Hi everyone.
I have a few LPs (R9 and an 80s Standard) and so have spent years reading this forum
I decided to join, because there's a few threads I want to respond to, and because I wanted to share my recent NGD, as it's pretty amazing!
This is a 1970s (best guess 77-78) El Maya ES-335 copy. I bought it from the UK. It had one previous owner, John Renbourn, who bought it - as far as I can tell - on tour in Japan. These were not sold in Europe or the US, but were a domestic brand, made in the same factory as things like Charvel, and Fresher.
This particular guitar might even be a custom build, according to a Japanese guitar dealer. I have spent dozens of hours looking for another example, going back through the 1990s, and have not found one. So this might indeed be a one-off.
There ARE a few red El Maya 335s, but they're nothing like this.
There are a total of two dings and one scratch. the scratch, you'd REALLY have to look for. The dings are the size of pin pricks and are on the back.
Can you spot it the dings? Lol.
The El Maya brand was one of the premier and most expensive guitars produced in the 70s in Japan. More expensive that Tokai, for example... and... in some cases more expensive than New US made LPs. I didn't believe it myself, but it seems to be true, based on posts on Japanese forums I've found. Not that that matters, but it's interesting - if true
It is 100% original and, most importantly is sounds and plays beautifully. the neck is incredibly straight and flat - I may need to give it a touch of relief at some point, but not because there's any issues.
I may, MAY, upgrade the tuners and may try a few different pickups in it, but then again, I may not. I like to fiddle a bit with guitars, but wouldn't do that with this... though I may let a pro - ha!
Anyway, I just thought I'd share!
I spent AGES trying to find info about it, so maybe some future El Maya owner will find this info useful.
Here's a (not great) pic of the entire guitar:
For reference, here's the other kind of 335 you see on the market. I have seen three for sale, going back through the 90s.
This is from probably 76 (old logo and is in the 76 catalogue). It's also a bit dinged up and modified. The build quality doesn't look at nice, and of course it's not as bling, lol. Pretty though!
I have a few LPs (R9 and an 80s Standard) and so have spent years reading this forum
I decided to join, because there's a few threads I want to respond to, and because I wanted to share my recent NGD, as it's pretty amazing!
This is a 1970s (best guess 77-78) El Maya ES-335 copy. I bought it from the UK. It had one previous owner, John Renbourn, who bought it - as far as I can tell - on tour in Japan. These were not sold in Europe or the US, but were a domestic brand, made in the same factory as things like Charvel, and Fresher.
This particular guitar might even be a custom build, according to a Japanese guitar dealer. I have spent dozens of hours looking for another example, going back through the 1990s, and have not found one. So this might indeed be a one-off.
There ARE a few red El Maya 335s, but they're nothing like this.
There are a total of two dings and one scratch. the scratch, you'd REALLY have to look for. The dings are the size of pin pricks and are on the back.
Can you spot it the dings? Lol.
The El Maya brand was one of the premier and most expensive guitars produced in the 70s in Japan. More expensive that Tokai, for example... and... in some cases more expensive than New US made LPs. I didn't believe it myself, but it seems to be true, based on posts on Japanese forums I've found. Not that that matters, but it's interesting - if true
It is 100% original and, most importantly is sounds and plays beautifully. the neck is incredibly straight and flat - I may need to give it a touch of relief at some point, but not because there's any issues.
I may, MAY, upgrade the tuners and may try a few different pickups in it, but then again, I may not. I like to fiddle a bit with guitars, but wouldn't do that with this... though I may let a pro - ha!
Anyway, I just thought I'd share!
I spent AGES trying to find info about it, so maybe some future El Maya owner will find this info useful.
Here's a (not great) pic of the entire guitar:
For reference, here's the other kind of 335 you see on the market. I have seen three for sale, going back through the 90s.
This is from probably 76 (old logo and is in the 76 catalogue). It's also a bit dinged up and modified. The build quality doesn't look at nice, and of course it's not as bling, lol. Pretty though!
