Lyle 680

Copy of the Gibson Hummingbird, known for its colorful pickguard featuring a hummingbird, flowers, and a butterfly. Lyles were made in Japan at the Matsumoko Guitar Factory. This factory also made guitars for Aria and U.S. importers who put the Matsumoko-made guitars under their labels. For example, L.D. Heater company of Portland, Oregon, imported Lyle guitars from 1969-1980.

The Lyle is a 22 fret square dreadnought. The Lyle apparently has a laminated top (based on what another reviewier, who pulled up the bridge, attests to). I think the back and sides are also laminated. I would guess they are mahogany, not rosewood, because of the mellow (not boomy, Martin-like) sound. Because of the coloring, it is hard to tell by sight if the back and sides are mahogany or rosewood. Fingerboard appears to be rosewood. The bridge is adjustable. There are strap buttons on the bottom of the heel and at the end, which I think were installed at the factory.

The Lyle has a sunburst finish ranging from red to golden yellow. Adjacent parallelogram inlays on the fretboard, with the Gibson symbol and Lyle in pearl inlay on the headstock. The entire guitar is glossed. The tuners are enclosed, metal, and appear somewhat generic. Nevertheless, she is a beauty and looks vintage in a very cool way.

The Lyle has no serial number but I would guess it was made in the mid to late 1970's. This is consistent with what I was told--that it was made in 1976.

I have a Martin D16-RGT, which I think is the best-sounding Martin dreadnought for the money (it is a poor man's HD-28). The D16-RGT, made of rosewood, is boomy, which is good for certain songs. But I wanted something more light and mellow for other types of songs. Keith Richard's guitar on Angie always struck me as hauntingly beautiful and when I found out he played a Hummingbird on that and other tracks, the search was on.

The Lyle sounds just like Keith's guitar on Angie. Twangy, mid-rangy, on the bright side. Not a lot of base. I absolutely love the guitar's unique sound.

Action on the guitar is excellent. When I bought the Lyle from a used guitar store, I immediately put Elixir lights on her. The Lyle is easier to play than my Martin. The construction of the Lyle, however, was not as good as the Martin. For example, some glue is visible inside the guitar along the bracing. No significant flaws have caught my eye.

These Japanese guitars are built to last. Just check out the Internet and e-bay to see how many are for sale and the good condition they are in. I would not be surprised if this Lyle outlasts my recently-bought, solid-wood Martin. The Lyle has shown few visible signs of aging and her sound, like fine wine, has only gotten better with time. I dropped the Lyle a few weeks ago, running up stairs (note to self...) and the only damage was a small nick to the binding--barely noticeable. I also had to have the bridge secured because it was slightly lifting, but it only cost me $50 or so and is to be expected for a guitar over 30 years old.

Seeing as Lyle closed down about 25 years ago, there is not any warranty. But these guitars are rock-solid and would not be concerned about any major issues arising.

I have been playing for about a year. I also own the Martin D16-RGT and another Japanese 1970's guitar, a Ventura V-200s, which is an outstanding copy of a Gibson J-200. Acoustics just turn me on more than electics and I love the Gibson sound (Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" turned me onto the J-200).

I think Gibsons are outrageously overpriced and did not want to shell out the money for them. So I researched alternative options on the Internet and settled on the Japanese 1970's copies.

My Ventura, also a sunburst, matches my Lyle and I could not be happier with my choices. Any sound difference from the Real McCoy is negligible and not worth spending the extra thousands of dough-re-me.

Not sure about the year... no label, but it looks fairly old (70's?). Made in Japan, 22 fret acoustic. Laminated top, looks like spruce. I know it is laminated because I had to pull up the bridge (it was coming up and I wanted to re-glue it). Underneath was some cross-wise grain wood.

I don't think the back and sides are solid either... the back, from the inside looks like mahogany (that shimmer/sheen) and the back has wider grain more to look like rosewood, like the sides. It is hard to tell because of the coloring, the finish is a copy of the Hummingbird (red/golden) so the red makes it look strange (the grain, anyway). The neck is mahogany. The bridge and fingerboard, I'd assume they were rosewood, but they are much lighter in color than any rosewood I've ever seen. Tuners are enclosed no name tuners with a thin metal peg.

The neck is slim and fast. The finish is still very glossy and smooth... really beautiful.

It sounds good. Really good, if this truly is laminated. The tone is balanced and projects a lot. Brighter than some. Not quite as rich and deep as my '71 Guild D-25.

Action was way high, probably because the back side of the bridge was coming up. I sanded down the bridge, the nut, and lowered it as far as possible. I also adjusted the truss rod so that the strings are no longer a mile above the frets.

I'd play this live, it has a decent sound and has survived well. I like it. The rear strap button looks like an add on, the front one is actually a bolt that someone screwed right into the neck.

N/A

I've been playing for about 16 years... mostly acoustics. I have a '71 Guild D-25, a '40s Kay archtop, a cheap Hohner dreadnaught, and a Bently concert size. I used to own a Martin HD-28 (it was stolen, I couldn't afford another). I've also owned a Fender Standard Telecaster (Mexican), Epiphone Standart Les Paul, Danelectro DC-3, Fender P-Bass, Moridira Hurricane, a Guild JF-4, a Fender GACE-350, a Fender dreadnaught, and a Washburn EA-10 Festival series.

I love the sound for the price. I wish it was a solid wood guitar.

A Lyle Hummingbird Copy made In Japan in the Matsumoko Guitar Factory in 1970. it has a cedar top with brazilian Rosewood sides and back. it has 20 frets with Mother of pearl inlays.it has an adjustable Saddle Bridge looks like rosewood. It has stock Tuning Gears that even after 30 years still stays in perfect tune. Mine came with the original chipboard case. I honestly can't think of anything bad about this guitar. I have owned or now own Fender,Gibson,Washburn,Guild,Samick,Ibanez.

Sound is magical,shimmering chords with full even response. Excellent for any type of music. I was amazed at the sound of this guitar considering it was made in Japan 30 years ago and by a company that doesn't exist anymore. I have had two professional Guitarist play this instrument and they both said they could not believe it was a Lyle and both have played Gibson Hummingbirds.

I don't know about the factory setup but it has low action and the neck is perfect.the only thing i had to do to it was replace string pegs on Bridge.

This guitar has been played live and it will last it has made it over 30 years. No problems with strap buttons. Tuning gears are original.

Company does not exist anymore. They went out of business in 1980. I have an excellent guitar repair tech that i use at Sigler Music Center in Springdale, Arkansas.

I own Fender, Gibson, Washburn, Samick,Univox acoustics and electrics and many Japanese era Guitars. If it were lost or stolen i would buy a Gibson Dove. The Lyle Guitars are Hard to find especially the Hummingbird copy. This Guitar has an amazing sound.