HELP - Any ever hear of ASPEN???

[Tred]

I was given a "Aspen" electric guitar by my daughter. Seems my oldest daughter was giving it, by my ex-sister in law's husband, sometime last year. It finally made it's way to my place last night. Now that my grand-daughter, (age eight) is take guitar lessons, my daughter asked me IF I could resurrect it. All I know about it, is it was bought back in the late 70's. As of yet, I have not found a serial number? I'll probably have to take it apart to find out more?

I am not a guitar expert by any strech of the imagination. The neck plate on the back of it says MADE IN JAPAN. After spending the morning looking for information on the internet, I have found they made acoustics, too.... But I haven't found anything on the electrics. That's about all I know right now.

If anyone knows anything about this brand of guitar, or the company, PLEASE email me. Before I tear it down, paint it some other color, and put it back together, I'd like to know what I have here. Just in case??? (Other than a P.O.S., thank you.)

 

[Joe Dirt]

I had an Aspen ES-335 style guitar I picked up at an auction for around 50 bucks and resold on eBay for ~$200 plus shipping the same week. It seemed like a decent guitar


(link removed)

 

[eMGee]

Found on the web:

"Aspen was a brand name of a distributor, the International Music Corporation (IMC), of Fort Worth, Texas. This is the same company that imported Japanese guitars under the Hondo name. Aspen guitars were initially produced in Japan and later China. The Japanese made models were generally quite good playing guitars. The Chinese made ones are hit and miss on quality. The Japanese made acoustics were good copies of Martin models. I believe a lawsuit by Martin had a lot to do with these being discontinued in the USA. They also sold Strat and Les Paul copies that were quite good playing guitars, as well as a bass that was kind of a cross between a Fender Jazz/Precision.

"They are not really collectible, but in good condition bring a fair price. I have seen some models sell for as much as $300."

 

[Tred]

Okay, after 3 days, this ALL the information you all know. It must not be worth TOO much or valuble. So, in a week or so, I'll "tear it down", and sand it.

Thanx for all the help. I didn't know where else to turn to asks these questions...

Later

 

[magnetbox]

, in a week or so, I'll "tear it down", and sand it.
Later

Bummer. That's a groovy logo (not saying this sarcastically).

 

[A.B.Negative]

Bummer. That's a groovy logo (not saying this sarcastically).

I agree! I'd keep it the way it is.

 

[bo]

The were sold at Giant Music in Falls Church Va. when I was a teen along with Hondos. That they had the same distributor makes sense. The store sold them as a step up from the Hondos. Of course anything would be

 

[Big Burly]

Aspen = Arizona State PENitentiary.

lol

 

[studio1087]

I agree! I'd keep it the way it is.

I was just going to be quiet but I'll say it......

"Leave it alone.......it looks nice"

You'll spend $50-$100 stripping and sanding and painting and wet sanding and it looks great now. The logo is awesome.

Spend $20 on a really cool strap and a $15 on a tuner.

Let it be!

 

[62 Jazzmaster]

Agreed, why re-finish?
I'd spend the time & effort giving it a good cleaning and set-up.

 

[TeleTim911]

I agree, I wouldn't touch the finish...new strings, a good setup, and let it go. Those pickup covers looked nicely "aged" and I didn't notice any major dings or dents in the body from the pics. Other than the huge headstock, not a bad looking guitar at all.

 

[wshelley]

ahhh the sunshine state

 

[Durtdog]

I recently bought an Aspen LP knockoff. A little beat up, but it plays really nice. Has the same 70s-looking logo and what looks like an ebony fretboard. I really like it, but the bridge pickup has issues, so I'm eying some DiMarzios to put in.

 

[backalleyblues]

Maybe put some better tuners on there, and new pots if the old ones aren't working too well, but otherwise I'd leave it alone.

I remember seeing those in Grinnell Music in Detroit ca. 1977, alongside Les Pauls... about $130-175 IIRC for a new one then...

Franc Robert

 

[drf64]

I have an Aspen acoustic I bought new in 1988. It became even more valuable to me when someone took a sharpie to it:

 

[getbent]

I have never had one, but you'd think I had... pretty often I'll run into an old friend and he'll ask about a guitar I've never had... very very strange...

he'll say, "Hey, how's your Aspen?"

 

[Tred]

Well, for all of you that wanted it to stay stock... It's too late. I didn't wait for the weekend, and began stripping it down. I guess, I am in to much of a hurry to wait for all the replies. LOL Oh well.

Thanks for all the replies. I'll post pic's as it comes back together. Now, to get her to settle on a actual turquoise shade she likes?!?! I'll probably put her name on in in pin-stripping, or something to make it hers.

Thanks Anyway...

 

[Tred]

Well, I think this is gonna get exspensive. (Would I expect anything less?)

After diassembly, I found that:
1. The body is LAMINTAED plywood. (I didn't expect that!)
2. The surface appears to be a veneer. (I definitely didn't expect that!)
3. The neck has a cover chromed plate over the truss rod hole, haven't found a (replacement) new one. This one is pitted.
4. The tuners are odd? 2 screw holes, lined up in a snug fit pattern? Not sure if I can salvage these?
5. Finally, there is more damage than I originally thought, to the body. Not sure I can sand enough without going through the veneer, to remove the dents?
6. Also, I removed a dead spider and it's web form inside the guitar. It had been dead a long time! LOL

I think the pick ups are covered in Coke! LOL Someone must have spilled one at one time or another. And the neck is very dirty? But the frets are in good shape.

I hope this comes together for my grand-daughter nicely. I know it's not gonna be perfect, but I want her to be proud of it. Don't want her to expect junk from me. I'll post more later...