Hall of Fame: 1960s Japanese Unbranded 'Audition'-style ST Electric Guitar

This mysterious guitar is a vintage gem from the Japanese 'guitar boom' era in the late 60's that saw the mass production of weird and wonderful consumer electric guitars coming out of Nagano and Shizuoka prefectures.

As is common for the era, this guitar is unbranded. Typically these guitars were all made in the same factories before being sent to suppliers and branded as desired, with some such as Tiesco and Guyatone becoming internationally renowned. Based on the serial number and information from the previous owner, we are fairly confident this guitar was crafted in the legendary Matsumoku Factory in Nagano Prefecture, although there is a chance it was crafted in the FujiGen factory too.

Based on some sleuthing, this guitar is similar to ST model guitars sold by brands such as Tiesco, Audition and Kawai in the late 60's-early 70's. 

With a super light body, low-profile neck, and two 'black-vinyl' gold-foil style pickups, this guitar is an absolute delight to play. It has a rather unique sound, somewhere between a Jazzmaster and a stratocaster. The blue finish is also gorgeous!

• Made in: From the Matsumoku Factory in Japan
• Year: Circa 1960s
• Finish: Metallic Blue
• Scale Length: 24"
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood
• Fret Count: 21
• Radius: 42.7mm
• Pickups: Two gold foil-style humbuckers
• Controls: Tone, volume, pickups on/off
• Date Sold: 16/07/2026
• Sold For: $850 AUD