SG-type guitar from Argentina

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I wonder if vintage South American-made guitars could be the new collectables in the same way that "Behind the Iron Curtain" soviet-era guitars from Russia and Eastern Europe are becoming quite sought after in certain quarters. Here we see a vintage Argentinian-made guitar that has been quite clearly modelled after the Gibson SG. Note that, as on certain other SG-derived copies, the body shape here is symmetrical, but of course on a "proper" SG the body horns are slightly offset with a bias towards the bass-side. I think the eBay seller hits the nail on the head with the following observations:

Did you know Argentina produced lots of superb electric stringed instruments in the 60's? Honestly, we didn't. Argentina suffered in the end of the 20th century a string of political and economic problems before recently recovering, but it was until the 70's one of the world's most advanced nations, with a cultural creativity that had nothing to envy to Europe. Given its geographic isolation, the country could develop a guitar industry all of its own.

These are the most European guitars ever made outside of Europe. They look like coming from a parallel but similar universe. Besides economy models there are highly elaborate artefacts, extremely well made in every detail. Some of them have shellfish-shaped peg buttons that are among the coolest things ever seen on an electric instrument. Who wouldn't want a guitar like that to grace his collection?

Currently listed on EBay in Italy with a possibly unfortunately optimistic Buy It Now price of €850.

G L Wilson

© 2013, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!

Vintage & Rare Guitar of the Week: The Lanzi Telecarla from Argentina

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Last month here on Guitarz we looked at a bass from Argentinian luthiers Lanzi Instruments, namely the Lanzi Mk1 Rick Bass which takes the famous Rickenbacker 4000 series bass design as a starting point and boldy updates it for the 21st Century.

Here we see a left-handed Lanzi Telecarla W. Herrera Signature model in gloss white, which takes Leo Fender's classic design for a certain 62 year old guitar and updates it in the same way that the Rickenbacker design was updated for the MK1 Rick Bass.

This guitar is currently available for sale via Vintage and Rare - please enquire for a price. And if anyone knows who W. Herrera is, please enlighten the rest of us!

G L Wilson

© 2012, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!

Vintage & Rare guitar of the week: Lanzi Mk1 Rick Bass from Argentina

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Lanzi Instruments of Argentina build handmade basses, guitars and amplifiers, the business having been started - initially as a hobby - in the 1960s by Alfred Lanzi. The passion passed from father to son and now it is Gabriel Lanzi who has keeps the business alive. An industrial designer, his constant quest is to "reach the ideal mix of aesthetics, comfort and good sound."

I particularly like this Lanzi Mk1 Rick bass (hhhmmmmm, I wonder where that name came from?), which I think adds a little humour into Lanzi's mix of aesthetics, comfort and good sound! It's almost a Distortocaster-like take on a certain classic American bass.

This bass in Black Gloss finish (I dare not call it "Jetglo") is currently available via Vintage & Rare, although interested parties will need to call for a price.

G L Wilson

© 2012, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!

Morgan solidbody electric guitar from Argentina

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I don't think we've looked at an Argentinian-made guitar here on Guitarz before. This Morgan guitar from 1965 is currently being offered for sale on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $1,800.

OK, it's certainly unusual and it might be a rarity, but does it really warrant that kind of an asking price? Furthermore, again we see a guitar listed on eBay which is pictured without any strings. That doesn't fill the prospective buyer with much confidence. How long has it been stored without strings and what condition is the neck in? The seller says that "The action of the truss rod of neck is OK", but how do you tell without having strung it up first?

It's an interesting guitar, but I would advise any potential buyers to approach with caution.

(AND if you're the seller, string it up already! Let us know what it's really like!)

G L Wilson

© 2011, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!