Seizing on the success of affordable import guitars in the '60s, Japanese manfucturer Matsumoku produced as many guitars as they could for the '70s and '80s USA guitar market. Much more than worn-out copies of the same old American-made guitars, Matsumoku's designs, features, and various brands introduced new ideas, and the workmanship sincerely rivaled 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.
In the late '70s, the Merson Musical Supply Company of Westbury, New York was the primary importer of Univox instruments, which were made by Matsumoku. So from 1978 to 1981, Matsumoku built Merson a custom line of their own called "Westbury" after their hometown. The Westbury Deluxe features a slightly offset small-ish body with a carved Maple top and two pointed cutaways. What sets the Wesbury apart from other Matsumoku guitars was that these guitars feature genuine USA-made DiMarzio humbuckers, instead of MIJ copies.
This Westbury Deluxe dates to approximately 1981, and it sports a gorgeous vintage sunburst finish hat is matched on the back and the back of the neck. The top shows some nice Birdseye, and the edge of the top has a cove cut to it, almost like an edge treatment on your kitchen cabinetry. It has a set neck and a Harmonica bridge with a stop bar tailpiece. The DiMarzio humbuckers are both marked with just "DiMarzio Pickups, Made in USA," but supposedly they are a Super Distortion in the bridge and a PAF in the neck. The bridge pickup is powerful with a ton of bite, and it cleans up nicely with the volume control. The neck pickup is still powerful, but it is smoother and less intense with more clarity and warmth.
This 1981 Westbury Deluxe shows some general wear and tear, but it's in nice, playable condition for its age. There are some scuffs and scratches around the edges, and the worst are on the back edge near the strap button (see photos). But nothing too severe for a well-loved guitar from the early '80s. The neck has a medium shallow profile similar to many USA guitars of the era, and the nut measures 1-11/16". It plays nicely, the frets have a ton of life left in them, and it appears to include all of its original parts and components as well its original hardshell case (one of the hinges is broken). Very cool! Typical of the Matsumoku reputation, this 1981 Westbury Deluxe feels like a well-crafted instrument, and its versatile sound brings a lot to the table.