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Yet
one more ebay guitar, It didn't stay there long once I saw it. I kindof
bumped a friend out of the running, but luckily he's not mad. Also made
by Matsumoku, The Electra label was distributed by Saint Louis Music but
was changed in '83 to Electra-Phoenix. Another company in California was
distributing an "Electra" guitar of much lower quality and SLM felt the
name change would further distance them from the cheapies. My second decent
guitar was an Electra Omega LP copy!
.
This
one is about as clean as they get for this age considering it has been
in circulation all this time. It's obvious the previous owners took pretty
good care of it. The quality, materials, and workmanship are every bit
as good as a Les Paul of the period. There were some innovative ideas that
went into the design of this guitar. The heel is a lot like the PE and
the Westone Prestige, but the joint tapers out from the body to meet the
neck beyond the body. The flame maple is actually veneer but underneath
is a SOLID (not bookmatched) 1/2" maple cap on a mahogany body. It's been
said that a solid top transmits vibration better and more evenly than two
bookmatched
pieces. Now that I have this, I'm a little more inclined to believe it.
.
The
guitar is bone stock from end to end save for the pickups. Well made in
every respect including brass nut, SOLID brass bridge, brass control cavity
covers, fully bound body/neck/headstock, sealed precision 16to1 tuners,
and push-pull tone pots for coil cut and phase. All stock. The body is
maple capped mahogany with heel-less set mahogany neck.
.
The
original pickups were designed by Tom Presley and wound by St. Louis Music.
They're weren't much on low end, but there was enough bite there to chew
through chain mail! I'm not much for the DiMarzio tone of the original
pickups so I happened across some unknowns and tried them in it. WOW! Talks
about PAF+ tone and output! They may look a little funky but for what they
did for the guitar, I can easily close my eyes! Anyone know what the heck
they are? The link below also has a closeup of the pickup. If you know,
let me in on the secret!
.
I
have since become completely disenchanted with Electra in general, and
have sold off all but this one. Some rather unpleasant and unnecessary
bullshit has left quite a bad taste in my mouth and I have severed all
ties with anything and anyone Electra. I have little use for imitation
strats or guitars with on-board toy effects.
.
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