Seizing on the success of affordable Japanese import guitars in the '60s, manufacturing giant Matsumoku produced as many guitars as they could for the '70s and '80s USA guitar market. In this period, some designs were shameless copies of more expensive American-made guitars. While companies like Martin hired teams of lawyers to fight the competition, some of these "Lawsuit Era" guitars sincerely rival their USA-made counterparts. In today's vintage market, these intriguing—albeit slightly whacky—axes are great-sounding guitars that provide a different, somewhat off-beat inspiration.
Made in Japan in approximately 1980, this Goya GE-25 "Tulip" is a brazen copy of the Martin EM-18/E-28 guitars that were made at the same time. The Martin electric guitar concept turned out to be a commercial failure, but that didn't stop Matsomoku from delivering a lower-cost, MIJ clone. The counters of the body, the neck-through construction—even that whacky headstock shape—are all right out of the Martin catalog. Although it would've had a lower price tag, this Goya GE-25 demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship and materials that rivals the comparable American-made guitars.
Outfitted with high-powered open-coil humbuckers and a Leo-Quan style wraparound bridge, this GE-25 mimics the cutting edge parts and hardware used as the Martin. And because of that, it is a usable, hardworking instrument with a lot to offer. But the electronics are slightly simplified—the Martins have active electronics, and although this Goya has a toggle switch on the top, the electronics are passive. The switch is an essentially a voicing switch that lets you get coil-tapped and out-of-phase sounds out of the bridge pickup. Also, the Goya has simplified controls—only a single volume control and separate tone controls for each pickup.
Despite the years, this 1980 Goya GE-25 Tulip is in nice cosmetic condition.It shows some scant play wear and other signs of use—the worst is a small ding on the top, by the bass side of the bridge, as well as some minor scuffs around the bottom edge of the body. But overall, there's not too much to argue with. It appears to have all of its original parts and components, and all 24 frets are clean and playable. The current setup is excellent, and it is an absolute ripper. The pickups are powerful, so crank up your amp and you're going to have a good time. This 1980 Goya GE-25 includes its original hardshell case.