Lyle 680 L

HI! - MADE IN JAPAN (almost lawsuit copy of a Gibson Hummingbird) features include tuning keys, sound hole, one strap button and a label. Tuners are the sucky Asian covered junk. I have replaced them with better sucky Asian gold sealed Grover copies. Neck is absolutely mahogany. Top might be solid or laminated - hard to say - but it's very thin and x-braced, which tends to explain it's nice mellow tone.

The sound is smooth, even, balanced and mellow. Very jazzy sounding. The notes drop off like an arch-top, but it is not cheap or tinny sounding at all. Volume is average - it's not a cannon, but I don't WANT a cannon. So there. Nice tone. Better tone than my mid 70's Gibson J-55. Has a notable 'D' resonant frequency.

well.. this is an old guitar. When I got it, the belly was up and the bridge was rotated. I immediatly installed a 'bridge doctor' and pulled the top down and leveled out the bridge. The original 'adjustable' saddle was long gone and replaced with a chunk of plexi-glass, which I rapidly discarded and replaced with a compensated micarta saddle. The nut is plastic, but it's in nice condition, so I'm holding off replacing it with a bone nut, until I'm finished with more important issues. Poly finish is OK - it polished up real bright. Binding is intact - no issues. Frets are good - I buffed them out. Neck is about average for straightness...typical Asian stuff.

Well........ it's lasted this long. But the thin top certainly tends toward lifting. The 'Bridge Doctor' I installed counters that tendency and also strenghtens it's structure and inproves the tone and volume. Giving it a seven for lasting this long without going into a dumpster. (it came really close... trust me)

I've been told by long-time dealers who used to handle these guitars, that Japanese Lyles from this period are quite good. Lyle is history of course, although I've heard that the parent company later went on to more glory with Ibanez and other high-end lawsuit era guitars.

I've played guitar since 1963. I've owned Martins and Gibsons...and even though this is STILL a Lyle, it's a gass to play! The neck is electric-guitar slim, and plays well with very low action. The neck is very similar to the Gibson ES-175 Jazz box, believe it or not.

I really enjoy playing this guitar on the couch while watching TV. It's neck radius and width fits my hand quite well! It's a smooth playing devil. I really like it. And I don't have to worry about it, at all. Good tuners, better saddle and new strings make this thing really sing. Of course my set-up mojo helps too. *hehe* I traded an old beat up Ventura V10 for it. I think I got the better end of the deal in the final analysis.