Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

[Artie]

My luthier friend just handed this to me today. A forgotten project from somebody else. It's a rare old MIJ Vantage VP795. The first pic is one that I found on-line, showing what it should have looked like when new-ish:



The next three are what mine actually is. I wish I had snagged some photos before I took it apart. Somebody butchered this. (Electronically, more than physically.)

Note: They added an LED and a switch . . . that do nothing. I'm going to bring this baby back to life. You have to see this axe in person. It's very cool.







Artie

 

[beandip]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Dude, I used to have a Memphis branded guitar *exactly* like that! Minus the crazy switches. Looks like a great project, I hope you have a blast with it.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Interesting neck joint. Tenon and a screw!

I cannot recall whether the paddle switches were mode per pickup or one for simultaneous coil split on both and the other for phase reversal. The third switch with LED suggests an attempt at adding a booster device of some description.

 

[Artie]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Interesting neck joint. Tenon and a screw!

Yeah . . . I found a description of this online somewhere. They described it as a "reverse bolt-on".

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Sweet man! Looks like a fun project!

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Imitation neck-through?

Two coil taps and an onboard Fuzz?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

"reverse bolt-on".

Very like Brian May's original Red Special and its best replicas.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

I like the neck join. I have plans to make something similar.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Tasty!!!
:wave:

 

[IndySG]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

I like it - looks like a nice, well made guitar - I'd have to get rid of those mini-switches but I know some folk like 'em! The neck looks quite chunky too, not like those thin flat "shredder" necks that seem so popular now - and yes, I am old fashioned!

 

[Artie]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Two coil taps and an onboard Fuzz?

Or maybe, that built-in version of the SFX-01 booster. Could be cool.

I like it - looks like a nice, well made guitar - I'd have to get rid of those mini-switches but I know some folk like 'em! The neck looks quite chunky too, not like those thin flat "shredder" necks that seem so popular now - and yes, I am old fashioned!

Yeah, the neck feels great. The first two switches are stock, but the third and LED were added. I'd love to dump those, but I'm not sure I could cover and/or hide those holes very well in that nice wood.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Needs Cream rings/Gold knobs IMO...

 

[Artie]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Needs Cream rings/Gold knobs IMO...

Hmmm . . . maybe. :33:

Btw, did I mention that this thing came with a pair of Dimarzio's in it. An old Super Distortion in the bridge, and not sure what the neck is. It's a normal configuration with screws/studs and measures 7.72k @ 68 deg's F.

Both are double-cream. Only the neck is 2-wire.

The Super-D has an open coil but I PM'ed Zhangliqun to see if he could rewind it.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

sounds like an old dimarzio paf

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Hmmm . . . maybe. :33:

Btw, did I mention that this thing came with a pair of Dimarzio's in it.

Both are double-cream. I know they're both old because both are 2-wire.

The Super-D has an open coil but I PM'ed Zhangliqun to see if he could rewind it.

Even better!!!
I was gonna mention Double Creams as well,but didn't wanna open that can of worms...

FWIW,if you're going to get it re-wound,you'll probably wanna get it (re-?)potted,as well.

 

[Artie]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

sounds like an old dimarzio paf

That's what I was thinking/hoping.

Even better!!!
I was gonna mention Double Creams as well,but didn't wanna open that can of worms...

FWIW,if you're going to get it re-wound,you'll probably wanna get it (re-?)potted,as well.

This wasn't potted to begin with, but I'll see what Dave thinks.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

three knobs, three switches, plus a pup selector with two buckers? so much fun to be had. and a led hole to boot!

 

[ginormous]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Looked up some history on Vantage... it's a Matsumoku.

Matsumoku’s Atak Gains The Ad-Vantage (1984 Quest Atak-6 MK II Electric Guitar)

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Thought it was a Matsu...

A buddy had an older Vantage V(bolt-on) that just killed.

 

[Artie]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Looked up some history on Vantage... it's a Matsumoku.

Matsumoku’s Atak Gains The Ad-Vantage (1984 Quest Atak-6 MK II Electric Guitar)

Wow! Great link. I did quite a bit of searching and still didn't find that. Thanks Ginormous.

I love the part where Matsumoku was purchased by the Singer Sewing Machine Co.