Matsumoku Guitars and More

                 Washburn guitars started out in the 1800s as an acoustic builder. they were made in the USA and were quality instruments. By the time the 1970s and 80s came Washbrun saw the rest of the guitar world booming with electrics and decided to join the party. Deciding that it would be too costly to start an electric guitar plant, they did what many other companies were doing and jumped a plane to Japan.                  Washburn was a bit different in the fact that they didn't only have one company make their electric guitars. It was actually a few different Japanese companies that built for them. Matsumoku, Daion, Chushin and Yamaki to name a few.                 Many of the Wing series guitars were made at both the Matsumoku and Daion factories as well as the Yamaki Factory. Some of Washburns most popular series guitars, the S...

                                                                        Matsumoku Factory There are many different stories out there on Matsumoku and the guitars they made. Some correct some not so correct. I am by no means the final word on Uncle Mats, as we collectors like to call it, but through the years I have learned quite a bit. That's why after 38 or so years playing Japanese made guitars, as well as American, Korean and others, I have decided to share some of that info I have learned with you. Many collectors of Uncle Mats don't like to share knowledge because they try to keep it their own secret to keep the prices low so they can buy more, lol. I however, am the opposite and to be honest most already know about these wonderful guitars.                 ...

       In 1982 Aria Pro II jumped on the flash guitar bandwagon in a big way. There had been many incarnations of the flying V and the Explorer type models but Aria pushed the envelope and made a large amount of these guitars in various paint schemes. These were sold starting in 1983 and were all high quality guitars. Some models had more options than others but all were well built pro level guitars.         Most bodies were made of alder with some being Canadian rock maple especially the later ones. Most all had coil split capabilities as well. Most all had some type of tremolo bridge. The lower models had a fender type. The next models up had the ACT 1 tremolo but by the end of the run Aria had developed the ACT 3 tremolo which locked both at the bridge and had the lock at the nut. These tremolos were excellent and almost never went out of tune. Pickups were either the excellent sounding MMK 45 which was Arias version of the Di...

Welcome To Matsumoku Guitars and More!           Hello guitar lovers! I have decided to create this blog dedicated to the history of vintage Japanse made guitars. My main focus will be from the late 1970s to the late 1980s. In that considerably short span of time, Japan was making some of the best production line guitars on the planet. While Gibson and Fender were going through turmoil which led to dropping quality, Japan was pushing out incredibly innovative and solid guitars. Guitars that were made on a production line for realtivly cheap money, but with bindings, coil splits, boosts, neck through, quality pickups, beautiful bursts as well as stunning natural stained guitars with stringers and more. Most came with brass nuts as well as bridges, and many even came with brass volume and tone nobs.             My first exposure to Japanese made guitars was an acoustic Goya brand guitar that had belonged to my Dad. It was ...