ANTORIA FOLK MODEL. NO.393 VINTAGE EARLY 1970s MIJ DREADNOUGHT ACOUSTIC GUITAR.

Brand: Antoria
;Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan
;Size: 4/4
;No. of Strings: 6 string
;Right-/ Left-Handed: Right-Handed
;Type: Acoustic Guitar
;Model: FOLK MODEL NO.393
;Sub-Type: Steel-string Guitar

ANTORIA FOLK MODEL. NO.393 VINTAGE EARLY 1970s MIJ DREADNOUGHT ACOUSTIC GUITAR.

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*** VINTAGE & TRADITIONAL GUITARS ***

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W: www.vintagetraditionalguitars.co.uk
E: [email protected]
T: +44 (0)1543 677140
M: 07970 832955

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This is a really excellent, alive sounding Vintage Dreadnought-bodied Acoustic Guitar, the design clearly inspired by the famous D45 model, together with the Three Piece Back detail, from the D35, and used in many quality Japanese guitars of this period. It is very similar to a Cimar branded guitar I sold 3 or 4 years ago...that was a Hoshino Gakki brand name. Antoria was a brand imported by J.T.Coppock(Leeds)Ltd., and it is suggested that they originated also from Hoshino Gakki & Fuji-Gen Factory, in that they were basically "branded" Ibanez models. Anyway, whatever the history, this is a superb looking guitar in it's own right, which plays and sounds excellent - the volume and tone are exceptional!

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ANTORIA FOLK MODEL NO.393 VINTAGE EARLY 1970s MIJ D-35/D-45 INSPIRED SPRUCE, ROSEWOOD & MAPLE DREADNOUGHT GUITAR - GREAT CONDITION, THREE PIECE BACK DETAIL, ABALONE INLAYS, MARTIN-ESQUE STYLING, HOSHINO GAKKI/FUJI-GEN/IBANEZ LINKS.
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DESCRIPTION.

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Stock Number: VTG1493.

The appearance suggests 1970s origins but, although the inside label is intact, there is no dating indication, although the "Foreign" marking of imported goods certainly ceased by the early 1970s, so in all probability it is from the earlier part of the decade. A very striking looking guitar, with great looking, book-matched Spruce top, beautifully grained Rosewood back & sides, with superb Maple inset.

There are considerable similarities between this guitar and the Cimar I sold earlier, which do suggest that the information regarding their common source could be correct. The two guitars look identical, except for detail differences, in that the Cimar had a zero-fret not appearing on the Antoria, and had a plain script headstock name logo, rather than the beautiful, Martin-style inlay decoration on this headstock. Even the model no. designations are similar....the Cimar was Model No.369, this is Antoria Model No.393.

As mentioned in the "Condition" section below, the top has a slight shaping, which appears to be quite normal in Japanese guitars of this type, and has been checked by the professional luthier I work with. It's continued integrity after probably around 40 years is testament to the manufacturing quality, and to the high quality of laminate woods used, typical of Japanese construction of this period.

Although there is much discussion about the use of laminate woods, it has enabled the production and long-term survival of some superb looking and sounding, but affordable vintage guitars, and I am sure has contributed to the survival of this guitar in such great condition, due to the greater durability and freedom from cracking and distortion problems which have seen the failure of many guitars of similar age which were made of solid woods. It is now apparent that over the years these high-quality laminate woods have developed an excellent strong mature tone and volume.

I'm no expert on the different configurations of Martin Acoustic Models, but although it is not a slavish copy of any particular model, I think that you will see various similarities to a certain iconic models, the D35 & D45, including the Abalone trimmings to the edge binding and soundhole ring, and the block inlays, in addition to the three-piece back. Add to that the wonderful inlay in the Rosewood faced headstock, echoing Martin styling, full fingerboard & headstock binding, stringing to the three-piece back and Cream End-stripe, Beautiful Rosewood Fingerboard & Bridge, and you have a really knock-out looking guitar!

As is well known, an Antoria acoustic guitar of a different style is clearly visible in Oasis's Wonderwall video.

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PRICE.                                                                                                                                  £359.00.

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I invariably offer my guitars on a "Buy it Now" basis, corresponding to the pricing on my Vintage & Traditional Guitars website, and I don't usually use eBay's ".....or Best Offer" as my prices are always based on the prices I have already achieved for comparable guitars, and I find that eBay encourages buyers to go for the "super-bargain", beyond all reality, whereas my prices reflect the often many hours of workshop time and skilled professional restoration which have gone into the guitar you buy.....very different from many guitars you will see, no doubt of similar type, sold "as-is", or by non-professional sellers, where a cheap buy turns into an expensive repair session with the luthier....I've already done that for you!

That is not to say that the prices are set in stone.....my overriding aim is to restore guitars to excellent playing condition, to put into the hands of those with the playing skills I so often admire, but fail to emulate....there are many good customers of mine who will testify to the fact that I am a soft touch for a good player who wants to haggle! I'm not super-keen on part-exchanges, but will do them if the circumstances are right, but I can usually find some discount margin for a cash buyer!

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CONDITION.

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The condition is really excellent for a probably 40 year old guitar, with mainly only the very lightest of nicks and scratches from normal usage. Only one other knock should be mentioned. This can be seen in photo #4....I have not taken close-up pic, as this tends to give an oversize impression, so showing it in the context of the whole side on body view confirms that it really is a rather small knock and chip in the finish, which I have sealed, since the photos were taken, to stabilise, but is of no structural significance.....and to boot it is out of sight on the underside of the lower bout, when playing.

