Journal & guides
Guitars and their history.
Brands, workshops and construction. Our knowledge base on vintage guitars, with a special focus on Japanese craftsmanship.
Guitar identification tools
Guide
Tokai Serial Number Decoder — Hard Puncher, Jazz Sound & Love Rock
Check serial numbers for Tokai Love Rock, Springy, Breezy and Silver Star guitars, plus selected early Hard Puncher and Jazz Sound basses. Explore possible years and dating limits.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Greco serial number decoder — year, month & identification
Decode vintage Greco serial numbers: A–L month codes, year and five-digit formats. Super Real, Mint Collection, factory evidence and exceptions.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Fender serial number decoder — year, country & factory
Decode Fender serial numbers from the USA, Japan, Mexico, Korea and Indonesia. MIJ, CIJ, JV, JD, US and MX dating, exceptions and manufacturer sources.
Read the article ↗GUITAR LAB / SELECTED VINTAGE GUITARS
How to choose a vintage guitar
Comparisons and buying guides using instruments from our collection.
Guide
Japanese Strat or a new Fender? Fresher and Fernandes as alternatives
A good ST-style instrument does not have to be new or carry the Fender logo. Here is why a Japanese Fresher or Fernandes with professional workshop preparation is worth considering.
Read the article ↗
Guide
A Japanese Les Paul instead of a new guitar? Greco, Yamaha, Burny and Tokai
A solid single-cut, two humbuckers and a professional overhaul: using the Greco EG800 and Yamaha Studio Lord, we show where to find value in Japanese vintage guitars.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Buying a refretted guitar: what should you check?
New frets can be a major advantage in a vintage guitar. We explain how to assess an overhaul and why a well-prepared older instrument is such an interesting alternative to a new one.
Read the article ↗
Guide
A Japanese dreadnought instead of an expensive Martin? Thumb, K.Yairi and K.Country
Before spending PLN 20,000–50,000 on a Martin, try a good Japanese dreadnought. In our opinion, a professionally prepared older acoustic is an excellent way to buy a great guitar on a much smaller budget.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Jazz Bass from Japan: Fender and Tokai as alternatives to a new bass
Two pickups, a slim neck and many useful tones. We explain why, in our opinion, a serviced Japanese Fender Jazz Bass or Tokai Jazz Sound is an excellent choice instead of a new mid-range instrument.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Precision Bass from Japan: Tokai, Fresher and Edwards instead of a new bass
A distinct foundation, simple controls and a sound that sits well in a band. Using the Tokai Hard Puncher, Fresher Personal Bass and Edwards, we explain the appeal of a professionally serviced Japanese bass with classic construction.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Japanese acoustics alongside Martin and Gibson: Cat’s Eyes, K.Yairi and the Momose legacy
From Tokai’s collaboration with Martin to Bob Weir’s guitars and Yasuo Momose’s workshop. History, specific designs and Guitar Lab’s experience show why Japanese acoustics deserve a place alongside the best American instruments.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Which electric guitar for PLN 3,000–4,000? Japanese vintage and a sound tailored to you
Fresher or Yamaha instead of a new mid-range guitar? We recommend four Japanese instruments with workshop preparation included and show how thoughtful pickup choices can develop their sound.
Read the article ↗Guide
Electric guitar prices: what should you spend on a good instrument?
What do PLN 3,200, 3,600 or 4,900 buy? Compare guitars from our collection, their workshop preparation and the costs worth considering before you choose.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Which electric guitar should you start with? Choose one you can grow with
Your first electric guitar need not be the cheapest new model. We explain what makes a good learning instrument and why a prepared Japanese Fresher or Yamaha deserves a place on your shortlist.
Read the article ↗Guide
Gibson electric guitar or a Japanese Les Paul-style instrument? Greco and Yamaha after workshop care
Looking for a Les Paul-style guitar? Compare our Greco EG800 and Yamaha Studio Lords before choosing a new Gibson. Here are their construction details, prices and completed repairs.
Read the article ↗Guide
Yamaha Pacifica or an older SR400S? The Super R’n’roller alternative
Considering a Yamaha Pacifica? Meet our older SR400S Super R’n’roller: a Japanese ST-style guitar with three single coils and workshop preparation included in its listing.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Yamaha electric guitars: SR, Studio Lord or Pacifica? A buying guide
Yamaha is much more than Pacifica. Explore the Japanese SR400S and Studio Lords in our collection and the design history behind the brand.
Read the article ↗GUITAR LAB
Guitar Lab repairs and workshop guides
Practical explanations of guitar repair work, illustrated with projects from our workshop.
