Mansfield Guitars??????

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Marlena Miller
Date: 11 Mar 11 - 04:29 PM

I have a Mansfield Guitar...Craftsman made ... Serial # FJH --3 Is this a $50.00 guitar...just wondering??

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Central B.C.
Date: 17 May 11 - 12:50 AM

The above are some very interesting and informative posts.
I have a Mansfield "Craftsman made" F335 acoustic guitar.
It is a dreadnought, and produces a very nice tone, albeit with some occasional string buzzing (may try to adjust this out by turning the nut at the top of the fret board. It is a very nice looking unit, in what I suppose is called natural colour on the top, with rosewood on the sides, and what I think is mahogany on the back. I have always been curious about the guitars origins, I know it was purchased in Canada around twenty years ago, but that's all.

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Barb, Oklahoma City, Ok.
Date: 06 Jul 11 - 10:06 PM

My boyfriend owns a Mansfield Craftsman model # C119. We were wondering if anyone could tell us anything about it like where it was made and what year. Any info about the guitar would be greatly appreciated. He has the original case for it.

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Johnny on Quadra .
Date: 04 Sep 11 - 04:34 AM

I just got a Mansfield J-21G acoustic .anyone out there with any info ? cheers :)

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Erik in Las Vegas
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 02:05 PM

I'll join the curiousity seekers and ask info about a C136-J Mansfield as it seems no one in my area seems to know the facts. I picked it up in a estate sale of a music teacher and love both the looks and sound but I have no history of that model. I have no idea of the value while it is in excellent condition. When I took it to a local shop they didn't know the brand therefor unable to give an estimate. I'm not selling it just curious.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Erik

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,walene benoit
Date: 30 Oct 11 - 11:07 AM

hi eugene

what would be the value of this guitar today, i have a chance to buy one 1970, seems to be just like the one you have. Tried to find a value on the internet but no luck.

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jan 12 - 06:28 PM

I have a Mansfield acuostic given to me as a keepsake from my sister,s friend a long time ago . It is a Craftsman made F 360 .
Nice full sound .

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,1080
Date: 05 Feb 12 - 08:50 PM

i ve had mine for 30 years my grandfather gave it to me when i was 3 its beat to hell but sounds fantastic

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 19 Feb 12 - 08:44 PM

Amazing read on the Mansfield history, like most here i find myself wondering of the guitars as I have been playing my Mansfield accoustic the last 30 yrs with nothing but delight and sheer enjoyment. Mine is a starburts finished Humming Bird with no identification on it anywhere other than the Mansfield name on the head stock. I puchased it from a dear friend who never played it although he bought it brand new when he was in high school, circa 1961 if thats possible. Over the years I have changed the nut & bridge simply due to wear. It has an adjustable bridge and I have fine tunned the action to the point of rivalling most electric set ups, the result is amazing! as for the sound of this instrument, all I can say is it defies understanding..the sound is deep, rich, clear and with sustain that is overwhelming! I don't think I would ever part with this guitar as it has become a real dear friend :) Thanks to all for your wonderfull insight to an amazing history! Have fun and "Play Every Day"

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Mansfield electrics in 80's
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 05:17 PM

What companies were manufacturing the Mansfield Strat and Tele copies in the 1980's? I am going to buy a Strat copy tomorrow for $80 Can. I don't know anything about the guitar. I thought I might start to research here. Thanks for any information.

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Aug 12 - 02:49 PM

Like everyone else on this thread I have a mansfield guitar - it is an accoustic - a copy of a Gibson "Dove". it was purchased for me by my dad at Hutton's Music Store in St. John's, Newfoundland in the summer of 1974. I took it to Mt. Allison University with me, where one of the guys in my residence who came from Dalhousie, new Brunswick had a Mansfield "Hummingbird". Another guy from the same part of New Brunswick has an Ibanez bass, and I remember him saying something about a connection between Ibanez and Mansfield, but I never understood until now what he was talking about. My guitar has fairly high action and can be a bit painful to play - after all these years I am finally going to have it properly "set up". Thanks for all the interesting information about these instruments - far more than I had expected to find!

