Another Guild-alike
- Thread starter GGJaguar
- Start date
Someone on another forum says that this was Sam Ash's "house" brand back in the 1970s. That seems plausible. Goes on to say that this was made in the same Japanese shop as other lawsuit guitars from Ibanez (Hoshino). Also, strongly plausible.
By the way, if it weren't for the plastic compensated saddle, it'd be very hard to tell that the body of that guitar isn't a real D-55 from the '70s. At least looking at the top, that is, from the picture. Looks like a really nice copy overall.
Guildedagain
Enlightened Member
Dang that's a nice one.
davismanLV
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At least they're not trying to pass it as a Guild. Seems like it might be nice.
Yeah, the lawsuit-era guitars were all well-marked, not counterfeits. Likely this guitar has a laminated body rather than solid woods like the original. But yeah, very nice. Some of the Takamines are nearly as valuable as the Guild originals.
Harp Tail
Senior Member
I like it but I've always known Sam Ash's "house brand" is Carlo Robelli, and I vaguely recall seeing other Angelicas in the UK/EU.
This Cortez has been on Reverb a while and might be similar (if not built at the same plant). Too bad for the cheesy tuners and the hefty price.
reverb.com
This Cortez has been on Reverb a while and might be similar (if not built at the same plant). Too bad for the cheesy tuners and the hefty price.
Cortez model JG-6700 vintage acoustic guitar made in Japan 1970s excellent-mint condition with original hard case | Reverb
Limited time price reduction .This is a beautiful rare model from Japan offered at our shop , beautiful aged spruce top with dark rosewood back and sides , this has rarely seen any playtime on it , the frets are excellent, the fret board is excellent, new set of strings , action is nice despite i...
reverb.com
I like it but I've always known Sam Ash's "house brand" is Carlo Robelli, and I vaguely recall seeing other Angelicas in the UK/EU.
This Cortez has been on Reverb a while and might be similar (if not built at the same plant). Too bad for the cheesy tuners and the hefty price.
Cortez model JG-6700 vintage acoustic guitar made in Japan 1970s excellent-mint condition with original hard case | Reverb
Limited time price reduction .This is a beautiful rare model from Japan offered at our shop , beautiful aged spruce top with dark rosewood back and sides , this has rarely seen any playtime on it , the frets are excellent, the fret board is excellent, new set of strings , action is nice despite i...
May well be, Harp Tail. My comment about Sam Ash is just junk I found on the internet (not here) so I don't trust it at all.Either way, that "Angelica" is a Japanese lawsuit-era guitar that's a pretty good homage to a Guild D-55. The "Cortez" lawsuit-era you posted is nice too, but I don't think the abalone purfling and rosette are period-correct for Guild. The saddle is, though.
Harp Tail
Senior Member
You're right about that, Chazmo.
It's odd how they would splurge on lavish decorative elements and then install cheap tuners. Other Guild-alikes seen in the past had no abalone but better quality Gotoh gears.
I imagine, like with the modern fakes, the issue to the real manufacturers becomes cheapening of the brand. Having said that, the Japanese-built lawsuit guitars were mostly pretty good guitars even if they were no match for the originals. Yeah, tuners and other hardware were sacrificed, probably for cost-savings.
Harp Tail
Senior Member
KANSAS KW-250 1970's - natural KISO SUZUKI VIOLIN RARE! | Reverb
Kansas W-250This is an homage to the Guild D-55Made by famous Kiso Suzuki (suzuki violin co) in Japan 1970'sVery ornate with abalone inlay on fretboard, Guild D-55 esque inlay, throughout body (front and back) and on the 3 piece back as well.Spruce topRosewood back & sidesRosewood 3-piece ba...
reverb.com
Please let me know if I'm being repetitive - lookalikes have always been a huge kink of mine. Even when they feature "creative touches" not present on the originals.
It's all good as far as I'm concerned, Harp Tail, as long as we don't cross over into bashing them or insulting the sellers.
What's the deal with that reverb ad anyway....? What does a Suzuki violin have to do with it. I presume that's just bait and switch. Sigh. Did I just insult the seller?
What's the deal with that reverb ad anyway....? What does a Suzuki violin have to do with it. I presume that's just bait and switch. Sigh. Did I just insult the seller?
Harp Tail
Senior Member
That's a tough question to answer, Chazmo.
My rudimental knowledge of the Japanese language isn't sufficient to decipher this guitar's label, and I can't exclude that it may read "Suzuki Violin Co.".
Some Japanese plants were indeed issuing instruments with many different brands.
My rudimental knowledge of the Japanese language isn't sufficient to decipher this guitar's label, and I can't exclude that it may read "Suzuki Violin Co.".
Some Japanese plants were indeed issuing instruments with many different brands.
Gotcha' Maybe that's right on, Harp Tail. @Seiki Yoshida are you still around?
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
Kiwaya Co., Ltd. Taime, Tokyo
Suzuki Violin Company Kiso, Nagano Prefecture
Not sure that translation is 100% correct.
Ralf
Walter Broes
Enlightened Member
Some of those guitars look the part, but most of them are all laminate making those prices very silly.
A friend of mine has an all laminate Japanese J200 "copy", and it really sounds more like a decent laminated archtop than like a J200.
A friend of mine has an all laminate Japanese J200 "copy", and it really sounds more like a decent laminated archtop than like a J200.
Well, that explains it, Ralf. Thanks!!!!
Kiwaya Co., Ltd. Taime, Tokyo
Suzuki Violin Company Kiso, Nagano Prefecture
Not sure that translation is 100% correct.
Ralf
Nice call on that one, @Harp Tail
(me too!)