The Electra Forums

With all the cool semis popping up lately, I think I might go after this one...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELECTRA-SIMI-HO ... 19cdf15241

Not an MPC, and I'm not into the trapeze tailpiece....but the starting price is within this stratosphere.

I was eyeballing that vantage vsh-455 last weekend, but I think the seller was sketchy. He changed the price at least twice during the auction and then pulled it suddenly after 2 or 3 days. It was in VG shape but was only around long enough to get my hopes up. (Not sure if Japanese Ash is great for semis either though...).

I think I might be able to snatch this one while everyone drools over the MPC 810.....wishful thinking I'm sure, lol.

Edit: just looked at the thread list and realized this guitar is already posted with us.... sorry. Not sure how to remove thread though.

You wont regret going after this one. I have the same model with the open book headstock and the same trapese tailpiece. It plays and sounds great as well as looks great also. These X410 models are of the best craftmanship you will ever see for certain. Even the F hole has tort shell binding. Good luck as that is a great price thus far.

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

thanks for the info, I think I'll give in to the GAS and try to get it!

Even bound on the F-holes.
Those are too beautiful to pass up...

Thats a Jazz Strad-one of the nicest semis that Electra produced...very good build and a better guitar IMHO than the Vantage.....

I am slightly surprised there is no serial number on back of the headstock - either way I'll bet it's a '76. I have a stop tail wave B77 s/n. The Electra Semi's are some of the best guitars you'll come across period. Not everyone's cup of tea - but if you like semi's, you can't go wrong. VG craftsmanship, materials and hardware. If there's a weakness to them, I'd say it's in the tuners and I have no particular problems with those either.
FWIW - the 2 Elvins I currently have are H76 and K76 - one is open book trapeze and the other is wave stop tail. That may be some very good evidence for when the transition to the wave actually took place. Please correct me if I'm wrong but I think these s/n's follow the same procedure as Ibanez did at that time H=Aug K=Nov followed by 76 for year. The rest is a week and IIRC number of the particular guitar model made that week or day.

Dave- I'm glad to know that it may be a bit better than the Vantage. Not sure what Japanese Ash sounds like on a semi also.... Do you think these also outdo the APii semis like the ta-70 (MIJ) and the ES series? I'm guessing it's pretty comparable but these Electra semis do seem pretty special.

I have a Chinese Epi-Dot studio and it is absolute junk. It sounds okay with Duncans but everything about the build quality is sickening. I would like to get an Electra or any comparable Uncle Mat semi to replace it with, but I want to stick with a 335 like tone if possible. I have read that the TA series sounds much less like a 335 than the ES series. I wonder if the Jazz Strad sounds much like a 335 or more like it's own beast. I'm thinking the Vantage semi probably sounds totally different from a 335 due to the Ash body...

I know a 335 is usually maple but sometimes I'm finding it hard to pinpoint the tonewoods on some of the MIJ semis. I can't afford a Trini Lopez but would love to sound like I can on recordings.

thanks for the info

If you can Jay... GET IT !!

I drove roughly 800 round trip in a day for my wife's and would leave at the drop of a hat to do it again if the opportunity presented itself.

She also owns a '67 Guild Starfire IV in extremely good condition and that JazzStrad makes it seem almost slapped together by comparison.

And compared it to a Chinese Epi?.... Fuggeddaboudit

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...throw me a frickin' bone here, people...

Iceman, that is some serious testimony! I will definitely have to try earnestly to get it. I'm still kicking myself daily for not trying to snatch that black 420 that sold for $625 a few months ago. It was even in the same state I live in so I actually could've driven a half day and checked it out.

I

Well unfortunately it went for almost $900.... To me it was too steep when I consider the cracking on the finish. I've seen Excellent condition rock strads go for $625 in recent months, so for $900 I'd rather wait and get something in better shape. Just can't bring myself to pay full market value on something used that doesn't have any "in-focus" pics to set my mind at ease. Not rare enough to roll the dice as these show up every month or so anyway. darn I"m torqued I didn't snatch up that rock strad before though....

I'm literally gonna spend the rest of the night self-loathing for letting the x420 slip by 2 months ago.
I've probably spent 150+ hrs staring at and researching vintage semis since then, and all I'm realizing is I'm an idiot. I'll come back over here once I'm done breaking things at my house. I'm very tempted to go outside and beat the side of my (barely usable) garage with an epiphone Dot studio Cobain style (apologies to Who fans) til I feel better.

Sorry everyone for the rant.... Can you tell I didn't sleep last night? Arrrrrrrrgh!!!!!!!!

Yeah, that went for more than I thought it would, as did the X810 'project' a couple hours earlier. I think you mean Jazz Strad, the Rock Strad was the fancy bolt-neck LP with the same fret markers. It'll happen, another will show up soon enough Jay.

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

While I have never owned an Electra semi (yet), in all fairness I have to step up for the Epi Sheraton II deluxe. Bought this baby about 6 years ago and have never had an unpleasant note. I have owned a Dot- sold it, Ibanez Artcore AS-73- gave it to one of our worship pastors when his axe got ripped off, and recently tried out a Custom shop Riviera which I promptly returned. By far the Sheraton had them all beat. Not bad at all for a mid $ range semi. But like I said, my opinion is tainted by the fact that I do not own an Electra yet, though I do look forward to making that purchase soon.
.....Love one woman, many guitars.......

The trapeze models are not seen as much and are great players. I agree that more of the Jazz Strad models are indeed showing themselves but I must say that I think they will only continue to rise in price as the word seems to be getting out about how good they really are.

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

Not to hijack the thread BUT - I have an Epi Firebird studio that I stuck a GFS mean 90 in the neck. Got it for like $350 w case - did not expect much out of it. Well it is a nice surprise. It's a nice chunk o wood with a set neck and really shoddy electronics. Love the p90 and steinberger tuners. It turns out to be a very good guitar for the $. I would (and have) recommend it. Swap a pickup or two and lose the shoddy 3 way and you're in a pretty good place for a good price. I think a lot of Epiphones are hit or miss and YMMV but I'm very happy with mine.

I am sincerely sorry to hear you didn't get that one Jay. I was shocked to see it go that high as well.

If ElectraFest is in the cards for you I am certain a semi or two will be there for you to pine over.

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...throw me a frickin' bone here, people...

Thank you Ice for the kind condolence, I am a bit more calm again and managed to refrain from breaking my epiphone (not that I would mourn it) Dot or anything else for that matter. Good to see I wasn't the only one a bit caught off guard by the final price.

Guess it's a testament to the quality and desirability of these semis. Thought I'd finally get a break on one again (and not hesitate) but I'll just have to keep waiting for that special x420 to round out my studio arsenal. I would happily settle for any of the elite Mat versions as well (who wouldn't?) but I think I'll keep shooting for a x420 Black or Vantage VE-565.

I'm sure I'd enjoy ElectraFest 2012 immensely but if I recall it's held more toward the west coast and I'm near Chicago. If I am able to sponsor a vacation for myself or something, I certainly will attend though. The ElectraFest pics I stumbled upon did look pretty cool though. If it's ever held out here in IL, WI, MI.....I will certainly go.