http://www.guitarmakeovers.blogspot.com.au/

Guitar Makeover, Daisy Hill (2026)

30/09/2022

***SOLD***SOLD***SOLD***

The PE-800 is from the Prototype Series marketed in the Aria Pro II catalog of 1978 and made in the Matsumoku factory.

Specs include:

* Solid pancake ash body
* Carved arched cap - ash
* Ivory binding to the body
* Contoured back
* Heelless cutaway
* Three piece maple neck
* Rosewood fretboard
* Quality factory tuners
* Factory pickups
* Aria's unique "batwing" style headstock
* Set neck with long tenon joint that extends to the far side of the 1st pick up
* Bullet style truss rod
* Natural finish
* Comes with hard case

Over their production lives, Aria had three iterations of the Les Paul. The first was a copy of a Les Paul produced from the late 60's to mid/late 70's in various traditional forms. The second was this PE-800 prototype of Aria's uniquie designs produced in the late 70's. Third was the PE-R80 and PE-R60 that first showed up in the Aria Pro II 1981 catalog and based on the prototype design .

Fairly large numbers of the first iteration were produced and are available but a little scarce. The PE-R series Les Pauls are not as prolific as the original Les Paul models, but they are around. The prototype series guitars on the other hand are very hard to come by.

Whilst this guitar has signs of a hard life, it is solid as a rock. Cosmetically, a small patch of gloss finish at the bottom of the bout has cracked and broken off, and the finish in other areas has cracks whilst still being stable. The nickle coated hardwear is also somewhat tarnished but functions perfectly. Finally, I bought the guitar minus the factory one piece bridge so I fitted an after market Goto onepiece bridge that is also solid as a rock. Interesting fact on the bridge is the positioning allows for really simple and effective palm muting. Very cool.

The patina and current finish makes the guitar look very cool, so I have intentionally left it as original as possible. Strings aside, only the bridge is non-factory. For a collector, this is a very cool guitar to hold. If you are looking for a vintage player, this is a very cool guitar to hold.

Can pack for transport if required.

11/09/2022

****FOR SALE****FOR SALE****FOR SALE****

The Inazuma is a Matsumoku humbucker/humbucker variation on a Strat. The bridge pickup has a factory coil tap switch for tonal control.

The Inazuma was the main guitar in the RS series, made from quality components and very well crafted at a time when the famous Matsumoku factory was at the peak of its game.

Features include:

* Solid Alder three-piece contoured body
* One-piece maple neck
* Rosewood fretboard
* Three-way switch
* Factory humbucker pickups
* Coil tap switch on the bridge pickup
* Quality factory tuners
* Tremolo bridge with an original whammy bar
* 22 fret
* Deep Red finish
* Recent professional setup
* Low action

The guitar is in very good condition with some signs of playware, including some buckle rash on the back. This is a classic vintage MIJ guitar. Whilst it has that collectible appeal, it is also a guitar that is ready
to pick up, play, and enjoy.

11/09/2022

****SOLD****SOLD****SOLD**** (local pickup)

Aria Pro II Rs Special-V made in the Matsumoku factory 1982.

Many of these Aria Pro II Matsumoku guitars are hard to come by these days. Even harder to come by is the maple fret board combination of these iconic MIJ Stat copies as not a lot of them were sold with the maple fret board.

Specs include:

* Maple single-piece neck
* Solid ash 3-piece body
* Factory single-coil ceramic pickups
* 5 Way selector switch
* 1 Vol 2 tone
* Through body solid bridge/vibrato
* Factory original whammy bar
* Factory die-cast machine heads
* Gold hardware
* Factory metallic finish

This guitar is in very good condition and nice shiny finish that brings out the metallic fleck. There are lite signs of play ware on the frets. All the electronics work well - no scratchy pots. Low action with new strings - 9's.

Given its rarity, this Aria Pro II would make a fantastic addition to a vintage MIJ collection - and plays great too.

02/09/2022

***SOLD***SOLD***SOLD***

A vintage Martin D35 from 1973.

Great playing condition. These are an iconic guitar.

It features a solid spruce top with a 3 piece rosewood back and rosewood sides, a mahogany neck with a bound ebony fretboard. Sounds and plays as a vintage instrument of this calibre should, a very high-end guitar for the player or collector. Comes in its original moulded Martin hard shell case.

Martins are unique in their tone, nothing plays like a Martin.

02/09/2022

***For Sale***For Sale***or Sale***

Yamaha L10, MIJ Nippon Gakki Gen1 "L" series high-end guitar from 1980.

Introduced in 1976, the L10 replaced the high-end FG Custom Shop line of guitars.

