What do you think this is?

Let me say first off, that I have an ulterior motive for posting this, and I'll reveal all after you've had a chance to comment. (I have digitally removed the logo so as not to influence your thinking.)







I appreciate your time.
Thanks for playing along!

Hmmm, I'd have to say a Westone neck on a ? body. The body is 'sort-of' Spectrum1A, but the 1A doesn't have the Jackson inlays and is a reversed headstock.

But. And it's a big but, I am not an expert and expect to stand corrected!!

I have to say John, I thought along the same lines as you but then I was wondering... is that a Bendmaster bridge on there or a Floyd Rose? It's hard to tell but I'd have to say it was a Bendmaster just by looking at the way the writing is on the side...

I can't remember which way round the headstock was, but might that possibly be a neck from a CL4112???

I could be wrong too!!!!

Polly :queen: :flower:

Not the other big W by any chance? (that's Washburn before the funny replies start!)

90's Mercury neck maybe?

A wha-a-a-t?




Some of you may know that I am a fan of MIJ El Degas guitars (most of 'em anyway--some sucked big time).
I own a circa 1975 Gibson Dove clone which is a superbly made instrument and a dead on copy in every detail.

El Degas was a "white label" brand for a musical instrument importer which covered a confusing array of manufacturers and parts from several countries, and distributed largely in Canada. But the best instruments seem to have come from Japan.

For some time I have had the feeling that there was an Uncle Mats connection with many of these, particularly the LP models. Many of the basses also look suspiciously like things we're used to seeing from Westone and Vantage. Trouble is, there's virtually no paper trail, almost nothing tangible or reliable on which to research any of the products they sold.

When I saw this guitar it felt to me, as it did to you too apparently, that this is somehow a Westone, sorta, kinda. Very frustrating trying to pin it down! I wasn't getting very far ID'ing it.

Then, I saw Henrik's current post to a item on the German(?) eBay for an SP4112.
"Ah-ha!", I cried.
Close, so close, but still not quite.

A bit more research on the www.westone.info site and I was closer, but still no one model seemed to fit the bill.

So here's my best guess:
This is "mostly" a Westone Spectrum Series II.
It doesn't completely match the Uncle Mats specs in the Catalogue [LINK] so I'm guessing it's either a modified and/or more probably, a composite assembly.

It looks to me like an SP3112 body with an SP4112 neck, which in turn I'm guessing, means it is a Korean assembly? So the year is maybe 1988? But the neck has 22 frets meaning it, at least, is likely 1987'sh since 24 frets didn't arrive until 1988!

Just about everything else matches up pretty well with the obvious exception of the 3 pup mini switches being replaced by a more conventional positional slider (cheaper too no doubt). The pups are anyone's guess, can't really tell from the pix but they look to be authentic.

So that's my conclusion.

Now, whatchathink...is this considered to be an Uncle Mat, and should I buy it?
(OK I lied, that's 2 questions)

Well, there ya go; what a surprise! Does it have the "MIJ" somewhere on it, or MIK?? But gee. that necks is a dead ringer for the CL series, eh and the body, with that lower bout chamfer, is reminiscent of the later Corsairs/Spectrums.

is that a Bendmaster bridge on there or a Floyd Rose

...doesn't look like either from that angle; what is it Barry?

I think, on reflection, it's probably a very nice guitar, but I don't think it's a Matt; however if the price is right, and it sounds OK; what the hell...

Hi Barry,

I have 2 LP El Degas from 1974 and a couple of basses... all are made in Japan until later years.. 88 and forward from Korea... I also suspect that these are Matts (was keeping it quiet since they are dirt cheap to pick up) I would not let go of my LP's or my basses.... Top quality....

The neck plate should indicate MIJ or the Korean ones have nothing on the neck plate.... If the price is right....

my 2 cents...

P.

I hope I didn't spoil the fun by revealing the logo too soon, but I have a really busy weekend and I didn't want it to drag on into next week.

So...if we're dishing out awards, I guess Polly comes closest, only in as much as she sort of agrees with me! Well done, oh pink-booted one!

John, I haven't seen the thing in the flesh, so all I have is what you see in the pix. Sorry, I can't confirm MIJ or the trem make at this stage.

Frenchy wrote:...I have 2 LP El Degas from 1974 and a couple of basses... all are made in Japan until later years...I also suspect that these are Matts (was keeping it quiet since they are dirt cheap to pick up) I would not let go of my LP's or my basses.... Top quality....

Hey Pierre, I knew I could count on another Canuck!
The El Degas brand seems to be mainly a Canadian phenomenon, but they are also found in the States quite often. As we have both said the LP's are fantastic repros as are many of the acoustics. They dabbled a bit in just about everything but there does appear to be more Gibson clones than anything else.

If anyone's interested in finding out a bit more, there is an El Degas Forum to which I belong. It's fairly new, and is run by a ex-bass player chap out of Calgary (Charles). You have to see his bass collection!

We're all struggling like hell to find basic information on these things which is why it was set up. Interesting reading and viewing, and you can check out my GB25 at the same time.

Frenchy, you should join and show us yer stuff man!
Salut!

Barry wrote:
So...if we're dishing out awards, I guess Polly comes closest, only in as much as she sort of agrees with me! Well done, oh pink-booted one!

YAY for me, YAY for me!

Barry, if it's cheap enough and you like it, go for it mate!

Polly :queen: :flower:

Pollyanna wrote:Barry, if it's cheap enough and you like it, go for it mate!
Polly :queen: :flower:

Thanks Pol.
I just might...although it does have three pickups (one too many)...plus that pointy bit on the headstock that could put an eye out! Not really my style either...'dunno. If I get an answer to my email query to the owner, and he confirms MIJ, well....

Frenchy, you should join and show us yer stuff man!

I'll have a look see...

Nice find Barry - me like. If the price is right.... go for it.

UPDATE:
I contacted the seller for a second time last Saturday.
He finally returned my messages with apologies last Wednesday evening (Canada Day holiday here) and invites me to come check it out.
8 minutes later (!) he emails again saying that it's been sold!!
WTF???

So, I guess it'll remain a mystery.
The only other info he volunteered was that it originally belonged to his brother but he was getting rid because he already had a "good" guitar. Explains why he knew nothing about it I guess.