Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)

Subject: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,DavidfromSydney
Date: 04 Sep 03 - 07:48 PM

When I left Uni back in '77 I bought myself a new guitar (from a guitar shop in Leicester High street, near the station). A friend of mine had a "Mountain" brand guitar (Martin copy) which I liked, and so after trying a number of other guitars around the same price (Yamaha was the main competition), I bought one - paid about 110 quid. I've had this now for some 27 years, and it's starting to need a bit of TLC - specifically the frets need work. My problem is that I can't decide whether to invest the money in this guitar or to spend a bit more and buy a new six string. As far as I can tell it has a laminated top and sounds great when the strings are newish, but very dull and muffled as the strings get old. I guess I'm just sentimentally attached to it, as I did most of my (not very considerable) learning on it.

I've never met anyone who has heard of these guitars, has anyone on this forum come across them?

David

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: Willie-O
Date: 04 Sep 03 - 08:35 PM

Nope. But if you like it, and it's otherwise in good shape, spend a few bucks on a refret. Shouldn't cost very much--assuming it's not a maple neck, and there is no binding on the edges of the fingerboard, both of these items raise the price a lot.   

And hey, when it sounds like crap, change the strings! That's a sure-fire cheap fix.

And while you're at it, buy yourself a new guitar too!

Welcome to GAS country...

W-O

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,DavidfromSydney
Date: 04 Sep 03 - 09:57 PM

Yes - point taken - it is cheaper to change the strings regularly.

Unfortunately it does have a bound fingerboard!

Hey - I guess I was looking for an excuse to buy a new one! Maybe I'll keep this one for open tunings

David

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,jamo
Date: 02 Sep 04 - 03:46 PM

where can i find out about my mountain guitar if the label is torn out from the inside. trying to find some info on it..

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 06:05 AM

I've got a YAAMAHA guitar with solid Brazilian rosewood back and sides and a very good soundboard. It is a terrific guitar. I have made it into an electric lap0 steel guitar because I don't want to "not use it". I've got a Martin D-28,made in 1964 also with Brazilian rosewood back and sides, so you see, I had to do something else with the YAMAHA.

Slippery Sam Shimbashi
The singing Samurai

AKA Jody Gison

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: bigchuck
Date: 03 Sep 04 - 09:23 AM

I've seen a couple of Mountain Guitars, one with solid top. AFAIK, they were not high production and not many were imported into the USA. The ones I've seen were well built and sounded pretty good for inexpensive guitars.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 12:43 PM

Yes, Like you David i had and still have a CF Mountain acoustic. It
still sounds good for lead work, but needs some work on it. I just keep it in the lounge for sentimental reasons and use it when I muck
around with altered tunings. It certainly sounded good when I brought
it in 1974, and it still sounds ok today, but as i said it does need
some work that will probably never get done. Still I'd never sell it
since it was the first guitar I ever brought.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,DavidfromSydney
Date: 02 Mar 05 - 06:26 PM

Update

I finally bought a new six string acoustic...I settled on a Seagull Mahogany/Cedar which has got a beautiful warm sound. It's a very different feel to my old Mountain - slightly smaller body, shorter scale length, and wider, thinner neck. I'm hanging on to the Mountain. I've decided to put a new bone bridge in it, and raise the action slightly. With heavier strings it'll make a nice open tuning/slide guitar...and I could never sell it or get rid of it - there's far too much history there.

Daivd

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,more treble
Date: 12 Sep 05 - 12:26 AM

I own a Mountain guitar and really enjoy it. I wndering if anyone knowahat kind of woods went into making this guitar?? Also any ideas on it's value $$? I had the bridge reattached about 10 years ago as it was starting to break away from the body. So it's in really good shape. Thanks

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Tony in California
Date: 20 Nov 05 - 11:38 PM

My first guitar was a Mountain. It was given to me as a Christmas gift in 1991. It has a nice sound and works well as a slide guitar. I would never part with it. I'm told it cost about $350 case included back in 1991. It's never given me any problems.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,KRISTIN
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 04:10 PM

I have an old Mountain - from about 1976 or so from my Dad. He was a novice and rarely played it, so it's in excellent condition. So good, that whenever a guitar player sees it from a distance, they always think it's a pristine Martin guitar and freak out. So, just wondering, as some others have asked...what's the value on one of these puppies?

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Martin gibson
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 04:56 PM

I will check my Vintage Guitar magazine price guide, which is quite well researched and accurate based on sales and demand.

