Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

[Kam]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Yup, that's a Matsu. It looks similar to my old Westone Thunder which was made in the Matsumoku plant in '84, I think.

If you're looking for more info, there's a forum on Westone.info that I used to frequent occasionally. They're obviously more focused on Westones, but those guys know everything about every damn scrap of wood that ever came out of that factory.

That's an awesome looking guitar and if it's anything like my Thunder, the quality will be really high. Enjoy it, man! :beerchug:

 

[Artie]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Thanks for that resource Kam. Checking it out as we speak.

Edit: Wow! That page is awesome. Apparently, those three switches are original. Only the LED is out of place. My axe appears to be either a Thunder IIA or a Thunder III. (Or, either of those two is my Vantage.) Chicken or egg?

Outstanding resource.

Artie

 

[daan]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

http://www.matsumoku.org/models/vantage/vantage.html
I Looooooove these guitars. I have a nice Skylark and a husk that I'm working on. You can tell a Mats. guitar in like one second, once you know what they are... I think there are about ten different "brand names" they gave these, but they're mostly similar. And very high quality, as you probably noticed. The ONLY thing I never liked about these are the headstocks, but I know that's ridiculous of me to worry about that... Back in the day when these were new I knew a kid with one, but all of us turned our noses up at it because it wasn't a "brand name" guitar, duuuuuhh... And I should have been snapping them up ten or 12 years ago when they sold for like half of what they go for now!
Nice guitar, keep us updated on the resto!

 

[Artie]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Thanks Daan. Another nice resource. I'll keep you all informed. The bridge pup is on it's way to Zhang, as we speak, for rewinding.

 

[mijaddict]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Love Matsumoku guitars. Reminds me of the Skylark I used to own.

Sent from my LG-D851 using Tapatalk

 

[daan]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

(thread hi-jack) which Skylark did you have? I got a blue one, couldn't be happier with it. (end hi-jack)

To the OP, how heavy is your Vantage? My Skylark is a couple pounds more than my Strat (copy), but not unduly heavy. I got to mess with a Cardinal once that was Norlin-era LP weight, felt like 14 pounds! It played and sounded great, though.

 

[Artie]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

To the OP, how heavy is your Vantage?

It's 7 pounds, with the pickups removed. Feels like a Strat to me.

 

[thrill74]

Re: Strange new project: MIJ Vantage VP795

Did you know what year it was made btw?