My first guitar was one of the few original design El Degas instruments - everything else I have seen from ED was a copy of something else, as far as I know. It was purchased brand new in Ottawa in 1981 for $213. The model number on the bill of sale was listed as "El Degas 680" but there were no stickers or markings to confirm that. This is a bolt-on model with the classic El Degas offset double-cutaway body. The body appears to be made from 2 pieces of mahogany finished in dark brown with a natural center stripe (giving it the appeareance of a neck-through like the upscaled similar model). The pickups are stock cream DiMarzios, with 2 tone and 2 volume controls, a 3-way toggle and coil-split switch. The strings feed through the body and onto a fixed bridge with brass saddles. The neck also appears to be a darker mahogany wood, which is rather unusual for a bolt-on, with 24 frets. Because of the elongated headstock, the guitar will not fit in a standard guitar case, but requires either a bass case or a teardrop case.
Fast forward 30 years, and I just bought my guitar's twin in bass version for $150 in a used music store. The bass is identical in almost every way: similar bridge with brass saddles, cream DiMarzio pickup, same knobs, tuning peg style, headstock, etc... The only difference is the neck appears to be maple, probably to accomodate the increased string tension of the longer bass neck. What's interesting is that it came with a small sticker in the back that says "686 Made in Japan", which tends to prove that the similar model number on the guitar bill of sale (680) was probably correct. Another interesting thing is that the bass came with an original form-fitted brown hardshell case, which, given the odd shape of this instrument, could only be for that model only. One would assume the guitar probably came with a similar form-fitted hardshell case, but unfortunately the store where I bought it new must have misplaced it.
So, I would venture to state that the pictured models below are the El Degas 680 guitar and El Degas 686 bass, made in Japan in the late 70s or early 80's and retailing at the time for around $225. I would say current market value for these guitars is probably around $150-$200 apiece with case, and given the construction and materials used, they represent far better value for the money than most of what I see out there.
(13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)
