Esquire Anyone heard or has info ?

[mflack]

Hello

I just joined and would realy like any info on my guitar.

My dad bought this new for me in the mid '70s when I was a kid and have had it since.
I'm just getting back into it and thought I'd like some info on it but cant find anything on esquire.
Its made in Japan and it was bought in melbourne Aust and is in great cond and original hard case

any one with info ??

thanks

[mflack]

I did some searching on this site and it
looks abit like 1944 model could this be right ?

[mflack]

or model 2354






I think we may have a winner 2354

[Spud1950]

Good work! I agree,looks exactly the same as the Ibanez 2354. Can't find any info on who used the Esquire brand name, but the guitar was almost certainly made at the FujiGen guitar factory, who also produced the Ibanez branded guitars,as well as others.

[mflack]

[Bassassin]

[mflack]

Here's some pics

The body seems to be 2 ply type slads put together

[Bassassin]

That's the "sandwich" construction I mentioned, very common on MIJ guitars of this era and in fact borrowed from Gibson, who built Les Pauls like this in the early 70s.

The wiring looks original & untouched - can you see if there are any numbers, words or logos on the pots, apart from the values? Sometimes there are factory date codes, which might give an idea of when the guitar was made.

J.

[mflack]

[mflack]

Just one thing I do remember "Esquire" only sold 2 guitars the SG and a great copy of the Les Paul when my Dad bought it so I'd say def an importers name brand for Aust at the time

[Kenji]

Dear Mflack, I bought one of these SG Esquire guitars identical to yours about the same time from a guitar shop in Russell street melbourne around 1973, can't remember what I paid but I thought it the most beautiful guitar I could afford. Had the same tremolo arm, colour, case everything. Yours is the only other one I've seen since.
Unfortunately the beautiful appearance & finish was let done by poor pick ups that couldn't compete with other guitars & a 2nd string that couldn't clear some frets cleanly. I ended up changing the pick ups but couldn't do much about the 2nd string without affecting the overall action.
I still have the guitar & have the "Esquire" name plate loose in the original case. I've lost the tremolo arm & it's got a few nicks to the body but it's still a beautiful piece. Yours appears to be spotless.
I have an "Ibinez" SG as well & this is a bit longer & of equal quality of finish.
If your really keen I could post a photo but it would simply be the same as yours but in not as good condition.

[mflack]

[deleted]

I'm very pleased to find this thread. I have one of these guitars too (my first guitar - received in 99). I've always wondered what its history was.

Mine is aesthetically quite beaten up, frets are worn very very low, and the "tremolo" piece has been removed, the holes shoddily filled in. I've always thought the neck was a bit too narrow - e string close to edge; but perhaps my bridge (gotoh tune-o-matic) is not original.

I can add that my pots have NICHION printed on them.


[/img]

And in addition my neckplate (perhaps not original) seems different - MADE IN JAPAN is printed at the opposite end to mflack's. The strap-knob is also different - installed on the neck itself.

[mflack]

Deleted

I noticed mine has chrome tuners

great to see there's some of the old girls still around. Haven't seen any of the LP copys at all

[moptop127]

Hi,

Glad to have discovered this thread and forum.

Was walking past a SOLD house in Balaclava, Victoria (Australia) and my eye went immediately to an SG shaped, very dirty but solid guitar. Esquire on the nameplate, Made in Japan on the rear neck plate (?)...

Will post pics ASAP as the pick guards seem slightly different again to the great pics you folk have posted here. It looks like only two remaining pots and two switches are present and the wiring is hanging loose, but I'm thinking I'd love to do this up. Anyway, will post pics in next day or so.

Cheers,

Moptop St Kilda East