Please help me identify this guitar!

Jazzaferri

When I get home I will photo and post a shot of my first real GJ guitar. I paid $200 CDN for it 14 years ago. It has an M logo but for the life of me I cant remember much else about it other than its well built

Buco

For that price I'd buy the guitar and ask questions later.
That is as long as you're sure it's a legit seller behind the picture.

EmmetRay

@Jazzaferri does it play well? I know I am looking for a GJ guitar with a sound that I like, so I would much rather try a guitar hands on before buying one online..(although a Busato would be nice either way)

That's the thing @Buco, he seems legit enough, he even has pictures on Facebook posing with other guitars, so he may just be bad at answering, I guess.. (?) As long as it's not Richwood's take on a GJ guitar, I think I'll definitely buy it!

Buco

As long as you can pay in a way that you can get a refund without much hassle if it does turn out to be a crooked deal, I'd personally consider buying it.
If he's insisting on you sending him a money order or equivalent of it in Norway then walk away (my sister lives in Norway, reminds me I gotta call her).
Can you two meet in person?
I'm thinking with the logo consisting of initials, whatever they are, it would usually point to a name of the luthier so I doubt it's a mass production instrument.

jonpowl

Personally, I would never buy a GJ guitar without more information, especially as photographed. It would seem that the seller could make better photos available.

Buco

Wiser advice than mine, no doubt...:)

EmmetRay

Finally, the mystery of the unknown guitar has been solved! To my disappointment, this is not a very high end GJ guitar, but it is a bit interesting and unusual one nevertheless. The brand that made this guitar is called "Morgan", and is actually a Norwegian guitar brand! The company was founded some time in the 80's by Karl Morgan Johnsen, and is not to be confused with "Morgan Guitars" based in Canada..

Karl Morgan Johnsen wanted to create affordable acoustic guitars, that would be able to compete with foreign brands. He's even worked with Mark Knopfler and Little Steven, to mention some!

Anyway, I can't seem to find any reviews what so ever of this guitar, or even what it sounds like, so I'm not sure if I want to spend money on something that might sound exactly like a regular dreadnought acoustic.. click the links below to see the pictures he sent.

This guitar is mass produced, and only has about a 600 USD value in mint condition, so I think I will wait until I have some money saved up, and buy a real GJ guitar, from either an experienced luthier or a fairly pricey guitar brand..

https://ibb.co/cREcVw
https://ibb.co/hmdROG
https://ibb.co/n1EcVw

EmmetRay

By the way, I absolutely love your GJ guitar, @Buco ! It has that genuine sound that I want in a guitar of this style, and your "Nuages" playing was very accurate and beautiful!

I would love to hear more about the Risto Ivanovski and his prices when ordering a guitar!

Does he have a website?

Buco

www.ivanovskiguitars.com.mk

Thanks man!

I'm rushing off to my daughter's daycare guitar presentation. I'll tell you more about Risto later today.

ChrisMartin

I suspect that Morgan is from one of the Asian factories that supply many brands around the world. The wording on the label is the giveaway "Hand crafted instrument - Norwegian design". That is more significant in what it does NOT say, ie 'Made in Norway'. That alone is no reason to dismiss it outright, there have been some good value for money guitars made in China; many on here rate the Ciganos highly, but on the other hand there are the Richwoods and Arias that suffer from too much heavy poly lacquer. If it is as good as a Cigano for $350 and it is in Norway I would give it a go. I notice the fret markers are the same as on Ciganos, with one at the 10th fret instead of the 9th, and a smaller dot on the 12th, but then I have seen photos of Richwoods online with either 9th or 10th fret dots. Many other cheap Asian brands, Paris Swing, Aria etc use the 9th also and Aiersi usually have a 10th fret marker but with double dots at the 12th. Unless someone else on here knows more about Morgan products, or even better has played one, and you can't get to try it, we will never know.

One other problem now to consider before buying from abroad, (if there is any rosewood content) is can the seller supply full CITES certification?
Without that you may have a problem with it being held at customs, or even confiscated so having a guitar for sale in your own country is a plus.
I understand the CITES restrictions may not apply across European borders and although Norway is not part of Europe, for trade purposes it is in the EEA so that may be worth checking too allowing the potential to buy in from France or Germany.