Anyone got a maya gibson copy

KDS

Anengarth said:

I've got a Maya J45 copy bought in Ilfracombe in 1982, now almost 40 yrs. Good as new, wonderful sound, serial no #3545. Any idea as to value if A1 condition? 

are you original owner?

KDS

Anengarth said:

I've got a Maya J45 copy bought in Ilfracombe in 1982, now almost 40 yrs. Good as new, wonderful sound, serial no #3545. Any idea as to value if A1 condition? 

Did you buy from the music shop in Ilfracombe in 82?  

Kittyfrisk

@KDS  10 out of 10 for tenacity  
From the description here  https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/maya-j45-copy.2305849/   the guitar was bought from a shop in Ilfracombe.
Really hope your search works out for you soon.

Durtylinen

I've had an N45J Artist Model (J45 clone) since 1976.  Allegedly hand-built in Kobe and nearly the same price as the Gibson at the time.  Saw it, played it for two hours and it wouldn't let me leave the shop wihout it.  Most of them in the Midlands were sold by Norman's pianos of Burton on Trent.  Not to be confused with their cheaper acoustics which were also excellent value.  Factory destroyed in an earthquake.  I believe they were wholesaled by Rokkoman if memory serves.  

Durtylinen

Found on Mandolin Cafe: -"Maya" was a brand named used by a
Japanese Trading Company from Kobe called Rokkoman. In the early 1970s
Tahara-san had a factory in Matsumoto Japan that was engaged primarily in
the production of lower-mid range acoustic guitars, but they also made some
mandolins. Mandolins were a minor portion of their total output. Mr
Tahara's factory in Matsumoto went into bankruptcy in the mid to late 1970s
after which he moved to Tateshina outside of Maruko-machi in Nagano
Prefecture where he focused exclusively on Mandolin production. Shortly
after that move Saga Musical Instruments began a relationship with
Tahara-san that started with specificational input and then with a majority
financial interest in operation. Maybe this is more information than you
need but I think that it fills in a few blanks!

I think Ryohei Tahara later went on to found Kentucky Mandolins and also Blue Ridge guitars

Mellish

@Durtylinen ; - welcome to the forum  

KDS

Durtylinen said:

I've had an N45J Artist Model (J45 clone) since 1976.  Allegedly hand-built in Kobe and nearly the same price as the Gibson at the time.  Saw it, played it for two hours and it wouldn't let me leave the shop wihout it.  Most of them in the Midlands were sold by Norman's pianos of Burton on Trent.  Not to be confused with their cheaper acoustics which were also excellent value.  Factory destroyed in an earthquake.  I believe they were wholesaled by Rokkoman if memory serves.  

Thanks for the information, that’s really interesting that their was or is more than one in the country. Any chance of some photos?