Calling all HarrySeven's.

Kittyfrisk

Hi @HarrySeven I would appreciate your sage advice on this guitar (and of course that of all other FB members).

I bought this a few years back as it was described as a 'Maya' and I have a bit of love for this brand, but didn't own a neck through/thru guitar at the time, so I was having it   

The bridge was described as a replacement Ibanez, which has been hardtailed with an oak block.
Nut is brass & looks original.
Pickups could be DiMarzio's, the bridge definitely is a genuine vintage DiMarzio SD, as I had it fitted.
Original Schaller tuners (by the look of it).

Construction is rosewood/maple sandwich neck, with possible Mahogany or Korina 'wings'.
Nice chatoyance to be seen in the wood.

The El Maya guitars of this type were a pancake body & had a notched lower headstock, so this clearly isn't one.
It resembles a Suntech, but again, does not have a pancake body.

I keenly await any responses, questions conspiracy theories etc. 

HarrySeven

My first thought was Oakland, but that would also be pancake...

Kittyfrisk

Yes, it's a wee puzzler. I have also had suggested Satellite, Alembic, Carvin and of course it might be a DIY build. All options are open.
By the way, I think you should have a bat signal of some type on the forum   

ICBM

Looks like an El Maya with a reshaped headstock and a trem routed in. It doesn't have a multi-layer body, but the rest of it is so close that I'd be more inclined to think it's just a simpler model than made somewhere else.




(http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/discus/messages/13/2403.html?1099141542)

Are there any signs of other machineheads having been fitted under the Schallers? They don't look like they're on quite right, a couple of them overlap.

HarrySeven

I have a feeling that I’ve seen MIJ models like this branded Fresher and Conn.

Kittyfrisk

Haven't ever felt like removing the tuners, but you're right, they are wonky. Reshaped headstock is a possibility I had considered, but the lower edge finish is uniform (nothing to prove it though). The solid wings are more of a puzzle to me, as why would you change the elements of a production run?  But that's guitars for you, never a dull moment and there is no bad news to be had here. I love it, regardless of it's provenance/history/origins      (edit: and thanks for the help @ICBM ).

HarrySeven

https://reverb.com/item/15679158-incredibly-rare-fresher-straighter-neck-thru-stratocaster

Not identical, but in a similar ballpark...

Kittyfrisk

HarrySeven said:

https://reverb.com/item/15679158-incredibly-rare-fresher-straighter-neck-thru-stratocaster

Not identical, but in a similar ballpark...

Thanks. Could be close cousins. I rather like the sound of "Incredibly rare" lol    

viz

Looks a bit like mine

http://i.imgur.com/Mnoju6D.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mmE1YYp.jpg

Kittyfrisk

viz said:

Looks a bit like mine

http://i.imgur.com/Mnoju6D.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mmE1YYp.jpg

Got to like through necks IMHO 

ICBM

Kittyfrisk said:

Haven't ever felt like removing the tuners, but you're right, they are wonky. Reshaped headstock is a possibility I had considered, but the lower edge finish is uniform (nothing to prove it though). The solid wings are more of a puzzle to me, as why would you change the elements of a production run?

The Japanese factories seemed to do stuff like that. Remember there was someone here a while back who had a Matsumoku-made semi-acoustic with what looked like a Vantage body and an unlogo'd Vox headstock, but factory original.

The reason I think it's an El Maya or at least definitely from the same factory is not just the through-neck with the single rosewood stripe, it's the shaping on the back of the neck at the body and headstock transitions - it's identical.

Kittyfrisk

ICBM said:

Kittyfrisk said:

Haven't ever felt like removing the tuners, but you're right, they are wonky. Reshaped headstock is a possibility I had considered, but the lower edge finish is uniform (nothing to prove it though). The solid wings are more of a puzzle to me, as why would you change the elements of a production run?

The Japanese factories seemed to do stuff like that. Remember there was someone here a while back who had a Matsumoku-made semi-acoustic with what looked like a Vantage body and an unlogo'd Vox headstock, but factory original.

The reason I think it's an El Maya or at least definitely from the same factory is not just the through-neck with the single rosewood stripe, it's the shaping on the back of the neck at the body and headstock transitions - it's identical.

Very sage advice. I have almost pulled the trigger on a Vantage 'Ghost' as they are very nice affordable copies of my much loved Gibson 'The Paul's'. The single rosewood centre stripe is unusual as far as I have been able to see, but it is quite pleasing to view (to me anyway).

I haven't had the scratchplate off to see if the bridge rout is an HB, but it's definitely a possibilty. 
I really need to get more hands on, but my physical setup skills lack a certain... anything 
As I said, if it is a Maya, I'll be well chuffed in landing a lovely bargain. If not, it's a lovely bastard that has a loving home 

sweepy

Mighty Mite made a neck through Strat back in the v early 80’s

ICBM

I’m guessing the humbucker on that El Maya isn’t original.

Is the trem rout in yours original? Having only two screw holes for the cover suggests it might not be.

Kittyfrisk

ICBM said:

I’m guessing the humbucker on that El Maya isn’t original.

Is the trem rout in yours original? Having only two screw holes for the cover suggests it might not be.

I have seen a few photo's of HSS El Maya strat type guitars. Regarding the routing...you tell me  I reckon possibly not, but not a bad job though.  There are actually three screw holes, one of them appears to be a 'first go'    Besides, who has a two screw rear trem cover?  Having said that I have always though(t) Fender went way OTT with their use of screws. I prefer less is more.

blobb

 Fresher Straighter?

guitars4you

HarrySeven said:

I have a feeling that I’ve seen MIJ models like this branded Fresher and Conn.

The Fresher tag rings a bell with me, for some reason - But not so sure about the Schallers + DiMarzio on such models - Might be correct and a fading memory bank on my account - I recall buying/stocking Freshers when Woodroffes in Brum imported them - Don't know if you recall those days ? - late 70's /early 80's ?

Kittyfrisk

blobb said:

 Fresher Straighter?

I'm hearing Fresher, straighter, bigger, stronger, faster!!

But jokes aside, it's definitely in the genetic ballpark, thanks.

Kittyfrisk

Note to self.
I can't believe I said 'ballpark'!!!
I'll be saying 'ass', 'butt' & 'fanny' soon 
I'm feeling culturally appropriated... & more than a little soiled.

Kittyfrisk

guitars4you said:

HarrySeven said:

I have a feeling that I’ve seen MIJ models like this branded Fresher and Conn.

The Fresher tag rings a bell with me, for some reason - But not so sure about the Schallers + DiMarzio on such models - Might be correct and a fading memory bank on my account - I recall buying/stocking Freshers when Woodroffes in Brum imported them - Don't know if you recall those days ? - late 70's /early 80's ?

I know the feeling. I was there in the 70's... I think?

Philly_Q

guitars4you said:

HarrySeven said:

I have a feeling that I’ve seen MIJ models like this branded Fresher and Conn.

The Fresher tag rings a bell with me, for some reason - But not so sure about the Schallers + DiMarzio on such models - Might be correct and a fading memory bank on my account - I recall buying/stocking Freshers when Woodroffes in Brum imported them - Don't know if you recall those days ? - late 70's /early 80's ?

Fresher always makes me think of switches...