|
o |
manufactured |
info
updated 10/10/2008...please
email with
corrections/info |
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Oahu |
|
The Oahu Publishing Company was established by Harry G Stanley,
and one of their aims was to wholesale guitars to schools.
Electric steel guitars and amps were made by Oahu with Harmony,
Valco and Rickenbacker also producing guitars for Oahu. The
Company closed in 1985. [Source:
The Hawaiian Steel Guitar and Its Great Hawaiian Musicians By
Lorene Ruymar ]
http://www.jefflang.com.au/equipment.htm
http://www.rfcharle.com/HTML/PhotosInstruments/OahuCarre.html
http://www.guitarseminars.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/013344.html
http://www.centervillemusic.com/history.html
http://guitars.net/elarcgal.htm
http://ushigomepan.cool.ne.jp/teiscotone/gallery.html
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Oahu
see
Valco |
|
Fritz Ober |
|
Munich, Germany.
Classical guitars
Image:
Guitar Salon
 |
|
Oberg Guitars |
1995 to present |
Made since"
1995, in my shop in
San Marcos, California.
Every label has the year that instrument was built
written on it."
[Source: Peter Oberg, email, 23/7/2008]
Image courtesy
of Peter Oberg:
 |
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Ocampos |
|
Milton Ocampo, luthier, Cebu, The Philipines.
An owner's story
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Acoustic+Guitar/brand/Ocampos |
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Ochoteco Guitars |
1984 to present |
Made since "1984.
Workshop is at 115 Gotha St, Fortitude Valley, Queensland, 4006, Australia.
Acoustic necks block have stamped
serial numbers with -model, consecutive number, year made."
[Source and photos courtesy of: Gabriel Ochoteco, email
24/8/2008]
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October Guitars |
|
Handmade guitars, Savage,
Maryland, USA
myspace
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/October+Guitars |
|
Ogisu |
|
http://ushigomepan.cool.ne.jp/teiscotone/gallery.html |
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O'Hagan |
1979-1983 |
After giving up the guitar import business
(Grande branded Yamaki guitars), produced handmade electric
guitars in USA for 4 years only. Less than 3,000 produced. The
basic scheme for dating O'Hagan guitars is year/month/#
of guitar that month. [Source
Vintage Guitar ]
O’Hagan guitar examples
Shark
http://www.myrareguitars.com/eohaganshark2.html
Nightwatch
http://www.premierguitar.com/education/200609_educationcenter_guitartreasure.asp
O’Hagan catalog
http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_american_ohagan.htm
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/O%27Hagan |
|
Old Craftsmen |
1930s |
Brand of the Spiegel mail order
company. Most were made by Kay. Gibson made some from 1936 to
1937. [Source: Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars ]
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Old+Kraftsman |
|
Old Ghost Guitars |
|
Steve Sylvester
studied at Roberto-Venn in 1994 then
did repairs at the Arizona Guitar Shack and Music
Brokers, both in Phoenix, AZ. Now building
custom custom electric guitars.
[Source:
Roberto-Venn ]
Hillsboro, Oregon,
USA |
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Old Hickory
 |
|
Mandolins, USA or cheap Chinese?
Possibly same name used by different manufacturers - can anyone
help?
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Old+Hickory
 |
|
Gerhard Oldiges |
|
Image
Kent Guitar Classics:
 |
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Old School Guitars |
2005 to present |
Old School Guitars are hand made
in Canada -
no CNC necks!
"I
started making under the name of Old School three years ago. I
operate from my home and workshop. My necks are serialed and,
as of yet, there is no way to date the numbers unless the owner
gets in touch with me. Your mail has prompted me to change this
to a dating system.
I have been a musician for thirty some years and a woodworker
for most of that also. There was a 10 year stint as an antiques
dealer in the first while. It was the quality of the old style
construction techniques that really got me building furniture.
I saw that all the old pieces were built using certain methods
of joinery and applied same to my constructions. There is a
reason they last for hundreds of years.
I still have all my fingers, but because of arthritis they don't
work quite as well as they used to.
I am now switching to making complete guitars. I do not have a
set logo.I must stress that at this point of my life my
woodworking has become more of a hobby rather than a living. I
did it for a living for a long time and, for all intents, am now
retired." [Source: Warren Biro,
Old School Guitars, email 19/9/2008 ] |
|
Michael J O'Leary |
|
Made in
Milford, Carlow,
Ireland |
|
Olivewood guitars |
2001 to present |
"I
first started producing my parlour guitars in 2001, I have a
small workshop here in Newark, Nottinghamshire. The date of the
guitars is on the label visible through the soundhole. I only
make 12 fret parlour guitars so typically the identifying
numbers would be for example..... May 2007....... 0012/32 The
00 relates to the medium size body and 12 frets to the body,
followed by the guitar number 32. If the guitar were to be a
smaller body the code would be 012/. The label is also initialed
by me."
