Guyatone

Guyatone (グヤトーン or ガイアトーン) is a Japanese manufacturing company which makes electric guitars, guitar amplifiers, and effects pedals.

Guyatone LG-60B (1959) (from Rory Gallagher's collection, exhibited at Harrods in 2007)

History

Early history

One of the earliest guitar manufacturers in Japan, Guyatone began production in 1933. According to Mr. Hiroyuki Noguchi, editor of Japan’s Guitar Magazine, "Matsuki Seisakujo" (松木製作所) was founded by a cabinet maker’s apprentice Mr. Mitsuo Matsuki and friend Mr. Atsuo Kaneko, who later became a famous player of Hawaiian and Spanish style guitars as well as help with the formation of the great Teisco in 1946.

Matsuki had been enrolled in electronics classes, studying nights after his cabinetry apprentice job. Hawaiian music becoming increasingly popular at the time led Mr. Kaneko to inquire to his friend Matsuki about building an electric Hawaiian guitar using his wood working and electronics skills. In the late 1930s the "Matsuki Joiner" company ("Matsuki Seisakujo" in Japanese) was formed producing and selling mostly American style (Rickenbacker style) guitars under the Guya name.

In 1940 Matsuki was drafted into the war between China and Japan and production halted for several years. After returning home, Matsuki formed his own company, "Matsuki Denki Onkyo Kenkyujo" (松木電気音響研究所), translated means: "Matsuki Electric Sound Laboratory."

Guyatone

In 1951 Matsuki began to use the Guyatone name on his instruments. They also began to make amplifiers and cartridges for record players. These cartridges found a large market after being routinely used by NHK, a government-owned broadcasting station. In 1952 (or 1956) the name of the corporation was again changed to Tokyo Sound Company (東京サウンド(株)). Eventually it was changed Guya Co., Ltd. ((株)グヤ) and then back to Tokyo Sound Co. once again.

According to correspondence with Toshihiko Torri, R&D at Guyatone, the Tokyo Sound factory began large-scale production in 1956. Guyatone's own records indicate them as being founded on July 16, 1956. By the late 1950s or early 1960s, they made up to 1,500 slide guitars, 1,600 electric guitars and basses, 2,000 guitar amplifiers, and 5,000 microphones a month.

During the late-1950s to 1960s, Guyatone guitars were distributed under various brands by other manufacturers/distributors:

• In Japan, Hoshino Gakki had exported Guyatone under the Star and Ibanez brands, before Tama factory was opened in 1962. Their model 1830 (c.1960, LG-70) or model 1860 "Rhythm Maker" (1960) is said to be a model for which Jimi Hendrix had traded in his Danelectro, in 1962. Then, this model was roughly copied by Kawai as model "S-180" (1964), and some lots were also manufactured by FujiGen. Kawai's copied model was played by Hound Dog Taylor, as seen on his first album Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers in 1971. And in the 21st century, Ibanez reissued the Rhythm Maker as Jet King 2 (2004–2007).
• In the United Kingdom, James T. Coppock (Leeds) Ltd. had introduced Guyatone under Antoria brand in the late 1950s, and these were played by Hank Marvin, Marty Wilde, Rory Gallagher, Johny Guitar, and Ringo Starr from the Hurricanes, and even possibly young Jeff Beck. Especially, Antoria LG-50 played by Hank Marvin in the late-1950s had influenced on the design of Burns-Weill Fenton guitars, and that guitar was reissued as Drifter LG50 by Burns London in 2010. In the early 1960s, also other distributors imported Guyatone and sold under Broadway brand, and in the mid- to late-1960s, Selmer had distributed Guyatone as a budget line under Futurama brand.
• In the United States, Buegeleisen and Jacobson (B&J) in New York City had introduced Guyatone under Kent brand, along with re-badged brands such as Saturn, Marathon, Starlight, Royalist, etc. (Note that Kent guitars established in 1960 were initially manufactured by Hagström, then also manufactured by Guyatone, Kawai, FujiGen, Teisco, Matsumoku)

Demise and rebirth

In 2013 "Tokyo Sound Co. Ltd." closed their doors to business and transferred ownership of the "Guyatone" name to Hiroshi Matsuki (松木裕), son of the founder of Tokyo Sound Co., and brother to the president of the company, re-opening and re-organizing a short time later that same year. Guyatone now continues in its US office in Oswego, IL, USA with partner company DeMont MFG LLC, where the new Guyatone Wah Rocker pedal & Excelsior 5 guitar are produced.

Gallery

Guyatone ZIP200B (1979) bass amp

• 

  Guyatone TZ2
  The Fuzz
  (micro effect series)

• 

  Guyatone VT2
  Vintage Tremolo
  (micro effect series)

• 

  Guyatone WRm5
  Wah Rocker
  (mighty micro series)

• 

  Guyatone LG-140T (c.1964-65)

References

Bibliography

External links

• Guyatone Guitar Effects Pedals – official US site
  • Japan-DeMont-Guitars – partner in Japan