Les Paul copy... LOOK... What is this thing???

[Pazzesca]

I picked up a copy of my dream guitar today at a garage sale for $20. Well, it's not actually my dream guitar, but definitely a good looking copy of it! I'm curious about what it actually is. The only clue I have is that is says "Made in Japan" on the back plate. Otherwise, it seems well made, but it's obviously a copy, and has no logo or any other markings on it at all. Can anyone help? Thanks!

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/members/pazzesca-albums-my-les-paul-copy-3.html

 

[truckermde]

gotta post a pic, at least

 

[BugsyB]

Without a pic here's a wild guess...you found an old Hondo or series A...you know the crap Sears used to sell for $120....can't beat an electric that you actually like for $20...who really cares what brand it is at that price ...just enjoy the thing and get to wearing those frets out.

 

[E55eT]

I dont know what kind of guitar this is. Cool tho!

And you guys, if you won't bother to klick the link to watch the pics.... well....

 

[schaapie]

 

[GammyBird]

Ah the ol' no-name brand.

One of these maybe?

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/other-les-pauls/166022-my-no-name-les-paul-ad-can-you-id-please.html

Welcome to the forum.

 

[twchua]

Looks pretty cool for 20 bucks.
If the neck is straight and it stays in tune, I say you've got a good deal.
Play it for a few years and I bet someone will be willing to take it off you for 20 bucks...
I would...

Even if it doesn't make a sound, you can still hang it on the wall...

 

[MrGansburg]

Looks very similar (sans the logo) to this one - 1970s Columbus LP Style Electric Guitar NO 3 JAPAN £49 | eBay.

Ebay no 150996219374 if link doesn't work.

 

[jacco]

Made in Japan on the back plate (= bolt-on) and no rounded fretboard end usually means mid 70s Matsumoku made.

 

[Kezman]

Not bad for $20

 

[Pazzesca]

Wow, thanks for all the response, folks! Sorry the link to the photos wasn't obvious. It turned into the word "Facebook" after I posted the URL, but I edited the posting to make it more obvious now. **** Thanks to Schaapie for reposting the photos for me!!!! ****

The guitar works and seems to stay in tune so far but I need to put the new strings on it now and really test it out... and plug it into the good amp. I only plugged it into the amp they gave me with the guitar for $10 (premier ultravox p-50, if that's an additional clue) and strummed once to see if it worked. But, yeah, it looks about as cool as it gets!

Jacco, you said, "Made in Japan on the back plate (= bolt-on) and no rounded fretboard end usually means mid 70s Matsumoku made." What do you mean about no rounded fretboard? And the "made in japan' plate isn't bolted on, I don't think. See photo I added to the Facebook folder. It is screwed on. Unless you call that bolted on, as opposed to glued on. What do you think?

More clues: It does seem old/vintage, but it's either been well-cared for, or some hardware has been replaced. The rhythm/treble metal part thing is obviously original and looks a little old, but everything else seems untarnished and shiny. On the headstock, the diamond design is definitely mother of pearl inlay, but it is not mother of pearl on the fretboard. The edging design on the body and neck and headstock is yellowing, unless that is the original color. It almost seems like it was made to intentionally look vintage. Is that possible? Did anyone do that?

Okay, thanks for your help. I'd love to solve the mystery. I'll keep it forever, because it's awesome, but it would be nice to know what it really is.

NEW LINK TO PHOTOS IS THIS: http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/members/pazzesca-albums-my-les-paul-copy-3.html

 

[Pazzesca]

The headstock design, including diamond inlay, minus the logo, does look exactly the same as this one. The tuner knobs are not as old and cute as the ones in this ebay guitar, but they could have been replaced, I suppose. Is it possible that Columbia made some without their logo? I know very little about all this, but I'm learning lots, and fast!

*** This post was intended as a reply to post #8 on this thread. I guess I don't know how to do this forum thing! ***

 

[Pazzesca]

Thanks for the welcome!

I can't find anything that looks like it in these Sears catalogs... Is there a direct link to what you're referring to?

*** This post was intended as a reply to post #6 on this thread. I guess I don't know how to do this forum thing! ***

 

[freebyrd 69]

I don't mean to be a goof, and it's great that you love this for $20. Anytime you can score something like that, it's a great thing, but.....what you have at the end of the day is a brand X $20 Les Paul copy. I wouldn't kill yourself trying to figure it out. LOL. It's not worth a bunch of dough or anything. Just play the crap out of it!

 

[Pazzesca]

freebyrd 69: I wouldn't consider this little effort to find its origin "killing myself" but thanks for the advice, anyway. Please don't worry about me. I'm naturally curious, and it's a nice learning opportunity. And a mystery. Who doesn't love to solve a mystery? And there was never any doubt that it's NOT "worth a bunch of dough or anything" since it's NOT actually a Les Paul! Yeah, I'm a lot smarter than I look, fella!

I'm going to look into the "mid 70s Matsumoku" possibility, but I'm still wondering if anyone manufactured Les Paul copies with the intention of making them look vintage?

Anyway, this guitar gives off really sweet vibes. I get a happy feeling just looking at it. So, I will continue to appreciate any and all information and/or clues folks can help me out with. Thanks, everyone!!!

Rock on!

NEW link to photos: http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/members/pazzesca-albums-my-les-paul-copy-3.html

 

[tonebone]

. See photo I added to the Facebook folder. It is screwed on.

Link goes to unavailable. Please post pics. There are instructions here. (hint, FAQ)

Welcome aboard. Keep the first one, you can compare the next few "you can't live without" to it.

 

[Phoenix59]

Link goes to unavailable. Please post pics. There are instructions here. (hint, FAQ)

You don't try very hard, do you, tonebone?

​

 

[cheetah77]

Cool LP!

 

[Pazzesca]

Link goes to unavailable. Please post pics. There are instructions here. (hint, FAQ)

Welcome aboard. Keep the first one, you can compare the next few "you can't live without" to it.

HEY!!! THANKS for suggesting that I post photos the correct way... I did it!!!



http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/members/pazzesca-albums-my-les-paul-copy-3.html

 

[BGD]

I had that same guitar (or at least one that was identical to it). I was told it was made by Ibanez. All I can tell you is that it was fun for the first week, but that thing did not hold up well on tour. Not at all. My Hondo II was about ten times better and more durable, actually. What's that tell you?