Vantage Avenger AV-75. Awesomely Green Korean Guitar

guitarz.blogspot.com:

It's easy to draw lines in the sand. I do it all the time. Sure, I'm often wrong, but I do it anyways.

Here is a fine example of that.

I've long thought that the only Vantage guitars worth any thought or ounce of precious time were those built in Japan. No exceptions.

This Vantage Avenger AV-75 has proven me wrong.

I cannot speak to the sound or playability of these guitars as I've never played one, but I do love the look of this guitar. With the understated controls on a HSS design, and the slight similarity to a Tiesco Tulip, it shouldn't be to hard to defend my love. Yet for some reason I feel the need to. Why is that?

Also, what a great shade of green.

R.W. Haller





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Neck-Through Vintage Yamaha SC1200

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I love what Yamaha was doing in the 1970s. I doubt there is a guitar ( or motorcycle for that matter) that they built that decade that I wouldn't be happy to have.

This SC1200 is a more conventional offering but still a great looking neck through guitar. I, apparently,  love the hippy sandwich. I also love that they didn't top off the headstock with a veneer so you can see the "sammich" tip to tail.

Currently listed for $800 Canadian

R.W. Haller


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Banjocaster. Custom made Telecaster conversion

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I recently purchased a 1970s era made in Japan banjo and I was doing some internet searching to figure out if it was sold under a specific brand as it has no name ( my best guess so far is that its an Iida.....but will keep looking ).

In my searching I came across this great little custom project.
This Banjocaster looks like it was built from a fairly entry level Telecaster, or from parts of that quality level.

The idea is great even if some of the work is not of the highest fit and finish. Plus I'd love to hear Foggy Mountain Breakdown through that humbucker.

R.W. Haller


© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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Status custom one-off doubleneck 5-string bass and 6-string guitar

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This particular guitar/bass satisfies both my current obsessions at the moment, namely (1) doublenecked guitar bass combos, and (2) headless guitars and basses. I was pretty sure I'd never seen a doubleneck from Status before, but reading the seller's description on this eBay auction it seems that this beast has been created by customising a Status Series 2000 bass with a graphite through neck and basically adding the whole guitar section. The work was carried out by AC Guitars, who also hand-carved the bolt-on guitar neck from maple and ebony.

The seller had this made for a Genesis tribute band (we'd best gloss over that quickly before I start one of my anti-tribute band rants) but which work obligations meant that he wasn't able to participate in. That's a very specialised instrument and a lot of financial outlay for a project that didn't come to fruition.

Yet again I have to get on my usual hobby horse and say that the necks are the wrong way around. OK, call it "opinion" if you will, but I truly believe that it makes much more sense to have the bass neck BELOW the guitar neck. It's simply a better layout, giving improved access to the strings on each neck ...unless you like a bass slung really high up on your chest. (I don't.) The balance of the instrument should also be improved, although maybe that isn't such an issue when the necks are headless.

Also, think about it, if you wanted a doubleneck guitar/mandolin combo, you wouldn't put the smaller mandolin neck beneath the guitar neck, would you? Illogical.

Despite all that, it's a really interesting piece and showcases some excellent custom work from AC Guitars. Currently listed on eBay UK with a starting price of £725.

G L Wilson

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Fantastic 1980 Beneteau Grand Auditorium

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Marc Beneteau is a famed Canadian luthier. He came up in a time when we were producing such guitar builders as Jean Larrivee, Linda Manzer, Grit Laskin, and Sergie DeJonge, to name a few.

I've had the pleasure of playing 3 different Beneteaus over the years and they were all fantastic. The pictures of the 1989 Beneteau Grand Auditorium do not do it justice as it is likely to be a stunner in real life. Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides.

I think I'm in love.

It's also looks to have some wear on it as well, and that makes me so happy. There is something to be said for mint condition instruments I guess, but it usually makes me sad to think that a quality guitar is getting treated more like a painting than the awesome instrument it is.
That is not the case here.

Currently listed at what I would call a very reasonable $2400.

R.W. Haller

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Please read our photo and content policy.

Strangely compelling Quest Atak 1 from the 1980s

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I have to start this post with a disclaimer. 

I do not really like the "metal" guitars of the 1980s. Even during the 80s when I did indeed have teenage predilections towards metal, I did not like the guitars. 

So, why would I post an obvious 1980s metal guitar? Why would I post a guitar with a spider web on the pick guard?

I like it. 

I like it, like, a lot. 

There are indeed things that I would change on this Quest Atak 1. It would not have a spider web, it would be a hardtail bridge, and I'd not have used red for the any of the colouring or, especially, the fret markers.

But the overall shape and design of this guitar is quite desirable to me.

I refuse to hide my shame.

Anyone with me on this?

R.W. Haller

© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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Very odd and beautiful custom made guitar by H.M. Philips - Blue Moon Guitars

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I feel this will be a polarizing post.

I think you will either love or hate this custom made guitar, according to the inside label it's called a Blue Moon, made by H.M Phillips. It is indeed very unique. A quick internet search only yielded the kijiji ad and a few other online seller ads for this particular guitar.

Based on the pictures, this seems to be an extremely well made guitar. It sports a nice spruce top, koa back and sides, and a mahogany neck. The offset soundhole and odd body shape take a bit to get used to but I really like it. It should also be noted that it has 26 frets. What notes lie beyond the 15th fret are usually a mystery to me, but for the more adventurous player this could be a big plus. It also comes with a custom built form fitting case, very classy.

I'd really like to see what other guitars this luthier has built. I'll have to do more online sleuthing later.

Selling for $2200 Canadian

R.W. Haller

© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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DeArmond S67 Seven String Solid Body Guitar

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I'm not a seven string player. Years ago I briefly owned a 7 string Ibanez Acoustic and found that i never used the low B string. I eventually took it off, then sold the guitar.

If I were to decide to try again, i think I've found the guitar I would get. 

This DeArmond S67 is a nicely understated take on an SG style body and to me looks a lot less "metally"or aggressive as many 7 string offerings. 

On a related topic, has anyone here ever tried to string a 7 string with a high A instead of a low B? I suspect much potential for string breakage, but maybe there is something I don't know. What is the thinnest high string you've seen?

R.W. Haller

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Please read our photo and content policy.

Silvertone Semi-Hollow form the 1960s with Slider Controls

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Here is a great example of the "budget" guitars from the 1960s. This Silvertone Semi-hollow would have been purchased at Simpsons and used until you could afford a "real" guitar.

I love the look of this well maintained beauty. From the zero fret to the slider controls, and an intact tremolo, there is a lot to like.

Currently at $550 Canadian.

R.W. Haller


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Please read our photo and content policy.