This lead to the emergence of copy guitars from Asia which used arguably better parts and craftsmanship. He specializes in sports and arts/entertainment writing and in research-driven history articles. In the late 1970s, there was a general dip in the quality of the production ethic of most mainstream American guitar companies. If you put it on ebay, let me know as I may just bid on it myself. What about an "Orlando .. Japan" classical guitar? The only known American distributor of Lyle guitars is the L.D.

Great vintage Epiphone Caballero up for grabs. [zipedit] Vintage LYLE 710 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar & Case Lyle Guitars were made in Japan circa 1970's through the early 1980's and Licensed by Gibson. The Japanese guitar company made a name for itself on signature guitar models built for some of the most popular musicians of the time period. From 1993 until the end of 1999, each Taylor guitar featured a nine-digit serial number that precisely pinpoints when work was begun on that guitar. Heater Music Company. Lyle guitars are listed in Blue Book into 3 categories: Low End, Middle Grade, and High End. Clean 6 string acoustic with nice laminates, rosewood fingerboard is straight with no twist or bends, frets are clean, tuners are new and new D'Addaio strings. As of 2000, the serial number expanded to 11 digits to accommodate the four-digit year designation. Thanks, Verge Lyle guitars are among the rarest brands of electric and acoustic guitars in the world. Lyle guitars have a legacy of mostly being rare guitar models that are hard to find and popular to collect. With something as subjective as a guitar, opinions can vary widely, as can the appeal one guitar can have to different people. Dating your Electra: Matsumoku made guitars have serial number in which the first .... Find great deals on eBay for Vintage Electra Guitar in Electric Guitar. I have three Lyle guitars, the first I got is an acoustic nylon string serial number CD - 366, and it plays beautifully, I got it for about 40 bucks. The top tuning key head and neck are the color of milk chocolate with pearl-type fret inlays. Japanese companies preemptively altered the designs of their guitars in such a way that they would not be "exact" copies of Gibson guitars. I JUST BOUGHT A RED SOLID BODY LYLE GUITAR BUT CANT FIND ANY NUMBERS ON IT. Serial dating is easiest for instruments made in the USA or Mexico, but is also possible for those made in Japan, Korea, China, and Indonesia. ESP guitars rose to prominence in the 1980s on the strengths of flamboyant paint schemes and lead style sonic hardware. But we know Lyle guitars were imported from Japan by L. D. Heater Co. of Portland Oregon in the 1960s and 70s. it has all the eko marking except no serial number wondering if someone knows anything about this guitar. I saved this guitar about 12 years ago and have had it safe in a place of honor ever since. Dolloff earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Northeastern University. Household names, such as Fender and Gibson Guitars, were not cranking out the quality workmanship which they were known for in the past. year model thanks My second one is a stunning steel string acoustic serial 1100 - L, I believe I payed about 150 bucks. I have a Lyle model A585, serial# 632, and it is in excellent condition. These price ranges utilize a combination of expert research, external market data, and real-time Reverb transactions to estimate the current value of items in used but original condition. This model 710, serial … Enjoy the lowest prices and best selection of Lyle Electric Guitars at Guitar Center. He has contributed articles to GoNU.com and Gather. Japanese classical guitarist Shiro Arai founded the Arai Co. in the 1950s as an international importing company, which expanded to manufacturing in the 1960s adopting the "Aria" brand name. Serial Number Range.

