NGD: Japanese Vintage...

[RorySquier]

Here's a gem I picked up at the pawn shop with some Covid-19 money. It is an El Degas Studio guitar made in Japan. These guitars were made from 1979 to the early 1980's. The first ones were made in Japan and the later ones made in Korea. They were exclusive to the Canadian market so availability in the U.S. might be rare. Mine was made in Japan so it is one of the early ones...probably 1979? I got a great deal on this one for only $250 (no tax).

There's not a whole lot of info on this one but I know it has a 25 1/4" scale length...just short of a Fender but longer than a Gibson or PRS. The pickups in this guitar are SUPER KILLER! I also love the bridge with the brass saddles and is a string-thru-body like a Telecaster guitar...early ones. This guitar has somewhat an unusual body shape but the upper fret access is phenomenal. It has such a cool vintage vide to it. I believe the body is oak with either pine or maple with a rosewood center stripe. I plan to spend some quality time with this vintage axe.












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[ArtieToo]

Thread title is interesting, because your guitar is very close to my Matsumoku built Vantage. Matsumoku built a lot of guitars for a lot of people.
I wonder if your Degas is one?

[RorySquier]

Thread title is interesting, because your guitar is very close to my Matsumoku built Vantage. Matsumoku built a lot of guitars for a lot of people.
I wonder if your Degas is one?

Wow...your guitar is super nice! It has 2 center stripes compared to mine with one and a set-neck.. I'm trying to find out info on El Degas so maybe Matsumoku built? El Degas was a French guitar maker that started back in the early 1970's and moved operations to Japan in the late 1970's. Maybe they could have been made at Fuji-Gen? I'll try to find moire info. Thanks food posting your lovely axe.



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[ArtieToo]

Thanks. It's yet another project waiting for some time and TLC. I hope I get to it.

[Synapsys]

Cool axe, congrsts.

Looking at the headstock, I see where ESP got the inspiration for the Eclipse headstock...

[RorySquier]

Cool axe, congrsts.

Looking at the headstock, I see where ESP got the inspiration for the Eclipse headstock...

You are absolutely right! An ESP headstock...that is dead on!



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[GuitarDoc]

Before I read your post, I looked at the pics and thought you were going to say that you picked it up at a pawn shop for $49. I don't know anything about that guitar but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have paid $250. Perhaps you got a steal on a fun addition to a collection of antiques?

[RorySquier]

Before I read your post, I looked at the pics and thought you were going to say that you picked it up at a pawn shop for $49. I don't know anything about that guitar but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have paid $250. Perhaps you got a steal on a fun addition to a collection of antiques?

Long time no see me friend!




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