[Source: Malcom Weaver, Olivewood Guitars, email 12/7/2008 ]
Image courtesy of Malcolm Weaver:
 |
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OLP
 |
|
See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLP_Guitars
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/OLP |
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Olson (James A) |
1973 to present |
Handmade
guitars since 1977 in Minnesota, USA.
Dating Olson guitars
http://www.olsonguitars.com/faq.html#serial
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Olson |
|
Olympia |
|
Olympia is Tacoma’s main import
budget line.
Olympia Price
lists
2005
Winter Olympia pricelist
2005 Summer
Olympia pricelist
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Olympia |
|
Ome |
1960 to present |
Ome Banjos, Boulder, Colorado USA
Dating Ome
Banjos
http://www.omebanjos.com/omeinstruments.html
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Ome |
|
Omega |
|
Every guitar that I build has the
date of the beginning of its construction and the model along
with my signature
inside the top of the guitar in the lower bout.
It can be easily viewed using a small exam mirror through the
soundhole.
I did use a date oriented serial number system for a number of
years in the late 90s, but returned to a sequential
numbering system after a while, but even those date marked
pieces had the typical signature and date inside the top.
[Source: Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars, email 21/3/2008]
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Omega |
|
Onyx |
|
"Instruments previously built in
Korea during the 1980s. The Onyx trademark was the brand name of
an Australian importer. These solid body guitars were generally
entry level to intermediate quality. However, the late ´80s
model 1030 bears a passing resemblance to a Mosrite Mark I with
modern hardware. (Source: Tony Bacon, The Ultimate Guitar Book)"
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Onyx |
|
Onyx Forge |
2004 to present |
1. I started building when I retired from an engineering career
in 2004, and work alone.
2. Serial numbers -
a) If an instrument was commissioned, the number starts with a
"C".
Examples -
* Spec, or non commissioned instrument; A6G010
* Commissioned instrument; CA7F029
b) The next character is an alpha, delineating the first decade
of the millennium. Instruments built from 2000-2009 = "A",
2010-2019- "B", etc.
c) Next is the year in that decade - 0-9
d) Next is an alpha, A-L for Jan - Dec. - This is the month the
guitar was commissioned or started.
e) The last 3 characters are straight sequential numbers that
transcend date, and will never repeat. There are separate
sequences for commissioned and spec. instruments.
A6G010 - Started in 2006, in the month of July, the 10th non
commissioned instrument built by me.
CA7F029 - Commissioned in June of 2007, the 29th commissioned
instrument built.
The maker, serial, and "Made in USA" are placed via a decal on
the back of the headstock under the finish.
Later instruments, as of about 2006 / early 2007 also have the
maker / serial on the back of the body behind the neck, or the
side of the body forward of the jack plug.
An Onyx Forge decal or inlay logo appears on the headstock face
under the finish
The first several guitars in both series were made with
manufactured necks and or bodies. I soon moved to building my
own bodies, and a bit later, my own custom necks. Feel free to
list my website as the basis for anyone to contact me for any
details on a guitar. I keep build notes on every instrument.
Total produced to date is about 50
[Source: Roy Bullis,
onyx forge
guitars email
17/3/2008]
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Onyx+Forge |
|
Optek |
|
Educational instruments - lights
in fret board.
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Optek |
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Opus |
|
A Harmony Brand
http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php |
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Orfeus |
|
http://meatexz.com/cheesyguitars/guitars_orfeus.html
http://rock.webbuilder.hostbasket.com/page7637.htm
http://meatexz.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=627
Russian site
http://sovietguitar.narod.ru/
Orfeus acoustic
http://www.s111348217.websitehome.co.uk/23901.html |
|
Jose Oribe |
|
|
|
Oriole |
1920s |
Gibson budget banjo brand in
1920s. [Source: Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars, 2nd Ed] |
|
Oriskany |
2000 to present |
In 1998, Curtis Rockwell
studied at the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery.
In early 2000, Curtis worked for Bruce Allsopp of
Canyon Music Woodworks as an apprentice / repairperson
and then established his own shop
Oriskany Stringed Instruments
with
Johanna Mutti
in, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania,
USA.
[Source:
Roberto-Venn ] |
Ormsby Guitars
 |
2003 to present |
"We rarely use serial numbers,
unless it is a Standard Series guitar.
Custom Shop instruments (and Standards) are dated with the day
the first coat of clear lacquer is applied.
Manufacture started in 2003
Only one guitar has ever been sold by the original purchaser.
