help id my guitar

[bcarico]

This is an old guitar and amp that my grandfather owned. it is believed to be at least 40 years old. Any info will be very helpful!! the only markings i can find say japan. thanks a bunch!



More Images:

[Michael Ambrose]

Looks like a Zen-On... one of the many names found on Guyatone-made guitars from the mid 60's.

[VintAxe]

Michael is right.

Your guitar is a Zen On model ZES 60 from around 1965.

The bridge is not original which is probably a good thing if you want to properly intonate the guitar.

[cheepaxes]

Don't tell anyone but I have a sort of a thing for Zen-on guitars. I think they're mighy cool looking. That one looks like it might have a gold-foil pickup too. I'd love to run into one of those at a yard sale for cheep. :)

(name withheld by request)

[bcarico]

it does have gold on pick up. thanxs for all the info guys i have an old amp that was with in it says TAKT on it. any idea what it's all worth

[cheepaxes]

From the pictures it appears to be in pretty good shape. I'm not an expert but I'd say that with a run-of-the-mill pickup, most Japanese guitars of that quality from that period would go in the $150-250 range. I think the Zenons are a little more rare and a little more unique, which might add $50-100 bucks to the price.

The gold foil pickups are considered highly desirable by some and go for as much as $100 by themselves so consider that when determining value.

EDIT: there are a couple Zen-ons on eBay in completed listings with two gold foil pickups, one with an amp, neither of which went for much more than $200. So my value estimates would appear to be high. Maybe it's the new economy...

I've never heard of that amp brand. Is it tube? Does it work? Made where? What size is the speaker? Has it had any kind of work done recently, e.g., to replace electrolytic capacitors which may have gone bad over time?

-Scott

[Spud1950]

The Blue Book Of Guitar Amplifiers mentions TAKT amps.



There's some pictures of a GA-15 model on this page.Scroll down.