The Electra Forums

X935cs pro Endorser 1983 ok shape
how many of them where made ?

try this

http://www.rivercityamps.com/electra/history.php

Lovely!

We have no records whatsoever about how many of any model were made. Certainly the Endorser was a flagship model so there would be fewer than most models.

Paul, how do you decipher that serial. Is it a '73 or '83?

Well, that one's easy because we know Endorsers weren't around in 73.

But it's a valid point- we're not certain when the YMM date codes started- so could it be a serial before then that just happened to fit the pattern? Yep... although a random number has only a 12% chance of having the second and third digit 01-12. So almost a 90% chance it's an 83 rather than something else.

To my mind the font of the serial numbers is a clue too- that font showed up in the late 70's and I would like to imagine it corresponds to when the YMM serials started being used, but that's wishful guessing at best.

The heelless set neck is interesting, the same joint would later show up on the 85-86 Spectrum FX's, but before that they had a heel. But that's a typical pattern- new features show up first on top-of-the-line models, then make their way to the others.

and the fan headstock didn't come into being till 77... 76's still being the open book gibson style or a variation thereof

_________________
Live Better Electra-ly
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What she said :) It's also one of the few Electras to use the Phoenix logo that wasn't an Electra Phoenix guitar.

The Endorser is very reminiscent of the Westone Prestige of the same year- different body and headstock, but the neck joint, finish, and general feel are similar- examples of the premium quality Matsumoku had to offer.

http://www.westone.info/cats/82/06.html

Was the Endorser even available after 84? Because if not, that might explain the appearance of the X199 as set neck flagship in its stead.

Very nice mtackaberry, if you ever want to sell, the twins are always looking for their long lost brethren..! (wink wink) Enjoy, Mike.

P.S. your serial number is only like 100 away from Neal Keysers Pro Endorser, probably produced the same week! (arguably the most pictured one on the internet)

P.P.S.S. Too bad someone screwed the (non stock) pickguard directly into the top... ah well, 25 years is a long time for someone not to tinker.