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Christopher Ian King
Date: 24 Jan 13 - 05:47 AM

I picked up an acoustic Mansfield at a local music shop in the Eastern Townships (Roughly an hour outside of Montreal.) This thing was old. Somebody had ordered it to be re-fitted with pickups and re-painted in a sparkly colour (Looks like something Elton John would play if he had an interest in it) and they just never came back to pick it up, for like a couple years in fact, so the owner of the store was forced to sell it.
Thank god for that because I SWEAR this is hands down the best guitar I have ever picked up, period. I've played with a lot of different makes, and they really do not compare. I was so happy with this acoustic, I went out and bought two more Mansfield guitars for 350$ a pop. I could tell that they had the air of the Chinese knock-off, and STILL, these two guitars played so much better than anything I've ever picked up.
I'm going to actually get custom work done on one of them and have it be my signature guitar from now on. I don't know if I'm lucky or what, but these things are priceless, at least in my eyes. I wouldn't ever let one of them out of my sights.

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Vinracer
Date: 08 Feb 13 - 09:45 PM

I picked up a nice looking Mansfield model MC255 in brand new condition. Other than what I have read in this post I have no other information. It has a mahogany back, rosewood? sides and a natural coloured top, all solid. Still trying to find out more about this model.
PB

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Nynavic
Date: 11 Feb 13 - 03:09 PM

I now have 2 Mansfield Strats. The first one as I mentioned in a comment above is 'Fiesta Red' and has excellent quality. The second one is 'White', it seems newer and isn't nearly as well made. At first glance they look much the same, but upon close inspection there are differences that seem to indicate they were made by different manufacturers. The first one has the pickguard holes laid out exactly as a Fender Strat, where as the second one doesn't. The first one also has a thinner neck and better volume and tone pots. I paid $70 each for these guitars and have seen others for sale locally of the 'second' type and I won't waste my money on them. If I can find more of the first type, I would definitely consider purchasing it. This link should show the two side by side: Very different Mansfield Strats

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Merv
Date: 24 Feb 13 - 01:51 AM

As others have mentioned in these threads, very interesting to learn the background of these guitars, (and no doubt there are many other makes out there that might have similar stories, when I remember the pawn shop guitars I owned long ago, with names that probably no longer exist). I still own a Mansfield copy of a Gibson SG, with 2 chrome humbuckers. It looks just like the model 2354 in the 1975 catalogue from Peate Music that can be found elsewhere when Googling info about Mansfields, right down to the deep purple finish, except mine is a hardtail, no tremolo/vibrato tail piece. I bought it brand new at a music store in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 1972, for about $225 or so if memory serves, which I think was a bit less maybe than the suggested retail price at the time.

As a couple of posts here have said, the quality is generally quite good, mine sounds great under any amplified circumstance, but the only weak point(s) are the tuners - way too much slop and free-play in them. I have never changed anything on it, and was thinking of putting some higher-end tuners into it now that I recently dragged it out of storage, but now having read that they could be worth a little bit to someone collecting, maybe I should leave it as original. Then again, I like it enough that I probably won't part with it anyway, so new tuners might just go on it.

There is only the "Mansfield" name plate on the front head stock, no serial number or anything else, though maybe there is something under the neck plate, or written on the neck itself under there, however I have never disassembled it, so maybe I will do that, and also pull out the pups so see if there is anything elsewhere to help narrow down it's history.........

Anyway, thanks to everyone who contributes to these posts, it's great to have some sources of info and conversation!

