These Skylark guitars were sold in 1980-81 J.C.Penneys catalogs of all places. For Christmas 82, I got the red one, bare bones of the 3. This aqua blue is the top; there was a middle one, walnut stain finish w/ most of the same features. Mine is red w/ 2 yellowish creme pups that sound Dimarzio. Hardtail chrome bridge. One volume n One tone, gold type knobs. Split coil n Gibson like 3 way pup switch. Double horn. Only mods I've done since 12/1982 (!) is I had Grover Pegs put on 1988. And a strat jack in 1999 bc I accidently put the OG jack thru body. Retired now but she plays fine still.
A VARY Rare and Sweet Guitar. Too bad that design was discontinued so fast. 1981 Skylark , Vantage Guitars clearly shows how truly inovative the Luthiers and electronic design guys were at Matsumoku. They sounded great and Oh My God the Fretboard / Body setups were low and fast!! Gibson and Fender had to step up standards thanks to MIJ. Hard to believe they where sacrificed to save Singer Sewing Machine Company. Makes me sick when I think about it.
Japanese mfg used to be laughing stock back in the 60s. MIJ meant cheap and crappy. Then in the 70s and 80's they started eating our lunch with quality stuff. During this period they made the best offshore guitars, and I think Japan's 70s 80s retain the edge over any new asian stuff. Bonus: they are as affordable as ever. Cheers
$450 - 600 apparently. Mine went for $500. Worth it, if this is the type guitar you are looking for. The Varitone switch seems to command a hefty premium over the other Skylarks. The bargain alternative is a lesser Skylark or a Cardinal 350 (no varitone) and many of the Vantages. Same look, feel, quality, sound. Rock on.
perfect or nearly so. Those guys didnt use all the Floyd Rose bombs these are all hardtails. For a couple hundred less buy one of the Vantage or Westbury or Aria Cardinal series, they are just as capable, you dont need the varitone. rock on beeeeyatch
You obviously have great taste in guitars twangshui ;-) A couple of the models you're demonstrating can be found in my modest collection too, including this beauty. But why on earth did you want to (did you?) sell her??
Too many MIJs, somethings gotta go, this was not my favorite, and is desirable so I figured it would sell well which it did. I only regret selling off the Ghost, a very simple but awesome little geetar. I usually only post the ones I am selling. Enjoy your matsumokus they are great PS get a Westbury Standard, best cheap guitar from the Matsu factorry IMO Cheers
These Skylark guitars were sold in 1980-81 J.C.Penneys catalogs of all places. For Christmas 82, I got the red one, bare bones of the 3. This aqua blue is the top; there was a middle one, walnut stain finish w/ most of the same features. Mine is red w/ 2 yellowish creme pups that sound Dimarzio. Hardtail chrome bridge. One volume n One tone, gold type knobs. Split coil n Gibson like 3 way pup switch. Double horn. Only mods I've done since 12/1982 (!) is I had Grover Pegs put on 1988. And a strat jack in 1999 bc I accidently put the OG jack thru body. Retired now but she plays fine still.
A VARY Rare and Sweet Guitar. Too bad that design was discontinued so fast. 1981 Skylark , Vantage Guitars clearly shows how truly inovative the Luthiers and electronic design guys were at Matsumoku. They sounded great and Oh My God the Fretboard / Body setups were low and fast!! Gibson and Fender had to step up standards thanks to MIJ. Hard to believe they where sacrificed to save Singer Sewing Machine Company. Makes me sick when I think about it.
I had one 35 years ago had to pawn it... best guitar I ever had... metal machine! If you ever want to sell it, I'm your guy...
They still had it after 36 years! Laid it away and she's coming home to stay!
Nice dude!
Japanese mfg used to be laughing stock back in the 60s. MIJ meant cheap and crappy. Then in the 70s and 80's they started eating our lunch with quality stuff. During this period they made the best offshore guitars, and I think Japan's 70s 80s retain the edge over any new asian stuff. Bonus: they are as affordable as ever. Cheers
‘Doesn’t that _off tune_ string bother your ear?
$450 - 600 apparently. Mine went for $500. Worth it, if this is the type guitar you are looking for. The Varitone switch seems to command a hefty premium over the other Skylarks. The bargain alternative is a lesser Skylark or a Cardinal 350 (no varitone) and many of the Vantages. Same look, feel, quality, sound. Rock on.
perfect or nearly so. Those guys didnt use all the Floyd Rose bombs these are all hardtails. For a couple hundred less buy one of the Vantage or Westbury or Aria Cardinal series, they are just as capable, you dont need the varitone. rock on beeeeyatch
You obviously have great taste in guitars twangshui ;-)
A couple of the models you're demonstrating can be found in my modest collection too, including this beauty. But why on earth did you want to (did you?) sell her??
Would you recommend this for someone who plays stuff like KISS, AC/DC, or Metallica
Too many MIJs, somethings gotta go, this was not my favorite, and is desirable so I figured it would sell well which it did. I only regret selling off the Ghost, a very simple but awesome little geetar. I usually only post the ones I am selling. Enjoy your matsumokus they are great PS get a Westbury Standard, best cheap guitar from the Matsu factorry IMO Cheers
What does the 857-2588 go for of the market today?