Doing another search as I write this, I found this exact guitar listed on Craig's list. The picture is exactly the same! I was shocked, and if anyone is interested, it could still well be for sale. I emailed the seller just a moment ago, and I hope I get a response: sale-kqj8u-2443510357@craigslist.org
Then doing some more research, I found another at Fearless Guitars in Portland, OR, being worked on by the shop's owner: http://www.custom-electric-bass-guitars.com/fungallery.html
I shot them an email as well.
The tremelo bar, bridge, headstock and coloring, as well as the 4 pick-up configuration, look similar to some Teisco and Kawai guitars of the era, though it might just be a Japanese thing.
I'll post if anything else comes up. Someone somewhere must remember buying one of these things new and where they got it.
The Craigslist version is mine.....
ReplyDeleteI bought it from a guy in Hollywood around 1967. At the time he told me it was a Harmony prototype.... but there was no logo, serial #s, no markings inside but a pencil scribble. Since I bought it I had never seen another like it until one showed up on ebay a couple months ago. Having fixed a couple of caps and a broken switch I was amazed at how well it played! (I hadn't touched it in some 35 years). It sounds much better than I remembered. The microphonic pups are a trip, and sound strong.
Thanks for finding my post and responding. Since I posted this, I've found a couple of acoustic classical guitars with the same logo, and some more stuff that says the guitars may have been imported for some music store in Pasadena-"Crown City."
DeleteI agree, the Crown does have an interesting sound to it, and I pull it out on a somewhat regular basis. The thick neck takes some getting used to, but it is straight, and the different pick-up configurations make it fun to play.
http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Crown-Acoustic-Guitar-12869184.html
ReplyDeleteI have a crown musical instruments vintage aucustic guitar, It needed some T.l.C., I took care of the work it needed and re strung her, I was amazed from the sound she hummed, deep base combined with harmonics, kind of like a martin sound, the guitar was made in japan model # isS701N.The guitar is vintage, but I have no idea how old it is, can anyone help.?
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in.
I've seen a few Crown classical guitars. Like I posted, the best I can figure is that they were being imported sometime in the 60's. By that point, the Japanese were making some pretty good instruments, and were using old growth trees which gives the acoustics a warmer sound.
Good luck finding more info, and go ahead and post what you find here.
Thanks!
Rick
Thank you Rick, for answering to my comment, I thought I would add that this vintage master piece from crown instriments aucustic guitar, has to be the best souding guitar I have ever played.I couldn't help to add to my comments the following info:This guitar weigh's 3 1/2 Lbs. She has 20 frets, and to think she was almost tossed in the garbage makes me proud to own her.I will if you don't mind rick, follow up with a video and sound she weeps, thanks again...
ReplyDeleteThank you Rick, for answering to my comment, I thought I would add that this vintage master piece from crown instriments aucustic guitar, has to be the best souding guitar I have ever played.I couldn't help to add to my comments the following info:This guitar weigh's 3 1/2 Lbs. She has 20 frets, and to think she was almost tossed in the garbage makes me proud to own her.I will if you don't mind rick, follow up with a video and sound she weeps, thanks again...
ReplyDeleteI have an acoustic with a crown on the pick guard very old made in Japan
DeleteI just bought a 60's Crown 12 string acoustic.Never heard of them before and found you.Will post pics when arrives.
ReplyDeleteCraig,
DeleteLet me know how it sounds! Thanks!
I got a Crown 5 strings banjo in mint condition with it's original hardcase, it's really nice made it looks like an expensive instrument.
ReplyDeleteI've got a Crown 12-string acoustic with a hummingbird style pickguard. I'd post a picture but I don't see the option.
ReplyDeleteHi OJWay, I think I have the six string version. Mine looks like the Gibson hummingbird guitar and it has amazing sound.
DeleteI have two of the classicals and some more pics of Crown's family
ReplyDeleteI can't figure out how to upload pics, dear friends!
ReplyDeleteThere is a Crown 335 model for sale near me. The guy is asking $300. It has single coil pickups. It's missing the trem bar, but otherwise looks mint. The only one like it I have founds for sale is on reverb for some $1,200. Would it be worth the $300 investment? Or should I pass?
ReplyDeleteThere is a Crown 335 style guitar near me. It has single coil pickups, and aside from missing the trem bar looks to be in absolute mint. Seller is asking $300, and the only other identical one online for sale is listed for $1,200 on Reverb. Is it worth the investment?
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteI haven't posted on my blog in sometime, but I saw your question, and thought I'd better answer.
I looked at the one on Reverb, and that's a beautiful guitar! Great history on Crown, which matches pretty much what I was able to gather.
That being said, I'm in no way an expert. If it's cool looking and you'll feel better owning it, (And you have the $300 to spare), buy it! Play it and have fun with it! The pickups on mine-as you can hear on the clip-seem average to me, nothing really special, and it's not the easiest guitar to play, with a kind of a fat neck.
If your thinking of it an an investment, it's only worth what someone will actually pay. Japanese guitars are a niche market.
Hope that helps you decide. Thanks for checking the blog out!
Wow! So excited to find this thread! And it is so recently posted in!
ReplyDeleteI bought a Crown acoustic a couple months ago from CL. The sides are cloudy from temperature/humidity abuse but it must have been sudden because the wood is in great shape. It is a blend of a Martin D-41 and D-35. Looks like a D-41 from the front but has the 3 piece back of the D-35.
