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Guitar chord forum - chordie → Guitars and accessories → Onyx acoustic
I recently bought a used Onyx acoustic guitar from a collectibles store. I was sold on it because it has a bright resonant tone and it was in great condition, even though I had no idea about its age or history. Can anyone tell me when Onyx guitars were manufactured, and by whom? I can't find anything about this guitar on the Internet or from any of my musician friends.
Hey C'Costen
If your still around I will cop to havin' aquired an Onyx dreadnought style acoustic. It has a stamped number inside 820411 on a back support. There is a manufacturer's serial number on an Onyx label. I was lead to believe it was a 50's era guitar. The rubber stamped number leads me to think it may be a manufactuing date as the number configuration could support that. It has a laminated top. Beautifully booked sitca on top of course. The fingerboard is teak I think. I one piece neck is black walnut I am almost certain. The neck rod works well. I lowered the action when I got it. Of course the rod must be loosened before adjusted but I let the rod settle to bottom then tightened the female hex nut while bowing the neck under gentle pressure. I then got a humidifier. The round sponge type that fill the hole. That has made a great difference to the health of the guiltar.
I have found that the lightest Martin SP 80/20 Bronze Extra Light .010 -.047 work the best to my taste. I play at home mostly and love the bright sound that these strings lend to a "Bright" sounding guitar. I had thought about the guitar itself being "Bright" but figured it was more a string responsibility untill I have recently thought about replacing the Onyx. The original Gold Onyx decal on the head has worn off by using the wrong oil on the guitar. I should not have used furniture polish. It was an oily lemony bottled product that I should not have used. Only a good guitar polish has been used on new acquisitions.
The old obscure, oh yes, nearly forgot "Made in Japan" Onyx acoustic is the most playable acoustic I have ever had the pleasure to play. It looks identical to a D28. I have only so far induldged my thoughts as far as a D15. In my humble uneducted opinion the D15 will not replace the quality of sound this old Onyx. The 15 is a beauty and a person must get used to a new guitar but just last night I decided to stay with the Onyx. What makes this guitar too valuable to me is the playability of it combined with the bright sound. About 5 years ago I had to briefly store the guitar so I could travel. I had oiled the guitar and in my haste I left a broken first string on it. The string layed on the top and oil that I had plyed to the old girl took the tarnish from the string and sucked it into the sitca top. The string moved somehow and ended up leaving a few bow shaped stains on the top below the bridge. It looked cheesie. Not worn love marks. SO, after thinking I would never find an affordable <2k, bright, fantastically easy to play guitar I took the 600 grit sandpaper to the top. The result was wonderful. The stains came out. I sanded a little deeper to make sure they would not re-emerge. Still a light sanding, totally removed the old finish. The quality finish on this guitar was just detectable anyway. Sort of, actually a matt finish overall that would shine up like an apple then dull to uniform, quality finish. I must now find out what to use to refinish the top. I was elated that this stain came out. It looked bad but was very supficial after all.
The neck of the guitar shows the history and playability of the instrument. Nearly every spot on the fingerboard has been well worn. The more common notes, deeply worn. Right up to the body. Several of the frets have worn along bottom. I have just learned to pull or push the strings at those points. More testamony to the deserved miles put on this guitar. Many better guitarists than I have commented on the quality of sound and construction of this obscure instrument.
I don't know how to quanitify the value of it. Maybe I just have. I acquired it from a professional musician in exchange for cutting a 1/4 scale PT-19 RC aircraft model for the same fellow.
If your Onyx is the image of this one I have, the only reason to have another Dreadnought would be maybe just to have a more popular logo. Of course I attach a lot of subjective value to this guitar but it has earned it. The only progress that came from looking for a new Dreadnought with a bright sound and light action was a spanking new Gibson SG Robot. I was leery about it at first. At first. I wish I could retune my acoustic to any of several pretunes that are standard or programmable with a flick of a switch and a strum.
Cheers.
I'd never heard about Onyx guitars until your post--I really enjoyed reading what you said and getting a sense of your passion for this guitar.
Deleted by mod. PW
I went to the website listed at the very bottom of the above link, but it has since been taken down. Shame because I really like looking at the older guitars. I saw an Orpheum there I sure did like. 
Thanks for the link, AJ, and welcome!
Bill
Welcome to Chordie AJSmith and ccosten.
I don't know anything about Onyx guitars, but follow the number one rule of guitars: If it sounds good, it is good.
I bought an Onyx guitar second hand from a shop about 20 years ago because it sounded fantastic and was so easy to play. It is still my favourite. I don't play well but when friends come over with there Martins and other expensive guitars and tell me they like playing the old Onyx it makes me feel ok (they won't swap though). I found out that they were a cheaper Japanese build of the Gibson but still sold in the 70's and 80's for around $600. Other than that I also have nothing. So if anyone could shine some light on the guitars history I would love to know as well.
Guitar chord forum - chordie → Guitars and accessories → Onyx acoustic
