Frank Meyers

Wizard of Odd JVC Victor Japanese Guitar homepage

Rare '60s Japanese JVC Victor Still Flies Today

May 24, 2020

The flagship model for Japanese electronics juggernaut was here and gone in the blink of an eye, but certainly not because of quality issues.

1967 Tokai Humming Bird 230S—with Onboard Fuzz

April 13, 2020

Frank Meyers

Mosrite aesthetics, Japanese flair, and a circuit reminiscent of the Electro-Harmonix Linear Power Booster.

This Bass Might Be Responsible for the Pointy Headstocks of the '80s

March 16, 2020

Frank Meyers

Guitar hunter extraordinaire Frank Meyers recalls how he found this late-’60s Marlin PB-26—an ahead-of-its-time design so gonzo it left him speechless.

Meet Norma, the 6-String Prehistoric Raptor

February 19, 2020

Frank Meyers

She's got four pickups and a cornucopia of switches, dials, and pickups on her saber-toothed pickguard.

Everyone Knows Guitars Can’t Spell

January 6, 2020

Frank Meyers

But as the Wizard of Odd shows, this early made-in-Japan Teisco J5 “guiter” speaks the right language.

Wizard of Odd: Molto Bene Mustang!

December 9, 2019

Frank Meyers

It may not be your dad’s ’Stang from the 1960s—unless he’s from Italy—but this axe has a unique look and flavor that’s begging for surf rock.

Wizard of Odd: Doina Seranada

November 14, 2019

Frank Meyers

This Romania-built, communist-era axe takes some obvious cues from Italian and Japanese guitars of the ’60s, but has a look all its own.

Wizard of Odd: Apollo Red Baron

October 25, 2019

Frank Meyers

Like flying ace Manfred von Richthofen, this guitar from 1960s Japan was bold, non-traditional, and favored red.

Wizard of Odd: Maxitone 481

September 24, 2019

Frank Meyers

A unique-looking bass from the back pages of a familiar family biz.

Wizard of Odd: Mid-’60s Astrotone

August 23, 2019

Frank Meyers

Blasting off with a difficult-to-find, but very cool MIJ guitar from the violin world.

Wizard of Odd: Sekova Grecian

July 22, 2019

Frank Meyers

An axe with an interestingly quirky pickup that gives new meaning to “take the stairs.”

Wizard of Odd: 1969 Aria 2000T

June 19, 2019

Frank Meyers

Escape the ordinary with this rare take on Leo Fender’s classic solidbody.

Wizard of Odd: 1965 Inter-Mark Cipher Valor

May 16, 2019

Frank Meyers

Learn the history—and hype—behind the flagship guitar of the Cipher line.

Wizard of Odd: 1965 Zenon Zemi

April 8, 2019

Frank Meyers

Angular lines, sweeping curves, bright tones, and mysterious origins. What more can you ask for from a super-rare Japanese electric?

Wizard of Odd: Le Mystère des Guitares Bulgares

March 7, 2019

Frank Meyers

Check out these Cold War-era, comrade-approved electrics from the land of tart yogurt and centuries-old women’s choirs.

Wizard of Odd: ’60s Excelsior Jamaica III

February 12, 2019

Frank Meyers

What do polka, beer, accordions, and hot mini-humbuckers have in common?

Wizard of Odd: Resetting the Neck on a ’50s Stella Electric

January 9, 2019

Frank Meyers

When a guitar looks the part, but isn’t really playable, it’s time to call the pros.

Wizard of Odd: Stella—A Story of Strange Solidbodies

December 9, 2018

Frank Meyers

You may know that Charley Patton, Lead Belly, and Doc Watson played Stella acoustics built in New Jersey in the 1930s, but these oddball post-WWII electrics hail from Tokyo.