Guide
Stainless steel fret leveling on bass: when setup is not enough
Your bass buzzes, but a fret rocker finds no uneven frets? Using an Ibanez BTB605MS, we explain when stainless steel frets need leveling and what to check before setup.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Restoring an acoustic guitar: from diagnosis to setup. Morris WL-35
When does an acoustic need more than a setup? Our Morris WL-35 project shows how to organise the work around the instrument’s actual condition.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Bridge regluing and brace repairs on an acoustic guitar. Canyon W-70
The bridge outside and the braces inside the body need separate checks. Here is how these repairs are prepared, and why glue alone is not enough.
Read the article ↗
Guide
A neck that will not adjust: truss-rod nut and fret work on a Gherson bass
An adjustment problem does not always mean replacing the entire truss rod. Here is what needs checking before work on the fingerboard and frets.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Why fingerboard preparation matters when refretting. Ibanez Musician
New frets need a stable seat. This project explains fret-slot preparation and a restoration that preserves the character of an older instrument.
Read the article ↗
Guide
An acoustic soundboard crack: assessment and repair planning. Mountain W350
A visible line does not tell the whole story of a guitar’s body. We explain how to assess soundboard damage and plan service for an older acoustic.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Servicing an acoustic before amplification: frets, nut, saddle and pickup. Thumb LF-20
How do you plan work on a guitar you want to amplify? Our Thumb LF-20 illustrates why instrument condition and pickup requirements should be discussed separately.
Read the article ↗Brands and instrument history
Guide
Japanese vintage guitars — brands, factories and buying guide
Explore Fender Japan, Tokai, Greco, Yamaha and Japanese acoustics: discover their brands and factories, learn what to check when choosing a used guitar, and browse current listings.
Read the article ↗
From the SVG archive
Yamaha guitars: FG, L and the history of Japanese acoustics
From FG acoustics to electric designs: exploring Yamaha’s varied guitar history.
Read the article ↗
From the SVG archive
Blue Bell: Japanese acoustic guitars, history and models
Models, markings and construction from a less familiar Japanese brand.
Read the article ↗
From the SVG archive
K. Yairi: guitar history and Japanese craftsmanship
History, identification and an approach to Japanese acoustic guitar making.
Read the article ↗
From the SVG archive
Thumb and Jagard: acoustic guitars and the Terada story
Acoustics and the story of brands associated with Terada.
Read the article ↗
From the SVG archive
K.Country and Kasuga: the history of Japanese acoustic guitars
Japanese acoustic guitars, models and their identification.
Read the article ↗
From the SVG archive
Yamaki and Daion: guitar history, models and construction
Brand history and the details that help you choose an individual instrument.
Read the article ↗Guide
Fender Japan Serial Numbers: MIJ, CIJ, JV & JD Guide
Read your Fender Japan serial number, compare Made in Japan and Crafted in Japan markings, and find a possible production period. See photographs from our catalogue and open the serial number decoder.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Morris: history and F-18 / W-28 specifications
Manufacturer archive specifications and their limits when identifying older guitars.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Tokai: ST, LS, Cat’s Eyes and TALBO
Key dates and instrument families documented by Tokai Gakki.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Fresher: brand history, Straighter guitars and Japanese vintage basses
Kyowa’s Nagoya brand combined familiar guitars and basses with ambitious electronics. Fresher’s history goes well beyond its Fender-like lettering.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Fernandes and Burny: company history, Mark Knopfler and the Sustainer
From classic-inspired guitars to artist models and the Sustainer: Fernandes helped shape Japanese guitar history alongside Burny, reaching internationally established players.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Takamine: acoustic roots, electro-acoustics and an Elite TW-40G
From Sakashita to the stage: Takamine’s history and a closer look at the Elite TW-40G in our collection.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Edwards: electric guitars and basses from the ESP family
Familiar designs, modern models and clearly specified hardware: discover Edwards and our E-PB-95R/LT bass.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Greco: Japanese guitar history, the EG series and Mercury basses
Classic twin-humbucker guitars, Mercury basses and independent GO designs: Greco offers a useful introduction to Japanese vintage instruments.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Aria and Aria Pro II: guitar history, SB basses and vintage acoustics
From Shiro Arai’s Nagoya business to SB basses and acoustic guitars: an introduction to a versatile Japanese brand.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Westone: Japanese Thunder, Spectrum and Prestige guitars and basses
Westone’s 1980s instruments combine distinctive designs with varied electronics. Period catalogues and a contemporary review help put them in context.
Read the article ↗
Guide
Burny: Japanese electric guitars, acoustics and the BJ series
Burny is more than familiar electric-guitar shapes. Its 1970s catalogues also reveal an acoustic range, illustrated here by our left-handed BJ-60.
Read the article ↗