Mystery Les Paul copy identification thread

[Andy_G]

Hi guys, first time posting as I'm in a bit of a pickle here trying to find any information on this guitar I've gotten from my brother in law.
The only identifying mark is the "Casa Rossa" title on the head, and I've heard some rumors they're cheap guitars from Italy but nothing else to support it. Can't find anything but a few old ebay listings on them either. Anyone know anything about them?

Here's some photos of the guitar itself, got some of the internals as well if they help:

 

[reborn old]

Welcome to MLP Andy

Tuners, pots, toggle switch, slotted bridge posts threaded into bushings,
3 screw TRC, tombstone headstock shape, and thick 1 ply scratchguard
point to Samick Korea manufacture.

The curved control cavity shape is a first ... for me anyway, thanks for posting it !

That triangular truss rod cover shape was used from about 1997 ~ 2001,
and on Greg Bennett Samick house brand LP's beyond 2001.

Casa Rossa is an Italian record label amongst possibly thousands of other references
using that name, so it's anybody's guess as to who actually commissionned the build.

 

[Andy_G]

Welcome to MLP Andy

Tuners, pots, toggle switch, slotted bridge posts threaded into bushings,
3 screw TRC, tombstone headstock shape, and thick 1 ply scratchguard
point to Samick Korea manufacture.

The curved control cavity shape is a first ... for me anyway, thanks for posting it !

That triangular truss rod cover shape was used from about 1997 ~ 2001,
and on Greg Bennett Samick house brand LP's beyond 2001.

Casa Rossa is an Italian record label amongst possibly thousands of other references
using that name, so it's anybody's guess as to who actually commissionned the build.

Thanks for the info there mate, makes it seem a hell of a lot less dodgy. Glad you liked the photos, always good to share.

Surprising to find out how widespread Samick parts and guitars are, thought there was still a high variety of companies making them.

 

[Kyon Thinh]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to guitar, just got this so I can start learning, but I would like to know about it.
The brand JustIn is rebranded name from JustMusic Germany. Their les paul stopped in 2005, but their line name was Les Paul Boston, so I think this one is dated before 2000, maybe 90s or even 80s. That's all I know.

From what I see, the body is from 3 pieces wood, isnt it? So I hope it is not plywood.

 

[reborn old]

Hi Kyon Thinh,

Welcome to MLP

It is definitely made in Korea, most likelly by Samick, like the the
Casa Rossa model above yours.
Both share the same triangular truss rod cover, tuners, slotted bridge posts,
a curved control cavity shape that no one else I know, uses.

The back appears to be solid construction. You would see layers of dark horizontal lines
in the control cavity if it was ply construction.

Sorry, I'm not too sure when it was produced.
Late 90's ~ mid 2000's as a best guess.

 

[reborn old]

Hi Kyon Thinh,

Welcome to MLP

It is definitely made in Korea, most likelly by Samick,
like the the Casa Rossa model above yours.
Both share the same triangular truss rod cover, tuners, slotted bridge posts,
and a curved control cavity shape that no one else, that I'm aware of, uses.

The back appears to be solid construction.
You would see layers of dark horizontal lines in the control cavity if it was ply construction.

Sorry, I'm not too sure when it was produced.
Late 90's ~ mid 2000's is my best guess.

 

[Kyon Thinh]

Thanks reborn, I also think it is solid construction.
After researching a little bit more, I think mine is the last series before Bennett line, which is nothing to complain. For 125 EUR I think it is good already.

 

[Northwinds]

Picked this up, the Dimarzio pickup in the bridge is worth more then I paid for the guitar. I have seen Cort Les Paul copies before but never one this finish. Reminds me of a Gibson I lusted for in the 80s. This is setneck, no serial number triple binding and needs two machinehead keys. Weighs in at 9.2lbs. The rosewood board is BEAUTIFUL, nice and dark w/ nicely fitted inlays. I am not sure if the toggle is inside the cavity, I just got her home and will probably get cleaning it up sometime this week. Plugged it in and it plays so that's a start

 

[BadPenguin]

Greetings all. First time poster here. Well, anyway, while in a pawn shop in the Northwest USA a few years ago, I picked a "Gibson" badly faked for 150. After getting it home, and removing the decal, and the paint under it, I discovered the name "Manoman" Never heard of them, and I have been with guitars in tech and selling for over 30 years, so I was intrigued. Still am, 5 years later.
Body is one piece of mahogany, top, maple I assume is 2 piece. Neck, maple, with typical Korean scarf joint at the 3rdish fret. Fretboard has the tree of life inly, similar to Electra's for the 70's. Hardware..... well, I think that's been replaced a few times in it's life, so no help there. (notice the different screw holes for a trapeze, or a Bigsby tailpiece?) Pickups that were in it, were a late 70 Dimarzio Dual Sound, and a Duncan where the label fell off. Pots were DiMarzio 250K. Nut is bone. And, it weighs 11.8 lbs.

