Matsumoku SE-500 Floral

Price

£1,600 GBP | SOLD

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

I write about Harayama elsewhere on this site - his influence on MIJ output is rarely appreciated, but without him companies we know today such as ESP and Fender Japan wouldn't be what they are today; and Prince probably wouldn't have had his MadCat Tele. You can have a bit of Harayama magic with a lot of our DreamBuild guitars - this is one fine example. Based around a 1973 Matsumoku built Greco (the original Gneco decal stays) SE-500, this already fine guitar has traded most of its hardware and all of its electronics for a modern and vastly improved specification. The glorious neck remains with its original frets - all dressed and perfected to retain the vintage "run-in" feel. The body has its original White polyurethane finish - just one or two signs of a good life remain to indicate it has been around for nearly 50 years.

This SE-500 is part of a trilogy of 1973 Matsumoku 'Gnecos" - a Strat, a Tele and an Esquire complete the set. As well as the general aesthetics, these guitars also share a common specification for hardware and electronics. This one has a set of Evil Sheep 'Sheep Experience' pick-ups - a clever blend of AlNiCo 2 and 5 across each one to deliver clarity from bass and treble ends. They are medium output - not too hot, but deliver a lot more punch than the original Maxons. We now have a 5 way control instead of the original 3 way, and standard volume and tone circuits. The amazing Matsumoku designed bridge (that featured on guitars for only a year) has been replaced by a Gotoh 510NST unit to retain the narrow string spacing but provide the most reliable and comfortable tremolo function. A beautifully printed scratchplate design really makes this guitar stand out. I frequently hear folk who sample this guitar say "it plays feels like I can't afford it", but compared with the majority of good 1973 Strats, it isn't as pricey as you may expect, and much higher value in terms of how you can use it. All the original parts and components for this guitar are safely stored in our archive and would come with the guitar either stored with us, or with you. All are in working order and could be returned to the guitar at any point in the future. The bridge would require minor surgery, but nothing particularly difficult.

Details

The Look

Part of the floral trilogy, and the scratchplate design aside, this guitar retains a lot of its original look. Shiney new chrome Gotoh hardware always looks good on these models.

Headstock

The tuners are rebuilt originals - in perfect working order. New string trees improve stability

Neck

An original Harayama 3-piece maple neck with beautifully dressed frets - ready to provide comfortable and free playing in every circumstance.

Pick-ups

3 x Evil Sheep 'Sheep Experience' with all AlNiCo5 for the neck pick-up (5.9k), a mixture of AlNiCo 2 and 5 on the middle and bridge (6.1k and 6.5k) and this results in warm and bluesy, or rock and roll when you need them. A fine balance. Mark takes care to use very specific wire for these - his efforts have paid off handsomely.