Can anyone ID this Les Paul Copy?

[anoddin]

I bought this used Les Paul copy for $400 about 12 years ago, it is solid body & pretty heavy but it has a great sound; pickups have been changed out for EMG's before I got it and knobs were black but had to be replaced. Frets are pretty worn as well but I like it enough to get the work done; it's certainly seen a lot of play. Always been curious just who made it, I would appreciate any help; no name on guitar but # on bolt on neck plate is 9016761
Many thanks,
Andy
you can see the pics here:

[VintAxe]

Hey Andy,

Just wanted to let you know I haven't forgotten about you, I just don't have an ID on your Les Paul copy yet. The headstock will be the key, but I still haven't found a match.

Do you think the EMG's are original or replacement pups?

It looks Japanese to me but I haven't gotten any further than that. sb

[anoddin]

Many thanks for all your efforts, it is greatly appreciated ! Looks like the emg's have been added, inside the cover I can see all the soldering connections and although well done it does not look factory. Guitar has been around for some time and has a couple good dings & lot's of surface scratching from being played. It has such a nice sound and I really enjoy playing it, only drawback is the weight, it's a real pain in the shoulder sometimes. Again thank you and I'll keep visitong the board!
Best regards
Andy :D

[Bassassin]

That headstock shape is very similar to the Aria Pro "transition" guitars from 1979:

http://www.matsumoku.org/models/ariapro ... trans.html

I'm sure I've seen an Aria Pro with this shape headstock & a conventional LP shape body.

However, the neckplate isn't anything I've seen on a Matsumoku guitar - is that a tilt adjusting screw I can see? That rings a bell - regrettably not loud enough to be able to place it!

It might be worth asking on the "Unknown or Un-Identified Labels-Brands" board at www.matsumoku.org.

Jon.