_MIJ__FAQ_+_Links

[slapshot]

When did Tokai start/cease using the circuit boards, and are they prevalent throughout their whole range of vintage models?

why are they only on LP's?

 

[bluesyrat]

why are they only on LP's?

probably at Tokai they were not so creative...

 

[luis]

Tokai used Hummningbird in 60s for acoustic and electric guitars.

 

[Pazzesca]

I just read the FAQs here and the clues to whether a copy was MIJ or not. I have a couple questions and I thank you in advance.

Here is the LP copy I picked up at a garage sale last weekend for $20. I love it and don't care what it turns out to be, since it just LOOKS so cool, but I'm curious. Most people on here, and on other forums, are saying I probably have a Matsumoku of some sort. But... the FAQ clues confuse me then.

Les Paul Forums - Pazzesca's Album: My LES PAUL COPY <3

My questions are: The FAQs say pretty clearly that if the pots are dime or penny size, then it's not MIJ. Is this universally true? Mine are definitely not quarter size. Also, did Chinese and Korean manufacturers put bolt on neck plates that still say Made in Japan on them?

Any help appreciated to identify and date my pretty little LP copy!

 

[GammyBird]

The guitar you have is MIJ and the plant that it was made in was the Matsumoku plant. They did use bolt on necks with Made in Japan stamped on the plate. They also come with all sorts of pots in them. Orville and others, for example, used smaller mini pots which are the size of a dime.

At the time of manufacture, it is highly unlikely that it would be produced in China or Korea with a MIJ neck plate.

 

[slapshot]

funny they blanked out all the logos
dibs on the 2343

 

[slapshot]

 

[slapshot]

 

[UITA]

I had a 2388 didn't like it, wish I still had it!! Pretty sure it wasn't a detachable neck though.

 

[reborn old]

Thought I would add pics of a Korean made late 80's Cort Greco here for reference purposes:

The solid figured top, figured 1984-ish Mint Collection looking back + MIJ hardware threw me on the Mint Collection Greco pictured below,
but luckily about 10 things pointed to a MIK Cort Greco,
... the more important ones being the scarfed headstock without ears or serial number, technicolor Greco inlay* and bathtub shaped pickup cavity route.
*(MIK Cort Greco inlay not to be confused with MIJ Dyna Burny inlay, shown at the top of page 3)

Things that could be easily changed included hardware, thick one ply pick guard, bell shaped TRC for a "squared bell" shaped MC TRC, pickups with 6 extra holes in back plates
(not MIJ), white rear cavity covers, rectangular profiled plastic (vs bone) nut.

 

[reborn old]

Japan Post EMS rate chart: Rate schedule(EMS?All Zones) - Japan Post

 

[marmeduke]

My little contribution:

Catalogs from Shimamura Brands including History

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[Udonitron]

Things that could be easily changed included hardware, thick one ply pick guard, bell shaped TRC for a "squared bell" shaped MC TRC, pickups with 6 extra holes in back plates
(not MIJ), white rear cavity covers, rectangular profiled plastic (vs bone) nut.

Another tell tale sign is the open or disconnected 'e', that is one of the 1st things I usually look for.

 

[Hazardous Guitar]

I've not seen an identical guitar to this one. Of the limited number of other Ventura Les Pauls

I've found so far are bolt on necks.

 

[reborn old]

Although the headstock shape differs from other early to mid 70's examples,
there is a pretty good chance it was produced by Matsumoku around that time.
If can post a pic of the control cavity with the white cover removed,
I can probably confirm who the manufacturer was.

 

[Hazardous Guitar]

Although the headstock shape differs from other early to mid 70's examples,
there is a pretty good chance it was produced by Matsumoku around that time.
If can post a pic of the control cavity with the white cover removed,
I can probably confirm who the manufacturer was.

Hopefully you can make something of this.

 

[Udonitron]

That cavity is very Dyna looking.

 

[Hazardous Guitar]

Dyna Gakki?

 

[o0mobius0o]

Plywood top?

 

[reborn old]

Looks like it.

Hopefully you can make something of this.

I'm pretty sure yours is Matsumoku made, based on control cavity pics.

Your Ventura differs in construction from later Matsumoku examples thanks to the wide channel and route location for your wire harness. Yours possibly has hollow chambers like some early-mid 70's Grecos and later base models have, as well as build similarities with some Columbus badged Matsumoku models.