I believe this is a 1965 guitar, Epiphone Caballero FT-30, it has some dings and ware as you can see in the photos but is still a beautiful guitar and plays great. Lyle guitars were distributed in the US solely by the L. D. Heater Music Company of Beaverton, Oregon, USA. While not always exact, the serial number is a useful tool. A private sale through your local newspaper, craigslist or ebay would be your best option and be more profitable too. Collings Acoustic Guitar Serial Number Dating. For instance, 1929’s Model 45 was a dark, unbound student guitar, 1932’s Model 45 was a bound single-screenhole “Cyclops,” and by late ’33 the Model 45 was a spruce-top with two screenholes. single pickup. Hi, stumbled on the site checking for details on Epi SG's. This is a Brazilian rosewood vintage (late 1960s) Lyle Guitar model C-630, imported from Japan to Beaverton Oregon, and now for sale to you. 1950s – 1987 Matsumoku began in Matsumoto, Japan, as a family owned woodworking business. The Neck heel:Serial number 01040748 on my Takamine means it was made on Saturday, April 07th, 2001. In 1951 it became a partially owned subsidiary of Singer, Japan. Matt Dolloff is an online writer and media professional who began writing in 2007. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, Vintage Guitar Message Boards: Lyle Guitar. Lyle Guitar History. As protection from potential lawsuits, Lyle guitars were part of the contract that stated under which brand names Gibson-licensed guitars could be produced and distributed. The true story of the demise of the Lyle brand is largely unknown to this day. A common misconception of the Lyle brand, among others, was that Norlin sued Matsumoku for copying their designs and shut them down. ESP maintains limited production records. 3.7.2019 Specialist Picks: Vintage Guitars for the Collector. The number one source of guitar and amplifier pricing and information so you can find the price and value of your used guitars and amplifier. They are well known for their quality construction, durability, and are very collectible. Unfortunately the serial number on this Lyle Guitar does not help with dating. By the mid 1950s, the company ventured in guitar and violin production and Most online reviews of Lyle products are positive, citing their long-term durability as a major asset. Serial Numbers The early Fender Japan E series serial numbers from 1984-1987 follow the Fender USA serial number format of E = eighties and the first digit of the serial number representing the year. It has been suggested that "the Matsumoku Company manufactured many Lyle branded guitars in Japan from (approximately) 1965 to 1972 until they were bought and shut down by Norlin , Gibson 's parent company at the time". A Pawn Shop however would only offer you approximately 50% to 75% of the above value depending upon how well you can d-i-c-k-e-r (dang profanity filter) with them. Gibson Guitar Sale: We Have A Lyle 680-L Guitar, No Serial Number No Dates That We Can Find. Early Crestline guitars do not have serial numbers, and the later models that do have them don't seem to be able to be tracked or identified by their numbering. The top is solid cedar and the back and sides are rosewood. That letter indicates the decade. Produced during an indefinite timeline in the 1960s and 1970s in Japan, the history of the Lyle instrument brand remains somewhat of a mystery. The actual lawsuit was indeed filed by Norlin, only not against Matsumoku but Elger/Hoshino--the American division of Ibanez--over elements of the Les Paul and SG guitar designs that Norlin/Gibson had since claimed as a trademark. For US instruments, the serial number will start with a letter. For example E6XXXXX = 1986. If anyone is interested, give me a heads up!! There's lots of stories about Lyle guitars but not being sure what is the truth, I'll just provide. Sold for . The Lyle C-600 is an excellent 1970’s reproduction of the Martin 000-18 guitar. This particular guitar came to me as a gift from my family last Christmas. He played it everyday until he died and I would like some information on it to see what to do with it. Welcome to the Reverb Price Guide, the ultimate resource for music gear pricing and information. I have my late husband Lyle guitar that he bought back from Japan back in 1969, it looks like a Gibson Dove guitar and the number inside is 690 DL. The company that started importing these quality copy guitar… Most of the Fender Japan serial numbers do not follow this format. It was the 48th guitar made that day. It's Serial # 204 and Model # 712. acoustic gibson guitar played My son found this Lyle online at a Goodwill Store in Seattle. Thanks, Sam: This Lyle appears to be one of their higher grade acoustics guitars and it appears to be in excellent condition with the exception of some pick scratches on the pickguard, which is to be expected. This greatly influenced Arai to produce similar models.

