Antoria 1912 330 Copy

My first Guitar.

Label says it's an Antoria TwinCaster, model 1912, Cherry Sunburst, definitely made of wood, but exactly what I couldn't say - other than the obvious Rosewood Fretboard. Purchased new around Easter, 1974 for #35, by an impoverished student (that was 10% of my annual income!). I bought a semi-acoustic because at the time, I couldn't afford an amp as well, and have never regretted it.

A very nice Gibson ES-330 or Epiphone Casino copy - full hollowbody (with no plank! - refer reliability below), to read the various histories it was a rebadged Ibanez for the UK market.

Two pickups (original - sounded fine through a Vox AC30 in 1974 and a Vox AD30VX today), separate Tone & Volume - Tone being almost no effect on either).

I love the sound. I grew up with late 60's Blues/Rock (especially Clapton post Cream), and it delivers that sound. Smooth & mellow.

Matched with a borrowed Vox AC30 when I started (I kick myself when I remember I turned down the offer to buy it), and a new Vox AD30VX now.

Maybe loses a point for the limited sustain, but that's the drawback of a hollowbody.

When I got it, it was fine. Action as good as a beginner could hope for (and pronounced good by a couple of semi-pros I shared a flat with)

Now - after a little repair work, still a nice action by my local luthier...

It showns signs of it's history - but sounds the same

IT GOT RUN OVER BY A CAR.......

August 1978, an 18 Plus Festival at Trentham Gardens Staffordshire. Larry & I put the guitars by the side of the car to go to an on-site concert (Tremeloes?, Mud?, I think it was one of those - ex-Renaissance Bassist Jon Camp with his Antoria Black Eagle with Mud!).

We came back - Larry drove the car forward. CRUNCH. Someone had put the guitars under the car for safe keeping.

Antoria Body split from Bridge Pickup to F Hole. Split behind bridge. For a hollowbody, that's real strength - repair costs (20 years later - my daughter's boyfriend wanted to play it) #50 to glue it together - sounds exactly the same.........

Is there an 11 Rating?

they're History now.... unfortunately

I'm just someone who never had the time to take playing seriously - although in hindsight I had the opportunity with a guitar that does the job.

31 years after purchase, after being run over by a car & repaired, it's still coveted by other players much better than me - enough said?

Looks like a 335, but actually based on a 330 hollowbody semi acoustic. There is no serial number or model number and no centre block inside so roller tunomatic type bridge sits atop a wooden bridge. Guitar has been fitted with a vintage Bigsby instead of the fixed tailpiece. Original Maxon humbucker pickups were dreadful (single coils masquerading in a Humbucker shell) and have been replaced with ink stamped Ibanez super 70's from the same era (1971-72)Which i believe is what Ibanez did after they realised the inferior quality of them. For those not in the know, Antoria from this period is just another name for Ibanez. Importers requested instruments were manufactured under this name at the legendary Fuji Gen Gakki factory in Japan, then shipped directly into the UK.
This is a full size long scale 330 copy. Body is archtop shaped with f holes probably spruce with a bolt on maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. nice pearl block markers and a pearl crown and script logo on the headstock. Finish is tobacco sunburst. JumboFrets are well finished and seated. I had little dots put in the binding as I had trouble seeing where I was on the guitar without them!!! Despite being a bolt on it's a real quality guitar.

I play all sorts of music. This is definitely a guitar for Jazz and blues. think Alvin Lee, think Chuck Berry. Al the sounds are there. Being a full holowbody there are issues with feedback at high drive/gain levels but I've plenty other guitars to handle that sort of tone. Very rich creamy full bucker sound. I play through a Mesa Boogie Mk1 and a Roland GP 8 processor.

VERY well put together. Triple ply binding throughout. Lovely pearl inlay with a really pretty grain running through front and back. I had all the 35 year old electrics re-done whilst putting in replacement Humbuckers and am extremely pleased. Will probably give it a set of top quality tuners at some point as the original ones are getting "tired"

Now the electrics are replaced there is no reason why it can't go on to give another 35 years of playing pleasure. Certainly depend on it any time without backup. Though I'd probably always want a single coil nearby for gigging.
I really must get a hard case for it before it goes on the road!

N/A Antoria haven't been produced by Ibanez at the Fuji Gen Gakki factory since around 1978. Only info is from sites like this, an Antoria chatroom on MSN and certain vintage Ibanez sites. See my thinline Antoria review in this section.

I sold 2 guitars to pay for this and the upgrades.Worth every penny!I don't ever foresee needing any other kind of semi. This one does the lot. I own 14 other guitars and this compares very favourably with the best of them. If I had it lost or stolen I'd look for another but would probably have a hard time getting a bargain like I did last time.