Signature STR-1

[ArKay]

New to the forum and I thought I could show you my Signature STR-1. Those guitars were imported in the UK to bridge the gap between Epiphone & Gibson and either made by Terada or Fujigen (reports vary). Sadly the brand didn't become popular--probably thanks to the logo--so there are not many of those out there.

[northlight]

I seen a couple of these for sale on Ebay a couple of months ago for around £500, are they worth that kind of money? Welcome ArKay.

[ArKay]

Thanks!

Judging from Harmony Central reviews it seems that those were sold for 599GBP new with HSC, I got mine used for 369GBP. It has a few dings but apart from that it was like new, must have been standing in a shop for a long time. No idea if the plain top models were cheaper than the fancy flamed ones. I think 500 might be a little overpriced, but that may depend on the condition. Seen one on eBay for around 300 a few months ago.

They are not exactly easy to find with that silly brand name! Information is pretty rare anyway, check out those HC reviews.

Signature STR-1 HB Les Paul Copy: Harmony Central User Reviews

All pics of mine (didn't post all of them here) along with the specs I got from the shop.

Guitars::Signature

[northlight]

Ok ArKay, the reviews look good... but how about giving us your opinion on the Sig. How does she play and sound?
She is a beauty by the way!

[ArKay]

It's the only Japanese LP clone I have so I can't compare it to any of the other brands or an American Gibson.

I love the way it feels, the weight seems about right, not too heavy nor too light. Definitely lighter than my Korean LP clone, but I don't have a precise enough scale to check. The pickups are stock and they seem to be low output, definitely not high gain and they sound pretty sweet. I am not going to replace them.

Love the neck which is of the chunkier kind, not the 60s profile I have on my Wilkinson V100 Icon. Very comfortable and easy to play.

The finish is great and I couldn't spot any imperfections. The pots work nicely and all I did was to replace the caps with Orange Drops.

I'm currently in China and don't have access to it since it's back home in Germany.

[northlight]

Seems like a good buy ArKay! I do like the look of the guitar, typical Japanese, you can't beat them with a big stick!

[ArKay]

I'm already scheming to get more MIJs. I have a P90 Bacchus on the way from Japan (dinged up custom order model), and am looking at Tokais & Orvilles.

That's how I actually found this forum.

[northlight]

Bacchus?.... Very nice. You'll fit in very well here, the Japanese copies are held in very high regard! By the way, how does your Vintage V100 icon hold up?

[ArKay]

Appears to be a custom order Duke model. Has plenty of dings and scratches, but I don't mind

I got the Vintage for 179GBP IIRC, less than half of what I would have had to pay in Germany for it. Fun little guitar, but I will replace the pickups. They seem to be veeeeeery low output, yet sound a little muddy clean and they both read 4,2k which is a little odd.

I have 2 Vintage guitars, the other is a strat with stacked P90s which has amazing fretwork. The frets on the LP don't stick out (neck is bound), but they are not rounded off too nicely. Apart from that the Wilkinson hardware is pretty nice, the wiring was a joke though... The pickup wires were far too long and one of the ground wires was lose. It had small pots so I had to use a Dremel when I installed CTS ones.

The neck has a thin 60s profile so it took some getting used to at first. It plays nicely though probably thanks due to the missing finish on the back.

The relic job might not be the most convincing one, but it makes the guitar feel really nice.

Guitars::Vintage

[TheWellGoodShow]

These seem like great guitars, do they make them left handed??

[ArKay]

The Signature? I've never seen a left-handed model so most likely not. You don't see them often anyway though since they didn't make too many.

Bacchus I guess since they do custom orders.

Vintage has a few lefty Strats and SGs haven't seen any left-handed LPs yet.

[northlight]

Originally Posted by ArKay

Vintage has a few lefty Strats and SGs haven't seen any left-handed LPs yet.

Ahem...

Vintage V100

[ArKay]

There's no mention of a lefty V100 Icon series. Only of the standard V100.

Vintage Guitars from John Hornby Skewes

[northlight]

Yes i know, though the standard is pretty nice!

