The Electra Forums

I'm new to this site and it is really cool! I'm 41 and still own my first electric guitar -- a black electra les paul copy. My uncle bought it for me around 1977 - 78. It's older cause he bought it used. I played it my whole life (hobbyist - never in a band) and always loved it. In college it quit working due to what's probably a minor electric problem and I just had to have a strat. I put it in the case and I've looked at it twice since about 1988 (which I know realize was a HUGE sin after reviewing this site). Just this evening, I discovered this site and all the great history and fervor for Electra guitars. SO, I have a renewed interest in getting mine back into shape.

I am curious as to what model I have and how old it is. There is no model number to be found on it anywhere. Here's what it looks like: On this site, there are photos of the 2242 models. Mine is identical to the black one with the wave - shaped headstock in every way (including the style of the Electra logo) except mine has the headstock shaped like a Gibson (looks like an open book). Could mine be a model in between the 2 shown on this site? ANybody know what year it would be? I know it's older than 1978. Thanks for any input.

Sounds like an early 2242, probably pre-76. There were a lot of variations from year to year. There were also two major variants, the ones with round-E electra logo, and those with the diagonal italic style logo. I think, based on feel and details, that they were made by different factories.

What is unclear to me is what the difference is between 2242 and 2244- possibly one was gold hardware and one silver, but I'm not certain of that either.

How does it play? How's the intonation? Which logo is it?

Sorry, just re-read your post and caught the logo description. Sounds to me like one of that weird transitional period, 76.

Is there a serial number on the neckplate beginning with a letter? The ones with the peace-sign logo on an open-book headstock have all the signs of being from Hoshino, which means Fujigen or Matsumoku, and yours is leaning toward Matsumoku if all the details are identical to the wave headstock example.

How does it play? Pretty well I bet.

Thanks for the info. It plays beautifully, but I haven't played it in over 10 years. I'm taking it to a shop for some minor electric repairs and an overhaul. I can't find a serial number on it anyplace. It has the peace sign logo, gold hardware, and open book headstock. I remember it having great sustain and the neck always had a great feel to it. Very easy to play. I can't wait to get it back in playing condition. I'm likely the second owner of this guitar. My uncle bought for me used -- it had to be around 1977-78. It was like new when I got it, but I played it a lot growing up and it's got some chips and dings on the back of the body. ALso, a fair amount of scratches from the KISS belt buckle I wore when I was a kid.