The Electra Forums

Right, exactly. Both Matsumoku and Fujigen built guitars that were then distributed by Hoshino under the brands Ibanez, Greco, Electra, Crown, and a number of others. Some brands (like Ibanez) are known 100% to have been made by Fujigen, but many others we don't really know. The evidence to my mind is 100% that it is one of those two manufacturers subcontracted to Hoshino, but it's not yet clear which one- also early on we know Matsumoku was making components (necks I suspect) and so there may be guitars with mixed origins from the outset.

SLM is Saint Louis Music, PCM is Pacific Coast music. They were owned by brothers who (oddly) agreed to share use of the same Electra brand and logo. Apparently at first they jsut ordered the same models from distributors, but later on SLM started designing their own models and ordering them directly from Matsumoku (and Terada at first) and so these are SLM-only Electras. At the same time, in the 80's, PCM began ordering other models- strat copies and such mostly- using the old Electra logo on what appear to be early Korean-made Kasugas, like a Cort or Mako. These are generally (not always) of inferior quality and people usually avoid them in favor of the 'real' SLM Electras. SLM became (and is) a major national distributor, owner of brands like Crate and Alvarez (which replaced Electra as their principal guitar brand). PCM was a smaller concern, never had any catalogs that we've been able to find, and are PCM Electras are generally much less common than SLM Electras. (I'm not going to go so far as to say 'of interest to collectors only' but you get the idea. I know of at least two PCM Electras that are superb though, so never say never.)

Ah, that makes it much clearer. Thank you.

SLM = St. Louis Music
PCM = Pacific Coast Music

a little bit of background starting at the 7th paragraph...
http://www.hagstrom.org.uk/copies_copies.htm

and more
http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/b ... p?AID=2455

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My Electra Pages
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His 2271 differs from mine with the Electra logo being a different typestyle, his bridge has 2 string seats/springs while mine has 4, and the pickups are different style. I estimate mine being a 72 to 74 model. I have photos on the site that can be viewed.