The Electra Forums

I've been rotating my various Electras at my rehearsals.

I can't say how much I am surprised at both the quality
and feel of each of these but how good they sound.

I haven't lit up any of the MPC effects yet, just been playing
them on bypass.

The LP clones with the contoured top (a la Strat) makes them
some of the most comfortable guitars I've ever played! That
was a great touch by Electra.

I can't wait for our next gigs to baffle the audience with these
mystery guitars. The guys in the band of amazed. I'll try and
get pics of my onstage with one of my Electras here soon.



PS, can one of you send me the link to the model/serial number
page (the page has a listing of a bunch 'O models with serial
numbers and I believe estimated date of manufacture)? I found
it once but can't find it again and yes, I've used the search engine
to try and find it.

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If you don't know the blues you got a hole in your soul -Freddy King
Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions, circa 1994

Most people are pleasantly surprised at the quality of these unappreciated gems. I like the small necks on most of the later models and many of the Electras had features that would not become commonplace for years like the coiltap and phase switches. I've never gigged with one and NOT had someone come up and ask about them. I love showing the PRS guys the scooped out heal and then telling them what I paid for it.

Here is the link to the Index page:

http://www.rivercityamps.com/electrapag ... _of_models

The catalog scans:

http://www.rivercityamps.com/electrapag ... category=2

As I've said before, serial number dating only works with certain models, and none of the pre 1975 examples can be dated with certainty. The six and seven digit serial numbers seem to follow a formula (most of the time!), but they don't become the standard until 1980 or so. Some day we'll get a serial number registry happening on here and maybe that will help gather up some crucial data. Mike.

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

X189player was working on a model / serial number registry a while back;

You might send him a PM.

RCSBlues

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RCSBlues

Thanks Mike and I have been listening. As a matter of fact I've got a document where I am keeping all the feedback on models, serial numbers, issues with dating and so forth. Here's a question, probably asked many times. Can the headstock variations give some hints to when the guitar was made (I know in my collection I have six or seven different versions of the open book and/or Pre-lawsuit headstock. Some of it as subtle as having a "torch" rather than the Gibson diamond, to the Peace Sign logo/Electra name to an open book with a scoop out of the very top).

Thanks for the links, as always!

_________________
If you don't know the blues you got a hole in your soul -Freddy King
Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions, circa 1994

I will do so, thanks. And I can't wait to have the first person come up to me and ask what the heck is that? Is that a new brand

_________________
If you don't know the blues you got a hole in your soul -Freddy King
Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions, circa 1994

so here's my "Players of the week" I should get an audio file of these...

We play tonight and I've got these two on the hooks



This is my Super Magnum Custom 2258, we think its 1972 (don't know why we think that ) Serial 23811



One of my 2245(?) This one has no serial number (not that the SN helps all that much) Based on the Headstock pre 1975

Got them some new strings, tuned them up, sounds good so far. I'll be playing them through my Vox AC10 and my Furman Pedal Board setup.

We have some new guitars coming in this week that didn't make the family pictures, will get those posted soon.

_________________
If you don't know the blues you got a hole in your soul -Freddy King
Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions, circa 1994

My Telecaster Thin Line has the same script as your 2245 and does not show up in the 72' or the 77' catalog. It should come in some where between these dates. But it does have a foil sticker with a serial # and the neck plate is stamped 2255WC. Both the 58 and the 45 are models I would be proud to play and own. they both just have that look. The carved body on the 58 and the head stock on the 45 are both awsome in my book.

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SlmGuy

the peace sign logo doesn't show up in catalogues until 1975.

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My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

I agree with mcbrat. Didn't start seeing the peacesign logo until about 1975, having the openbook headstock would make it one of the early ones of the peacesign.

Chronologically speaking with the headstock shape it would be: Openbook, 'Cutout', and finally the Wave or Fan shaped headstock. Obvious exceptions would be the outlaws and the phoenix six on a side.

Not an authority, but as far as Logo's, there is quite the variety also, which I believe stem from all of the different manufacturers involved (at least three, maybe more... X189 would know!). There is the 'Round E' logo (the one with all the different height letters), the 'Script' logo (looks like a gibby from a distance!), the Peacesign logo (which came in many sizes), the unique logo found on the Dan Armstrong Lucite guitars, The Block Lettered logo with a Bird, Electra BIRD Phoenix, Electra BIRD Westone and there are probably other logo examples that I'm forgetting.

I used to think that the Script logo was the earliest, but now I'm not so sure as some of the really early Pauls have the Round E logo.

You may have something there as far as distinguishing the era by inlay, but no one has documented all of the variations (that I know of). Again, this could be due to the many different factories involved.

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

LOVE the Natural one! Cool.

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Free Your Mind and Your A$$ Will Follow......

Thanks and I think I should file my report on how they fared last night.

Goes without saying the band had to take time to go through the entire collection and ask me a zillion questions and how they can get into the game (I told them with me out there not the best idea right now )

First thing I noticed is that the pickups on both guitars are quite hot.

I had to turn my amps down about 3 on the knob. They do seem to be a bit heavy on the lower strings. Other than that controls are just like a Paul. They both played very nicely, no issues at all with the action, buzzes, etc.

What's really cool is their tuners are rock solid. No slop and certainly no slip.

Both guitars held tune very well. I can't say honestly that the range of tone on these two were up to class with my '68 Pauls with PAF or my '54 Strat which are my main players (I know, completely different pickup and wiring scheme).

Nevertheless I was pleased with what I could get out of them across several styles, particuarlly good on our classic blues numbers. Kinda get that Albert King Flying V Korina sound with the treble position.

So let's see... Next week I'll break out a couple of the MPC models. I'll put up pics of the ones I choose. I think we are playing twice next week so that will be 4 guitars put to the test. So maybe the Outlaw and the Armstrong if it gets here in time.

_________________
If you don't know the blues you got a hole in your soul -Freddy King
Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions, circa 1994

Another one of my birds comes home to roost.

This one was up on Ebay for 1 minute before I grabbed. What can I say, I'm a sucker for matching headstock color and maple necks. Heck, this thing can be new for all I know about it. It just looks really clean, got no idea
what manufacturer or Era.

Here she be, my X-145;

_________________
If you don't know the blues you got a hole in your soul -Freddy King
Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions, circa 1994

I love a hard tail strat. The matching headstock is just iceing on the metal flake cake. I have to say that some think that most of the later Electras were Matsumoku but every Mat neck plate I ahve encountered had a serial number on them.

Anything with the 'Anniversary' plaque on the headstock is a 1982, and some have the seven digit serial number on the neck in addition (don't see it on yours). Since it has a matching headstock color, I guess we can safely assume it's the original neck, although the neck plate is upside down... (would not have left Japan like that I don't think). The index does not specify a Metalic Blue, hmm, curious. Do you have a closeup of the headstock? I can't see the logo. I pretty sure the knobs should be brass on this vintage. Leave some for the rest of us will ya!! Mike.

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

Will get the close up on the HS and NO, I'm still building out the collection. Besides, all you guys have a 10 year head start on me, I've got to catch up. Now I know that there's a Outlaw X720 on Ebay right now and its already too rich for my blood. But I need more I tell ya, MORE

_________________
If you don't know the blues you got a hole in your soul -Freddy King
Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions, circa 1994