The Unofficial Official Anything Bacchus/Momose/Deviser Theory, Photo & ID Thread!

[zeplp87]

I have been out of the MIJ loop for some time, but started looking into the Momose mls1’s. Any advice on how to find them new?

 

[zombywoof]

FROM JAPAN

www.fromjapan.co.jp

 

[zeplp87]

FROM JAPAN

www.fromjapan.co.jp

Many thanks! I noticed the finish is described as “top lacquer” and I haven’t been able to find out if that means it’s nitro over poly like most MIJs or if it’s all nitro. Does anyone have info on this?

 

[GammyBird]

Top layer of lacquer over a thin poly sealer.

 

[zombywoof]

NGD Momose.

Started out life Sonic Blue. Now more Surf Green.
Early model
YUTA pups. Very '60s Strat tone.
Immaculate fret work.

 

[GammyBird]

Beauty!!!

 

[Olds442]

that's sweet.

 

[zombywoof]

NGD Momose Strat #2

As expected the V neck is '54 Big

 

[Central Scrutinizer]

Late to these postings, but beautiful guitars everyone!

 

[Roxy13]

The blue Baccus arrived a week ago. It's in nearly new condtion. Both the top and back are darker than how it looked in the auction pics, but I actually like it better. I found the original SD90 tuners in the gigbag although they won't be going back on since the hole for the shafts was enlarged and the old screw holes were plugged. The keystones on it are nice. It also came with a gold whammy bar for a Floyd Rose lol. That I have no use for but if any of you do, just PM me and it's yours.

I ordered some OX4 Low Winds to try out in it.

Oh and one knob is amber and the other 3 are gold. It seems obvious now in the auction pics but I think I just thought the bottom knob was in shadow a bit. I think it would look best with gold reflectors though so that is probably what it will get.

I have not weighed it yet, but it's definitely heavier than my other two are. I will not be surprised if it's closing in near 10lb.

Pics when it stops raining.

 

[jim777]

I just remember back in 2012 when I was gearing up to buy my first really good guitar, there were a bunch of Bacchus's on the menu that I passed over. Now they're all rarities. I ended up with a Bacchus eventually anyway and it fucking smokes, but that just makes the pain of missing out that much worse.

In '80 I could have bought a legit '58 Burst for $8500, but it was literally every penny I had and I wanted what turned out to be a dog of a Trans Am instead, so I feel 'ya!

 

[Gajimicu]

Hi everyone,
newbie here, 20 years guitarist of fender products and when I grabbed a "junk" greco EG480 from 1976 in a local hardoff shop for ¥16,000 I was convinced I needed a good LP, so I joined this forum to get help to navigate the MIJ world!
I also got a 1976 Fernandes strat for a good price that's awesome with its "cashew" finish that's super thin with a golden sheen. But after tweaking it a lot realized it wasn't made super well with routing imperfection in the neck pocket, the neck sitting too low and needing a shim etc...
I bought a momose strat for a good price and I'm in love with the quality on every level, so now on to find a good MIJ LP!

I read through this entire Crews thread and am starting to understand their lineup a little bit, but man they don't make it easy... makes you miss those vintage MIJ model numbers with the price in the name

So since I have the utmost appreciation for momose, but my friend got a recent crews renewel that's a joy, I'm torn.
I will leave here two identically priced guitars for you to let me know what you think is the best guitar and also if they are priced right. Of course those are almost 5 times what I paid for the momose strat but LP are more expensive all around and those are top of the line model.

They are both at ¥378,000 on digimart.
Crews Maniac Sound Vintage Line LED 1959 K&T NOS TOPS pickups - Lemon Drop 2012
momose MLS-QM/GF16 Sunset Red 5A quilted maple top honduras mahogany 1 piece body 2016

thanks for your help to get me started.
I'm gonna post this same question in the Crews thread just in case

 

[zombywoof]

Hi everyone,
newbie here, 20 years guitarist of fender products and when I grabbed a "junk" greco EG480 from 1976 in a local hardoff shop for ¥16,000 I was convinced I needed a good LP, so I joined this forum to get help to navigate the MIJ world!
I also got a 1976 Fernandes strat for a good price that's awesome with its "cashew" finish that's super thin with a golden sheen. But after tweaking it a lot realized it wasn't made super well with routing imperfection in the neck pocket, the neck sitting too low and needing a shim etc...
I bought a momose strat for a good price and I'm in love with the quality on every level, so now on to find a good MIJ LP!

I read through this entire Crews thread and am starting to understand their lineup a little bit, but man they don't make it easy... makes you miss those vintage MIJ model numbers with the price in the name

So since I have the utmost appreciation for momose, but my friend got a recent crews renewel that's a joy, I'm torn.
I will leave here two identically priced guitars for you to let me know what you think is the best guitar and also if they are priced right. Of course those are almost 5 times what I paid for the momose strat but LP are more expensive all around and those are top of the line model.