I will try to report back. If Mountain is not represented, then the values are negligable.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,David in Moore Oklahoma
Date: 20 Dec 05 - 08:14 PM

I love my c.f. moutain It has a great sound. Would never sell it
I first got the guitar in 1973.    I have it repaired as needed.
seems in good shape. Three piece back is perfect and it is simple.
neck has held up good.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,nicholasparise
Date: 10 Mar 06 - 10:16 PM

my mountain guitar is very nice the word mountain is on the back where the tuning pegs are does anyone have a picture i'm trying to find out if this guitar is worth anything. it has grover pegs really well made could someone tell me where it says mountain on their guitar

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: Naemanson
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 07:49 PM

Whenever I go to Japan I find myself in the music shops looking at used guitars (imagine that). I have seen many Mountain guitars for sale but knew nothing about them. I will ask my brother in law what he can find out. He lives in Tokyo and is always looking for an excuse to visit guitar shops.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: Naemanson
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 08:03 PM

Here is what my brother-in-law has to say about Mountain guitars. Please excuse his English, he is still learning that language.

By the way, about the Mountain Guitars. Because my memory about it was ambiguous, I investigated it. The catalog is up-loaded to the following URL: http://www.t-shiga.com/sub1-6-25.htm

The name of company was Hayashi musical instrument Ltd. They produced mainly the copy of Martin and Guild to early 80's from the middle of 70's. The builder that produces many of them was Mr.Yasuo Momose. Now, Mr.Momose is most famous guitar builder in Japan. He produces the original handmade guitar on the high end guitar brand named Headway. http://deviserguitar.net/headwayindex.htm

There was an excellent cost performance in the Mountain guitar. Because they made exact products from good materials, popularity is still kept. However, because the production period was short, the number is a little. But, the price is low. The price is different in the condition and the model. It might be from 100 to about 300 dollars. I will inform you if I find it.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: Naemanson
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 08:14 PM

By the way, if you use URL: http://www.t-shiga.com/sub1-6-25.htm you will need to go to the home page and find the 'English' button so you can read about the guitars.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Allina_spin
Date: 25 Mar 06 - 12:34 PM

I have a CF Mountain guitar that I bought for £50 second hand in Bristol in the early '80s. Mine is a model W150 with a label in the sound hole and a logo on the headstock that looks very like a Martin logo. It seems to be a copy of a D28, and plays pretty well. It has a few scuffs but is generally very good. Unfortunately I can't find a serial number. It appears to be a spruce top, (possibly solid - definately thin) with laminated mahogany sides and back, plus mahogany neck. No idea of value, but certainly plays and SOUNDS better than anything in the shops at @ £100 today.

Subject: my friends old lawson guitar
From: GUEST,tim slone
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 01:26 AM

i have a freind with a guitar from a old church in kentucky. it says al on the head stock. it has germany made tuners. i have no idea what kind of flatop it is. he keeps asking me to help him find information. i can't does any one know

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Drei
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 11:57 AM

hi there.i came across a project guitar by mountain guitar in yahoo auction.the seller said the guitar is made in usa.the serial no. and usa engrave on the neck.i curious just to find more info about this guitar.thanks for your time.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Southhill guy
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 02:22 AM

I too have a Mountain guitar that I bought second hand in Colorado in the early eighties. Its sounds great and has beautiful wood all around. Three piece back and rose wood sides, very nice. it does not have a sticker inside the sound hole but there are some numbers below the made in Japan stamp. Any one know what these go for these days?

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: Naemanson
Date: 30 Oct 06 - 03:07 AM

Click here for the English version of the home page for Mountain Guitars. There are photos of guitars from the 70s and 80s.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: JennieG
Date: 31 Oct 06 - 12:56 AM

I have a Rokkomann guitar which always gave me problems with the tuning - a couple of years ago I had the bridge replaced and now it tunes like a dream. The luthier who did the work told me it was a Japanese copy of a Martin guitar; the original had the frets at the wrong distance from the bridge and the copy had the same fault, so he set the bridge a little further down the body. I bought it 2nd hand in 1991 from a bloke who said he bought it new, and I believed him. I haven't seen another guitar of that brand name.

However it's a dreadnought, and I am a small female, and my shoulder is giving me problems - so I might have to play it less.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: Naemanson
Date: 03 Nov 06 - 05:51 PM

You could always trade it for a smaller guitar...

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Freep
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 01:46 AM

I have a Mountain F-150, looks much like a Martin D-28 and plays pretty good now that I had it tuned up. I traded a Conn Constellation Trumpet for it about '81 or so. It also sounds pretty good if a little quiet for a dread. I'm gonna fix that as I just got a Martin 332+ pickup and preamp for it. I also recently got a Seagull S6+GT that sounds terrific but I'll keep the Mountain as a backup/beater. Besides as someone else mentioned it's fun to have the Martin guys run across the room to look and then go, "Oh, well s&^#!"
Freep

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Scoville
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 10:50 PM

So get a new one and keep that one for when you don't want to take the new one out and around. I've got an Alvarez that serves the same purpose. Like the VW people I used to know--you have the 15-year-old Corolla you drive when you don't want to risk your 1962 Karmann Ghia Type 3.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,dave
Date: 26 Dec 06 - 05:42 PM

ok, im trying to get info on where i can put the serial # just for my own sake. this mountain fares well with the descriptions above....any knowledge of this type????

