1965 Super Astrotone Electric Guitar MIJ - Suzuki Violin Co - Rare & Collectible - Excellent+

Up for sale is a very rare and collectible guitar. Some have called it the "Holy Grail" of 60's Japanese guitar collecting. This is the 1965 Super Astrotone in the popular Sunburst finish.  

A lot of people assume this is a Teisco or Kawai made guitar, but in fact it was made by the Suzuki Violin Company in Nagoya, Japan. Suzuki Violin was a Japanese violin maker than ventured into the guitar market from the late 60's to the 80's until they bowed out during the lawsuits. They were know for making some very high quality acoustic guitars, but they did make a few electric guitars as well. Most of these electrics were copies of the popular American models of the time, but this Super Astrotone was a different creation that stands alone. If you Google "Super Astrotone Guitar" you will find lots of love for this guitar as well as several articles by guitar collectors expressing the uniqueness of this guitar. I highly recommend you read some of them to understand what this guitar is.  

Because this was not a Teisco made guitar, it is not made of the familiar parts. The pickups have a one-of-a-kind sound and are not known to have been used on any other model guitar. Also unique to this guitar is the compensated "rolling bar" compensated bridge. Not to mention the very cool and unique body shape. I could go on and on, but I will let you research.

The guitar itself is in Excellent+ condition and appears to be all original. It does not appear to have been played much at all (if any).  The only issue I could find was a couple of small dings below the bridge plate.  The neck is straight, the frets are good and the action is set low (2 mm on the low E at the 12th fret). All electronics work as they should, but the tone knob is pretty tight and doesn't really seem to have much effect (common on these guitars).  The neck is shimmed, but it doesn't have to be.  I just wanted to be able to raise the bridge to get a better string break angle (this type of tremolo tailpiece assembly is notorious for leaving the strings flat across the bridge).  The guitar plays and sounds great and is really fun to play.  Includes the original case, strap and amp cord as well!

I should be asking more for this guitar, but just looking for a quick sale and a happy buyer. Get it now, as these do not come around too often!