Old school quality L10 features:

* Dovetail neck joint
* Hide glue construction
* Nitrocellulose gloss finish
* Solid Ezo Spruce top - rare Northern Japanese tonewood, banned species
* Solid Jacaranda back and sides, banned species
* One-piece African Mahogany neck
* Ebony fretboard and bridge
* Detailed fretboard parquetry inlays
* Multiple detailed decorative binding
* Mother of Pearl headstock inlay
* Bone nut and saddle
* Ebony bridge pins

This guitar has undergone some resto work by Mark at Rocket Music IN 2017, Work done… neck reset, complete re-fret, some refinish work; the top was sanded back to bare wood and refinished, neck and headstock were re-sprayed, all in nitrocellulose, to blend and resemble the existing finish. The original and untouched finish on the back and sides has some marks and scuffs expected on a vintage guitar. The original tuners were not with the guitar. Mark fitted high-end Gold plated Grover’s taken from a Maton Messiah.

Action at the 12th fret is around the 1.8mm-2mm mark while action at fret 1 is strings 1,2=14thou; strings 3,4=16thou; strings 5,6=18thou, adding up to a guitar with a nice low and playable action with no fret buzz and an easy/soft playing feel.

I custom fabricated and fitted a Camel bone nut.

The tone on this guitar is quite warm, not bright. It pretty much takes any playing style you throw at it, contemporary, jazz, rock, blues, bluegrass, folk, and plays like an electric guitar up the neck, very clear and crisp with lots of sustain and a fairly big bass.

A quality high-end MIJ vintage guitar from Yamaha with lovely detail in the finish.

Shipping can be arranged Australia wide. Contact me to arrange a quote.

02/09/2022

***SOLD***SOLD***SOLD***

Kasuga HC 1000 Vintage Acoustic Guitar 1974

Available is the beautiful Gen1 vintage MIJ guitar by Kasuga. The HC1000 is a Martin D41 copy and a very nice example. Kasuga were one of the largest instrument makers in Japan at the time, probably only second to Yamaha.

The model number, in this case HC1000, represented the Yen price the guitar was sold for when new, this being a 100,000 Yen high-end guitar when sold new in 1974.

Compare this to, for example, a Yamaha FG180 that would have sold for 18,000Y. A big difference between the price and quality between them.

As with many MIJ guitars, there were two generations to counter the inflation the Japanese economy was going through in the 70s. A couple of years later and the specs of the Gen2 guitar had to be reduced to retain the RRP of 100,000Y.

Many of the high-end MIJ guitars were only sold in the Japanese market. When found outside of Japan it is because they have been imported privately, as is the case with this guitar.

Specs of this high-end Gen1 guitar are-

* All solid wood construction.

* Top is solid Spruce.
* Back and sides are solid Brazilian Rosewood/Jacaranda.
* Ebony fretboard and bridge.
* Abalone hex position markers in keeping with the Martin D41
* Cream binding to top, back, neck and headstock as per Martin D41.
* Abalone decorative treatment to the top as per Martin D41.
* Original and vintage Grover tuning keys.
* Diamond volute neck as per Martin D41.
* 42mm nut width.
* Medium V neck profile.

In lovely condition cosmetically, there are a few scuffs consummate of the age of the guitar. It is structurally very sound as I have generally found with all Kasuga instruments.

The action is very low all the way up the neck and plays very lightly, very much like an electric guitar. The tone is more on the bright side with its current setup and is very similar in tone to the Martin D41 that it is a copy of.

The gen2 HC1000 of******1976 + click to reveal was reduced to solid East Indian rosewood and rosewood fretboard and bridge. Martin did the same in 1967 with the D28 and D35 with the ever decreasing availability and increasing price of Brazilian rosewood.

Shipping Australia-wide is available. Please confirm the price, generally around the $85 mark to most capital cities.

02/09/2022

Yamaha FG180 Green Label 1966.

This is a very rare vintage Yamaha FG180 green label from 1966. It is in very good condition both cosmetically and structurally.

The Yamaha FG180 Red label guitar is what launched the FG range worldwide in the late sixties at the peak of the folk guitar era. What is less known is the original FG180's production spanned from 1966 to 1975 and was represented by four generations over that period. FG180 Green label 66-67, red label 67-72, beige label 72-74, and black label 74-75.

***FOR SALE***FOR SALE***FOR SALE***

The Japanese economy was going through inflation in the late 60s and 70s which is the reason for the multiple changes to specification. What that means is, that the earlier the FG, the better they were.