It has been in the shop for a while (luthier is backed up, but worth the wait) fixing a impack crack on the bottom side. I cannot wait to get it back, TODAY!
I will attempt to post photos.
Wow! So excited to find this thread! And it is so recently posted in!
ReplyDeleteI bought a Crown acoustic a couple months ago from CL. The sides are cloudy from temperature/humidity abuse but it must have been sudden because the wood is in great shape. It is a blend of a Martin D-41 and D-35. Looks like a D-41 from the front but has the 3 piece back of the D-35.
It has been in the shop for a while (luthier is backed up, but worth the wait) fixing a impack crack on the bottom side. I cannot wait to get it back, TODAY!
I will attempt to post photos.
Thanks for writing!
ReplyDeleteThe late 60's and 70's era Japanese Acoustics can be well made, good sounding guitars. It sounds like you found a good one, so enjoy!
And if you could get some pictures up, that would be cool, too.
I'm glad that I gave found this site also. About 5 years ago,my wife bought me a gift for my birthday,and it was a Crown 12 string acoustic with a Hummingbird pick guard and sorta like a Sunburst color. Anyhow I enjoy playing it and I thought this might be of interest to you as I really don't know anything about this guitar except that it may be kinda rare cause everyone that have asked me about it doesn't seem to know either.If I can send a few pics of it later on I'd like to know more about what I have whether it is rare or not. Thanks for reading this. Dennis Satele
ReplyDeleteDennis,
ReplyDeleteFrom what I can gather, Crown guitars are rare, in that it seems to have been a label used by a store in Pasadena, CA, in the late 60's and early 70's. I'd guess, however, that the guitar was made in Japan by one of their guitar factories, and I've seen many hummingbird knock-offs from the 60's with a variety of labels, most likely all made in the same place.
That being said, the quality of tone wood from Japan in that era, as well as solid craftsmanship, means it's probably a pretty good guitar. Not worth a lot of money, but if it sounds good, enjoy!
And if your wife buys you guitars, that's a good thing, too!
Post pictures if you get chance!
Thanks for writing!
I have a Crown City Import TG-309. Says it's made in Japan. It sounds really good. I didn't realize it was a guitar from the 60's and 70's. It looks newer. No cracks, no rust, it looks shiny even. It was in a case too. The back and side wood has waves in the grain and is golden. Spruce top,mohagany neck. The rosewood frets don't even look used. I wish I could show the pictures. Nice one though.
ReplyDeleteIf it was kept in a case, and the humidity was good, the tonewoods have probably mellowed nicely. Enjoy!
DeleteI just bought a Crown classical acoustic in really good vintage condition and paid $15 for it and $12 for shipping. I am restoring it and fixing some abrasions with some homemade lacquer and a vinatge caramel tint. The sound is really quite nice and for $15 it was a steal. The metal badge is on the very top of the neck face.
ReplyDeleteThere is a Crown guitar ( a copy of a Gibson Barney Kessel ) at the Rock n roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
ReplyDeleteI have a Crown 12 string that I have owned since 1966. I play it all the time. I think the sound it produces is as good as a Taylor or a Martin. I own 2 D-35 Martins and I know what they sound like.
ReplyDeleteHi all! Can someone please tell me the worth on my vintage crown professional G-8 classical guitar is worth? This is probably one of the best sounding guitars. I bought it from an elderly man at a yardsale who said he picked it up overseas brandnew when he was stationed over there..he wanted to learn to play but never did. It sat in his room untouched till i bought it..ty
ReplyDeleteI just acquired a Crown City Importers Acoustic FW651, it looks like a Gibson Dove copy with a mother of pearl dove inlaid on the pick guard. It has a beautiful mellow tone with great attack.
ReplyDeleteI have searched for 3 days and have read everything I can find about Crown but have not seen another exactly like it. The closest I have found was a Cortly but the pick guard was painted on that one.
The best I can guess based on all the digging I've done it looks likellike these guitars were manufactured in Japan by Hoshino Gakki Co., Ltd. Which is the company that owns Ibanez.
Picked up a Crown City Imports, model FW 618, dreadnaught. Came with the cheap hard case with red fluffy inner lining. It cost $50.00 from a private party. The guy listed it, by accident, in an area that was way far from most towns, so it didn't sell. I took a chance on it, it was a hour and 20 minute drive from my house. So I said I'd drive down there and check it out. When I asked him where did he live he said Sacramento, yet the listing in Facebook Marketplace, put him in a place called Firebaugh, Ca. When I told him of the mistake and I said I was on my way to Sac. Well, in the mean time, he relisted in Sacramento. By the time I got there, we were talking, he said he had received very much interest in it. But due to the fact I was on my way up there he kept his promise and waited to see if I was serious enough to drive, it was a hour and 30 min. drive, up there. I got there and what a pleasant surprise. It was in beautiful shape, and the cheap case was still somewhat intact. I can't wait to try it out. Thanks for your article and I hope I wasn't rambling on too much.
DeleteI hope you enjoy your guitar! I'm sure it sounds great!
DeleteI haven't written on this blog in a while. In response to 'vegasvisionstudios', as I've mentioned a few times, the Japanese guitars of the late 60's-early 70's seem to use good tone woods, and the factories, like Hoshino Gakki, had learned to make quality instruments. 50 years of mellowing, and I'd think you'd have a good sounding guitar. Enjoy!
ReplyDelete