Author Topic: H.S. Anderson LP Jr. ? (Read 6653 times)

indysmith · « **on:** November 09, 2006, 01:29:05 PM »

There's one of these in my local music shoppe for £60. Looks like it's all mahogany (3 pieces), rosewood fretboard- it's got no finish on it, which is nice, and a single p90 pup.
It looks awesome - but i don't know anything about these guitars. I found one on the internet here: http://www.kitarapaja.com/usvi2.htm (5 down)
and it's going for a whole lot more (almost 10x) than it's being offered to me for. I think I'll buy it tomorrow. It sounds great acoustically - which suprised me. It feels quite nice; even has a bound neck. Haven't plugged it in though - i don't really care about the sound of the electronics because they'll be changed anyways.
Does anybody have any info on these guitars? You think it's a good buy? I like the idea of having an obscure LP Jr.

Philly Q · « **Reply #1 on:** November 09, 2006, 01:56:37 PM »

I found one link saying they were made in the USA or Canada in the 1970s:

http://store.bluebookinc.com/download/Category.aspx?product=ELECTRIC&id=1074

But elsewhere it says they were built by Vestax in Japan:

"In the early months of 1978, Vestax began producing guitars. At that time, few of the big Japanese brands known today were able to make quality guitars close to the quality of certain European and North American manufacturers. But with a lot of thought, and experimentation with some new compounds Vestax was able to come up with some very innovative pieces. Some of which easily surpassed the quality of any other like instrument that had previously come out of Japan. Some of these pieces went on to be collector's items, for there durability and design were second to none. One particular item produced, H.S.Anderson guitars, caused quite an upset at NAMM a few years later and is still today a collector's item cherished by a few of the worlds leading guitarists and song writers, most notably the artist formerly known as Prince."

(from http://www.instrumentpro.com/C-Vestax)

Either way, sounds like a crazy bargain for £60!! :D

indysmith · « **Reply #2 on:** November 09, 2006, 02:00:45 PM »

thanks a LOAD Philly your a legend. and yeah - you're right, it looks like a mega-deal. I'll take it! she's gonna be sweet with a distressed p90 8)

2 new guitars in 2 days - not bad eh?

Philly Q · « **Reply #3 on:** November 09, 2006, 02:18:43 PM »

Quote from: indysmith

2 new guitars in 2 days - not bad eh?

I can't match that - although I did once set out to buy 2 on the same day. I was going to go to Coda in Stevenage to buy a Les Paul, then to Peter Cooks in Hanwell to buy an SG. I did go to both shops but only bought the SG in the end!

What other guitar have you just bought?

38thBeatle · « **Reply #4 on:** November 09, 2006, 07:01:49 PM »

Definately get it Indy- for that money it has to be worth it-just check it to ensure no major damage.

Twinfan · « **Reply #5 on:** November 09, 2006, 10:32:37 PM »

That's peanuts. I'd have walked straight out with it.

indysmith · « **Reply #6 on:** November 09, 2006, 10:40:04 PM »

i would have taken it but i didn't have the money on me. i'm going to get it first thing tomorrow morning!
The other guitar is a Greco Mint Collection LP Custom that was supposed to be delivered today, however - Parcelforce SUCK. Should be 2 guitars in one day then it seems 8) i can't wait until tomorrow

indysmith · « **Reply #7 on:** November 10, 2006, 11:47:02 AM »

I noticed a thin hairline crack at the base of the guitar's neck, but i got the guitar anyways - it doesn't look serious and for £60 i don't even care if it breaks in the next few years (not likely).
I'll post pics when i get home! Can't wait to hear her plugged in.
Anyone know a good way to stop the spread of cracks? anything i can rub into it or anything?

Philly Q · « **Reply #8 on:** November 10, 2006, 03:42:18 PM »

Quote from: indysmith

Anyone know a good way to stop the spread of cracks? anything i can rub into it or anything?

If the neck's actually "moving", I'd have thought it would be best to remove it then reglue it, but I really don't know. Might be worth PM'ing Jonathan from Feline, I reckon.

Looking forward to the pics!

headtheball · « **Reply #9 on:** November 10, 2006, 06:06:29 PM »

Looks great. Grab it with both hands.

The headstock is pleasantly beezy looking too.

38thBeatle · « **Reply #10 on:** November 10, 2006, 08:08:22 PM »

Well done Indy.Maybe you could post a pic of the crack and some of the experts could give you an opinion.

Twinfan · « **Reply #11 on:** November 10, 2006, 10:25:10 PM »

How about superglue? It's only a £60 guitar after all!

indysmith · « **Reply #12 on:** November 11, 2006, 09:30:20 AM »

The neck wasn't MOVING! it was only a really tiny little crack. I don't think it was anything serious at all - but i found some REALLY strong superglue at my girlfriend's house yesterday, so i applied some of that, let the crack absorb it, applied some more, and then allowed to dry and sanded off the residue. I plugged her into my jcm today, and it's really got that classic LP Jr. tone - i love it. wicked buy for £60 - i'll post pics later![/i]

Philly Q · « **Reply #13 on:** November 11, 2006, 09:55:16 AM »

I only meant "moving" in the sense that the joint might not be totally solid - so if you'd applied pressure the crack might get worse. I didn't mean waggling about like a flagpole on a windy day!

Anyway, glad you've got it sorted. Let's see those pics!