Un-Branded LP - Similar to Ibanez 2398

[DomTQP]

Hey y'all!

I've had this guitar for quite some time but for some reason never reached out to see if I can get any additional info about this.
This is probably my favorite guitar I've had. The neck plays so well that I thought I suddenly got better (I did not lol). I've done a decent amount of research myself before purchasing it and came to a few potential conclusions, assuming this is a Matsumoku guitar.

It seems closest to an Ibanez 2398 in looks and specs, mine has Gibson tuners on it. The one catch though is there aren't Maxon's in it. I'll upload pics but there's no stamp so I cannot even confirm if they're MMK pups either. The pots do have the same stamps as some of the Ibanez one's I've seen for sale online.

Other brands I think it could've been for are Morris, Electra, or Crestwood. I can't find many that had a maple body & neck with black inlays.

Any insight is appreciated! Idk why I haven't measured how hot the pups are but I'll do that in a few days and report back!

Here's the link to the pics:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

[Kmaxpe1500]

Hi, maybe I missing something but the only picture I see is the one that is that back of the headstock

[DomTQP]

Hi, maybe I missing something but the only picture I see is the one that is that back of the headstock

No you're not I'm dumb lol. I fixed the link to share the full folder

[Jorg]

Dang, hard to find info on these. It kinda looks like an Aria 5542 or similar. From what I've seen, the Ibanez 2398 has LP STD type inlays but these are LP CUSTOM style which I have seen on Aria or similar. Also, I've seen that style pickguard on some Aria's but not sure on Ibanez.
The 3 adjustment screws on the pickups are odd. I won't say they're not Mat but they don't look to be.
So, I see why you're having trouble. . .

[DomTQP]

Dang, hard to find info on these. It kinda looks like an Aria 5542 or similar. From what I've seen, the Ibanez 2398 has LP STD type inlays but these are LP CUSTOM style which I have seen on Aria or similar. Also, I've seen that style pickguard on some Aria's but not sure on Ibanez.
The 3 adjustment screws on the pickups are odd. I won't say they're not Mat but they don't look to be.
So, I see why you're having trouble. . .

Yeah I'm quickly remembering why I stopped my goosechase awhile back haha. The body is mahogany (pancake) and the top is maple if that helps. Going to measure the pickups tomorrow morning, unsure why I've never done that.

Based on what I can find, the flamed Maple top in a natural finish seems to only appear on the Ibanez 2398, Electra 2249, and a few Crestwood's I've seen. But like I said, no Maxons in there.

AND THEN, the block inlays seem to only match Aria, Univox, and Morris. Morris had a natural finish but not flamed. You're right, the pickguard also seems closest to the Aria shape

Is there a chance these are MMK pups? It does seem like some of them didn't have any markings like whatever is in this guitar.

[DomTQP]

NEW INFO: here's what the pups read

Bridge - 10.40-10.45k
Middle - 4.26k
Neck - 7.21k

No serial # that I can find on either pickup. They aren't potted but don't think either MMKs or Maxons were? I could be totally off on that though.

[Crusty]

This would predate MMK pickups. H. Noble had a hand in that. You are correct in that the pickups were not dipped.

[DomTQP]

This would predate MMK pickups. H. Noble had a hand in that. You are correct in that the pickups were not dipped.

Okay interesting. My guess is this would be between 72'-76' based on the other brands I see that did "natural" finishes. I'm not too knowledgeable on Aria, what was used before MMKs? I'm starting to wonder if this could be the neck of an Aria 5542 and the body of a 5532N?

[Crusty]

I'm pretty sure there were no "specific" pickups used on guitars predating Aria Pro II (77/78 on?).

Nobuaki Hayashi (H. Noble as seen on Aria Pro II Headstocks) brought a lot of new and forward thinking ideas with him when he became part of the scene, the pickups being one. Before this about all specs ever said were things like humbucker or single coil. MMK pickups had code names such as Protomatic or Smooth Crash. Nearly all had MMK stamped on the baseplate which is where they got their nickname (which I think was born here).

[DomTQP]

I'm pretty sure there were no "specific" pickups used on guitars predating Aria Pro II (77/78 on?).

Nobuaki Hayashi (H. Noble as seen on Aria Pro II Headstocks) brought a lot of new and forward thinking ideas with him when he became part of the scene, the pickups being one. Before this about all specs ever said were things like humbucker or single coil. MMK pickups had code names such as Protomatic or Smooth Crash. Nearly all had MMK stamped on the baseplate which is where they got their nickname (which I think was born here).

Thanks for shedding light, this actually might've helped narrow down some stuff more. Jorg earlier mentioned it was odd to see the 3 screw pickups which I do agree. However, some google searching pulls up some 3 screw MIJ/Maxon humbuckers from the early 70s along with people selling the pickup mounting rings too.

Here's some of the one's I'm seeing: https://reverb.com/item/13361044-univox ... -worn-gold
https://reverb.com/item/1646919-pre-law ... ca-1972-73

Not saying these are Maxon's like these listings but it seems the 3 screw pickups were in the ether at the time.