Un-Branded LP - Similar to Ibanez 2398

[Crusty]

One thing you'll find as you dig deeper into the Japanese guitars from this era, everyone was copying everyone. Not in a bad was as Japanese philosophy was essentially do it but do it better. Unlike Chinese knockoffs today, Chibsons in particular. Do it like the others but do it as cheaply as possible and be as deceptive and ambiguous as possible (such as hide the headstock in listings).

The Japanese even though were copying popular traditional models had no fear of putting their brand on the headstock, they took pride in their brands. On the other hand with Chinese knockoffs today who in their right mind is going to shell out $250-$300 for a LongDong Tofu Les Paul?

I can't count how many times I p issed off Chinese Chibson floggers asking "what's wrong with the headstock? There's no pics of it." A few were idiot enough to send me pics.

[DomTQP]

I'd say that's definitely been the thing that's drawn me to MIJ guitars in particular. I was always a "Fender" person till I played a Univox Ripper, it just snowballed from there. The subtle differences that all these brands had keep my interest in the instrument alive honestly.

[Jorg]

When I was 16, I was checking out a used Univox LP and went back to get it but it was gone. I bought an Aria Pro II RS600 instead and thats how it started. . .

[Crusty]

My first was an Electra bolt neck Black Beauty LP I got for $80 from a kid in the neighborhood.

But for me it was an Aria Pro II Cardinal CS-350 Cobalt Blue my mom helped me get that actually sent me down the proverbial rabbit hole.

I got it from an almost extinct thing called a music store but back then they really did exist. It was called American Music on Lackland in St. Louis County. It was owned and run by a guy named Freddy whose energy and enthusiasm was over the top who had a very rare passion for all things music. He went on and on about how well the Aria Pro II guitars were made and how great they played and sounded and he wasn't wrong. I went back about 6 months later and my mom helped me buy another CS-350 See Thru Red. This was in 1982 and I still have both. Mom passed in 84 so there is no way I could let them go. When my father passed in 85 I inherited some money and went back and the store was gone and in it's place was a mini-mall.

[DomTQP]

When I was 16, I was checking out a used Univox LP and went back to get it but it was gone. I bought an Aria Pro II RS600 instead and thats how it started. . .

There's a Univox Mother LP at a pawn shop near me I've been debating picking up. It's in questionable shape but I want a Univox LP at some point!

[DomTQP]

My first was an Electra bolt neck Black Beauty LP I got for $80 from a kid in the neighborhood.

But for me it was an Aria Pro II Cardinal CS-350 Cobalt Blue my mom helped me get that actually sent me down the proverbial rabbit hole.

I got it from an almost extinct thing called a music store but back then they really did exist. It was called American Music on Lackland in St. Louis County. It was owned and run by a guy named Freddy whose energy and enthusiasm was over the top who had a very rare passion for all things music. He went on and on about how well the Aria Pro II guitars were made and how great they played and sounded and he wasn't wrong. I went back about 6 months later and my mom helped me buy another CS-350 See Thru Red. This was in 1982 and I still have both. Mom passed in 84 so there is no way I could let them go. When my father passed in 85 I inherited some money and went back and the store was gone and in it's place was a mini-mall.

I wish I had a place like that. So rare to find these guitars in shops, the only place by me is DiPinto in Philly. Although I was in UK earlier this year and there's a lot of 70s/80s MIJ stuff in their shops, which was cool.

[Crusty]

The thing I speak of, music store, was more than 40 years ago! The don't exist any more. Now you have aberrations such as Guitar Sinner and Moron Go Round and the like. Even Sam Ash threw in the towel and they're one of the oldest. If you do find a "music store" here in the U.S. it's all about the money and not about the music. Money comes and goes but music feeds the soul and remains.

[Wutz]

I bought my first electric guitar in a small music shop in Wiesbaden (Germany)... a Cimar Strat copy. I confirmed a couple of years ago, that the guitar was made by Fujigen. Actually my first three electric guitars were made by Fujigen... but then I always wanted to have a PE-R80....

[Graham65]

Diaon ?

Northern ?

the knobs look like the Granada era for the Royal Conservatory of Music, Ontario Canada