Mystery Les Paul copy identification thread

[southernsontn]

sorry about that, I assumed that the logo would be the best indicator. I'm currently babysitting my grandson, but tomorrow, I'll post some more pics. What pics would one need to help in identifying the maker?

 

[reborn old]

Not a problem, and welcome to the forum BTW

The headstock badge and LPC inlay are important as you say.
A pic of the entire control cavity route shot from above (not from an angle)
often offers the best clues as to which company manufactured your guitar.

There are usually small build difference details over the entire guitar,
so pics of headstock back, body front + back and entire fretboard,
might also help identify and date roughly when the guitar was made, when there is no serial number.

Only if/when strings come off => pics of pickup cavities,
bridge and tailpiece bottom stampings if any.

 

[workerunit]

Hi everyone, yet another new guy with a mystery LP. Bought this at a pawn shop under the mistaken impression that it was an epiphone. I was obviously mistaken (not exactly an epiphone expert), but hopefully, someone can help me identify it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have one very similar, I bought new back in the 70's. I believe it is a "Westminster" brand. Mine has a bolt on neck with LPC type inlays and laminate body. I believe mine was made in Korea.

 

[southernsontn]

ok, let's try this now:

Any of these pics help out at all?

 

[southernsontn]

I have one very similar, I bought new back in the 70's. I believe it is a "Westminster" brand. Mine has a bolt on neck with LPC type inlays and laminate body. I believe mine was made in Korea.

know of anywhere that I can look up info on them?

 

[reborn old]

It's Samick made as I suspected, most likely from early to mid 80's.
(possibly earlier .. if identical to workerunit's)

You can find a lot of similar examples by Googling "Samick Hondo II"
I couldn't find anything on the W badge or what music company ordered these.

Early 1980's Korean LP's adopted some characteristics of 1972 Japan models like rounded fretboard corners above the neck pickup, slotted and sleeved bridge screws, but not much in common with 1970's
Matsumoku made Westminster models.

A few things aren't original ... Grover tuners, neck plate, and the 3 screw
mounted neck pickup ... possibly a valuable Maxon pickup ?
Look for a pickup model engraved on pickup back plate if you ever remove it.
70's Grovers in good condition can be worth $$'s also.

Hope this helps

Any possibility of posting pics of yours workerunit ?
Made in Korea 1970's examples are pretty uncommon.

 

[southernsontn]

It's Samick made as I suspected, most likely from early to mid 80's.
(possibly earlier .. if identical to workerunit's)

So basically, Samick doesn't just make their own stuff, they rebadge them for other guitar makers?

Early 1980's Korean LP's adopted some characteristics of 1972 Japan models like rounded fretboard corners above the neck pickup, slotted and sleeved bridge screws, but not much in common with 1970's
Matsumoku made Westminster models.

So did Westminster start ordering from Korea, or is this not a Westminster?

See, I didn't even think about it being a Samick, since I own a Samick Les Paul, and they really don't look anything alike. I'm not arguing or anything, just trying to understand a little more of the history behind these guitars. I guess they changed the design over the years in order to distinguish themselves from Epiphone?

My other Samick:

A few things aren't original ... Grover tuners, neck plate, and the 3 screw
mounted neck pickup ... possibly a valuable Maxon pickup ?
Look for a pickup model engraved on pickup back plate if you ever remove it.
70's Grovers in good condition can be worth $$'s also.

So then it's probably worth the 80 bucks I spent on it?

Hope this helps

It helped immensely, thank you.

 

[reborn old]

Thanks for pics of your LPC.

So basically, Samick doesn't just make their own stuff, they rebadge them for other guitar makers?

Samick has always produced orders for a very long list of other badge names. Too many to document, I suspect.
In 1989 they began also producing electric guitars using the Samick name for about 10 years until Bennett guitars became their house brand.
I've heard that they've returned to using Samick as the house brand name,
but can't confirm this with examples.

So did Westminster start ordering from Korea, or is this not a Westminster?

Since workerunit said he bought his new in the '70's and believes his is a Westminster,
he might know more and in a better position to answer.
I found nothing online tying the Westminster name to W badged examples,
or any references to Samick made Westminster LP's.

So then it's probably worth the 80 bucks I spent on it?

I don't appraise guitars, but I would think so, and probably more,
if the neck pickup is a Maxon with a Super '70 or Super '58 stamped baseplate.

I posted pics of a similar 1984 Samick Hondo II below for comparison purposes

 

[sotosprince]

Hi everyone! I m interested in buying a mij les paul copy from the mid 60's. However,the owner has no clue about the manufacturer. Please take a look at these pictures posted here.

??????? & ????? - LP copy

You can also check the guitar here.

https://x.myspacecdn.com/new/common/swf/APIPlayer.2.18.0.428.62ebae27785988c507221eb3bc6ed2b8.swf#1|myspace.com|https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.gr%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dantonisplatakos%2540yahoo.gr%26ie%3Dutf-8%26oe%3Dutf-8%26gws_rd%3Dcr%26ei%3DYVDsVOmuBKKeygO1wYGQBg?enableBeacons=false&type=video&id=108599967&lid=undefined

 

[teheskimo]

Hello! Like the post above mine, I've also come across a mij lp for sale that I'm interested in. The seller claims it is a Matsumoku from the 70's but doesn't say much else about it. I don't know much about these lps other than I've heard you can luck out and find a real gem. The seller wants about $300 for it which wont break my bank but I just want to know a bit about it and if its a possible good buy. Here are a few pics of it, any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[reborn old]

Sorry guys, but it's difficult making brand determinations based only on removeable hardware and plastics,
so pics of cavity routing would be a requirement for more obscure brands, if you have them.

teheskimo, again without the benefit of cavity route pics, I'm leaning towards Cort (cor-tek) Korea GE-20 manufacture, rather than Matsumoku Japan, as a guess on this one, but no idea who these were made for at the moment.

If the tweed case is included, it would probably be a fair price based on condition, but your money might be better spent on a Japan model costing a few 100 more .. but not requiring electrics upgrades, of that is within your budget.

When you upgrade Korean or China model electrics, your investment is potentially lost at resale time unless you return everything to original and keep parts that you improved the guitar with.

 

[shawnerroneous]

No clue about what this is, ive looked everywhere. Could use some help please.

 

[Mr Teeny]

No clue about what this is, ive looked everywhere. Could use some help please.

SoCal Guitar Works PRC series - Bully $199 new

Electric Guitars - 6 String - So Cal Guitars

 

[swampblues]

82 Tokai, any idea what model?

 

[Matty]

LS120 I'd say.

 

[swampblues]

I was at 120 or 150 but has no Feb, so I can't tell Thanks Matty

 

[Matty]

I think I see FEB, and looks like a veneered top.

 

[swampblues]

I think I see FEB, and looks like a veneered top.

Glad you see better than me. I don't need veneer

 

[KristianJ]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Navarra-...65?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item2edf0cbbb1

Something I stumbled across during my lunch break...

I can ask the seller for pics of the cavities, but hopefully the stamping on the underside of the original pickups might be enough of a clue.

 

[reborn old]

Original Maxon pickups date to 1972.
Guitar characteristics date to a 1972 - 1973 range.

A control cavity pic would be helpful, as a number of companies used the same hardware.