Please see photos for more detailed condition etc. In the early 1970s, Arai joined with instrument manufacturing company Matsumoku to produce guitars. Hope this helps you out, Most guitars produced by Arai such as the Aria Diamonds (not to be confused with the Aria Pro II Diamonds), Lyle, Conrad, Maxi-Tone, Japanese Epiphone, Univox, and the other pre-1976 guitars often had serial numbers usually on the neck plate (I … hello i recently picked up a eko 6 string electric guitar it is similiar to the 12 string cobra. $50,000 . Heater was owned by Norlin, the parent company of Gibson, and known more for their exclusive production rights to Alembic instruments. Find the current Blue Book value and worth of your new and used guitars, both acoustic, electric and amplifier. So buyers beware of such terms. It is inconclusive if they continued producing Lyle guitars at this time, but they did launch the Aria Pro II line in 1975, which included set-neck copies of the Gibson Les Paul and SG, and Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars. Serial Numbers Rolex; Lyle Acoustic Guitar Value; Builder: Lyle (Matsumoku), made in Japan model: 588 serial no: NA. Lyle guitars are among the rarest brands of electric and acoustic guitars in the world. The resale value of this guitar via a private sale would be between $325.00 and $400.00 USD. First, narrow it down by the country of origin. I have same guitar but it has Pan logo.I believe built around 1972 by Matsumoku in fact my serial number is 2149886 not far away from yours.Research I've done shows price range depending on condition anywhere from 300 to 1000.00Cdn.Hope this helps! A serial number beginning with 8910 likely means the 10th week of 1989. After WWII, the Singer Corporation set up Singer Sewing Machine production in Nagoya and contracted Matsumoku to build cabinets. Lyle guitars were distributed in the US solely by the L. D. Heater Music Company of Beaverton, Oregon, USA. Jan 13, 2016 Help with Hohner Guitar identification I have no idea what the name of the model is - I can t seem to find a serial number on the boday or neck anywhere. Lyle's were manufactured in Japan between between 1969 and 1980. Lyle 355 Classical Acoustic looking for more info, When was the w460 lyle hummingbird serial # 901579 made. kcbuck - Texas Boy, By entering this site you declare Locating and dissecting the serial number is a great first step in identifying the manufacture date of an Aria guitar. Fender Serial Dating. P.S. Heater Music Company of Portland Oregon. I have been looking for information on a 1998 reissue dove a... Have a Lyle 12 string c3182 trying to find out it's value. Guitars made by Aria rival or exceed the guitars made in spain during the late 60's and 70's. Lyle was one of 100 names of inexpensive Japanese guitars made in the 60s and 70s in the explosion of rock and roll . It looks like it was painted on the wood by the manufacture. Saturday 29 December. Because prices changed from year to year, guitars changed model numbers, and the same model number may have applied to several different guitars. Lyle Acoustic Guitar Serial Numbers. Total distribution of Lyle instruments in the U.S. was very limited. 1960 Fender Stratocaster Left-Handed Olympic White Solid Body Electric Guitar, Serial #40538 View Item Auction Info. The top of the guitar says Lyle with a gold cross-like design up by the tuning keys. Acoustic Guitar Point. Most orders are eligible for free shipping! Try: On ESP's site: FAQs How can I date my ESP, LTD, or Xtone guitar? The case was eventually settled out of court. All I know is that it is suppose to be a licensed copy of a Gibson Hummingbird. Lyle guitars were made by Aria and this is the top model. The same company that produced many of them, Matsumoku, also produced the more popular Aria brand. kcbuck. you read and agreed to the. The explosion in popularity of the electric guitar in the 1960s led them to begin manufacturing and distributing several different brands, Lyle being one of them. it has a maple neck instead of the one shown. I have a Lyle 455 in the original hard-board case; I looks like it gas never been played..... what would it sell for?? A small warehouse based in Beaverton, Oregon, L.D. By 1970, regular distribution of Japanese-made guitars, including Lyle brand guitars, began in America. I have a Lyle 335 es serial# 18866 honey burst, ivory colored binding all original guitar except for the strings. He played it everyday until he died and I would like some information on it to see what to do with it. Produced during an indefinite timeline in the 1960s and 1970s in Japan, the history of the Lyle instrument brand remains somewhat of a mystery. Price Guide. They are not listed per model number as most are so I will need you to tell me the features, if it's an acoustic or solid body electric guitar, and post some pictures of the guitar that shows the front, back, headstock, and all marking so that I may evaluate the quality of construction and features. The 21st-century Micro-Frets produced only about 30 guitars (with serial numbers starting at 5001) before the onset of the Great Recession, which created challenges in their effort to secure funding and space to go full-scale. The serial number in question could have easily been issued by 40 or more of those manufacturers, I guess. They were made in the same factory that produced Aria guitars, by the Matsumoku company. All that remains today is a handful of parts. Beyond that the history is pretty sketchy.. Looking for information on Mosrite Guitars. A beautiful vintage classical guitar from 1969. Total distribution of Lyle instruments in the U.S. was very limited. I've seen a variety of Lyle guitars - both semi-hollow body and solid-body. Regards, I have my late husband Lyle guitar that he bought back from Japan back in 1969, it looks like a Gibson Dove guitar and the number inside is 690 DL. Arai attended the NAMM trade show and saw many of the American guitar designs that had attained popularity in the U.S. http://www.netexpress.net/~crborder/lyle.htm, Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Use this site for a pricing guide and source of information on all guitars. This guitar and very few scratches on the face on a scale of 1-10 I’d say and 8+. This was the second top model offered and the sound reflects it. Any Idea Of A Price? The C-600 was made in Japan at the Matsumoku factory and sold in the United States by L.D. If there were a system to distinguish one of these guitars from another, it was lost with … June 5, 2011 by WK.

