Aspen guitars

[cappucho]

Anyone know about these guitars that were built in Japan back in the 70’s? They were copies of Martin’s but we’re they all solid woods?

[RP]

Doesn't seem like Aspen was too picky about which guitars they copied https://www.facebook.com/pg/AspenGuitarFan/posts/....

Aspen was a brand name of a distributor, the International Music Corporation (IMC), of Fort Worth, Texas. This is the same company that imported Japanese guitars under the Hondo name. Aspen guitars were initially produced in Japan and later Korea (I believe). The Japan years were throughout the 70's, I do not have exact dates, but the early 80's Aspen models marked 'Made in Korea' are questionable in quality and consistency. The Japanese made models were generally quite good playing guitars. The Korean made ones are hit and miss on quality. The Japanese made acoustics were good copies of Martin models and 1 model (the DH-32) made to resemble the Gibson Dove. They also made Strat, tele and Les Paul and Gibson 335 copies that were quite good looking guitars. There are also bass guitars that are similar to the Fender P. A few weeks ago I saw a bass that resembled a rickenbacker. I personally have never touched an electric model Aspen and can't speak to the sound quality.

[Martin_F]

I still have an old Aspen electric guitar! I'm not sure what they made for acoustics. They were solid built guitars. The thing is very heavy!

Martin

[Slim Zooms]

I once played a small bodied slotted head Aspen in a guitar shop circa 1987. It was pretty nice. At the time it was about £225. Wish I'd had the spare money to buy it, it was pretty nice. Never seen one like it since.

[mtdmind]

I had one of their dreadnoughts. I think it was their best model with laminated rosewood back and sides and solid spruce top. It had a real nice Torch inlay on the head stock, too. It sounded OK. But the poly finish was real thick. Much thicker than you would see today.

[Peabody1955]

I now own two Aspens. The first, a DR35 I bought here in Seattle from a small church minister in need of money I guess. The guitar had a newer LR Baggs sound hole pickup the I knew I could sell for almost $100. He had the guitar on the Facebook classifieds for $100. I sent him a message saying “I’ll take it!” He responded back that another guy might be coming for it later the next day. I told him “I’ll give you $125 and pick it up early in the morning” which he jumped on.
When I picked it up, both the nut and saddle being plastic had cracked. I sold the pickup for $90 and then made a bone nut and saddle for it.
I also have a 1973 Martin D35 and when I play one, I play both. When I’m playing either of them, I’m amazed that they both are just as nice a quality sound!
I just bought an Aspen D28-12 on eBay that needs tons of work. I payed $165 (the “Buy It Now” price, $35 shipping and tax) for $165. It has previous amateurish repairs to correct but I’m confident I can correct the mess.
After I bought the DR35, another guy here in Seattle had a nicer Yamaha with another LR Baggs for $100 with a case for $100, I bought it, sold the LR Bags for $90, the Yamaha for $100, kept the case and after all is done cleared $50, Aspen DR35 and case!!

[rickw12]

I picked up an Aspen LC-6 at a pawn shop in Virginia last week. It has a gloss finish. I'm wondering what kind of finish it is. If it's nitrocellulose, I don't want to leave it on a stand with rubber pads for very long. Any ideas about how I can tell what the finish is?

[John Arnold]

All the Aspens I have seen were finished in catalyzed polyester, which was a common finish on Japanese guitars of the period. The stuff is impervious to almost anything, including acetone.

[rickw12]

Originally Posted by John Arnold

All the Aspens I have seen were finished in catalyzed polyester, which was a common finish on Japanese guitars of the period. The stuff is impervious to almost anything, including acetone.

Thanks for the info.