[zook]

Anybody familiar with Camel guitars? I got this a week ago. The former owner bought it from a musician in Japan and literally hid it under the bed for a couple of years. I was a bit put off when I saw it. The strings were all rusted, the body and head stock were encrusted in a thick layer of dirt, other hardware were showing signs of corrossion. Below is a picture I took the day after I bought it. Got rid of 90% of the dirt but as you can see the neck still looks lifeless.

According to a premier guitar luthier here in Manila, this is a faithful reproduction of a Gibson LP. Well, except for the tailpiece and the tuning heads. It has a maple top, mahogany back and neck, mother-of-earl inlays, etc. In terms of quality, the luthier said it is comparable to a high end Tokai or Greco. It is probably from the "lawsuit era." I really have no way of knowing since there is zero information on the world wide web.

The guitar sounds good. Tone is clean with lots of sustain despite the rusted strings. This is my first Les Paul so I really have no way of knowing how it compares to other LPs.

And so if you have any information on Camel guitars, please post it to this thread. TIA!

[orvilleowner]

I've never seen or heard of a Camel before.

[marcusnieman]

Nice guitar.....I bet it smokes

[orvilleowner]

[20 century boy]

[orvilleowner]

Then it's confirmed: Matsumoku it is!

[20 century boy]

Well, I remember now, I read that on a yahoo auction. A guy was selling one and said it was from Aria. it's not very reliable but since I didn't find any infos anywhere...
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nankurunai sa!

[longbrim]

Earlier this year I bought a 'Camel Travelcast' from a collector. Stunning early 80's Japanese copy (lawsuity) with no other information available anywhere.
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'It can't be blamed for my mistakes.'

[JohnA]

[longbrim]

You guys are wittier than the Washburn crowd. The similar stylised logo is of some interest as it could possibly indicate a promotional item ordered by the infamous cigarette company from who? Matsumoku? Time frame fits.
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'It can't be blamed for my mistakes.'

[marcusnieman]

[stratman323]

[japanstrat]

Camel and Fresher were brands of Kyowa Shokai (Kyowa Trading Company) http://www.kyowashokai.co.jp/

The Camel and Fresher guitars were probably made by Chushin Gakki in the 70s and early 80s. In the mid 1980s Kyowa Shokai and Chushin Gakki started making Jacksons etc http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/JacksonStars.htm

[throstur]

SMOOOOOOOOOOOKIN.........Nice find. First thing is to change strings, then play it for awhile, then have it set up properly (or do it yourself if you know how to).

One thing you can do, when you change the strings, is to clean the fretboard with a rag and lukewarm water. Watch out not to have the rag to wet, just damp. If there is stubborn build up of dirt (usually against the frets it is a good practise to remove it carefully with a credit card or similar plastic object. DO NOT USE SHARP METAL OBJECTS.

When this has been done, let it dry overnight and then oil it with Cold Pressed Linseed Oil. It is available in small bottles at every store that sells /paint/pencils/canvas to artist´s. It costs 2-3 dollars and lasts a lifetime. For best results do not use the lemon oils sold at music stores.

You will be surprised when this dried out fretboard will darken and come to life again! Pictures please. before and after;-)

All the best
T
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"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side."
-- Hunter S. Thompson

[stratman323]