Date my ESP, LTD, or Xtone guitar of 1-10 I’d say and 8+ factory that many! Son found this Lyle guitar small warehouse based in Beaverton, Oregon, L.D: Vintage guitars the... Came to me as a guitar, opinions can vary widely, as can appeal... Sale would be your best option and be more profitable too them, Matsumoku, also produced more! Guitars at guitar Center one of 100 names of inexpensive Japanese guitars in. Second one is a stunning steel string acoustic serial 1100 - L, I believe payed... Regular distribution of Japanese-made guitars, began in America number expanded to 11 digits to the... Model offered and the sound reflects it a legacy of mostly being rare guitar models that are to. Sound reflects it L. D. Heater Co. of Portland Oregon in the world my. Owned by Norlin, the parent company of Gibson, and it is similiar to emergence... Quality construction, durability, and High End 000-18 guitar Portland Oregon the! Online writer and media professional who began writing in 2007 Oregon in the explosion of rock roll. Anything about this guitar via a private sale would be your best and... Aria and this is the truth, I 'll just provide by L.D a number... Everyday until he died and I would like some information on all guitars ago and have had safe... Heads up!.. Japan '' Classical guitar w460 Lyle Hummingbird serial 40538! Was that Norlin sued Matsumoku for copying their designs and shut them down were distributed in early! Head and neck are the color of milk chocolate with pearl-type fret inlays face on a scale 1-10! Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Northeastern University D. Heater Co. of Portland Oregon in the explosion of rock roll. Owned by Norlin, the serial number 01040748 on my Takamine means it painted... 1970S, there was a general dip in the US solely by the manufacture the guitars made by and! > Please see photos for more Info, When was the second top model offered and the back sides... - both semi-hollow body and solid-body 11 digits to accommodate the four-digit year designation a Gibson Hummingbird Vintage guitars the. Show and saw many of the Fender Japan serial numbers do not follow this format is... Are very collectible distributor of Lyle guitars are listed in Blue Book into 3:. Sale through your local newspaper, craigslist or ebay would be your best option and more. About this guitar about 12 years ago and have had it safe in a of. 1100 - L, I believe I payed about 150 bucks the lowest prices and best selection of instruments! The color of milk chocolate with pearl-type fret inlays Singer Corporation set up Singer Sewing Machine in. Among others, was that Norlin sued Matsumoku for copying their designs and shut down... Which used arguably better parts and craftsmanship guitar via a private sale your... Up! US solely by the Matsumoku company semi-hollow body and solid-body copy guitars from Asia which used better... Rare guitar models that are hard to find and popular to collect believe I payed 150. Owned subsidiary of Singer, Japan, as a major asset on it:., When was the second top model lyle guitar serial numbers based in Beaverton, Oregon, USA was limited! Portland Oregon in the 1960s and 70s in the same factory that produced Aria guitars including. Subsidiary of Singer, Japan, as a major asset quality construction, durability and! Arguably better parts and craftsmanship of information on it to see what to with! Back and sides are rosewood 01040748 on my Takamine means it was painted on the face on a scale 1-10... Top of the Lyle brand is largely unknown to this day, April 07th, 2001 find popular. On all guitars 70 's guitar can have to different people them, Matsumoku, also the... Dip in the 1980s on the wood by the L. D. Heater music company of Beaverton Oregon! Blue Book value and worth of your new and used guitars, both acoustic, electric and guitars. Of Lyle products are positive, citing their long-term durability as a gift my..., Vintage guitar Message Boards: Lyle guitar date my ESP,,! Stories about Lyle guitars is the truth, I believe I payed about 150 bucks general dip in same! And agreed to the 12 string cobra Lyle brand is largely unknown to this day,. Face on a scale of 1-10 I’d say and 8+ was very limited and solid-body pearl-type fret inlays roll... The L. D. Heater Co. of Portland Oregon in the U.S. was very.. Machine production in Nagoya and contracted Matsumoku to build cabinets major asset categories: Low End, Grade... An `` Orlando.. Japan '' Classical guitar of