Anyone has a clue as to who Manoman is/was? (And yes, this is one of the finest playing guitars I have ever laid my paws on, and use this when judging Pauls. Haven't pickup one up yet that matches it.)

 

[reborn old]

Hi .. welcome to the forum !

Is there any chance you could post a pic of the entire vol/tone control cavity with the cover off ?
No guaranrees .. as your LP is unique in several respects, but control cavity shape can sometimes yield clues about the manufacturer at least.
Are the fret markers actual inlays ? .. or decals ?

 

[BadPenguin]

Thank you for the welcome! the fretboard are inlays, a pic of the 12th is included. Here is one of the control cavity.

 

[reborn old]

Your guitar was produced by Chushin Gakki, Japan.

Chushin also produced some of the later 70's Burnys, Freshers,
and some lesser known Maya, Robin, Suntech, Tomson, Vega and Vogue badge production.

I haven't come across other examples of your badge name before.
You should be able to get a year for the CTS pots that were added
at a later date.
Chushin never used serial numbers, but you might find a circular
ink inspection stamp in a pickup cavity if you ever decide to pull pickups.

Chushin's use of fret edge binding and heel caps was common place,
but I've never heard of them using a scarf neck join, so
I would love to see a pic of the join, if you get a chance.

enjoy ... nice looking GT and fretboard work !

 

[BadPenguin]

OK, thank you for that. Had a feeling it was Japanese, but the scarf joint, pictured, threw me off. The pot have been replaced before I go it, they were Dimarzio's from the late 70's, 250K. Along with the pots, the pickups were replaced long before I got it. I also feel that the finish was redone at some point along the way.
I have turned down a trade for a 05 57RI, and laughed as I did so. Without a doubt one of those guitars that will be buried with me!

 

[valek]

Hey guys, was wondering about a guitar i saw advertised as a possible Super Real EGF-1200 on yahoo Japan. The headstock and logo had been butchered (probably to make it say Gibson at some point), so it wasnt clear exactly what is was. i decided not to take the risk because some things didnt add up:

-it was advertised (i think, hard to make out with google translate) as having Dry Z pickups and from what i could tell id didnt have those.
-it had a long neck tenon and Super Reals dont have those from my understanding (not that a long tenon is a bad thing)

it went for 43.500 in the end. I was just wondering if i missed out or dodged a bullet

What i gathered was: 2 piece back, veneer over 2 piece center joined top, long neck tenon, no Fret edge binding, what looks like Greco serial. So could be Mint Collection Greco?

More images here

Translated advert text:
In consignment from the acquaintance, who owner has changed, such as those of the guitar is the previous owner, which is purchased as a Super Real EGF-1200 is head logo before (is completely amateur level)
EGF-1200 pickup Although the famous Z-DRY,
so clue two points of model estimation as described above that has been retrofit has been changed, it will be considered as unspecified
serial, a detailed image that has become a 1 5XXX Since it has up to Yahoo BOX, there you need to give me a bid to reference

us because had long the design engineers of the electronic circuit, the repair of electrical system was done until the level of no problem (no gully, etc.,
Since respect to please check with YouTube) woodworking part (neck, etc.) is the us amateur, the adjustment is the
truss rod in the knowledge level obtained in the range of hobby was a little tightening, I felt that there still remaining (neck of the state is very good)
string height: 12F, 6-string 1.5mm, 1 string 1.5mm 15 fret it does not sound clogging even if chalking by weight: sound hard case

 

[wulfman]

I'd guess 1991 Fujigen Greco. Went a bit high for something with a defaced headstock I'd say.

 

[Liffe]

Hi im new in here. I got one Lespaul copy from 69-72 that i can´t identify, I think its an Vox VG2

The Neckplate is totally blank so i don´t know really..

Can someone help me?

Here´s som pics mathiaslifmark's Story | Photobucket

 

[Morganking]

My father acquired this second hand in the early 90's and I have no clue what it is. As you might be able to see, it is really beat up and scratched, its seen better days.

The Scratch guard is a replacement, because there was already holes in place.
The tuners may be original or replacement, I have no idea and the pickups are likely to be a replacement.

 

[alexandremgj]

Hey guies, ive aquired this guitar about 6 months since them its being on the cirurgi table geting some parts, its a Memphis Les Paul model, i would know the year it was produced, if someone could help me.

 

[Tokai Hunter]

Hi please identify this Greco guitar for me.. its most probably a SA series with an added Bigsby.. and the truss rod cover has been changed...

 

[ultexx]

Hey Guys,

I'm still trying to get my hands on a Les Paul copy in the style of Randy Rhoads and I may have found one.
But I'm not sure about the origin, it has no brand on the headstock, maybe you guys know something about it.
The guitar is about 500€, i couldn't download the pictures so here is the Link