Pickups: MMK-61 both positions

Fretboard: Rosewood

Neck: 3 Piece Mahogany

Body: 2 Piece Mahogany

Top: Plain Maple

Nut Material: Plastic

Bridge: ABR-1 and Stop Tailpiece

Colour: Cherry Burst

Country of Origin: Japan

Weight: 4.88 kg / 10.76 lbs

 

After purchasing my first Matsumoku Epiphone LP and enjoying the thing so much, I took the opportunity to purchase a second one when one came up on auction on eBay at a very reasonable price.

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Having had experience with these Matsumoku Les Pauls I had a fair idea of what to expect, and I had planned to set this one up for use with a slide. When I received it though, I realised that it had been virtually unplayed throughout its life, with the plastic wrapping still on the pickguard. Playing through it, it dawned on me that it would be a damn shame to subject such a nice guitar to my sh*tty slide playing. 

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Something else that struck me was also the consistency in tone between the two guitars. They sounded near identical, which is a testament not only to the lutherie but also the manufacturing of the pickups. This one is a little heavier than the Tobacco Burst model I picked up earlier but they sound really remarkably close. 

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If you see any of these models come up for sale (I've seen 2 others come up for sale in all my years of looking) my advice would be not to hesitate getting one. If you're worried about the quality, don't be. If you're worried about if they are the "genuine article", well all I can say is that we may never know the true back story behind these Matsumoku made beauties but they are LPs through and through. Made with the right materials, right proportion, right neck angle and with a deep arch top which some later Epiphones lacked. They are what they are, and I wouldn't pay any more for it than I would a quality "lawsuit" guitar from Japan in that era.

 

 

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Jobs/Upgrades to be done:

Bone Nut

Pickups

 

Upgrades done:

None - Stock