strung with tape-wound strings with plenty of life left, this is serviced and ready to keep plying its trade and is a discerning choice for a bassist who appreciates quality and simplicity, but something a little different from the normal Precision Bass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMwv2mdHB-Y Price Availability SOLD Sold Recommendation A piece of Matsumoku history - enjoy it Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1978 Pick-ups DiMarzio Selector N/A Bridge 3-point Gibson style Board Rosewood 4.69kg; 10lbs 5oz 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

Aria Pro II ASB-60, Transition period Medium Scale with toys < Back Aria Pro II ASB-60 No Number By the time this bass was built, the Matsumoku plant in Japan had become Nanbu Park, and the remaining stock of parts had been transferred to Korea to continue production. The ASB range was a medium scale offering, and had the spirit of the older SB models, but has been largely forgotten as the Integra range took over. These ASB models are too good to overlook - they feel and play like the older MIJ guitars. This one had certainly been busy - the bodywork is very worn, but doesn't detract from looking great from the audience. The fun starts with the switching. 2 stealthy S-1 switches for master volume and master tone. When both are unactivated, the bass operates as a traditional PJ style with the 3-way toggle. With the Tone control S-1 activated, the phase of the Precision unit is reversed to get that nasal tone that you think you'll never use, but always do. With the Volume control S-1 pressed, a whole new world appears. The 2 pick-ups are connected in series, but the D and G strings are in reverse phase. If the Tone control S-1 is activated, the phase reversal is swapped to the E and A strings. Witchcraft? No, just having the maximum fun with what tones a PJ is capable of producing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAInSAgMiiI The video demo is very necessary, obviously. This bass will make a fine work-horse, and bass solos will take on a whole new character with the series/phase options. A little mad? Yes, but a whole lot of fun. Price Availability £595 Sold Recommendation Thru'neck and versatile Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1989 Pick-ups AP-2; Super Boomer Selector 3 Way Bridge Original Board Rosewood 3.78kg; 8lbs 5oz Modifications New Wiring Schematic 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-800N, Putting the real thing to shame < Back Greco SE-800N A773467 Back in 1977, the really well-heeled could open the Project Series catalogue and order an SE-800, SE-1000 and SE-1200, but the SE-800 was the discerning choice. A real 50's style replica - very slim C neck, light as a feather, small headstock and bright airy tones from the 3-way. SE-800s were 2 piece bodies, the one piece bodies being reserved for 1200 models; but you have to look very hard to see the join - these were master-built. Just a couple of minor parking knocks and belt buckle marks to give its age away, this has obviously been cherished. It even has its original case, the little yellow tie straps intact. It has the SE-800 engraved into the neck plate. So, it looks fabulous, it feels fabulous - all the parts and components are original. The pick-ups are good old PU-100 units, so bright and airy and very keen to clip that AC30 or equivalent. The grade of steel used for the bridge and more importantly the block, is higher than that seen on lower models - the ringing sustain from this guitar needs to be experienced to be believed. This guitar has had a couple of wires reconfigured (still using the original wire) to enable the Bill Lawrence configuration that deploys the lower tone control as a middle pick-up blender. Therefore you sacrifice the middle on its own in exchange for the Hendrix tone palette. All the components are still original. These SE-800 models were tributes to the early 50's style - a shallow V neck, a 7.25" radius, 8 hole plate - this is one of the collection, or that special one you daren't take on the road. Or take it, that's what they were for after all. But finding a 1977 Project Series guitar in this condition that feels this delicious, for this kind of price is nothing short of miraculous. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqTSD_7NDpo Price Availability £1,495 Sold Recommendation Enjoy it as it is Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1977 Pick-ups Maxon PU-100 Selector 3-Way Bridge Vintage Tremolo Board Maple 3.43kg; 7lbs 9oz Modifications Bill Lawrence Hendrix wiring 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 TE-600 (Order Built), Very special Tele. < Back Greco TE-600 (Order Built) Pre-serial Number Here is a real rarity - and definitely a custom order from the "Order Made" section of the Kanda brochures in the mid 1970s. Adding a Rosewood neck to a model was an expensive option, and the double bound beautiful sunburst body would not have been a bargain either. We are matching this to the TE-600 spec due to the star-tuners - only the 600s got these. The neck feels very expensive - we adore all the TE models from the entry level 280 right up to the premium catalogue models. Several of each have passed through our hands over the last few years. I would put this profile as a Slim C, but not the usual skinny necks that Fujigen evolved to produce. There are a few signs of life on the finish, but it doesn't detract from the lovely grain coming through. It weighs 3.6kg (7lbs 14oz) so a little bit lighter than than most TE-350 and TL-500s. It is a string through construction - not the top loaders we are used to seeing. The pick-ups are the same units as the SE-600 that recently passed through here, PU101 and PU102 with their howly growly output - the perfect output to just nudge the gain up on the amp. Acoustically the guitar has the lovely snappy resonance that we associate with the really early mahogany bodied teles and a barely visible seam indicates a pancake construction. These models always sing - maybe a little less refinement than the later Sen ash bodies in the late 1970s, but this is the character that makes them hard to put down. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvY1Qo3Ss64 Perhaps the look of this guitar is enough for you to want it in your life - rest assured, there is a fantastic characterful Tele behind it. For purists, it is hard to accept that Greco Teles were anything more than fakes, but actually they have a totally different character and justifiably sit alongside the real ones. And it will be a fraction of the price of that real one next to it in the rack. Price Availability £975 Sold Recommendation Play the hell out of it Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1974 Pick-ups Maxon PU101 & PU102 Selector 3-Way Bridge Original 6 saddle string-through Board Rosewood 3.60kg; 7lbs 14oz Modifications CTS Premium pots 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

