Vintage 1970 Epiphone 12 String 6735 Acoustic Guitar with stunning rosewood back & sides. This is an early example built in the legendary Matsumoku factory with the leftover Kalamazoo USA blue labels. The Gibson headstock with pearl Epiphone logo looks fantastic! The pearl tuners are stunning! Adjustable neck and bridge for optimal comfort and ly what you want on a vintage acoustic.
Gibson/Epiphone brands change ownership. On December 19, 1969- ECL Industries Inc. ("Ecuadorian Company Limited"-incorporated in Delaware and a U.S. subsidiary of a Panamanian corporation of the same name) officially takes over CMI (Chicago Musical Instruments.) Norlin is an amalgamation of the first syllable of ECL's chairman's first name, Norton Stevens and the last syllable of CMI's president M.H. Berlin's last name. By 1970, ECL's U.S. operation becomes "Norlin Industries Inc." and the Panamanian corporation becomes "Norlin Corporation". CMI remains a subsidiary of the U.S. operation. By ths time, Epiphone had moved production to Japan and chose Aria as its contractor. As a subcontractor to Aria, Matsumoku manufactured all Epiphone guitars until the 1980's.
Matsumoku Industrial Co. was a Japanese manufacturing company from c. 1900 - 1987. Established around 1900 as a woodworking manufacturer of various items but is best known as a manufacturer of high quality guitars and bass guitars including some Epiphone and Aria guitars. Originally a family woodworking company specializing in tansu storage chests and butsudan shrines, by the mid 1940's, Matsumoku was contracted by the Singer Corporation to produce sewing machine cabinets. By 1951 Matsumoku became a partially owned subsidiary of Singer, Japan. Matsumoku also built amplifier, radio and television cabinets.
By the 1960's Matsumoku was producing violins, classical guitars, small steel-string acoustic guitars, as well as venturing in to high quality electric and acoustic archtop guitars. Matsumoku worked mainly as a contractor, producing guitars and parts for companies such as Vox, Greco, Yamaha, Ibanez, Aria and Norlin among others. In 1979 Matsumoku began manufacturing their own guitars under the Westone name.
By 1986, the home sewing machine market was in heavy decline and Singer was nearly bankrupt. Matsumoku could not afford to buy itself out of Singer and in 1987, closed down. Information about Matsumoku's contribution to guitar making is better known now due in large part to the Internet. Matsumoku's products enjoy a strong following among devoted enthusiasts.
International buyers welcome! We ship to any country in the world. This guitar will be packed and shipped with love, care and respect. The guitar is in very good condition for being over half a century old! Watch the video for the full guitar condition. You are also welcome to collect the guitar in person if you are local to our studio in Southend-on-Sea directly across from Southend Central train station at postcode SS1 1AB.
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