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New El Degas LP
Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:38 pm
by 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
Re: New El Degas LP
Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:44 pm
by 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.

Re: New El Degas LP
Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 8:16 pm
by zee lowell
Re: New El Degas LP
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 9:20 am
by 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!
Re: New El Degas LP
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 10:20 am
by 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.

Re: New El Degas LP
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:26 pm
by 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.
Re: New El Degas LP
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:05 pm
by charles
zee lowell wrote: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.
zee lowell wrote: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!

Re: New El Degas LP
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 7:47 pm
by zee lowell
Great information Charles....thank you.