Every other guitar is still owned by the person who originally
ordered it. Not a bad track record. Every instrument is
custom built to order." [Source: Perry, Ormsby Guitars,
30/3/2008] |
|
Ornetts
 |
current |
http://toguitars.com/gallery-japan/ornetts-guitars.html
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Ornetts |
|
Orozco |
1969 to current |
Based in New York from 1970s to
1990s - now in Puerto Rico
Here is the best
resource for Juan Orozco
Juan Orozco short bio at wikipedia
Juan Orozco posting at Guitarsite about his relationship with
Matzuoko and Kohno - Sakuray brands
Orozco catalogs
http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_american_orozco.htm
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Acoustic+Guitar/brand/Orozco
see Kohno, Sakray, Matsuoka |
|
Orpheum |
|
Made in USA 1930s to 1940s
distributed by William L Lange and Bruno.
Made in Japan 1960s distributed by Maurice Lipsky Musuc NY.
Tacoma bought the name and uses it today for banjo's, mandolins
and resonator guitars.
[Source: Blue Book and Olympia Guitars web site]
http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php
http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/general/orpheum.html
http://www.provide.net/~cfh/other.html
http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_japanese_orpheum.htm
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Orpheum
Orpheum
price lists
2005
Winter Orpheum pricelist
2005 Summer
Orpheum pricelist
see Wandre |
|
Orpheus |
|
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Guitar-General-649/Orpheus-Electric-Guitar.htm
http://www.minegitarer.com/vintageguitars.htm |
|
Orville
 |
1988-1998 |
Following the end of the Aria and
Gibson Epiphone partnership in 1986 Yamano Gakki took over the
Gibson dealership from 1987. In 1988 Gakki decided to
expand the Epiphone semiacoustic models to include solid body
electrics. The name Orville was used for the new models.
Quite a detailed history with serial number dating and
manufacturer identity is at
Wikipedia
http://www.japanguitars.co.uk/Page%201%20history.html
http://www.orangeguitar.com/aboutorville.htm
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Orville
Forum
http://forum.japanaxe.com/phpBB3/ |
|
Osborne Guitars |
1998 to present |
Richard Osborne, UK |
|
John Osthoff |
|
Becket MA 01223 U.S.A. |
|
Otwin |
1950s-1960s |
East Germany
http://www.rufus-zuphall.de/collection/fotos/FrameSet.htm
http://jazzgitarren.k-server.org/otwin.html
http://www.musikkeller.com/d/otwin.html
http://www.rufus-zuphall.de/collection/collection_start.html
http://guitarrazos.forogeneral.es/viewtopic.php?t=231
Forum
http://www.euroguitars.co.uk/
see Musima |
|
Ovation
 |
1967-present |
Charlie Kaman,
an aeronautical engineer making helicopters was also a
guitarist. In order to diversify he dreamed of a better
guitar and in 1964 a small team of aerospace engineers started
work. The round back guitar emerged around 1966 and
Kaman's company is now huge. Originally the guitars made
in Connecticut,
USA. Now also produced in Asia. [Source:
Ovation ]
Dating Ovation guitars
http://www.ovationguitars.com/index.cfm?fa=crackcode
http://www.ovationtribute.com/O_Decoder/O-Decoder%20rev5.htm
From the top guide above you can
see that my Breadwinner (photo below) is E + 4 numbers - was
made between Jan 1973 and Feb 1975.
Ovation Retail cost in year of release
http://www.ovationguitars.com/img/customerserv/pricehistory.xls
Ovation fan pages and examples
http://www.ovationtribute.com/index.php
http://www.doremi.co.uk/breadwinner/
http://vintageguitarpro.com/ovation.shtml
http://www.baronaudio.com/collection/
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/
Search at
http://www.vintageguitar.com/
Ovation guitar catalogs
1967 - 1997
http://www.ovationgallery.com/pagecatalog.htm
lots
http://www.ovationtribute.com/Catalogs%20&%20Brochures.html
1975
http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/ovation75.php
Ovation
ads
http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/advertisements/Ovation
http://vintage.catalogs.free.fr/Index.htm
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Acoustic+Guitar/brand/Ovation
Ovation forum
http://www.ovationtribute.com/forum/index.php |
|
Overton |
|
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Overton |
|
Overwater Basses |
1979 to
present |
Overwater are primarily electric
bass manufacturers - began in 1979, around 3400 instruments
built since that time.. Serial numbers and model information on
most instruments can be found on a label on the underside of the
control cavity cover..
Further information on request or from;
www.overwaterbasses.com
" [Source: Chris May, Overwater Basses, email 24/3/2008] |
|
Ozark Guitars
 |
late 1970s to present |
"The Ozark brand was first
launched in the late 70s/early 80s - we don't have the specific
year. The guitars do not have serial numbers on them. However,
the model number would probably give some guide to the date, as
we would know roughly when they were produced.
We do have a dedicated Ozark website: www.ozark-acoustic.com
which includes an Ozark Owners' page where players can register.
[Source: Liz Wilkes, Marketing Executive, Stentor Music Co Ltd,
England, email 24/3/2008]
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Ozark |
|
Ozone |
|
Pick up assemblies
for strats.
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Ozone |
