1 Topic by unclejoesband (edited by unclejoesband 2016-05-22 16:38:03)

  • From: SC Pa
  • Registered: 2014-03-26
  • Posts: 1,348

Topic: Mystery Guitar

I found this on craigslist yesterday. There was a pic of the front and back in the ad. It looked like solid wood and it intrigued me so I went to have a look. Seeing it first hand, it did appear to be all solid wood and the price was right so I brought it home.

There is no name on the headstock and I can see where there used to be a label on the inside but it's gone. What I assume is a model number is on the heel block and what might be a logo stamped above it. A search of the number gave me hint that it might be a Gamma, which I have never heard of, but further digging on that name only turned up bass guitars. It has an adjustable bridge which, I believe, was only used for a short time in the 70's on some Japanese guitars. I'm not that well versed on these matters so I could be completely off base. The top binding and one ring of the rosette appear to be pearl or Abalone. I don't know the difference and again, I could be totally wrong about both.

Even with 18 year old strings (the guy told me that's how long it's been in the closet) it sounds incredible. I'm cleaning it up right now and can't wait to hear what it sounds like with new strings.

Anyone have any idea what I bought?

Here's a link to the album I made. And here are a couple picks from that album.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/25135718@ … 566168683/

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7645/27075457072_99e726391e_z.jpgP1020124 by unclejoesband, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/26564682904_05bdd7d524_z.jpgP1020126 by unclejoesband, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7657/26566178553_024a02b108_z.jpgP1020128 by unclejoesband, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7658/26896364560_240f71c987_z.jpgP1020130 by unclejoesband, on Flickr

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/26566168683_9e8a8d0432_z.jpgP1020143 by unclejoesband, on Flickr

Here is the number on the heel block. I'd be willing to bet that the 9 85 was when it was made.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/26896363500_98394feea1_z.jpgP1020133 by unclejoesband, on Flickr

__________________________________
[b]Today Is Only Yesterdays Tomorrow[/b]
  • From: Genoa, NE
  • Registered: 2016-02-02
  • Posts: 102

Re: Mystery Guitar

UJB, You might discount this, and I wouldn't blame you, but back in the 70's when I was serving in the military, I purchased new a Yamaha 12-string. I can't remember if I bought it while overseas or during a stint I pulled in Colorado. What prompted my post is that the pictures you posted show the exact pattern of circles around the body sound hole that mine had. In fact, upon seeing it, I could have sworn that it ended up sold off down the line. I did sell it, but don't remember to whom. The rear pattern. is a bit more decorative than mine was (solid color). I wouldn't think that I'd be out of line if I said that it may have been a more expensive Yamaha model than the one I bought. Mind you, that was back in the 70's, and that WOULD be a long time for a guitar to hang around. But it sounded really nice and played well. I grew to know it well since, being active military, we didn't have a lot of room for possessions, so when I wanted a guitar I bought a sturdy reliable 12, and it WAS that. I think at the time I paid a price of around $275 for it. Converted to today's figures, it was more than I could afford, but what else does one spend his monthly allowance on serving in the military!!

  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: Mystery Guitar

You bought a guitar, and a looker.  String it up and play the snot out of it.  If you feel like it needs a name, give it one.  I'd name her Stripe if it were up to me.

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • From: SC Pa
  • Registered: 2014-03-26
  • Posts: 1,348

Re: Mystery Guitar

KevinRK wrote:

UJB, You might discount this, and I wouldn't blame you, but back in the 70's when I was serving in the military, I purchased new a Yamaha 12-string. I can't remember if I bought it while overseas or during a stint I pulled in Colorado. What prompted my post is that the pictures you posted show the exact pattern of circles around the body sound hole that mine had. In fact, upon seeing it, I could have sworn that it ended up sold off down the line. I did sell it, but don't remember to whom. The rear pattern. is a bit more decorative than mine was (solid color). I wouldn't think that I'd be out of line if I said that it may have been a more expensive Yamaha model than the one I bought. Mind you, that was back in the 70's, and that WOULD be a long time for a guitar to hang around. But it sounded really nice and played well. I grew to know it well since, being active military, we didn't have a lot of room for possessions, so when I wanted a guitar I bought a sturdy reliable 12, and it WAS that. I think at the time I paid a price of around $275 for it. Converted to today's figures, it was more than I could afford, but what else does one spend his monthly allowance on serving in the military!!

