Elk badged guitars came in clear acrylics in addition to colors in the early 1970’s, which was an attempt to copy clear acrylics designed by the legendary Dan Armstrong in the late 1960’s.įernandes Guitars started production in 1969 in Osaka, Japan. Makers of the Elk badged guitar from the early to mid 1960’s to 1975, although other sources indicate that the Elk brand did not stop production until the early 1980’s. A possible badge made by the company was Robin. Badges made by ESP included their house brand ESP as well as Navigator during the late 1970’s. ESP survived the ‘copy’ era and is still in business today. Dyna also produced the infamous Ibanez badges for a short period of time.įounded in 1975 by Hisatake Shibuya, this wildly-popular manufacturer focused on making quality basses for export as well as electric guitars. Dyna was responsible for the JooDee badge and may have been a source for Japanese manufacturer Yamaki. They manufactured guitars for Fender Japan and Greco, so they couldn’t have been a terrible manufacturer as Fender is very choosy about outsourcing their product.
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Daimaru appears to have gone out of business after 1980.ĭyna Gakki began production in 1972 in the city of Nagano, Japan. Guitars made by Chushin from this period are well-made and appreciated by guitar enthusiasts worldwide.įounded in the city of Matsumoto, Japan in the early 1960’s, Daimaru produced their own house brand, although they outsourced electric guitar production to Teisco during the 1970’s period. The company may have possibly made some guitars with the Aztec, Maya and Robin badges, but that is not verified. During the 1960-1980 period they were responsible for badges Bambu, Cobran, El Maya and Hisonus as well as some Charvel, Fresher and Jackson badges. I believe that Chushin may have been a member of the Matsumoto Musical Instruments Association listed further down because both companies produced Fresher guitars during different periods….with Matsumoto beginning production and Chushin ending it (perhaps because the Association was disbanded?). The company did not make any other badged guitars other than namesake Atlansia.Ĭhushin is still in operation today in Nagano, Japan and does business with guitar giant Fender. Since then, Atlansia has continued to produce cutting-edge guitar designs in Nagano, Japan. Atlansia didn’t begin production of guitars under their badge until infamous engineer and designer Nobuaki Hayashi of Matsumoku fame became the company’s president and chief designer in the late 1970’s. This guitar manufacturer started out as a parts supplier in the early 1970’s. The list might not be complete but it’s a good start. Luckily I found this great list of Japanese guitars brands, or rather a list of guitar makers. I have over the years learned quite a lot about different brands and makers but it can get pretty confusing for me too.
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I guess it will come as no surprise that I love Japanese guitars, especially Greco’s. The Greco family, Greco Spacey Sounds TE-500N 1977, Greco Les Paul Custom EG-600C 1980, Greco Spacey Sounds TL-500 1979