The Electra Forums

I just wanted to say "Hey" to the community. My very first Electra is on it's way to me currently. Picked up an X710 Outlaw and as soon as I get her home I will post some pics.

I can't wait to test out the Overdrive, Treble/Bass Boost, and Phaser modules that are coming with it as well.

Cheers!

_________________
"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation. " ~ David St. Hubbins
http://www.myspace.com/hailsuperchief

Welcome aboard!

Glad you are here!

RCSBlues

_________________
RCSBlues

Well my X710 Outlaw arrived on Monday, and I was as giddy as ever to see that big ol' box sitting in my stoop when I got home from work.

Here it is:





The guitar is in good shape, but the few scratches, dings and finish issues keep it from getting up to "great". Oh well, there is no real need for an immaculate guitar in rock n' roll, right?

The neck is straight and the fret board is in immaculate shape.



The headstock has some dings and chips but overall it is good and the Grovers work great (after a bit of tightening).



The main issues are:

There is a strange finish issue on the back of the neck near the headstock and the base of the neck. I am not really sure, but I included a pic to see if you guys had seen anything like it before. (smoky/creamy discoloration pictured below)



Also, the toggle switches for the MPC effects have been broken. They still function, but they will need to be replaced. Any one have any spares, or know where I can order some?



The volume pots needed to be cleaned as well as the input jack. Also the 9 volt battery connector needs to be completely replaced. My Luthier is going to have a bit of work to do, but I think he will get a kick out of working on such a cool rare guitar. Other than that, the guitar works and sounds great. What a killer LPish tone this bad-boy puts out. I can't wait to unleash this one on the stage.

Oh, forgot to mention. It came with the original hardshell case! The case is well used, but 3 of the 4 latches still work fine. So I am going to put it to use.



All this for only $250. Let me know what you guys think, and if you have any ideas what that strange discoloration is on the back of the neck (and what to do about it) I would be grateful to hear your ideas.

Keep on keepin' on...

_________________
"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation. " ~ David St. Hubbins
http://www.myspace.com/hailsuperchief

Not a bad find in any respect.
I can't say I can offer any explanation for the finish discoloration.
Otherwise, sounds like you got a good deal for an MPC like that, hope you can get it back up to shape.
And whaddaya know, Semour duncan.
Have fun with your Outlaw.

_________________
Addicted to Matsumoku.

I got one toggle switch from Thorny, here on this board a while ago. he may have more. There are two possibilities I can think of for the discoloration at the neck; 1) did some one sand the finish at all as part of a repair; or 2) water damage. If It is solid, like you said, looks are secondary.

BTW $250 with a case is fantastic even with the condition issues. I am envious.

I have really, and I mean REALLY, inspected the finish around the discolorations and if it was a repair then they did a masterful job of matching the clear coat. I am doubtful that it is a repair job, but hell anything is possible. The guy I bought it from is not the most "with it" fellow, so I doubt he will be of any use in that discussion. (especially since he didn't mention the finish variations)

I am inclined to think slight water damage, as it is slightly similar as to what I have seen on drums, or perhaps air that somehow got under the clear coat. Nevertheless, I had this beast at rehearsal last night, and everyone fell in love with it. As soon as I can get the 9 volt issue cleared up, I will be rocking the effects as well.

Thanks for the info about Thorny. I will shoot him a PM and see if he can help me out. I think I will also post something on the parts section of the forum.

Cheers!

_________________
"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation. " ~ David St. Hubbins
http://www.myspace.com/hailsuperchief

LOL another question...

I have been unable to find a serial # on the guitar. Would it be in the guts with the electronics? Is there a specific place that it would be? It is very likely that it is got removed or something on this particular guitar.

Thanks in advance.

_________________
"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation. " ~ David St. Hubbins
http://www.myspace.com/hailsuperchief

Most Electras that were not bolt on had the serial number on a sticker on the back of the headstock. If its gone, its gone.

I kind of figured, but I was holding out hope for some reason. darn my overly positive nature this week!

_________________
"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation. " ~ David St. Hubbins
http://www.myspace.com/hailsuperchief

I got the Outlaw back from the shop. The battery clip for the MPC board was replaced as well as a few tweaks here and there, and a set up. Now the guitar is playing like a dream. The effects all work and sound killer, especially the Treble/Bass Expander and the Phaser. In fact, the bass expansion gives so much meat to my tone that I will be hard pressed to not use it all the time.

The Phaser has a selector that allows the player to "color" the effect. It sounds just like the intro to the movie "The Warriors"... which in it's own right is a sign from the Rock Gods.

The action is low and fast (neck is thicker than anything I own, so still getting used to that) and the intonation is perfect. Stays in tune through multiple tunings and jams.

This guitar will be sticking with me for a very long time.

_________________
"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation. " ~ David St. Hubbins
http://www.myspace.com/hailsuperchief

Nice grab, and a great price. It's good to know that it will see some use and not languish in a closet somewhere. The three things I've heard about the Outlaws (never owned, or even played one before...) are I) Fat Neck II) Heavy guitars and III) one of the few Electras of this era that were not manufactured by Matsumoko, although the maker escapes me currently.

Enjoy, and tell us how it sounds through your Peavey, Mike.

** Update **
From a X189 post:
"We know Terada made the Outlaw models (Tom Presley said so.)"

_________________
Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

Speaking of which, who exactly was Terada?
Never heard of them asm uch as anyone else.

_________________
Addicted to Matsumoku.

If the discoloration looks like air then that is what it is. Air escaping as the wood dries over the years trapped under the clear. My Magnum Pro has the same thing on the back.

"As different as the Outlaw is from many other Electras, it is no surprise that it was made by Terada, who would later become the primary manufacturer of Gretsch guitars. The bridge, headstock, and other details suggest similarity to other Terada models."

From the Outlaw Model page on this site.

Very nice guitar excellent score.

Fat Neck - Check
Heavy Guitar - Check
Sounding kick ass through my Peavey - Check

The neck on the guitar has taken a bit to get used to. Since I am planning on keeping it and making it my main instrument I think I might sand down the neck a bit... but not sure. It reminds me of a PRS neck a bit... very substantial. In fact, everything on the guitar feels substantial. I am used the the weight of this type of guitar. I have a Hagstrom Super Swede (which feels like it weighs more) and a BC Rich Mockingbird... they are all hunks of wood. It can cause a bit of discomfort, but for that thick sound that I like I can't complain.

Thanks for the info on the manufacturer. Very interesting.

_________________
"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation. " ~ David St. Hubbins
http://www.myspace.com/hailsuperchief