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: HiHo_Silver
Date: 24 Feb 13 - 05:44 PM

I have a Mansfield catalogue and probably a price list kicking around somewhere from back when I dealt with Peate Musical Co. I purchased and sold several of the Mansfield Models. Excellent guitars for the money. I do believe Peate Musical Company is still in the wholesale business somewhere in Montreal. Que. Canada

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Roussel
Date: 08 Aug 13 - 10:04 AM

My parents offered me a Mansfield classical guitar C-128 in 1976, they had been advised by a professional classical guitar player. It was purchased in Peate's in Montreal. It was improved by a luthier 10 years ago and I have never heard any Ramirez sounding with as much deepness, richness and nuances. Rich overtones for a classical guitar. Solidity is unbelievable: for three decades I had no idea about how important is moisture degree for any guitar, especially in winter, and I lived in very dry appartments in Montreal. However my Mansfield has no craks, no buzz, it looks as fresh as the first Christmas morning when I saw it. Spruce top (probably sitka); indian rosewood back, side, head and bridge. I own a Taylor 612, a Guild D-55 and a couple of other guitars, but having to pick only one of my guitars with me on a desert island, I would probably choose my humble Mansfield.

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,zazou64
Date: 16 Jul 14 - 07:40 PM

Hello all,

I just picked up a Mansfield guitar model no. J-21G. I was hoping that someone could gie me some infomation about this particular guitar. The guitar has the Mansfield name on the top. It also has a circled label inside (J-21G). The guitar is in good condition with the exception of a few digs and scratches. This gives the guitar character. I've searched the net and been through all these post concerning the Mansfield brand. I still haven't found any information about this particular guitar I bought.

So if anyone can help me out, it will gratfully be apprecated.

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Dec 14 - 03:34 PM

I just been given a Mansfield guitar model # F303. I am looking for   information about this particular guitar. The guitar has the Mansfield name on the top. It has a label inside F303. The guitar is in good condition

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Guest F
Date: 06 Mar 15 - 06:49 PM

Mansfield acoustic WF-115. Does anyone have info or the Ibanez equivalent.

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,John D
Date: 19 Jun 16 - 11:05 PM

I have a Mansfield bass that my dad bought me in 1972, I think.
It looks like a Gibson SG body. Was a good workhorse for me as I played in a country band for a couple of years. All these years I didn't know much about it but I find out that the same company that made Ibanez in Japan made these.
I went to a an Ibanez website that has all their catalogues from the 70s and I look at 1972 and they show 2 models and one of them is exactly the same as my Mansfield. Cool. They are supposed to be a hot item for some collectors but I haven't explored that yet.

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Axewizzard
Date: 13 Aug 16 - 09:32 PM

I have a Mansfield Humingbird 245BKL. Some cracking in the finish. Found it at a Pawn shop in Ontario and it looked well played. With a new set of strings it sounds better than anything with a 3000$ price tag.

It's great that so many people have shared thier information. I want to start a Mansfield collection now.

Enjoy all. Don't stop playing.

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Sep 16 - 12:15 PM

I have a real nice Mansfield 694 for sale.
If interested let me know
Cam

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,BigBadBear
Date: 08 Mar 17 - 09:57 PM

Years ago, I was searching for information about Mansfield guitars.
Below is the mail exchange I finally had with the distributor and a contact from Hoshino Gakki in 2004 (The names are hidden, but this is the exact mail exchange). I then posted this information and it went a long way amongst the Mansfield guitar fans.

I hope you will find it interesting, and also that you all realize that there is no way to date or value exactly every Mansfield guitars, unless you have an identical model number that Ibanez also produced in the mid 70.

Based on this mail exchange, Mansfield were made by Hoshino from approximately 1974 until approximately 1979. Then Peate had their Mansfield guitars build by other guitar manufacturers.

I recently acquired a vintage Mansfield that has the same unusual tuning pegs as a vintage Sigma DM3 (also difficult to precisely date). So I think my Mansfield may have been produced by another manufacturer who was also making Sigma guitars for Martin.
Still, I am wondering if my Mansfield is a clone of a Yamaha Fxxx, because the model number is similar. Unfortunately, I was not able to find any pictures of a Yamaha Fxxx with the same unusual tuning machines.

This guitar is fabulous considering it is a laminated top! Strangely, it looks like it has solid sides because the wood grain is identical inside and outside (I really doubt that they used to bookmatch the laminated sides...). So it may be a manufacturing mistake recycled into an OEM serie.

