Vintage Framus Strato Deluxe Star Bass from the 1960s

guitarz.blogspot.com:

We looked a a Framus Strato Deluxe a few weeks ago in this post. I actually got to play that very guitar briefly at a guitar show in town a couple of weeks ago.

Now I find it's bass brother in this Framus Strato Deluxe Star Bass.

Again, the look of these German guitars impress me. This bass is in desperate need of a setup though as I could likely fit my head between the strings and the fretboard at the 12th fret. But with a couple of shims and some tweaks this could be a real player, and at $300 Canadian it could be a great way to go vintage and funky on a budget.

R.W. Haller

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Gretsch Elliot Easton signature guitar from 2005

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This awesome Elliot Easton Signature guitar has all the awesome "G's" happening. It's a green, gold, and glorious Gretsch. 

What more could a boy ask for?

R.W. Haller

© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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Beautiful Watson Mustang copy guitar. A made in Japan 1970s Fender copy

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There's a rare elegance to this made in Japan Watson Mustang that you do not usually find on the Mustang. Don't get me wrong, I love Mustangs, but they most are often associated with a more rock and roll aesthetic.

This 1970s Kiro Suzuki made Mustang gets its great look from an awesome wine colour that has aged to vintage perfection.

R.W. Haller

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1925 Stromberg-Voisinet Tenor guitar, from the company that became Kay

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This is a beautiful 90 year old tenor guitar. She's had some work done to keep her looking young. With a spruce top, birch back and sides, and mother-of-toiletseat fretboard it's hard not to love this odd shaped tenor.

I'm always surprised when I see a tenor guitar with a pin-less bridge. Even though I know that the tension is similar to a regular six string ( if using a string gauge that accommodates the scale and pitch) I always feel like the bridge could fly off at any moment.

R.W. Haller

© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

You say Fender, we say Fendar! A not-fender copy with identity issues.

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There's a lot to be said about this Fendar acoustic guitar, and not much of it is good. Look at that very familiar style logo. Then look at it again. And, again. All in all the name Fendar shows up on this guitar 5 times. The headstock screams Ovation, the guitar looks like it's painted with plastic, and that poor glue-hungry nut makes me cringe.

And possibly saddest of all is the price of $400. Not because it's ridiculously overpriced, but I get the feeling that the seller believes it's worth that and likely paid even more for it themself.

R.W. Haller

© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

Kiro Suzuki and Grand Guitar Co. acoustics with relative sound hole.

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While doing a little research into Suzuki guitars for a possible repair/purchase I came across these pictures on a facebook group dedicated to Suzuki guitar fans. Apparently these old Suzuki guitars are amongst the best for made in Japan quality in the 1970s and get high praises from those who own and play them.

These 2 guitars, a Kiro Suzuki and a Grand Guitar that were quite obviously made around the same time in the same place have what is called a Relative Sound Hole according to the label on the Grand Guitar. I admit, I'm a little puzzled by this one. I understand offset sound holes, and sound holes on the upper bout, but what's the advantage here, other than to give the guitar an odd crop-circle-esque appeal?

Thoughts?

R.W. Haller


© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

Rare Canadian Made Slivatone Resonator Guitar from 1935

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When I first saw the ad for this 1925 Silvatone Resonator, I just assumed that it was a misspelling of Silvertone. But wait, was Silvertone around in 1935? Did they make resonators?

As it turns out, Silvatone is the name of guitars built by Charles Edward Brasher in Toronto in the time before WWII. It sounds like there wasn't many made and even fewer that still exist.

If it's as rare as that, it'll likely not last long at $1500.

R.W. Haller

© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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MF Exclusive Acoustic guitar with interesting bridge/non-bridge

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I'd not heard of MF guitars before seeing this interesting specimen from 1994.

Apparently this MF Exclusive Acoustic is made from one piece of wood, not counting the fretboard. I do like the innovative and simple "bridge" and saddle design. Very unique indeed.

R.W. Haller

© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
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1909 Gibson L-1 Archtop acoustic with Leather case

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I contacted the seller of this 1909 Gibson L-1 Archtop guitar since it was mentioned in the ad that it came with a great story. I received this reply:

"As the story goes on that Gibson....It belonged to a preacher that rode a moped across Canada with this guitar in that leather case on his back. The guitar was later given to his son who kept it in a closet for like 50 years..till now...its in very good condition, as it sat in closet for most of its life."

I'd like to hear some of the stories this semi-closet classic would have to tell from the trip along the way. I've driven across Canada, and cannot imagine what it would have been like on a moped. This stunner did it on the back of a preacher, only to be kept in a closet for 50 years after that. I hope it goes to someone who can give it stories again.

R.W. Haller

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Please read our photo and content policy.