El Degas mt-8
El Degas mt-8
My first post. I have an mt-8 which I've owned since brand new. I think I bought it mid 70's. The sticker inside indicates it was made in Korea. I'm interested in any additional info there may be concerning this guitar.
Re: El Degas mt-8
The MT- models are copies of Martin acoustics. The MIK models are from later in the lifespan of the brand, but I do not know specific dates.
I started ElDegas.com many years ago to help celebrate and inform about El Degas instruments. It all started with a used Ric 4000 bass copy I bought in circa 2000.
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42
(13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42
(13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)-
Barry
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- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:31 pm
- Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Canada
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Re: El Degas mt-8
Hello CRazee1 and welcome.
If you post some pictures we may be able to comment more on your guitar. There isn't a lot that is known about these guitars but we'll do our best!
If you post some pictures we may be able to comment more on your guitar. There isn't a lot that is known about these guitars but we'll do our best!
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." --Chuckles the Clown
M U S I C : https://getback.barryeames.com
G U I T A R S : https://legend.barryeames.com/
M U S I C : https://getback.barryeames.com
G U I T A R S : https://legend.barryeames.com/
Re: El Degas mt-8
Hi CRazzee, thanks for posting those. Yours is a later Made in Korea model. Probably very late 70s or even early 80s, not sure on the dates of those.
Interesting to see the stamped neck tenon... I'll have to see if my MIK Gibson Dove copy has that.
Interesting to see the stamped neck tenon... I'll have to see if my MIK Gibson Dove copy has that.
I started ElDegas.com many years ago to help celebrate and inform about El Degas instruments. It all started with a used Ric 4000 bass copy I bought in circa 2000.
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42 (13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42
(13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)-
Barry
- Posts: 1045
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:31 pm
- Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Canada
- Contact:
Re: El Degas mt-8
Thanks for the pix, nice guitar.
Generally speaking, the MIJ's from the early to mid '70's are the preferred models to get.
Quality varied wildly after the Japanese versions, but many of the early MIK's are also quite well made, like this one appears to be.
Unfortunately there are no definitive production records that we know of which would answer all our questions about the manufacturer and serial numbering. Yours appears to be made of good quality woods and there is nice attention to finishing and detailing. It's hard to know for sure from a picture but the back (and sides?) appears to be a laminate. The main wood inside is mahogany but the outside is a veneer. Not sure what wood it is, could be Ash.
Can't tell if the top is solid (the picture is too fuzzy) but it too might be a laminate. Look at the edge of the sound hole. If there is a plastic binding running around the edge it's a laminate top. If it is finished wood it's solid.
Generally speaking, the MIJ's from the early to mid '70's are the preferred models to get.
Quality varied wildly after the Japanese versions, but many of the early MIK's are also quite well made, like this one appears to be.
Unfortunately there are no definitive production records that we know of which would answer all our questions about the manufacturer and serial numbering. Yours appears to be made of good quality woods and there is nice attention to finishing and detailing. It's hard to know for sure from a picture but the back (and sides?) appears to be a laminate. The main wood inside is mahogany but the outside is a veneer. Not sure what wood it is, could be Ash.
Can't tell if the top is solid (the picture is too fuzzy) but it too might be a laminate. Look at the edge of the sound hole. If there is a plastic binding running around the edge it's a laminate top. If it is finished wood it's solid.
"A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." --Chuckles the Clown
M U S I C : https://getback.barryeames.com
G U I T A R S : https://legend.barryeames.com/
M U S I C : https://getback.barryeames.com
G U I T A R S : https://legend.barryeames.com/
Re: El Degas mt-8
Thanks for the info. I kind of knew it wasn't a really valuable guitar but at the time(I was about 15-18 years old) it was my first brand new one. My son, now 15, has been playing it and had some questions about it. It's great to see him take an interest in one of his old dad's passions. I never was an accomplished player but that guitar is one of my oldest friends. Thanks again for the info.
Re: El Degas mt-8
All the best. It's always nice to see a new generation taking an interest in musical instruments. 
I started ElDegas.com many years ago to help celebrate and inform about El Degas instruments. It all started with a used Ric 4000 bass copy I bought in circa 2000.
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42 (13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)
El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42
(13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)