The Electra Forums

Ok, it's not a workingman, or even an Electra, but this is obviously a close cousin of the workingman, look at the contour cut on the front, the the placement of the knobs and pickup switch, as well as the shape of the control cavity cover on the back:



As you can see this is actually a set neck guitar with a traditional heal, so it's a lot like a slab LP special in that respect. This is a Vantage, I think the model is 'the ghost'. Like Westone, Vantage was yet another Matsumoku line. Pretty cool little guitar if you ask me.


Here is a Workingman from the index page for comparison:

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

Very close looking for certain. I have the Vantage 12 string from the first electrafest and it is quality construction(made in Korea) and plays great. I like the Vantage line of guitars also and they are very simular to the electras in many ways. I wonder if this is not the equipment that uncle matt moved to korea and began construction there. They are indeed quality instruments as are most all uncle matt varieties and are a great value for the dollar as they are not as well known as the electras I think.Just my opinion. Nice Axe to be certain.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

Vantage are a bit of a sleeper - much like the Electras - but the world is catching up..... fast!! The Ghosts are very well regarded by those who have them; I have a 1980 VA900 which I would back against any other mass produced guitar; it is that good, and Vantage did a couple of electric 12's which interest me greatly; there is, in fact, a 696-12 on the 'bay atm....

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"Sometimes the nicest thing to do with a guitar is just look at it."

Thom Yorke

That is indeed a very nice Vantage 12 string electric on the bay. I saw it also when I was browsing. I am glad to be military vet as in military whoever has the biggest gun and the most firepower is politically correct. Only PC statement in military is to locate, close with, and destroy the enemy by fire or close combat. the end.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

I've been outbid on a few Vantages and Skylarks lately, particularly the laminated-stripe models. They start low but soar pretty quickly. I'll pay at least half again as much to have the Electra logo, so I always end up watching from the sidelines as they clear $300 or more.

I have a Vantage 790, MIJ by Uncle Matt. It is a nice guitar and like my Workingman has MMK45's

Skylarks are about as common as chickens lips; and they seem to be well sought after as well!! You've seen this, right....

http://www.matsumoku.org/models/skylark ... _info.html

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"Sometimes the nicest thing to do with a guitar is just look at it."

Thom Yorke

Yeah, I read that just as I was looking at a $699 Buy It Now for the top-of-the-line blue Skylark.

That is a very nice looking Blue skylark but overpriced for me.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

The Mat Skylark page may have been put up and not updated many years ago. Prices have definately gone up since then. I keep looking at the skylarks also. I want a blue neck through and a mat red bolt on to have a complete collection. The Set neck I have now is as good as any guitar I have ever played. The only thing I really dont care for is the name on the headstock looks cheesy and painted on. A inlay would definately be much nicer. But if you have it to play it, so what.

Paul

Here's another single cutaway that is a close relative to the Workingman, this time it's a Hondo bolt-neck:



I don't know too much about Hondo's, but with that body and control cover, I'd bet my paycheck that it's made by Matsumoku.

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

Some of the Hondo II's were MIJ and very likely Uncle Matt. I have heard of MMK pups in them.

Man, who knew that there were so many Workingman variations/spinoffs? I sure didn't! Here's another one, pretty fancy...:


I'm thinking about picking this one up if I can talk the guy into it...

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

I have a "Ghost" too.
Set neck.

I changed the tuners to 18:1 grovers
Got a new, real, nut put on.
Possibly got some real Gibby '57s to go in it.

Now I'm gonna replace the bridge, cause im missing a bolt
But its 2 29/32", so it seems standard Les Paul size

this one had some deep neck gouges, but the headstock didnt break... so i got it cheap $50 in a pawn store.

Sounds like a Gibson SG.
Existing pickups are T-top ripoffs (or real.. im not sure they are identical to gibby t-tops, on top)
They are slightly high gain(ish). Kinda like a 490/500 pair. They sound good, not GREAT






I think these guitars are better than modern chinese ripoffs
from what ive played, anyway.

The neck is very "Gibson".