Search found 1056 matches

by Barry
Sat May 02, 2026 5:44 pm
Forum: El Degas Show & Tell
Topic: GB81 - A product of J&B
Replies: 2
Views: 1504

Re: GB81 - A product of J&B

Welcome Carlooch
Your story is a touching one, and we'd love to see your dad's old guitar, but unfortunately, there is something lacking in your URL (likely public permission). It is only displaying the Google main search page. :?

Please double check. :wink:
by Barry
Fri Apr 24, 2026 3:11 pm
Forum: Buy & Sell
Topic: El Degas 4001 Red Sunburst
Replies: 2
Views: 1551

Re: El Degas 4001 Red Sunburst

This is an internet site, how about some pictures? :wink:
by Barry
Tue Mar 31, 2026 4:11 pm
Forum: El Degas Show & Tell
Topic: El Degas C-120 classical
Replies: 5
Views: 1973

Re: El Degas C-120 classical

I really like that Goya! It seems the Japanese guitar makers were really trying to build top notch reproductions of Spanish classical guitars at that time...
Yeah, she's a little treasure all right, very light and resonant. However, believe it or not, in this production year, it was made in Sweden ...
by Barry
Thu Mar 26, 2026 1:08 pm
Forum: El Degas Show & Tell
Topic: El Degas C-120 classical
Replies: 5
Views: 1973

Re: El Degas C-120 classical

Hello Michael and congratulations on recognising a quality instrument "in the rough" and for having the skills to bring her back to life, it sounds like you've done everything right. We seldom see classical guitars here so it's great to hear about your find. :D

Beginner guitar players (and their ...
by Barry
Sun Feb 01, 2026 11:16 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: El Degas J-200 copy?
Replies: 11
Views: 10683

Re: El Degas J-200 copy?

Hey, it does work...sort of.

I played my guitar for years with it installed and I was none the wiser, until I played with someone else who had a "proper" bridge/saddle in his guitar. Then the difference in volume was very noticeable!

When I was a teacher ( back in Medieval times) my Vice Principal ...
by Barry
Sat Jan 31, 2026 3:22 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: El Degas J-200 copy?
Replies: 11
Views: 10683

Re: El Degas J-200 copy?

It would be very nice if this idea worked as intended. But, alas, the physics do not allow it to.

An acoustic saddle needs solid contact with the bridge over its entire length in order to transfer the full frequency and string vibrational energy to the sound board.

This design allows contact only ...
by Barry
Sat Jan 31, 2026 12:59 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: El Degas J-200 copy?
Replies: 11
Views: 10683

Re: El Degas J-200 copy?

charles wrote: Sat Jan 31, 2026 12:20 pm The headstock logo style and F- prefix point to MIJ.
I defer to your expertise Charles. MIJ it is! :mrgreen:
by Barry
Sat Jan 31, 2026 10:06 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: El Degas J-200 copy?
Replies: 11
Views: 10683

Re: El Degas J-200 copy?

Yeah, it's a J-200 copy alright. Can't say for certain but it might indeed be a MIJ instrument except that wide bridge makes me hesitate a little. More on that below.

And I agree with Charles that the second pick guard on the top is not original.
The Everly Brothers frequently played J-200's early ...
by Barry
Fri Jan 30, 2026 4:11 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: El Degas J-200 copy?
Replies: 11
Views: 10683

Re: El Degas J-200 copy?

Hello mico888 and welcome.
Pictures would be helpful eh? Otherwise we're just blue skying a response.

That said, I'm a little confused by the model number that you quoted. An "F" designation usually referred to a Fender copy and a Gibson model would usually be designated with a "G" prefix. (That's ...
by Barry
Wed Dec 03, 2025 1:09 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 335 or 345 copy
Replies: 18
Views: 40843

Re: Matsumoku Clarity


Looks like B&J had a CA distribution warehouse at one time
Interesting find Charles. :wink:

ElMan335 , I am the Admin of the Westone Forums and designer of the original westoneguitars.net website which has since changed hands and been made over (rather poorly). Westone was the house brand of ...
by Barry
Wed Dec 03, 2025 8:32 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: 335 or 345 copy
Replies: 18
Views: 40843

Re: 335 or 345 copy

Wow, you've been busy!
You have solved the "meh" opinion I have had on the these 345 varitone clones. Not so much a tone suck as an undifferentiated effect from position to position in my experience. You've hit on the missing link methinks, thanks for clearing that up!

I have a '64 Gibson ES330 ...
by Barry
Fri Sep 12, 2025 7:33 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Possible Serial Number Interpretation
Replies: 9
Views: 690899

Re: Possible Serial Number Interpretation


Soo. My el degas gb23 serial that i bought TODAY is 4060077. Are you suggesting that this means its a 74?? I remember the 82 yr old guy i bought it off today saying he bought it new at mecca music in 1978. Indicating that the ladt 2 numbers in my serial are the year of manufacture. But...hard to ...
by Barry
Fri Sep 12, 2025 7:21 am
Forum: El Degas Show & Tell
Topic: Hummingbird Copy GB23
Replies: 5
Views: 12905

Re: Hummingbird Copy GB23

Jesseblack wrote: Thu Sep 11, 2025 9:59 pm ...Serial is 4060077. I can post some pics.
Yep, that serial number series seems to be the sweet spot alright, great score! Congrats!

And yes, we'd love some pix! :mrgreen:
by Barry
Mon Jul 14, 2025 3:35 pm
Forum: El Degas Show & Tell
Topic: NBD: El Degas PBass
Replies: 3
Views: 6837

Re: NBD: El Degas PBass

What a nice surprise on ironing day! :lol: Great colour too.

I can't help much with the dating and switch functions, but the forum owner, Charles, should be able to once he checks in. My guess is that you're correct in dating it to the early 80's.

As far as the electronics are concerned, I would ...
by Barry
Mon Apr 14, 2025 11:03 am
Forum: Buy & Sell
Topic: Gibson Marauder copy
Replies: 2
Views: 31718

Re: Gibson Marauder copy

Wow, that's an unusual model eh?
I suspect it's a collector's item for sure, and it's gotta sound different than your usual HH or HS arrangement! :)