The Electra Forums

Original and modified, or variants?? The one on left I refinished and left black off headstock. Any one have any thoughts?

I like both. I believe the original version had the funny looking almost plastic looking hunbuckers on it as the one depicted in the index page. I don't dive bomb much so I would prefer the one on the right. Both look great.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

I like them both as well;

Glad you got the pictures posted;

In your other forum entry I posted your X910 pics that you sent.

RCSBlues

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RCSBlues

Yes....both look great. I go for the hardtail also. Extremely good lookin refinish job from what I can see in the pic. Good work.

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JD's Electras

I like the red headstock and the hardtail. I think the pickups have been changed in both - as Mortarman says, I think the originals were those cartoonish looking ones too. Anyway.... both look nice.

What is a hardtail?

Somebody likes the burgandy headstock? I thought it looked good to show the grain.

Sometimes, I have problems getting sound with the switching actions. I know I can look inside to troubleshoot, but I rarely have time.

I think the one on the left has been modified? It has some device to clamp down on the strings at the top of the string rest and the whammy bar seems a stretch for original.

Why is so little information exist about Electras models?

I bought these on ebay site years ago. I'm not really sure why. I think it could be that my first Electra guitar purchase was the the Electra Phoenix red with the 3 pickups with push/pull switches an the 3 way switch. I bought around 1983 with the case. I've collected others along the way.

My collection includes some bass guitars, on short and one long neck. Anybody interested in pics of some of the others?

I have a couple of guitars with the original stickers on the backside, espounding model, features, etc. and they appear to be mint. Does this make them more valuable?

My interests in the Electras, which I own exclusively, seem to be that they are high quality guitars for cheap and sound great. Can anyone tell me why these Electra guitars are better than the high quality guitars avaialble today?

Anybody care to value these? Are they very rare?

I want to see the basses!

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Who needs a Fender Jazz when you can get a perfectly good Spectrum bass for $50?

The Wedge on the right looks pretty straight (original) except for the see-through knobs, the knobs should be the plastic 'witch hat' knobs like the example on the left. The right Wedge also seems to have the correct see through plastic Bridge Pickup, not sure about the neck pickup. From the Catalog:



The Wedges were known to come with a variety of different looking pickups, on mine I have a pair of double white bobbin pickups (kind of rare) including the square pole pieces. Your Wedge on the left has been heavily modded, including different pickups, changed bridge, vibrato tailpiece and locking nut.

The term 'Hardtail' refers to any stop tailpiece or non tremolo setup.



There is a wealth of information contained within this very forum, spend some time looking around, even the three and four year old posts have helpful information. Remember that these were instruments made by multiple Japanese manufacturers and promoted by a midwestern Distributor. The pre 1975 models varied in details and construction methods greatly, whereas post 1975 they were pretty consistent.
I've seen the big stickers on the back of some Phoenix's which point out the features on the guitar, probably because there were so many Phoenix models if you ask me. It is nice to read them and all, but debatable whether they add any value to a guitar.
Better? That's a personal opinion. Again, reading through the many threads on this forum will point to why collectors gravitate towards these instruments. Personally, I like the VALUE, the Quality vs. Cost ratio is off the scale with most Electras, although prices have been inching up, and this may not always be the case. I also like the options, both electronics and finishes that were not available from the 'Big Boys' at the time. In addition, remember that wood used 30 years ago is in most cases is much different than the wood used in modern guitars... I'm not talking the species of wood, but the difference between old growth trees, and stuff that is harvested today. A Flying Wedge recently went for $425 on eBay with changed out pickups and original case. They are not especially rare. Greco, Aria, Ibanez as well as others produced bolt-on 'V' guitars, possibly made at the same plant for all I know (not a Japanese Guitar Historian!). As has been stated a number of times on this and other Forums, judge the guitar on its individual merits, not the name on the headstock. Nice pair!! Mike.

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

Nice guitars!

I think I speak for all forum members welcoming you to post photos of any and all Electra instruments that you have.

Uh Oh....I'm startin to want one of these wedges now.

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JD's Electras

Mine has the original see-thru pickups, and it is one of the best sounding humbucker guitars for blues I've used.

What should I do with them? They just sit in the cases.

You should set a reasonable price - keeping in mind that neither are stock original, and offer them for sale or trade here in the members only forum first and then try ebay or craigs list. Pictures are key. If you have Electra cases that's a plus. The Flying Wedges we have seen recently seem to have been pretty similar to yours and unfortunately do not get top dollar. One went for $305 (no case) and the other for $425 (Electra case). I think it's extremely unlikely you would get $500 for either (let alone 6,7 or 800). However, they look to be in nice shape and I'm sure you could negotiate a fair price with us crazy Electra people. The good news for you is that the forum folks know what these guitars are and what they need and they would certainly give a good home to the wedges. The bad news is we kno what they are and what they need. I'd be interested in the black headstock one. So... Good Luck.

Neither am I but I do know that Matsumoku, in the guise of Westone, Aria Pro II and Vantage, made Vees; there is a Vantage FV565 on eBay at the minute....

I've seen a video of Yngwie Malmsteen on an AP II Vee...

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"... and on the eighth day, God created New Zealanders.

Because even the Australians need heroes."

Here are the shots of my 1977 2236 with the dual original clear face pickups:

http://www.rivercityamps.com/electrafor ... re_074.jpg

http://www.rivercityamps.com/electrafor ... re_073.jpg

http://www.rivercityamps.com/electrafor ... re_069.jpg

Your case appears to be in very clean condition. I would swap the knobs as the top hats are more for the stock look and the big knobs go better with the DiMarzio style pickups on the more modded V. Both very nice!

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Electra 2236 Flying Wedge
Electra X330 MPC