Matsumoku SE-500

Price

£1,600 GBP | SOLD

Missed out on this model? Talk to us for a rebuild!

My love of early 1970s Matsumoku Strats is well known around here - I just can't get enough of them. After 50 years many have developed their own character from the styles and treatment they have received by previous owners. As much as the Maxon single coils have their own soul and character, occasionally it seems sensible to have the modern options such as being quieter and louder when you need them to be, and having more than just 3 sounds at your disposal. This SE-500 was another rescue from Japan - thoroughly used by a busy musician from new until his retirement 5 years ago. Instead of gathering dust and being quietly forgotten about, I brought it to join the fleet here - another 1974 as it turns out. The pre Serial Number 1974/5 Grecos are special - they are all good, but these ones are special. Maybe the consignment of timber, maybe everyone had had a pay rise - whatever the reason, when I see one available, I get it. The Maxons were weak - long had the wax disappeared from them. They are away for rewinding and re-potting so shall return in full working order to accompany the guitar wherever it goes.

In their place is a set of Monty's Guitars '62 Strat which are AlNiCo 5, and 5.8k, 6.0k and 6.3k from neck to bridge. The bridge has a baseplate as I like the thickness these bring to the bridge tone. Monty uses heavy Formvar wire for these and only partially potted. We are going for an early 1960s tone here so these seem to be the best choice. The bridge is now a Gotoh 510NST - a very high quality unit that adds a lot of sustain to the guitar, and has incredible tuning stability. Tuners are new Gotoh SD91 units. And another resounding success. This is a guitar that you just don't want to put down - a guitar you actively look for an expensive US Fender relic'ed Strat to show off in front of. All the patina is real, the sounds are phenomenal, the comfort for long-hauls is there. This could so easily be your main working guitar, and a real genuine alternative to that relic'ed Strat or re-issue that you will have me upgrade the pick-ups on anyway...