1980s Hohner Model No. HGK614 Classical Guitar

Vintage 3/4 size classical guitar, plays and sounds real nice, made in Korea

I haven't been able to find any information on this particular model. Every search has come up with a Contessa series from 1975, made in Japan. But, this one was made in Korea, Contessa is nowhere to be found on the label and the style of the label and serial number tell me it's from the early 80s, probably 1983.

I'd never played a Hohner before and this is a nice guitar for what it is. Probably an entry level model back in the day, given the 3/4 size, which is a little bigger than the student sized Crown and Hondo classicals that were featured here recently. This is a nice beginner guitar.

I set this one up with a set of Draco by Martin flat strings and it has a nice enough tone to it. The smaller size neck makes it easier to play than a standard classical and the tuning machines and bridge have both stood the test of time. This is something that you can probably pick up for $40-60 if you're lucky, but anything over $150 is probably paying too much. Definitely better than the modern First Acts and Carlos Robelli guitars in the same price bracket or higher.

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1982 Carlos Model No. 207 Acoustic Guitar

Vintage folk-style acoustic guitar, another beautiful guitar that was sitting in a closet for about a decade

The younger cousin of the Carlos folk guitar that was featured here a little while back, this one looks and sounds a little better, with the cream colored binding and natural wood grains on the back really making it pop.

On top of the fact that it looks great, this one also plays about as nice as any acoustic guitar ever will. I set it up with a set of D'Addario Acoustic Light strings and they really sing resonating off of the stock brass nut and saddle.

The body is not only thinner than a regular dreadnought, but the width and height are also smaller scale, making this one the same size as a standard classical. These Carlos guitars have a cult following of sorts in the collector's market and I guess you can count me among the faithful.

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2000s Johnson Model No. JG-620-SC Acoustic Guitar

Another Chinese cutaway, this one living up to the reputation of a low-quality cookie-cutter guitar

This is one of those cases where I just picked something up because it was available real cheap and I was curious to know how this particular brand played, being that I'd seen a ton of them for sale over the last 8 months or so.

Everything that I'd read about these cheap Chinese acoustic guitars being virtually unplayable was true about this box. Even with a new set of strings and a proper setup, there was hardly any projection at all and even a few dead notes along the 2nd and 3rd frets.

The body was also warped, raising up along the soundhole, even though the bridge was completely flat against the body. Avoid at all costs, in the same league as Harmonia and Ariana. If the difference between this and say an entry-level Yamaha is even $60, spend the extra cash. The only way you want to come across one of these is if someone gives it to you for free. I guess it looks pretty, at least...

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2000s Jasmine By Takamine ES33C Acoustic/Electric Guitar

Newer Chinese cutaway acoustic guitar, but surprisingly of good quality

The second Jasmine that I've acquired in the last few months is another solid player, going against everything that I had read when browsing internet forums regarding these models made in China.

It looks like this model was built in 2008. Someone decided to paint the face red and it looks alright, but they didn't cover the soundhole when they did it. Another thing that stood out to me on this one was the tortoise shell binding along the body and fretboard, looks real sharp.

This guitar plays real easy and projects very well, along the lines of the older Takamines that I've played from Taiwan and Korea. The electronics seem to be above average too, with an EQ and two settings for the pickup. If you're in the market for an A/E and looking to spend around $150, it's a real good buy for a used guitar.

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1982 Carlos Model No. 249 Acoustic Guitar

Vintage high-end dreadnought copy, brass nut and saddle, made in Korea

This is the 2nd of this model that I've been lucky enough to find over the last few months and this one didn't need any repairs, unlike the previous copy that was featured. The body was a little more beat up, but it was still solid and there was nothing major wrong with it at all.

The brass saddle was sitting a bit too low and there was some buzzing because of it. I ended up passing it on to another longtime player here in So. Cal. This model was his first guitar way back when and he really wanted it for the sentimental value.

Hopefully I'll be able to find another, as both of these played and sounded so nice. Another Carlos from the same period will be featured tomorrow, I'm picking up as many of these that I can realistically get my hands on.

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1970s-80s Acoustic Control & Sunn Guitar Rig

Vintage half stack, featuring two of the top names in classic solid state amplification, ACC 150 head and Sunn 412L cab

This is a killer rig that I pieced together late last summer, the head was purchased from a student at UCI and is modified, someone put in an extra knob where the 2nd input jack was and it seems to control the volume and reverb. This was made in 1971 or 1972, from what I can find.

The cab was found in Huntington Beach and is loaded with (4) Made in England Celestion G12-80s. Sunn Amplifiers have been a big name since the 1960s, but with the Celestions being added later and the ACC head, it's basically a Sunn in name only.

Still kicks though, finding these old Celestions is easy, but you will have to pay for them, between $75-$150 each and these ACC heads generally run anywhere from $150-$350, depending on the model. Any of them that you find in working condition, you should give it a shot.

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1981 Carlos Model No. 228MH Classical Guitar

Vintage classical guitar, top-quality and in near-perfect condition, another gem of the Carlos brand from Korea

It's amazing to me that these guitars, which may have retailed for about $200 back in the 1980s, have aged so well and that there are so many of them still floating around out there.

This one is about as nice as any classical guitar that I've ever played, right up there with the Tres Pinos from a similar period that we also featured recently. The MH designation would indicate solid Mahogany, as the better-made Carlos guitar were rumored to have solid-wood construction.

If you find a Carlos acoustic guitar at a yard sale or pawn shop and it has the Egyptian Ankh style "L" on the headstock and soundhole, pick it up. Sometimes you can get lucky and score one for $50-$100, but collectors are known to pay anywhere between $200-$500, depending on the model.

Thanks for looking, more high-resolution pictures here.