[ArKay]

In Europe they seem to be held in high regard and as good alternatives to the Epiphone offerings. They also try to tap the US market, but from the prices I've seen they might not be considered as much of a bargain there as they are for us.

[classic]

Originally Posted by ArKay

... but I will replace the pickups. They seem to be veeeeeery low output, yet sound a little muddy clean and they both read 4,2k which is a little odd.

Rainer ... those Lollar P90s are one of the best pups available ...
... your Bacchus could be one of an older (2001) Duke series ...

What are are you currently doing in China ??? It's funny that you haven't joined the forum when you had been still in Meerbusch, the 'Capital of Nordrhine-Westfalia' ...

Welcome to the board though ...

[ArKay]

Originally Posted by classic

Rainer ... those Lollar P90s are one of the best pups available ...
... your Bacchus could be one of an older (2001) Duke series ...

What are are you currently doing in China ??? It's funny that you haven't joined the forum when you had been still in Meerbusch, the 'Capital of Nordrhine-Westfalia' ...

Welcome to the board though ...

Thanks.

I usually spend my time on HC and just recently got interested in Les Paul type guitars, especially the MIJ ones. There are plenty of interesting threads here on those and there was no mention of the Signature model so I figured I should post it here.

Meerbusch isn't the capital, Duesseldorf is I'm here on vacation, my wife is Chinese and still living in China.

That Bacchus is most likely a Duke, but was listed as "Order Bacchus" so it's probably slightly modified.

[Axeman16]

so is it licensed by gibson? nitro?

[ArKay]

Originally Posted by Axeman16

so is it licensed by gibson? nitro?

No, they were not licensed. And expecting a nitro finish at 599GBP street price in the UK would have been asked a little too much IMHO

[Axeman16]

i was just curious because when you say it bridged te gap between epi and gib i thought you meant on the company product line.

[ArKay]

Originally Posted by Axeman16

i was just curious because when you say it bridged te gap between epi and gib i thought you meant on the company product line.

Oh, no. I meant the market gap

[northlight]

Here's another one Rainer... Check the price... too much in my opinion!

Denmark Street Online - Signature Les Paul Flame Top Honeyburst

[ArKay]

That's a pretty top! Typical Denmark Street price?

[classic]

Originally Posted by ArKay

Meerbusch isn't the capital, Duesseldorf is

I know that ... I'm a German myself. That's why I've put your words in '...' ...
Enjoy ...

[ArKay]

Originally Posted by classic

I know that ... I'm a German myself. That's why I've put your words in '...' ...
Enjoy ...

Yup. Foreigners don't know Meerbusch, it's actually part of Rhein Kreis Neuss... People know Duesseldorf though

[RiP]

i recently got my hands on one of these "Signiture" Les Paul's... i'm very pleased with it.. excellent quality fit and finish... i got it new (old stock) from my local music shop, they said it was their last one, it had been hanging on the wall for a while so i rescued it for a mere £399 inc a rok sak gig bag.. an absolute steal!!! i'll post some pix later..

db

[ArKay]

Originally Posted by RiP

i recently got my hands on one of these "Signiture" Les Paul's... i'm very pleased with it.. excellent quality fit and finish... i got it new (old stock) from my local music shop, they said it was their last one, it had been hanging on the wall for a while so i rescued it for a mere £399 inc a rok sak gig bag.. an absolute steal!!! i'll post some pix later..

db

Sweet! Does it have the same finish? I think I've seen models with a different top. Amazing guitars.

[RiP]

Originally Posted by ArKay

Sweet! Does it have the same finish? I think I've seen models with a different top. Amazing guitars.

identical finish as yours.. heres some pix, pic quality is not the best but clearly shows the guitar..

db

[RiP]

oh yeah, i forgot to mention, i fitted the Rythm/Treble switch plate, it didn't have one..

[ArKay]

Cool pics, thanks for sharing! Yeah, it didn't come with a switch plate. Since Rhythm/Treble doesn't make much sense (IMHO) I don't mind that it's missing. My Bacchus didn't come with one either.