There is only very slight play wear to the frets and which have been generally cleaned and dressed to remove one or two slightly rough fret-ends. I may also upgrade the rather flimsy plastic end strap button & replace with a better quality Chrome fitting.

The guitar is essentially original....maybe entirely original? At the moment without having taken them off to inspect, I'm not sure that the individual Gotoh logoed enclosed machinehead/tuners are the originals. I can say that they work very smoothly and that there are no visible altered screw holes. All in all I think that you will agree that the photos show that this remains a very handsome vintage guitar - the photos presently showing were taken before re-stringing & preparation of the guitar. The photos of the guitar are also available on the Vintage & Traditional Guitars website, or I can email them to you on request via [email protected]

The guitar has been checked over with the highly experienced luthier I work with. Slight "shaping" to the top, appears both normal & stable.

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ACTION, STRINGS & CASES.

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It plays nicely with a comfortable, reasonably slim, "C" profile rounded neck, with approx. 43mm. nut width, still fairly standard for many modern acoustics. The action is a very acceptable approx. 2.75mm./3.25mm. at the 12th. fret, adjustable via the integral adjustable saddle. Scale length is 25.75"/650mm. It is strung it with Martin Bronze Light 12-54s.

The is no case included, but I may be able to offer additional options of modern hardshell cases (including Hiscox Liteflite), or a gigbag, and the guitar will be packed securely for postage.

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YOUTUBE.

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I found it hard to find clips of similar Antoria dreadnoughts on YouTube, and the only two which seemed relevant are the two following.

This video is entitled "Antoria Acoustic Guitar - Rare" by "nhphoto1"..... although no details of the guitar are given it is clearly an Antoria dreadnought and appears to be from the same era, although with nowhere near the quality of appointment, but sounding good! -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RlLZvE4ZmQ

This sound clip entitled "Guitar Demo Antoria Folk guitar mod. 212 1970's MIJ - Marcs Guitars Sound Bite" just shows an image of an Antoria Folk guitar modelled on the Cibson original, and again sounds superb:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwiF6Dp6Ik4

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DELIVERY AND CONTACT.

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*** Subsidized Parcelforce Express 24 Postage & Packing to U.K. Addresses, or similarly subsidized Parcelforce Euro Priority service to European Addresses! *** 

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eBay now charge sellers 10% Fees on the amount you pay towards the sellers postage costs!

This is entirely unfair to sellers like me, who have always subsidized the postage cost, by charging less than the cost to them and not making any charge for packing time and material costs, which are both considerable when it comes to packing items which are large, fragile, and require great care, like guitars! When challenged they can only make the excuse that some buyers have complained that that some sellers are abusing the arrangements and over-charging on postage.....but not this seller!!

Buyers will be cheered to hear that eBay's advice to sellers on this point is that, as they are going to pay fees on both the selling price and postage costs, they should offer free postage & packing, and "increase the price to the seller to reflect their additional resulting costs".

Let us be entirely clear..........the only beneficiary of this policy is eBay's bottom line profits! I have sold on eBay for a long time now, and like to continue to sell to those many members who use eBay as their primary buying search, and although I restore & sell guitars primarily as an interest, I cannot do it at a loss, but the high eBay costs make it increasingly difficult, and having established my own Vintage & Traditional Guitars website, I now sell the majority of my guitars there.

I continue to subsidize the postage cost to the buyer, and in the effort to comply with eBay's pressure for sellers to provide free postage, I have offered this, but have reverted to quoting minimal/subsidized postage charges, with no charge for packing time & materials, as I feel that experienced buyers appreciate that there is considerable cost/effort involved in the safe and secure postal delivery of large and fragile items like guitars, and are prepared to pay modest costs, whereas inclusive postage prices deter buyers who would be happy to travel & collect.

Similarly, I will not be participating in upcoming eBay schemes, including "Click & Collect", "Managed Returns" & "Global Shipping Program", as these are not suitable for guitar sales, and not compatible with my level of personal service, which you can assess for yourself from the high-quality & wholly positive feedback I have received over several years.

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I will be very happy if you are able to come and try out the guitar, and of course, following purchase, you are welcome to come and collect in person. Otherwise I will pack well and securely box the guitar and post it to you as soon as possible. If you would prefer I may be able to arrange to deliver or meet part way to hand over, dependent on a reasonable distance, for a similar cost to postage.

Thank you for looking, and please take a look at the other guitars in my eBay Shop. In addition I do have a stock of other guitars, which is added to regularly, but some of them do take a little time to find their way through my workshop, so if you don't see what you are looking for at present, please let me have details - who knows I may have just what you are looking for!

If you need any further information or advice, please contact me via eBay Messaging, my direct email address as included in my eBay Business Seller contact details, phone me on 01543 677140, or via my mobile number 07970 832955, and I will do my best to answer any questions. Please take a look at the other guitars in my eBay Shop, but if you don't see what you are looking for, I do have a stock of other guitars, some still in the course of preparation for sale, so please let me have details - who knows I may have just what you are looking for!

EU Buyers please contact me before purchase to confirm shipping arrangements and delivery costs. The European Postage cost shown in the listing is approximate and for general guidance only. The actual cost of postage to Europe will vary from Country to Country, but you should allow extra cost for the purchase of a case to put it in for shipment.

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OTHER GUITARS.

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I have a stock of guitars, which is added to regularly, but some do tend to take a little time to find their way through my workshop. Some of these are listed on my website - Vintage & Traditional Guitars, but if you don't see the guitar you are looking for, please enquire via [email protected] - who knows I may have just the one you want!

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ANTORIA FOLK MODEL. NO.393 VINTAGE EARLY 1970s MIJ DREADNOUGHT ACOUSTIC GUITAR.

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