Features on this Green label model from 1966-

* Spruce top.
* Mahogany back and sides.
* Mahogany neck.
* Rosewood fretboard and bridge.
* Old school dove tail neck joint and finished in Yamaha's nitrocellulous blend.
* 44mm nut width
* 5mm dot position markers and Bell shape truss rod cover.
* Medium V neck profile.

This guitar has undergone some work by Mark at Rocket Music, Perth. He did a neck reset, replaced the truss rod, dressed the frets and fabricated/intonated a new bone saddle. I fabricated and fitted a Camel bone nut and fitted ebony bridge pins, along with a brass plate mate for a good contact between the ball ends of the strings and the bridge plate.

The guitar has been cleaned, polished, and the tuning keys dismantled, cleaned, lubricated and polished. Action at the 12th fret is 1.75mm. Action at the 1st fret is strings 1 2=14thou, strings 3 4=16thou, strings 5 6=18thou.

These earlier Green label models were handcrafted, especially evident in the unique shape of the headstock on this particular guitar having more curvature in Yamaha V design than usual.

Shipping can be arranged if required. Please confirm a price, usually around $95 to capital cities though with covid it varies.

01/09/2022

Aria Pro II PE-175HE Herb Ellis Jazz Guitar MIJ c.1982

***SOLD***SOLD***SOLD*** Local Pickup.

Aria Pro 11 Herb Ellis PE 175, early 1980's. The PE175, Herb Ellis's signature guitar from the early to late 80s, is a very high quality MIJ Jazz Box from the Golden Era of Japanese guitar making from the famed Matsumoku factory.

These jazz boxes are held in very high regard. There are numerous YouTube videos of Herb Ellis performing live with the Aria Pro 11 PE175, with the likes of Barney Kessel, Tal Farlow, and Charlie Byrd, to name a few.

Features of this iconic jazz guitar include:

* Maple Top
* Maple body 16"
* Mahogany fixed neck
* Bound ebony fret board with block inlays
* 20 frets with Herb Ellis inlaid in the fretboard
* Factory AL-7 alnico pickups
* Three way switch
* Factory 2 volume and 2 tone controls
* Sunburst finish
* Factory diecast tun-a-matic bridge with maple base
* Bone nut
* Factory gold diecast machine heads
* Factory H.E. engraved pickguard
* Factory L5 style tailpiece
* Comes in a vintage hard shell Hiscox case

The neck angle is very good on these guitars, allowing very low action. It's effortless to play fast on.

In terms of tone, the guitar is similar to the ES175 in quality but it's got a bit more velvety top end and when amplified the tone is very even - every bit as good as a Gibson L4, but with out the price tag. The playability & quality is outstanding.

If you are in the market for a high quality hollow body guitar, you can not beat a Aria Pro II PE175 Herb Ellis for quality and price. Matsumoku ceased production in Japan in 1986 so there are limited numbers of these original MIJ guitars in the market place and are rarely made available.

Can pack for transport if required.

01/09/2022

Epiphone Sorrento

***SOLD***SOLD***SOLD*** Aug 22 on it's way to Melbourne Vic.

This Epiphone Sorrento is a very cool remake of the original Epiphone Sorrento made in USA in the 60's.

Serial number indicates this Sorrento was produced in the Peerless factory in 1998. Fitted with factory Epiphone P90 Alnico pickups.

Really cool guitar. The hollow body and P90 combo generates a very crunchy blues/rock tone. When I bought this guitar the standard white pick guard was missing. I subsequently fitted a custom tortoise shell 3 ply pick guard similar to the original 60's model.

01/09/2022

Yamaha FG700 MIJ c.1973

***SOLD***SOLD***SOLD*** On it's way to mid NSW coast. One of the nicest acoustic guitars ever to pass through my hands.

This listing is for a vintage Yamaha beige label FG700.

Made in Japan by Nippon Gakki c 1973 with exotic tone woods. The beige label guitars were made between 1972 and 1974.

The impressive vintage specs include:
* Solid spruce top
* Solid Jacaranda back
* Laminated Jacaranda sides
* African mahogany one-piece neck with binding
* Ebony fretboard
* 44mm nut width
* Bone nut
* Camel bone bridge pins
* Natural finish
* Full binding to the body front and back
* Decorative soundhole rosette
* High-end Yamaha machine heads
* Original Yamaha vintage branded/badged hard case
* Low action with further adjustments if required

This guitar is in good condition with some signs of play wear. It is a delight to play with the deep bottom end generated by the exotic tonewood over 40 years old, top quality Yamaha tuners and quality craftsmanship combine to give a big warm tone as expected from these top-quality vintage MIJ acoustic guitars.

Comes with the original vintage, Yamaha badged, hard case. Quite rare to come across high end vintage MIJ Yamaha's of this quality in great condition. Combined with the original Yamaha hard shell case it is a very nice and rare package.

