A buddy of mine just recieved this guitar from his Dad. His dad told him he got it in the 60's and he said it was made in Japan, but other than that he didn't know anything else about it. Does anyone know anything about this guitar or the "Ideal" brand or even guitar manufacturing in Japan during the 60's? I told him I'd throw it up on here and try to find some info about it...Thanks!!!
I'm no expert but I do know a lot of guitars made in Japan around that time were more often than not made in the same factory and branded in several different ways, so it's possible your friend could have himself a gem. Unfortunately the brand name "ideal" is of no use whatsoever when googling "Ideal Japanese guitar manufacturer" or whatever
I must say I think it's a very nice looking guitar, I'm a sucker for eccentric early Japanese electrics with far too many switches and odd pickup positions.
haha ya...the switches are so worn you can barely tell if they are 2 or 3 way switches. Also, the fretboard is a bit thinner than a normal guitar, so it's kind of hard to play...that and the action is ridiculously high right now. He is going to shave down the floating bridge to get it as low as possible...the neck is actually really straight. Of all the possible switches, I only found one that worked adn it was basically just the neck pickup...we couldn't adjust the tone because there is a bad connection in that too...and the volume pot doesn't work...:/
...its just gonna take some work...of course it's impossible to get to any of the electronics because there is no opening on the back...
Japanese made "Ideal" hollow body guitar...HELP!!!
Posted - 03/24/2009 : 16:34:56
