Penco A-170

Serial Symbol or letter followed by 18669. Made in Japan. Distributed by Philadelphia Music Co. Bought it usedfrom a friend in 1971. Full size dreadnaught, Western style. Told it was a Martin copy. Size and shape similar to my D-35. Used it for travelling the bush country in the Northwest (BC, Alberta mountains, NWT, and the Yukon Treeitories. Guitar had a 30 milefloat down the Nahanni river, sustaining no damage.

Trying to research this guitar. Would like idea of it's commercial value. Not selling! Just curious.

Solid top, three piece back. Ash face and center pice on back, mahagony everywhere else. Mother of pear trim around sound hole (several circles) and around trim of face. Rosewood neck, barely wider than the D-35, plays similarly. Enclosed tuning peg system (not sure of mfg. similar to Grover), chrome, perfect condition after thirty years of outdoor, arid climate (West coast LA to Yukon) and humid conditions (15 years in HI).

Sound is true and rich, can be brightened with appropriate strings. Does not sustain as much as the D-35, but what does?

Set up fine. Changed the nut to lower the action slightly. No pickups. What's bookmatched top mean?

30 years including 30 miles floating down the river. Yup will last.

Reason for posting this message is to learn more about the guitar and, I guess, now defunct company.

Playing nearly 40 years. Only other guitar is D-35, Martin. Used many others and find the Penco is a sweet machine. Can anybody out there help me with info about this guitar, company, etc.