They are both at ¥378,000 on digimart.
Crews Maniac Sound Vintage Line LED 1959 K&T NOS TOPS pickups - Lemon Drop 2012
momose MLS-QM/GF16 Sunset Red 5A quilted maple top honduras mahogany 1 piece body 2016

thanks for your help to get me started.
I'm gonna post this same question in the Crews thread just in case

I sold my Crews LED 1959 Aged very recently. Definitely top shelf.
I own a Momose MLS STDII / R which is the perfect guitar for me and my #1.
The Momose you listed is very intriguing with higher specs than mine.
I firmly believe that you cannot go wrong with either.

 

[Gajimicu]

I sold my Crews LED 1959 Aged very recently. Definitely top shelf.
I own a Momose MLS STDII / R which is the perfect guitar for me and my #1.
The Momose you listed is very intriguing with higher specs than mine.
I firmly believe that you cannot go wrong with either.

Thanks for the insight, this is very helpful!
So you sold the Crews LED 1959 in favor of the Momose MLS, this is interesting because from the specs the Crews is a higher grade guitar using "better" wood, most notably a Jacaranda fingerboard vs a simple unnamed Rosewood in case of the Momose.
What do you prefer in the Momose? Did the construction feel better?
The opacity in who makes what model in the crews line doesn't make me feel very comfortable with a potential purchase.
At least with Momose it is clear.

And yes this specific model is quite special, I don't think I would want to spend that much either but it was interesting because both guitars were listed at the same price on Digimart.

 

[JamesT]

Thanks for the insight, this is very helpful!
So you sold the Crews LED 1959 in favor of the Momose MLS, this is interesting because from the specs the Crews is a higher grade guitar using "better" wood, most notably a Jacaranda fingerboard vs a simple unnamed Rosewood in case of the Momose.
What do you prefer in the Momose? Did the construction feel better?
The opacity in who makes what model in the crews line doesn't make me feel very comfortable with a potential purchase.
At least with Momose it is clear.

And yes this specific model is quite special, I don't think I would want to spend that much either but it was interesting because both guitars were listed at the same price on Digimart.

Momose and Crews make amazing guitars but I would tell you that for a fraction of the price, you can get a beautifully made 2010-2012 Bacchus Classic series and add any pickups you like and it will be every bit the player those guitars are. Both Momose and Crews come with higher end pickups and maybe a one piece body as opposed to two piece but the Bacchus guitars can’t be beat at a fraction of that price. If I was spending the money you referenced above, Navigator would be my choice.

 

[JamesT]

2012 Bacchus BLP-STD-FM

This one can hang with any Momose I have played.

 

[Gajimicu]

@JamesT This is a very good point you are making.
I know the handmade series from Bacchus are made in the same factory than Momose, and they even share some of the luthier for the finishing work.
And regarding the pickups, Crews' K&T are supposed to be topshelf but with an insane price tag indeed.
But I couldn't find any information really on Momose pickups, I just know that the ones in my stratocaster, the "Twang50 st" sound really good to my ears. So I can imagine that the Beanoare good too, even though not everyone seem to like them on this forum.

The classic series didn't last long apparently, do you know if it's the same level as the current Craft series or the Handmade series?
I am tempted by a Duke but they don't seem to come up very often...

Anyway my budget is more under ¥200,000 So the Bacchus are indeed an interesting option!

 

[JamesT]

The classic series was on par with the Handmade series. 100% done in Japan. Craft series is partially built elsewhere though they are still nice. The Classic series can be found if you aren’t looking specifically for a flamed top like mine. Just a really great product and the stock pickups are nice, just not anything exciting so swap them out and you have a killer guitar.

 

[wulfman]

I have some Beanos in my Momose Korina V. It is a new guitar to me and they seem quite bright to me, almost in tele territory in a way. However, in a korina flying V I think the sound will be a bit different than in a mahogany body with maple top. Come to think of it, my K&T Weeps were also pretty bright too. The simple solution was to keep the tone at around 5 on the bridge and then dial it up or down as desired.

The Classic series from which JamesT's LP comes from was from 2011-2013 or thereabouts for the first run. The Craft series uses the "Classic" logo on the G-style guitars so it gets a bit confusing and they started adding some veneer flametops to the mix.
For 200,000 yen I'd be tempted to offer up my older Momose LP but I know I'd regret selling it.
You can also look for Navigator LPs in that range sometimes too. They aren't easy to find but non-case queens can be had for decent prices when they show up.

 

[riscado]

I've had K&T weeps in one of my crews and they were very bright pickups. But I agree with what you said, playing with tone settings helped and gives you room to cut though the mix if needed.