Can pack for transport if required

24/08/2022

***SOLD***SOLD***SOLD*** Sep 22 On it's way to USA.

Aria Pro II TA100 Tian Artist – MIJ c. 1982 Matsumoku. High-end 335 copy.

Produced in the Matsumoku factory between 1982 and 1986, the Aria Pro II TA-100 Titan Artist was Aria’s flagship guitar, a Gibson 335 slim hollow body style guitar with the "works". The size of the body is slightly smaller than a 335 - between a 339 and 335.

Near mint condition, this original TA-100 Titan Artist has been serviced, cleaned, polished, and set up with low action. The electrics and accessories are all original and in perfect working order. When you pick up a TA-100 Titan Artist you immediately get the sense that these guitars oozes quality in feel, touch, and tone. Great playing and sounding vintage f-hole guitar that handles both blues, jazz, and clean. A truly quality guitar suitable for studio work or gigging.

The TA-100 Titan Artist has a long list of impeccable features only found in premium guitars:

* Solid "carved" maple top (ie not laminated like most semi hollow bodies)
* Arched flamed sycamore back with sycamore rims
* Solid mahogany center block
* 5pc mahogany/maple neck
* Ebony fretboard with 22 frets
* Real mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays with abalone insets
* Solid brass top nut
* Solid brass truss rod cover
* Full crème binding to body, neck, f-hole, and headstock
* Original “Classic Power” covered humbuckers
* Two vol and 2 tone controls with factory k***s etc
* Three-way factory pickup selector switch
* Factory die-cast machine heads
* Adjustable bridge and quick hook tailpiece
* Gold plated hardware
* Catalogue Translucent Red (TR) finish
* Comes with vintage hard shell case
* Can also come with an original soft leather original Aria Pro II embossed guitar strap for the right buyer (negotiable).

The condition of the guitar is outstanding with a couple of lite scratches to the poly finish and lite tarnishing to the gold plating on the hardware. The fretboard and frets are in excellent condition with very lite signs of wear. All the electrics work fine and have no scratching in the three-way switch or pots.

Not a lot of these guitars were made and are rarely listed for sale, especially in this condition. This is an outstanding guitar in every way. Ready for studio work or gigging, or a rare collector's item for those who appreciate quality vintage Japanese guitars.

Can pack for transport if required.

17/09/2021

----SOLD----SOLD----SOLD---- (last updated Sep 21)

Ibanez Artist 2603 Vintage MIJ C. 1976 - Grammer Guitar Copy.

This is a very rare and funky 70's Japanese-made Ibanez copy of 1960/70's American Grammer guitar.

The 2603 is the rosewood model with a Grammer style fancy inlaid rosewood bridge and pickguard. Structurally this guitar is amazing with a good strong and straight neck, a truss rod that works both ways, and, most importantly, a saddle that protrudes from the bridge 3-4 mm, allowing further adjustments if required. Furthermore, the 40 odd-year-old woods are in their default position, very stable, with beautiful aged amber patina to the finish and the bindings. It is a stunning-looking guitar.

Specs on the 2603, extracted from a 1976 catalog, include:

* Fine-grained spruce top
* Selected rosewood back and sides
* Fancy Grammer style rosewood bridge with pearl inlays
* Unique Ibanez Artist headstock only used on Ibanez electric guitars and the limited range of Grammer copies
* Unique MOP/Pearloid inlays to the pickguard
* Hard mahogany neck with adjustable truss rod
* Rosewood fretboard with MOP/Pearloid inlays
* The sound hole is trimmed with black and white purflings
* Full binding to the body with black and white purflings to the top
* Grammer style wood marquetry joining strip on the two-piece back
* MOP or Pearloid logo and motif on the headstock
* Artist truss rod cover on the headstock (a bit faded with time)
* Binding to neck
* Chrome plated machine heads
* Bone bridge pins
* 6th string at 12th fret 2.3mm
* First string at 12th fret 2mm
* Comes with a vintage, and what looks like, the original hard case

The guitar is in really good condition with what looks like moderate previous play. The finish is good with some fine cracks in the glossy finish on the top, the frets have minimal wear as does the fretboard, which is structurally very sound, looks funky, plays really nicely with a well-balanced tone, and is an all-around good quality, vintage Japanese guitar - a wonderful and very rare MIJ copy of the Grammer guitar.

Can pack for transport if required.

Guitar Makeover

30/09/2022

11/09/2022

11/09/2022

02/09/2022

02/09/2022

02/09/2022

02/09/2022

01/09/2022

01/09/2022

01/09/2022

24/08/2022

17/09/2021

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category