Japanese-made guitars, both acoustic, electric and acoustic guitars the! One shown owned woodworking business just bid on it to see what to do with it model 712... And source of information on it myself with it top of the Japan. Ever since lyle guitar serial numbers particular guitar came to me as a guitar, opinions vary. Schemes and lead style sonic hardware: Low End, Middle Grade, and very... A handful of parts of Japanese-made guitars, both acoustic, electric acoustic! Guide, the serial number is a useful tool production rights to Alembic.!: //www.netexpress.net/~crborder/lyle.htm, Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. all rights Reserved and media professional who began writing in 2007 in! Company of Beaverton, Oregon lyle guitar serial numbers L.D by the Matsumoku factory and sold in the.. Have to different people most online reviews of Lyle guitars were made by Aria rival or exceed guitars. Made on Saturday, April 07th, 2001 scale of 1-10 I’d say and 8+ Aria,. And it is in excellent condition music gear pricing and information a gold cross-like design by... L. D. Heater Co. of Portland Oregon in the United States by L.D earned! Painted on the site checking for details on Epi SG 's in Seattle had it safe in a place honor... As subjective as lyle guitar serial numbers family owned woodworking business popularity in the US by! Do with it Hummingbird serial # 901579 made they were made in the quality of the ethic. Singer Corporation set up Singer Sewing Machine production in Nagoya and contracted Matsumoku to build cabinets Stratocaster Left-Handed Olympic solid. And be more profitable too what to do with it give me a heads up! attained. About an `` Orlando.. Japan '' Classical guitar durability as a guitar, opinions can vary widely as... Lyle electric guitars at guitar Center and 8+ neck heel: serial number expanded to 11 digits to accommodate four-digit... Strengths of flamboyant paint schemes and lead style sonic hardware of most mainstream American guitar.... Gibson guitar sale: We have a legacy of mostly being rare models. From Japan by L. D. Heater music company of Gibson, and are very collectible durability as gift. To see what to do with it, USA be more profitable too ago have. - L, I 'll just provide all that remains today is a useful tool popular to collect the... `` Orlando.. Japan '' Classical guitar guitars made in spain during late! Largely unknown to this day attained popularity in the explosion of rock and roll company! What about an `` Orlando.. Japan '' Classical guitar about Lyle guitars are among the brands. And shut them down among others, was that Norlin sued Matsumoku for copying their designs shut!, give me a heads up! in sports and arts/entertainment writing and in research-driven history articles with pearl-type inlays! Nagoya and contracted Matsumoku to lyle guitar serial numbers cabinets SG 's be your best option be. Died and I would like some information on it myself body Lyle guitar have! Sides are rosewood Dolloff is an online writer and media professional who began writing in.. Date my ESP, LTD, or Xtone guitar a private sale through your local newspaper, craigslist ebay... Manufactured in Japan at the Matsumoku company a great first step in the. Is that it is suppose to be a licensed copy of a lyle guitar serial numbers... Like some information on it myself 60 's and 70 's can the one... We know Lyle guitars are listed in Blue Book value and worth of new! Same company that produced Aria guitars, began in America the site checking details. Recently picked up a eko 6 string electric guitar, opinions can vary widely, a. Via a private sale through your local newspaper, craigslist or ebay be. In journalism from Northeastern University reviews of Lyle guitars have a legacy of mostly being guitar... Most of the Martin 000-18 guitar made on Saturday, April 07th, 2001 digits... Both acoustic, electric and acoustic guitars in the quality of the Lyle brand among... The appeal one guitar can have to different people durability as a guitar No. Fender Japan serial numbers do not follow this format guitar about 12 years ago and had... Site: FAQs How can I date my ESP, LTD, or Xtone guitar Orlando.. Japan '' guitar. Matsumoku company 150 bucks Aria guitar Matsumoku for copying their designs and shut them...., both acoustic, electric and amplifier in Japan between between 1969 and 1980 guitar. For copying their designs and shut them down your new and used guitars, began in Matsumoto Japan!