1975 Greco SE-500W, A perfectly preserved 1975 Matsumoku Stratocaster. < Back 1975 Greco SE-500W Pre-serial number model This is very late Gneco - the clarity of the spelling increased in 1975. Most 1975 SE-500 guitars have Super Sounds logos, so this is a real cross-over model. This lovely example arrived with the Greco TE-350 , and in similarly excellent condition - both being purchased at the same time by the previous (and original) owner. It seemed essential to keep them together, and we hope to offer them as a pair to their next owner. This mid-range model of Greco was a popular work-horse instrument and may arrive here with an amazing road worn patina, but still perfectly functional. This SE-500 has led a fairly charmed life - these are the original frets and we would give them the same treatment as the TE-350 before it left us. There is a little more meat on them than the Tele, and it has that great run-in feel. This is the model that featured that very thoughtfully designed truss rod cover in the scratchplate - a thorough improvement over the previous open area that invited dust and grime into the pick-up cavities. The original Maxon pick-ups are in rude health - providing that slightly scooped yet biting tone - they sound amazing with a little crunch. As with all vintage guitars in original states, the potting may have deteriorated. We know that repotting these pick-ups will bring back some warmth - that is an option for the next owner; but until that decision is made, they stay as they are. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu1Z-hF_5-c This is a pancake construction as normal for this era of Matsumoku production - the white paint has faded to cream (matching the TE-350) but retains a lustre usually missing from guitars of this age. It has been cherished. By this time, Matsumoku was fitting a more accurate version of the vintage style tremolo , and producing them at 25.5" scale unlike many of the earlier versions which are slightly shorter in scale and have the earlier bridge design. Whilst this guitar is in fantastic original condition, we feel this guitar could be an ideal donor for a DreamBuild upgrade project - the pick-up cavities can accommodate modern pick-up footprints and a modern Gotoh 101 or 510 will fit without significant surgery. Upgrade philosophy here includes the retention of all the original electronics on the original plate, and we fabricate an identical one with a slot big enough for a 5-way selector. Nothing we would do to this one is not reversible should they ever be worth silly money. We value this guitar (and it will be stage-ready luthier prepared) at £785. A deal can be done if it can stay together with the TE-350 either in their original condition, or as DreamBuilds. Price Availability £785 Sold Recommendation Enjoy vintage feel and tones, or ideal donor for DreamBuild. Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1975 Pick-ups Maxon Selector 3-way Bridge Original Gotoh Vintage Board Maple 3.69kg; 8lbs 2oz 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

Westone Paduak I, Pure class. < Back Westone Paduak I 2074419 A good Westone Paduak I is usually a keeper - not many appear on the market because owners can't bear to part with them even after they have been replaced as working guitars by something more modern and versatile. This example stayed in Japan until last year, hung around on various auction sites until I saw it, and hammered the BID button. Perhaps the niche market that appreciates the Paduak was put off by the non-original pick-up - an F-450 being a pre-requisite for the appeal. The original pick-ups in Paduaks are great - no doubt, but the appeal to me has always been the neck and general feel of the guitar. Like a good old Esquire, your playing style will determine the versatility and picking gently over the upper frets can be as good as a selector nudge - sometimes better. The addition of a Lace Sensor Alumitone humbucker with the split and boost function is a brave move, but as it turns out, an inspired one. It does require a rethink for amp settings and any effects that may determine your sounds, the sound engineer will be furious with an unannounced flick of the boost switch; but what this guitar can do is simplify your set-up. Not this one - this one stays with us forever, but we are making more. This instrument has become the inspiration for a series of re-issued Paduaks we can't wait to let them loose on you. Price Availability Private Stock Stays at Ketteringham Hall Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 1982 Pick-ups Lace Sensor Alumitone Selector Miniswitches - coil split & active boost, with Master volume & Tone controls Bridge HD Brass, billet saddles Board Maple 3.33kg; 7lbs 5oz Modifications pick-up only 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

