so is it a Mats or isn't it???

Iceman on Sun Mar 20, 2011 1:58 am

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Memphis-Matsumoku-Japan-Electric-Guitar-/160561511741?pt=Guitar&hash=item2562363d3d

There is a bass similar to this hanging around my place.

Dyn Gwyrdd on Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:45 pm

Its an enigma, isn't it. I have a Lincoln bass, same shape but neck-through. Its identical to others branded Asama, and Memphis. Torchy is another name people associate with these.

There are various discussion threads about these:
http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/forum/other-replicas/memphis-guitars/
http://www.matsumoku.org/ggboard/viewtopic.php?t=3525
http://vintaxe.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=939
http://www.guitardir.com/specs.php?NodeId=11693&Context=3
They are very similar to these:
http://www.fernandes.co.jp/others/catalog/1978_f_01/27.html

Some show pics with Made in Japan stickers or neck plates. People speculate on Tombo/Morris, or Maya in Kobe; some even say Korean - why not, they could easily be copies. My hunch? Probably Japanese, may not be Matsumoku...

Any other thoughts on these?