Edwards History?

[Ph03n1x]

I was just wondering when Edwards first started. There is a big thread talking about how they are now partially made in China and final assembly is in Japan. I have read that they were initially made by the same people who make Navigators but the details seem fuzzy. From what I can tell they were first made in the late 80s but I am not sure if there is a way to tell age from serial #.

I just won an auction for this one. Looks like Ebony board. Diamond inlay and fret edge binding suggests this is an early one when they were completely made in Japan. I am hoping it has a thick neck but most reviews suggest Edwards are closer to 59/60 than early 50s profile.

 

[Ph03n1x]

S/N on this shot if anyone knows of a dating system for Edwards. I read an old thread by Udonitron regarding early Edwards. He had a similar looking "Rock Inn" custom. There is a little more info that these early Edwards were 89-90 but not sure how solid that is. I can't even find what year the initial production of Edwards began. Another forum suggested they stopped using FEB in 90 or so. There is another headstock where the font changes but the diamond is still present. Those ones said "made by Navigator" or something similar on the back. I think this one pre-dates those. I doubt it is nitro given how intact the finish looks.

 

[paruwi]

Edwards Guitars—The Whole Story, and More
post #1 ^^
Edwards Guitars—The Whole Story, and More
post #259 ^^

this might get you some information....

 

[Ph03n1x]

Edwards Guitars—The Whole Story, and More
post #1 ^^
Edwards Guitars—The Whole Story, and More
post #259 ^^

this might get you some information....

Yeah, that is the post I was talking about where they mention production shifting to China and final assembly in Japan. No specifics on dates and not many details on specifications of the early models. From what I can gather from forums, Edwards started around '88 or '89 and production was completely in Japan at that time. So the early ones are completely MIJ. But it is uncertain which year the switched to partial manufacture in China. The FEB seems to have been ditched by '90 or '91 but it looks like ebony was continued for the fretboards on the customs. I guess the further details don't matter. I was just curious to find out more about the early history of Edwards.

 

[JTM45]

I'm quickly becoming a fan of the guitars, every one that I've played has been really good and I love the fit and finish.

I'm going to buy more of these beauties

 

[Dino Velvet]

I always liked them, being a lefty ,we don't get a ton of MIJ stuff with good tops. I like the bigger neck and the lighter weight. When I see a deal on one I will usually snatch it. In fact I just bought a custom today in Japan.

 

[Ph03n1x]

Big neck and light weight are good features in my books!

 

[o0mobius0o]

The Edwards ink serials all seem to be from 1989, which was some sort of prototype period. That one translates to 29 June, 1989, production number 062, and you will find CTS pots with a 1989 date code. You outbid me by 1k.

 

[Ph03n1x]

The Edwards ink serials all seem to be from 1989, which was some sort of prototype period. That one translates to 29 June, 1989, production number 062, and you will find CTS pots with a 1989 date code. You outbid me by 1k.

Cool. Thanks for the info. Sorry I outbid you. (Althought it looks like you said you have 10 of these on another post!). They must be good!

 

[dsmcl77]

Partly made in China under ESP supervision or fully Japanese made, who cares? They are great guitars.

Congrats on your new old Edwards.

 

[Ph03n1x]

Partly made in China under ESP supervision or fully Japanese made, who cares? They are great guitars.

Congrats on your new old Edwards.

I would have thought the protoypes in 1989 would be completely MIJ. Not sure when they started partial production in China though. Will likely be a keeper as long as it isn't a boat anchor with a thin neck.

 

[bluesriffdev]

I would have thought the protoypes in 1989 would be completely MIJ. Not sure when they started partial production in China though. Will likely be a keeper as long as it isn't a boat anchor with a thin neck.

From my understanding in an earlier thread, they were MIJ initially, switching to MIC/MIJ only briefly before reverting back to Japanese only production.

 

[o0mobius0o]

Cool. Thanks for the info. Sorry I outbid you. (Althought it looks like you said you have 10 of these on another post!). They must be good!

No problem. It was a fair fight. They are great guitars. I already have a black custom, but it is Zep II.

This one has a nice burst and beautiful solid birds eye top.

 

[Ph03n1x]

Zep II is an awesome logo! Nice birdseye top on the other one too.

No problem. It was a fair fight. They are great guitars. I already have a black custom, but it is Zep II.