Product: Penco E-70
Price Paid: US $300 used
Submitted
03/02/2002
at
07:05am
by
Electric Eric
Email: eric<at>rida dot net
Features
:
9
This guitar is a Japanese copy of a Gibson ES175d, and a great copy may I add. It was made in 1978 by Hoshino Guitars, which was the factory where Ibanez started. So if you're doing an internet search for Penco, be sure to look up Ibanez and Hoshino, also.
it's a big hollow body single cutaway, double pickup, 21 fret, f-hole
jazz guitar. Mine is tobacco sunburst, and a twin to the Gibson in just about every detail, including the open book headstock.
It came with the Gibson style tailpiece, but I replaced it with a Bigsby.
The neck is Gibson style, and the axe STAYS in tune, playing and sitting, even with the Bigsby, believe it or not.
I bought it with the original case, with a sexy gold fake fur lining.
Sound
:
10
I play country, blues, country/blues, oldies and rockabilly, but I'm getting a little into jazz and swing.
It suits every style I play, but I'm a rhythm player, like "Guitar George" in the Sultans Of Swing...
It's the best sounding of all 6 of my axes, when I plug it in, it's like hitting the nitro button on a Hemi Roadrunner.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
In my opinion, this guitar is as well built and set up as well as any Gibson or Gretsch.
It looks like it came out of a time warp, it's in such good condition, no checking or warping, the binding is perfect, and the finish is about flawless except for one SMALL scratch on the face of the body.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
It's been around since '78, and looks brand new, so I think it'll be around a lot longer than me.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Alas, they were sued, and forced out of business, so the legend goes, but I can't swear to that.
Besides, ANY Gibson part fits exactly, not that I've ever needed any, but I've done some comparing just to be sure.
Overall Rating
:
10
I've been playing 40 years, since I was 7 years old. I've got 6 guitars, a Crate GFX 120 amp, a Kustom pa10 PA, and a bunch of neat other stuff, including a 1903 Franklin Whytelaydie 5 string banjo on great shape.
My Penco has been played and signed by Brian Setzer, and Duke Robillard and Hank Walther from Roomful of Blues have played it,and I have pictures of them playing it.
It's my most prized posession, and I shudder to think of it stolen or destroyed. If I HAD to replace it, it would be with a '59 Gretsch only, because I'd be so broken up over it, I'd have to cheer up somehow.
Anyone with questions about Penco, or any info about them feel free to e-mail me!