Yamaha was my first thought when I went to look at it.

The 3 piece back made me think of the 70's Martins (and others) when they were using up the last of the Brazilian Rosewood and didn't have any pieces large enough to do a 2 piece. I thought someone here with more experience buying and selling may have come across that type of number that's on the block. It's not that big a deal if I can't find out what it is. It sounds great and it was really cheap at $45.00.

Sorry Zurf. Never gave a guitar a name and don't see that changing. smile

__________________________________
[b]Today Is Only Yesterdays Tomorrow[/b]
  • From: NY
  • Registered: 2009-08-26
  • Posts: 4,320

Re: Mystery Guitar

Well... I actually enjoy this "game" a little myself.  I haven't gotten to play the guessing game with a guitar yet, other than vicariously through a few of you.  I have however played the game a lot more with my house, and pieces parts of my house.  Like my windows. I'm pretty sure they were Tiffany Made Stained Glass... but I'll never know for sure.  Tiffany didn't put makers marks on anything from the era I'm looking at.  Knowing would be a matter of having a professional tell me their opinion, and then trusting that they were telling me the truth, and that others might believe them!  LOL!  (I did find out that the block of wood from my fireplace mantle was made by a matchbook company that dabbled in lumber - and burnt to the ground quite a few times over the years).

Anyhow, I didn't find an answer for you... but I did find a fella in a similar situation!  His guitar looks a heck of a lot different, but that similar stamp is there.  This might not do more than confuse you even more though!  It sounds as if most of the Japanese or Korean made guitars didn't get individual stamps or serial numbers.  Those numbers may have no date information in them, or help with a maker.  AHHH!  Check this conversation out though, because if nothing else, he does have a stamp that looks like a cousin to yours: http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/foru … p?t=168048

Art and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder.
What constitutes excellent music is in the ears of the listener.

mekidsmom's Website

6 Reply by Tenement Funster (edited by Tenement Funster 2016-05-23 12:32:34)

  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: Mystery Guitar

Your guitar, UJB, reminds me of an Ibanez "Hummingbird" knock-off I had in high school (early 70's). The body shape in particular (upper bout being almost as wide as the lower bout) made mine look weird. When I saw yours, it has that same shape. Add to this the way the bridge is pinned (might be a repair), the shape of the back inlay, the shape of the headstock, the style of tuners, etc. Here's a sample cut from their 1976 catalogue:

http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/catalog/1976-9/09.jpg

They made a lot of different acoustics throughout the 70's, and the patterns in your guitar show up in many of them .... but just a guess, 'cuz the manufacture numbers don't line up with any of their model numbers. You can scan through all their old catalogues here if you like:

http://s93105080.onlinehome.us/Ibanez-Catalogs/

  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: Mystery Guitar

unclejoesband wrote:

Sorry Zurf. Never gave a guitar a name and don't see that changing. smile

Stripe it is, then.  If you're not going to name it, I will.  Even if I don't have a right.  smile

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: Mystery Guitar

I'm going to guess that the "WO20" is indicative of a 20 fret neck.   Perhaps the "WO" means "Walnut." Google shows that a number of different guitars have shown up with that particular neck stamp, so it's possible it was mas produced by someone else and sold to a number of different vendors.

At the end of the day, you bought a guitar.    String it up and play it.

Also, Zurf is way out of line here.  That guitar's name is clearly "Annie."

Someday we'll win this thing...

[url=http://www.aclosesecond.com]www.aclosesecond.com[/url]

jerome.oneil's Website