Hope you enjoy this information and the mails exchanges below!

Regards,

BigBadBear

-----Original Message-----
From: xxxxxxx xxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, December 5, 2004 10:57 PM
To: xxxxxxx
Cc: xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Mansfield Guitars

Dear Mr. xxxxxxx,

Thank you for your inquiry.

The only thing we can confirm is Hoshino used to make and sell Mansfield
guitars in 70's as OEM production. Unfortunately we don't have any
record of what kind of guitars we used to make under its name with us
such as pictures, spec charts and photos, so I really can't tell any
further.

But if that guitar was made by us Hoshino, then that guitar should be
exactly same as we made and sold as Ibanez brand name in that era.

Thank you and best regards,

xxxxxxx xxxxxxx
Hoshino Gakki Co., Ltd.



xxxxxxx wrote:

> Dear M. xxxxxxx,
>
> I have a Mansifled guitar model x-xxx (made in Japan, 6 strings
> Dreadnought acoustic). I have owned it for 22 years and I have been
> told that it was acquired before 1975 by the seller. I recently
> purchased another Mansfield guitar model xxx-x (made in Japan, 6 strings
> Gibson hummingbird copy with Gibson headstock replica) but I can't say
> when this one was originally purchased. Both are great guitars and I
> love them.
>
> I contacted the Mansfield guitar distributor looking for the history of
> Mansfield guitars, and I was told that Mansfield guitars were once
> manufactured by your company (around 30 years ago).
>
> Is there a way to confirm that these models were builded by your
> company?   I have also read that at that time, the Hoshino would build
> Ibanez guitars and also brand them as other brands, but they were all
> the exact same guitars. Is this true? I would be really interested in
> knowing whether my Mandfields are "Hoshino/Ibanez made". If they are,
> then I would be a priviledged and proud owner of 2 rare pieces of
> Hoshino Gakki guitar making history.
>
> Thank you for reading and best regards,
>
> xxxxxx xxxxxx
> Laval, Quebec
> Canada
>
>    ----- Original Message -----
>    From: xxxxxxxx
>    To: xxxxxxxx
>    Cc: xxxxxxxx, xxxxxxxx
>    Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 2:10 PM
>    Subject: Mansfield Guitars
>
>    Dear xxxxxx,
>
>      
>
>    The interesting story behind Mansfield is that years ago, before
>    Ibanez became such a strong guitar line, the manufacturer of Ibanez
>    in Japan used to make OEM guitars for musical distributors
>    throughout the world.
>
>      
>
>    They were approached by Peate Musical Instrument Distributors about
>    30 years ago to make guitars for them. At that time the Peate
>    warehouse was located in Montreal on Mansfield street. Now you know
>    how the guitars came to be called Mansfield. Subsequently, Peate
>    Music went to other guitar manufacturers for their "Mansfield"
>    guitars up until about 10 years ago and the association with Ibanez
>    manufacturing was discontinued about 25 years ago, so whether your
>    guitar was made by the Ibanez factory in Japan or elsewhere is still
>    an open question.
>
>      
>
>    Best regards,
>
>      
>
>    xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
>
>      
>
>    ----- Original Message -----
>    From: xxxxxxxx
>    To: xxxxxxxx
>    Cc: xxxxxxxx
>    Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 7:46 PM
>    Subject: Quest for mansfiend guitar
>
>    Hi,
>      
>    I saw on the internet that you are a distributor for mansfield
>    guitars.
>      
>    I have an old mansfield guitar and I have been trying to get
>    information about those guitars without success. I own an old
>    x-xxx, probably builded in the mid 70, and I am interested in the
>    history of this guitar and the mansfield guitar company. I have
>    played this guitar for more than 20 years and have never seen
>    another mansfield guitar.
>      
>    Is it possible to get in tough with the manufacturer and contact
>    them to have this kind of information?
>      
>    Thank you and best regards,
>      
>    xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
>    Laval, Qc.

