Post by robertlavin on Sept 8, 2019 14:24:01 GMT -5
Not a major story with this one but I saw a fairly sorry looking guitar in a local charity shop. I'm always looking out for something interesting so I popped in, strummed a bit, picked a bit and put it back. It sounded alright considering the state of the strings but I didn't think it was anything to note.
Anyway, I got home, looked up the model number and it appears that it's a bit of a cult classic, although the internet is very good at amplifying a single opinion. I still wasn't quite sold, but then I noticed it was made in Taiwan between '77 and '81. Well, that clinched it - I could have a guitar of similar vintage and origin to me! Tenuous link established and I bought it a couple is days later.
The serial number dates it to 28th April 1977 and the Taiwanese stamp dates it to 30th March 1977 (30 03 66).
Once home, I had the strings off and I found that the guitar had a bonus two-piece nut, so that went in the bin to replaced by a Tusq nut. I replaced the bridge with a compensated one because I could, strung it with EJ16s and it was almost good to go. It just needed a bit of work with the truss rod.
It's still sounding a bit too bright, but the strings have been on for about four hours so I'm looking forward to seeing how it sounds with some matured strings.
It plays remarkably well. I have to admit to having been a bit of a minor guitar snob in the past (if it ain't all solid etc...) but I'm really enjoying this one. It sounds better to me than my memory of a Taylor dread I had years ago. Probably better for me than a Martin Dread that I also had years ago.
I've kind of recently rediscovered dreads (and I know that this strictly isn't one) - I've been playing OMs for a number of years but really enjoying the more open sound of the larger body.
All in all, I'm pretty pleased. It kind of makes me want to take on a few more minor projects but I fear I'll get into to trouble if I bring more guitars into the house.
Anyway, I got home, looked up the model number and it appears that it's a bit of a cult classic, although the internet is very good at amplifying a single opinion. I still wasn't quite sold, but then I noticed it was made in Taiwan between '77 and '81. Well, that clinched it - I could have a guitar of similar vintage and origin to me! Tenuous link established and I bought it a couple is days later.
The serial number dates it to 28th April 1977 and the Taiwanese stamp dates it to 30th March 1977 (30 03 66).
Once home, I had the strings off and I found that the guitar had a bonus two-piece nut, so that went in the bin to replaced by a Tusq nut. I replaced the bridge with a compensated one because I could, strung it with EJ16s and it was almost good to go. It just needed a bit of work with the truss rod.
It's still sounding a bit too bright, but the strings have been on for about four hours so I'm looking forward to seeing how it sounds with some matured strings.
It plays remarkably well. I have to admit to having been a bit of a minor guitar snob in the past (if it ain't all solid etc...) but I'm really enjoying this one. It sounds better to me than my memory of a Taylor dread I had years ago. Probably better for me than a Martin Dread that I also had years ago.
I've kind of recently rediscovered dreads (and I know that this strictly isn't one) - I've been playing OMs for a number of years but really enjoying the more open sound of the larger body.
All in all, I'm pretty pleased. It kind of makes me want to take on a few more minor projects but I fear I'll get into to trouble if I bring more guitars into the house.
