MT13K
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- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 8:10 am
MT13K
Does anybody have any info on a MT13K el Degas acoustic ? Anything would be greatly appreciated!
Re: MT13K
Hi, thanks for posting and sending me an email - I'll answer you here.
Because serial numbering information does not exist (and the brand eventually abandoned using serial numbers altogether), getting a specific year of manufacture is impossible (except for cases where you are the original owner and have that info from when you bought the guitar - I have seen it happen ).
If you have photos of the guitar including the head stock logo & sound hole label, it is easier to tell what "era" the guitar is from. You may have already noticed whether the country of manufacture is listed on the sound hole label. This is the best way we have of making an 'educated guess' as to the era of manufacture. It is generally believed to be true that MIJ (Made in Japan) models span from the very late 60s to the 70s, and the MIK (Made in Korea) models (or models manufactured in Romania, Guatemala, etc) are from the 80s.
I hope this helps - let me know if you have other questions.
Because serial numbering information does not exist (and the brand eventually abandoned using serial numbers altogether), getting a specific year of manufacture is impossible (except for cases where you are the original owner and have that info from when you bought the guitar - I have seen it happen ).
If you have photos of the guitar including the head stock logo & sound hole label, it is easier to tell what "era" the guitar is from. You may have already noticed whether the country of manufacture is listed on the sound hole label. This is the best way we have of making an 'educated guess' as to the era of manufacture. It is generally believed to be true that MIJ (Made in Japan) models span from the very late 60s to the 70s, and the MIK (Made in Korea) models (or models manufactured in Romania, Guatemala, etc) are from the 80s.
I hope this helps - let me know if you have other questions.
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)
Re: MT13K
In regards to the model number, the "MT-" prefix denotes that this is a Martin copy.
The "13" denotes the model type (we've yet to determine how the numbers in this part line up with what Martin is being copied, as some of the Martin copies seem to be replicating several Martin models or an amalgamation/reinterpretation of several Martin characteristics).
The "K" should apply to the finish color (I've seen models with different colors/sunburst options using the last digit to denote the specific color option).
The "13" denotes the model type (we've yet to determine how the numbers in this part line up with what Martin is being copied, as some of the Martin copies seem to be replicating several Martin models or an amalgamation/reinterpretation of several Martin characteristics).
The "K" should apply to the finish color (I've seen models with different colors/sunburst options using the last digit to denote the specific color option).
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)
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- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 8:10 am
Re: MT13K
Made in Korea .. how do I post pics here ? I've never been in a forum before lol
Re: MT13K
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)
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- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 8:10 am
Re: MT13K
Very interesting - I don't think I have ever seen that head stock logo style (which is normally attributed to MIJ models featuring more 'deluxe' finishing or features) on a MIK model.
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)
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- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 8:10 am
Re: MT13K
Well I like to hear that .. I think we might have found a hidden gem as I or my boyfriend can not find info on this particular model !
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- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 8:10 am
Re: MT13K
This makes me even more excited !! We picked it up for $250 with case , it's got a slight bridge pull but we know a great luthier to fix that issue, it sounds absolutely amazing ! It's a beautiful guitar
Re: MT13K
I have seen a few different logo styles on the MT- models, including one style that emulates the vertical Martin logo. Usually, I'd expect to see a decal logo on a MIK but this one looks to have bucked that trend.3tequila wrote:Yes I was thinking the same about the head stock because all logos ive seen is vertical ?
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: 1038
- Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:31 pm
- Location: St. Catharines, Ontario Canada
- Contact:
Re: MT13K
Congratulations, you have a very beautiful guitar build there. Looks to be all Mahogany which will indeed sound very sweet!
I can't tell from the pictures but you said the bridge is lifting? If the actual bridge has begun to pull away from the sound board then that is a relatively easy repair and worth the money to do. Actually it is a good thing. The worse alternative is for the sound board to be pulled up behind the bridge causing a "bulge" and high action. That is very problematic and sometimes cannot be repaired.
If you are lucky all that will be needed is a neck adjustment, or perhaps a saddle adjustment. I also notice that the nut has a couple of chips in it. It should be replaced at the same time. Your repair man will likely recommend that. If you can, use a bone or Tusq replacement for improved tone.
I can't tell from the pictures but you said the bridge is lifting? If the actual bridge has begun to pull away from the sound board then that is a relatively easy repair and worth the money to do. Actually it is a good thing. The worse alternative is for the sound board to be pulled up behind the bridge causing a "bulge" and high action. That is very problematic and sometimes cannot be repaired.
If you are lucky all that will be needed is a neck adjustment, or perhaps a saddle adjustment. I also notice that the nut has a couple of chips in it. It should be replaced at the same time. Your repair man will likely recommend that. If you can, use a bone or Tusq replacement for improved tone.
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- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2016 8:10 am
Re: MT13K
Thankyou Barry , unfortunately there is a slight bulge and high action , but our guy is the best in the area , worth the money to get repaired we think. To me though it doesn't effect the playability, we tuned it half step down to relieve the tension a bit , but I'm willing to sink some money into it as its beautiful sound wise and looks ! Thanks for your input