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Kelly
Date: 13 Mar 17 - 10:08 PM

I have a mansfield acoustic guitar. Model number is C114. Has made in Japan sticker and is in mint condition. Can anyone give me some info on this guitar. Hard to find anything on mansfield guitars aside from the lawsuit Era stuff.

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Tomas Eduardo
Date: 01 Apr 17 - 10:11 AM

Guitars are worth what people are willing to pay. Any decent vintage electric for 150 isn't a bad deal, unless the guitar is unplayable. A busted nut, as you say, is one of the simplest repairs any guitar would need. If the guy isn't representing it falsely, how in the world can you have the nerve to say he is ripping people off? Did he sell it to numerous people? No. Did he say it was something other than what it is? We don't know, because you didn't cite any ad or article.

Mansfield guitar were decent instruments imported to Canada from Japan in the 60's and 70's.

Know what you are talking about before you spout something like that.

One last thought: Japanese guitars from the 60's were usually pretty crappy eclectic instruments, and didn't sound or play real well. But those are exactly what some artists look for for certain recordings today.

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,JR
Date: 10 Jul 17 - 11:20 AM

I have a Mansfield 693 Dove copy, given to me by my mother-n-law...
She bought it in 1975 in Canada and played it for 30 yrs.. she is now
80yrs old..I have owned over 70 guitars since 1962 and the only
guitar that feels, sounds, and plays as well as the Mansfield 693
was my Gibson j45, which i sold in the late 80's..I will own this
Mansfield 693 until i take my very last breath..

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitarsmodel nub k-1
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Dec 17 - 07:37 PM

just looking for price and year made can anyone help phone number 403 7414718 stettler alberta canada ty

Subject: Mansfield Guitars
From: GUEST,Eric
Date: 24 Dec 18 - 03:44 PM

I purchased a used Mansfield Hummingbird in 1976.
I have long thought it to be an Ibanez instrument based on information from various websites. While Ibanez may have supplied many of the Mansfield guitars, I believe my Hummingbird was made by the Kiso Suzuki company in Japan.
My Mansfield appears to be identical to the Suzuki Hummingbird that can be seen on various websites. Note the unique "zero fret" under the nut. This was not used by Ibanez or Gibson (at least I could not find any evidence that it was) and given the similarities of the Suzuki and the Mansfield this is almost certainly a Suzuki Hummingbird.
Notice in the Mansfield 1975 catalogue (search for Mansfield guitars) that there are two Hummingbirds shown - one with the zero fret and one without. The one without the zero fret seems to be a more accurate copy and is probably the Ibanez Hummingbird.

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Mar 19 - 06:53 AM

hey all.. I just purchased a Mansfield acoustic,, the Mansfield logo on the headstock is a square plastic "Mansfield " logo stuck to the top.. no model on the sticker in the sound hole .. looks like rosewood back and sides ...has adjustable bridge.. anyone know the model ? barry in newfoundland Canada -- text 709-682-2560 ...thanks

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Apr 19 - 10:12 PM

I have a vintage Mansfield guitar it's a hummingbird with a Brazilian burst on it it's absolutely flawless plays absolutely perfect and from what I'm able to make on it it is model number W Des 65H and the serial number is 41121 manufactured by Mansfield guitars it's perfect you really need to see this if you're intrested it I'll sell it only because I need the money to get to my family I and plane ticket is costing me a tremendous amount of money that's the only reason why would ever even part with this if you message me back I'll give you my number send your photos and we can talk

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,F301
Date: 13 Jun 20 - 09:07 PM

I picked one up at a flea market. Serial number 708195

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,finger picker on the cape
Date: 29 Jan 21 - 07:41 PM

i play and love my mansfield classical model number tg006.any info would be greatly appreaciated

Subject: RE: Mansfield Guitars??????
From: GUEST,Lane
Date: 15 Jul 23 - 11:49 AM

I’d put my 1970 f360 up against any Martin d28 made from 1969 onward !!!! Never sellin this ! Tone monster