Members MattTele Posted March 18, 2011 Members Share Posted March 18, 2011 A local guitar shop has this old 70'ish acoustic and I know nothing about it. I dont have pictures, but its a sunburst, has crown inlays, and the mustache headstock.Please help? It plays and sounds fantastic, i just dont want to pay too much-Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted March 19, 2011 Members Share Posted March 19, 2011 I'll assume you mean "mustache bridge" rather than "headstock." Sounds like it might be an A451J. That's what came up when I Googled "Raven J200 copy". Terry Allan Hall is our resident expert on older Asian made guitars. He'll probably chime in soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Opa John Posted March 19, 2011 Members Share Posted March 19, 2011 I think the OP may actually mean the headstock. Like the shape of the end of a Gibson headstock. And, he also mentions a "crown" inlay.......another Gibson trademark. I could be wrong too, I guess. Never heard of Raven guitars. Terry, get in here! Help this man out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted March 19, 2011 Members Share Posted March 19, 2011 Raven is one of the more obscure "Generic Pacific Rim" builders, at least here in the US (I've heard that they were built for the European market, but I have no idea how accurate that info might be). Mostly electric knock-offs of Gibsons, Fenders, BC Richs and Mosrites, from what I've seen...the only acoustics I've ever encountered were Martin knock-offs, but I expect they made Gibson-oids, as well (J-200, like the OP is enquiring about, Hummingbirds and likely Doves, too, maybe a few other models), as most "Generic Pacific Rim" builders did. Comparable to 60s and 70s-era Ventura, Ibanez, etc., and definitely lam. back/sides, but quite likely a solid top on the upper-tier acoustic models. If they're not asking too much (I'd hesitate to go over $300 or so, unless it was in absolutely immaculate condition), and the bridge is still secure, neck straight and frets/action good, it'd be a nice-looking beater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MattTele Posted March 21, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 21, 2011 I mean the headstock, BUT it has the mustache bridge too! heehee Thanks a ton Terry, he wants 325.. but im hesitant due to the condition, its not the greatest. And he wont give me a case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members OldGuitarPlayer Posted March 21, 2011 Members Share Posted March 21, 2011 I had a Raven Jazz bass copy in the mid 1970's. Probably was made by matsumuko (sp?) in Japan. At that asking price I'd pass on that guitar. I'd offer him $100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted March 21, 2011 Members Share Posted March 21, 2011 I had a Raven Jazz bass copy in the mid 1970's. Probably was made by matsumuko (sp?) in Japan. At that asking price I'd pass on that guitar. I'd offer him $100. Agreed...maybe $200, tops. Can you get even a cell phone pic, MattTele? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MattTele Posted March 22, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 22, 2011 I'll do my best when Im in his shop next. I offered him 250 and he refused it, so I think hes pretty firm on 325. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted March 22, 2011 Members Share Posted March 22, 2011 I'll do my best when Im in his shop next. I offered him 250 and he refused it, so I think hes pretty firm on 325. OK, well, if it's structurally sound (bridge well set, neck is straight, action is comfortable, etc.), it's just a question of "do you want it enough to pay $325 for it"...only you can answer that, and there really are no wrong answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Verne Andru Posted March 23, 2011 Members Share Posted March 23, 2011 The Raven I've seen was a Martin 000 knock-off. It was definitely all lami and not the best example of workmanship around. With pieces like the Yamaha 700S series available new for under $300, I would certainly take a pass. http://backstage.musiciansfriend.com/Guitars/Acoustic-Guitars/6-String-Acoustic-Guitars/FG730S-Solid-Top-Acoustic-Guitar.site1prod519049.product Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MattTele Posted March 23, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 23, 2011 Well i took some pics, and I offered him 375, with a case. Which i think is fair, hes sitting on it, but we'll seeHeres one:[ATTACH=CONFIG]333250[/ATTACH] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted March 23, 2011 Members Share Posted March 23, 2011 Looks good! If you get it, replace that adjustable bridge saddle with a solid, compensated one...it'll really wake up the sound! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MattTele Posted March 24, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 24, 2011 So what year does it look to be? Any guesses? When did Raven stop making guitars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members OldGuitarPlayer Posted March 24, 2011 Members Share Posted March 24, 2011 So what year does it look to be? Any guesses? When did Raven stop making guitars? The guitar looks real nice As for when Raven stopped making guitars? I'd hazard late 70's or probably around 1980. I know they were made in Japan and most probably at the Matsumuko (sp?) factory which I believe burned down in 1980 -81. Univox was another brand that was made by the same factory. I do know these guitars were not expensive at the time. I seem to recall my Raven bass having the name Raven inlayed on the headstock in fake mother of pearl. Mine was a Sunburst Jazz bass copy that I gave to a friend who promptly stripped the body and painted it flat black... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted March 24, 2011 Members Share Posted March 24, 2011 So what year does it look to be? Any guesses? When did Raven stop making guitars? Agree w/ OGP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MattTele Posted April 4, 2011 Author Members Share Posted April 4, 2011 So more research leads me to say its a Raven A451J.Did some fret dressing, and nut/bridge adjustments and its freaking phenomenal... the best acoustic I've ever playedThanks for everyones help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members OldGuitarPlayer Posted April 5, 2011 Members Share Posted April 5, 2011 So more research leads me to say its a Raven A451J. Did some fret dressing, and nut/bridge adjustments and its freaking phenomenal... the best acoustic I've ever played Thanks for everyones help! Congrats! Now lets see some pics!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSQ131 Posted March 29, 2013 Members Share Posted March 29, 2013 I have a Raven J200 copy. it has a maple body and solid spruce top. I've had it for about 35 years. It is a Model A305M. Can anyone tell me anything about it. Looks exactly like a J200 but instead of Gobson on the head it says RAVEN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSQ131 Posted March 29, 2013 Members Share Posted March 29, 2013 I have a Raven J200 copy. it has a maple body and solid spruce top. I've had it for about 35 years. It is a Model A305M. Can anyone tell me anything about it. Looks exactly like a J200 but instead of GIbson on the head it says RAVEN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members biopticpaper Posted July 21, 2013 Members Share Posted July 21, 2013 I think i have this guitar. im not a genius but my guitar kinda matches the description. well in my eyes. are there any specifics that can help me know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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