Penco A-16

This guitar is really fantastic, I inherited it from my uncle, who recieves guitars on occasion as payment for his landscaping service. He replaced it with Martins top of the line model and has recently asked for it back, I declined!

It has a really bright beautiful tone and sound. I use it to play in my band (alt. rock) when I have a part that is mostly chords. And, because it is A/E when the part that is not chords comes, I'm ready.

This guitar is 35 years old and it is still in almost brand new condition. There is a dime sized ding on the front of it and a ding on the headstock. Aside from that all that is flawed about it is the white spot on the neck from my sweating on it. Still in near mint condition!

To answer the questions in order:
-I have played this live and it performed beautifully
-The hardware is still in mint condition after 35 years
-The only place I cant see myself in this guitar is the worn spot on the neck
-I use the jack as a strap button, and it is extremely solid
-This is my most dependable guitar
-You need a backup for every gig

never dealt with the company because I've never had any problems

look, its just awesome face it.

This is just an amendment to those with Penco guitars. The reason the quality is so high is because they were built by the same people building Ibanez guitars from the 70's. They are Hoshino guitars (the impecable Gibson copies of the 70's) with a Penco brand attached to them. PENCO is Pennsylvania Company i.e. Hoshino (based in the philly area).

I purchased this guitar new in 1973 from an old time guitar dealer whom I had already purchased an EB-3 Gibson bass and a Fender Strat. I had mentioned to him I was in the market for a Martin D-28. He gave me a Martin D-28 to play so I did. He said for me to close my eyes and he handed me another guitar. It was a Penco A-16. I began to play it and discovered the sound feel and action was identical to that of what was my dream folk guitar, the Martin D-28. When he told me it was only $198 compaired to the $900 for the Martin. Well as you have read, it was the Penco which I purchased.

Well after saving that much money, I decided to trade my almost new Gibson EB-3 bass for an almost new 1973 Rickenbacker 4001 natural color bass with black and white pearl inlay. I used the Penco and the Rick on gigs across the East coast for years along with my trusty black Strat. Every one whom has tried my Penco has been overwhelmed with the action and clearity and fullness of it's sound.

There has been a couple of dings here and there but boy I still take this baby camping and would not have brought a Martin D-28 to all the place this girl has been.

The frets are still puff, neck is unbelievably still straight as the day I purchased it new.

The original guitar case was terrible and was replaced with one of fine quality to protect this guitar which I will own til the day I die.

Well never having had a lick of trouble with the guitar and for 20 years or so the company does not even exist it's not much I can say about the customer support.

I see the Penco's for sale here and there and they get about the same as a crap harmony guitar. Man it's too bad that Penco didn't remain in buisiness and had gained more respect. They desirve it.