Author Topic: orville MIJ anyone? (Read 21155 times)

big steve · « **on:** November 14, 2005, 09:37:33 AM »

ok, i'm now on the hunt for a japanese LP replica (very high quality, many have long tenon neck joints etc). one that I'm interested in has "orville kluson style tuners". will i be able to replace these for grovers?

Skybone · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2005, 10:04:26 AM »

Doubt it, as Orville is basically Gibson, Japan. They also make the Epiphone Elite's (I think, as they're MIJ as well, and Epi being owned by Gibson etc)...

Most MIJ LP "replica's" are pretty spot on. I have 2 MIJ Tokai Love Rock's, which are both loaded with BKP's o' course! ;) They are both solid, well built guitars, and other than the usual unwound 3rd problem, I don't have any tuning problems (main guitar is down half a step, the other is drop tuned half (C# 6th) with 9-46's). Hardware on Tokai's is made by Gotoh, unsure of the origin of Orville hardware, though I'd guess at Gotoh as well (being another Japanese manufacturer).

IMO, Grover's suck, they're heavy and you can't "feel" the string as you wind it. The Kluson-a-like's give you that feel.

Hope that helps...

big steve · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2005, 10:10:41 AM »

ok, thanks much for that! i think i'll go for this.

big steve · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2005, 06:17:10 PM »

i hope it's good! i just ordered it off ebay :P i'll keep y'all updated...

Skybone · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2005, 07:07:16 PM »

If it's anything like my Tokai's, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. ;)

I've not tried any of the Epi Elite's, but they're supposed to be pretty darn good as well, and all the guys that post on the Tokai Forum (http://www.tokaiforum.com) that have any experience with any of the other MIJ replica's (Orville/Greco/Edwards/etc) really rate them as well.

At least actually IS a Gibson...but with good quality control. ;)

big steve · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2005, 09:43:31 PM »

yeah! good call

and it cost £500 instead of £1500

indysmith · « **Reply #6 on:** November 14, 2005, 10:20:39 PM »

Congrats steve! i really want one! :x
Be sure to tell me how it sounds/feels compared to a gibbo

big steve · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2005, 11:52:54 PM »

well, i have a modification in might that i am confident will improve the sound... 8)

willo · « **Reply #8 on:** November 15, 2005, 01:43:17 AM »

where you getting this from, steve?

Skybone · « **Reply #9 on:** November 15, 2005, 08:04:47 AM »

Modifications sound-wise? Surely not! ;)

I've got a set of Black Dog's in my main Love Rock, and a set of Emerald's in my "new" one, and both guitars sound absolutely fantastic. Depends on what sort of sound/style you have in mind for it of course, but I can really recommend these.

math2014 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 15, 2005, 12:59:16 PM »

As skybone said, Orville, Edwards, Tokai all MIJ (some share factories cant remember which), are spot on instruments (i got a Tokai MIJ LP).

Only problem is.... i cant decide between Mules and BlackDogs :shock:

Skybone · « **Reply #11 on:** November 15, 2005, 04:54:41 PM »

LOL!

I think that:

Orville is made by Gibson Japan, where (World Market) Epiphone Elites are built.

Greco, and Edwards are made by Fernandes.

Tokai and Burny are made by Tokai Gakki.

Not 100% sure though, as the whole MIJ thing is a bit of a grey area.

dave_mc · « **Reply #12 on:** November 15, 2005, 04:59:05 PM »

i always heard edwards were esp-made, but that's only hearsay...

math2014 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 15, 2005, 05:20:22 PM »

Quote from: dave_mc

i always heard edwards were esp-made, but that's only hearsay...

www.espguitars.co.jp , its in there ;)

dave_mc · « **Reply #14 on:** November 15, 2005, 05:22:19 PM »

^yeah, thought so! :lol: