New El Degas LP

[zee lowell]

Hi, I just recently purchased a LP Copy El Degas...pics to follow. Its been about 20+ years since I've had one, and realized now what I had been missing...Is there any way to date these?
Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks

[charles]

I split this off into a new topic.

There is not really any way to accurately date El Degas instruments, as there is no serial numbering system. We can set an approximate date range most of the time, due to the style of the instrument. Once you post some photos I might be able to give you a bit of info.

[zee lowell]

Thanks Charles, I have attached some photos....The pots are a little tatterd in the way that it looks like they have been soldered a few times, but i can make out 72 or 74 on them...

http://www.picturehosting.com/images/ZeeLowell/ed2.jpg

http://www.picturehosting.com/images/ZeeLowell/ed3.jpg

http://www.picturehosting.com/images/ZeeLowell/ed1.jpg

http://www.picturehosting.com/images/ZeeLowell/ed5.jpg

http://www.picturehosting.com/images/ZeeLowell/ed4.jpg

[Barry]

She's gorgeous zee! A beautiful repro of the original and I'll bet she plays just as well.
And it looks to me like it was made during that 'sweet' era, early to mid 70's, but Charles will likely have a better fix on it.
Thanks for sharing the pix!

[charles]

Looks nice - yup, signs point to it being a MIJ from sometime in the 70's.

Very pretty git

If you can make out the dates on the pots, that's likely your best indicator of age - 72-74 seems about right.

[zee lowell]

Thanks guys, much appreciated information and comments...It really does play nice! Heavy though...big chunky piece of wood. The pick ups are sweet too.
Not alot of info on the El Degas line. I'm guessing El Degas is to Canada as Tokai was to UK and GB?? Am I way off here?

I remember 25+ years ago, a guitar shop in Bolton (Music 21) used to carry these, I bought one and traded it for a MIJ Strat...which eventually during one of our summer solstice's, ende up in our pool...LOL those were the days.

[charles]

Thanks guys, much appreciated information and comments...It really does play nice! Heavy though...big chunky piece of wood. The pick ups are sweet too.
Not alot of info on the El Degas line. I'm guessing El Degas is to Canada as Tokai was to UK and GB?? Am I way off here?

A company by the name of Buegeleisen & Jacobson in New York imported guitars by several Japanese manufacturers under the name "El Degas". Some time later, B&J was bought by Kaman Music and production moved to Korea (may or may not have happened at the same time).

As some of Barry's posts point out, some El Degas instruments in the 70's are great examples of instruments from Matsumoku (or "Uncle Mat" as it came to be known) and great players.

I remember 25+ years ago, a guitar shop in Bolton (Music 21) used to carry these, I bought one and traded it for a MIJ Strat...which eventually during one of our summer solstice's, ende up in our pool...LOL those were the days.

Whoops!

[zee lowell]

Great information Charles....thank you.