Subject: Gibson LG1 SN and Year PLEASE HELP!!!!
From: GUEST,Barry Boyce
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 07:13 PM

I bought a Gibson LG1 / LG2 in Texas this year. The serial on the kneck block is 4368 27. Has anyone any ideas or links to sites to identify the year please? I believe it is a 1949 one but not 100% sure! Thanks for the reply.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Kevin
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 12:26 AM

I've got a Rokkomann classical guitar that I picked up from a school auction a number of years back that I'm trying to date (or get any info on) All it says inside is:

ROKKOMANN
Kobe - Japan
C-124    Date (just the word date - no actual date)

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: bubblyrat
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 02:21 PM

There is a strong link between 'Mountain' and 'Takamine' ( which is named after a mountain !!! ) Coast Wholesale Music of San Francisco, wanted Martin to do a "Cheap" line of imported guitars, and Martin approached Takamine to make them.However,Martin pulled out when Kaman took over Coast Wholesale.Martin then concentrated on their cheap " Sigma" brand,while Kaman helped to finance Takamine to the extent that Takamine gave them the rights to distribute their guitars in the US. Many of these early guitars were direct copies of Martin dreadnoughts & OM sizes, and carried logos that looked VERY similar to the Martin logo !! I can"t find any direct references to Mountain guitars, but I would not be at all surprised to discover a link with Takamine, given that company"s early history.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Henry
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 02:50 PM

Didn't C.F.Martin take C.F.Mountain to court - plagiarism or something?

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Tex2Tenn
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 01:35 AM

I purchased my Mountain guitar brand new in 1974 at Watkins Music on Jefferson Blvd in Dallas TX.   It is a 3 piece back, a Martin D-35 copy. It is not a direct copy because the headstock on the D-35 is straight across and the headstock on my Mountain has a raised 3 point scroll almost like the old Gibsons.

33 yrs later - this guitar plays better than any 1970's Martin I've ever played. The tonal quality, the low action, the precise pitch in every scale down the neck is a true test that the maker of this line of guitars was a true master as a Luthier.   The neck's width is the same as the D-35, but the Mountain neck is thinner than what is found on the same era in the Martins. My Mountain has a serial number inside the body

For the past 3-4 years I have searched and searched to find any old catalogs or additional infomation, but to date, have not been able to make an exact match. I can find bodies that match very close, and even the necks are a near match, but never the headstock with the CF Mountain logo in a gold foil lettering.

I am beginning to come to a conclusion that the true identity of the maker of this fine guitar was intended to "fly under the radar" for some legality reasons... I have never heard of or have uncovered any court proceedings that CF Martin ever took the maker of CF Mountain to court.

I would welcome any new information.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Tex2Tenn
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 02:01 AM

Update:

I have uncovered a old catalog from CF Mountain, of course it is in Japanese .. not English...

I am convinced that my Mountain is a 300D. Wished there was a serial number list where I could make an exact match. My serial number is easily read and on the neck butt inside the body.   Also too, I have mapped the top bracing on this guitar and it matched the D35 Martin exactly. Only difference is the bridge width and thickness.

Here is the link to the CF Mountain catalog:   
http://www.t-shiga.com/sub1-6-25.htm

Would appreciate any other info…
Thanks

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Jim Paton, Fife, Scotland.
Date: 04 Jun 07 - 04:44 PM

A friend picked up a Mountain at an auction for £65 about three years ago and I got it from him at the samed price.The logo on mine runs down the head rather than across{like a D45}but other than this looks like a D28.Plays great.Better than some Martins and most Gibsons of the same vintage.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jun 07 - 12:37 PM

Ive just bought a CF Mountain 12 string off Ebay for £93.00 model W1212 which is'nt in the aforementioned catalog. Any body else own one of these babies?

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 07:17 PM

I have trouble sometimes with dreadnoughts, especially my 12 strrg. I have found 2 ways that help. 1 Cross you legs R over L moves the body towards your fret hand. 2 Use a taller stool and a neck strap, this way the guitar can rest on your leg and mpove the body down. Or try both Whatever you do dont pkay it with your arm hangging over the top of the body above the elwbow. It damages the nerves and slows blood flow.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Dec 07 - 05:01 PM

value of all japanese mountain guitars is anywhere from $100.00 to $250.00.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Dec 07 - 06:14 PM

Lots of "guests" on this thread. I can help but I don't want to post my email address on the thread. If you were members of the Mudcat we could PM (Private Message) privately.