Taylor 150c 12 String, No need to go up the range - this is the ideal workshorse 12 string. < Back Taylor 150c 12 String 2111274073 This Taylor 150c is a no-nonsense decent quality electro-acoustic that covers all bases from Wish You Were Here through to Love and Affection - the bass and treble controls covering just about all your glisten and shimmering needs. It's a lightly used example. Lots of acoustic volume, and when the 100 series is as good as they are, it seems unnecessary to venture up the range and spend a fortune unnecessarily. This one comes with a Taylor padded gig-bag. The video uses a Loudex Mini amp with gain at 3 out of 10 and a dab of reverb https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxhKlbUdMCg Price Availability £695 Sold Recommendation Enjoy as it is Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2014 Pick-ups Expression 2 Selector N/A Bridge Pin Board Ebony 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

Yamaha NTX-700, Solid and dependable electro-classical < Back Yamaha NTX-700 No Number The NTX-700 is a thin body electro-classical that features the ART pick-up system - 2 pick-ups under the saddle that focus on E-D, and G-E allowing you to tailor the signal from each to really micro-manage the tones. Together with the 3 band EQ , this guitar is very versatile and will cover all nylon string requirements from bright and snappy through to muted flamenco. This model has 14 frets to the body. The guitar has Nato (eco-alternative to Mahogany) back, sides and neck; a Spruce top and Rosewood board. The tuners feel very good and It has just been serviced and now wears new Thomastik-Infeld Classic S Rope-core strings, and is ready for everything from living room to the stage. Yamaha have always had a solid reputation for quality and are careful to take that quality to their non-Japanese production sites and have been making guitars for 20 years in the Hangzhou plant. This guitar has always been very well looked after and is a reluctant sale. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMXt_XWEM3o Price Availability £475 Sold Recommendation Buy as Is Buy to Upgrade Specifications Year 2015 Pick-ups ART twin piezo Selector N/A Bridge Rosewood Board Rosewood 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

Get those ZZ Top riffs ready... < Back Matsumoku Junior Price £899 | SOLD Add to Cart Chat with Us Missed out on this model? Talk to us for a rebuild! We have a soft-spot for the simplicity of a single pick-up guitar, but also enjoy versatility. A single pick-up guitar needn't be the compromise you expect - OK, you're not going to be Wes Montgomery on this, but roll the tone back, adopt the Keith Richards strum position and there is more to this than meets the eye - and that is before you play with the push-pulls. This was a Korean Maison Junior - Maison were a very highly regarded small Korean manufacturer taking advantage of the stampede out of Japan in the 1990s. Not imported here in large numbers, you could be forgiven for hearing about them for the first time. They are solid, good quality guitars and beg for an upgrade. Out came the generic P-90 and in went a TV Jones PowerTron Plus - the hottest most vicious pick-up available from TV Jones. We hit the high gain channel and lost a few hours discovering how incredible this pick-up is. On a clean setting, we needed to take action. Action was taken with the addition of 2 CTS push-pulls - one to split the humbucker into a single coil, the other to give us both coils but in parallel. The coil split provides a very angry punk sound - tameable with the controls, but this is for those who don't want country twang, and don't need refined Marvin. In parallel, we calm things a little; add a tiny amount of scoop, and achieve a less aggressive tone but with no loss of presence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv6ReSk9iA0 So many Juniors and their ilk are compromised for intonation - playing chords up the neck requires a little string bending occasionally to sound vaguely in tune. The addition of the Hosco adjustable bridge solves this issue very well and takes nothing from the tone (despite having plenty to spare!). At the other end, we have fitted a set of very premium Gotoh SE-770 - lovely high quality open back tuners to give a nod to unaffordable Gibsons, but indicating to Gibson how good an open back tuner ought to be on an expensive guitar. We have designed 2 scratchplates for this guitar, and the lack of neck pick-up makes swapping from one to the other a matter of minutes - just a few screws. We can't decide which one we like the best so include them both. The guitar looks, feels and plays as new - it probably could do with a few signs of life - over to the next owner for that. The weight is 3.95kg, 8lbs 11oz. This was an experiment - we used this guitar to test some crazy ideas, and however much we love it here, it really should go to someone who will use it properly. Details The Look A bit of single pick-up shiney style - 2 designs of plate included in sale Headstock A set of beautiful open back Gotoh SE-770 keep this in tune no matter how hard you play. Neck Chunky chunky! Not too much, but a proper handful. Pick-ups This is a TV Jones PowerTron plus - Tom makes these for Billy Gibbons Bridge To make the most of this guitar, the fixed stop bar has been replaced with a Hosco adjustable unit - intonation is now achieved. Controls Master Volume which when pulled up splits the PowerTron Plus to a single coil. Master Tone which when pulled up sets the Tron in parallel mode Gallery ← Previous Next→