As I think I said up above my brother-in-law is a musician in Japan. He would be happy to look things up for me there. My wife can read the Japanese website and tell you what we are looking at. If there is any Japanese writing in your guitars you could send me a picture and we could translate it for you.

However... you need to be able to send private messages.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Micky
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 09:57 AM

Hi everyone. I bought a Mountain guitar in the eighties, secondhand it cost me about £80. It's a Model 150, and I'd never realised that it was a Martin copy until I recently bought a Martin. The sound is obviously different between them, but the Mountain is certainly a decent guitar.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Guest:Ted
Date: 06 Apr 08 - 03:06 PM

I have a Mountain guitar that is a Model 400, the serial number is 19770319. It has the three piece back and solid top. The Mountain logo on the headstock runs up and down between the tuning pegs. It sounds very good and plays great. It has a very loud and clear voice and a very true neck. I'd never get rid it, it is a great guitar. Model numbers are located inside the body right under the top at the end of the neck, serial numbers lower inside at the base of the neck. A flashlight will help you find them.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Greg
Date: 07 May 08 - 09:02 PM

I can't be of any help but found your post and thought you might be able to help me. I just picked up a Rokkomann acoustic that is the strangest thing I've ever seen. It looks exactly like a classical guitar except the bridge is for a steel string acoustic. The 12th fret is at the top of the body, the size of the body is very OM like and the fret board is wide (not as wide as your typical classical). All is says inside is No. TF-60 and Year (but no specific year marked). Were you able to find out anything about yours and if so, can you give me any help.

Thanks,
Greg
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Cliff
Date: 28 Jun 08 - 02:13 PM

I bought a used Mountain M-38 for $75 off of Craigslist a few months ago. I'm a beginner and think is sounds great. It looks really nice too. I also had a friend of mine who knows what he's doing tell me it was a good guitar. He was able to make it sound quite a bit better than me.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Metoleous
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 02:09 PM

while stationed in Hawaii ten years ago, I bought a mountain (D-45)exactly like the one on the top this page: http://www.t-shiga.com/sub1-6-25.htm. It cost me 35 bucks and a set of strings, the next day in down town I saw a mountain D35 in a guitar shop for $800.00. Are they worth it? apparently in Honolulu. this is my main guitar, the ovation and gibson collect dust. Ya play what sounds best...
take care

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 01:17 AM

Probably $300 to $400. I have an old high end Mountain with a spruce top and inlets along with Grover Tuners. Plays and looks great! Not much different than a Martin for a fraction of the price!

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 01:49 AM

I've got one like yours, and it's still worth between $350 and $400. Mine has grover tuners and a spruce top. looks a lot like a Martin and sounds very similar!

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Guest Bgred
Date: 17 Aug 08 - 10:27 AM

I bought a C F Mountian in a pawn shop in Indianna seven or eight year ago. It has "Mountain Folk" Stamped inside, and in Large MOP Letters it has "Yahashi down the center of the headstock, the way high end Martins have "Martin" on the headstock. This guitar appears to be a copy of a Martin D-41 with the same type headboard and large MOP markers on the fingerboard. But it has the three piece back of D-35. It's a late sixties to mid seventies guitar. It has been an excellant guitar for me. I'm always looking to find out more about these Mountain guitars.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,Andrew
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 07:58 AM

I have a montain guitar too. I bought it from Tredrea's pawn shop in Gouger Street, Adelaide, South Australia in about 1984 for $110. I love this guitar and will never part with it. It is made in japan and has some japanese characters stamped inside on the strut just forward of the sound hole. It also has 500D which I guess is a nod to a D500.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: scarrabri
Date: 03 Jan 09 - 01:55 PM

Hi i have a mountain guitar model W120 i think it is a martin copy,it plays very well but is a little scratched,and has a few marks on it,i bought it back in the 80 s i dont remember how much i paid for it,just bought a yamaha f 310 which is brilliant for £80,best wishes

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,stom
Date: 03 Jan 09 - 04:18 PM

I've had my Mountain since 1975ish. Can't remember the name of the store in Hawaii that I bought it from. The model # is either a 400 or 500 since the number before the two zeros didn't print on the wood for some reason. Probably a poor stamp contact. My sister had a small bodied Martin and I must say that I always preferred her guitar over mine. That Martin sound was so full even for such a small body. I still love my Mountain and I've kept it in great shape.

Subject: RE: Mountain Guitars (japanese 70's brand)
From: GUEST,obadu
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 10:57 PM

I just acquired a classical guitar in a 2nd hand shop, very good condition... The label inside says "Rokkomann, handmade, 'handwritten' date: 1968, 'handwritten' model # G600."
It is beautiful, w/spruce top and rosewood sides and back, solid I think, great sound, very lightweight. Anyone know anything about this? ...Thanks!