Welcome to Black Sheep Music Equipment Research Library

Yamaha Guitars entered the market in 1966 with production in Japan. They are known for affordability, quality, and variety across both the acoustic and electric realm.

Alvarez guitars are notoriously hard to establish dates on some of the vintage models. We have conducted exhaustive research to provide the tools to most accurately identify these guitars.

Dean guitars have been a niche brand for decades. Famously played by "Dimebag Darrell" (guitarist for Pantera), Dean guitars have made instruments that appeal to a wide range of musical tastes, from metal to country. 

The legendary Matsumoku factory produced guitars in Japan for dozens of brands beginning in the late 1960's. Many of these quality, affordable vintage guitars still exist today under a variety of defunct brand names and were all built in the same place with the same parts. Matsumoku-made guitars are some of the best in quality, affordable vintage. 

The 'Japanese Invasion' of the US guitar market in the 1960s and 1970s included a lot of very similar copies of famous US designs. In June of 1977, Gibson filed a lawsuit against Ibanez and the legend of the "Lawsuit Era" was born. 

Elger began with humble roots making high quality acoustic guitars in Pennsylvania to try and rival Martin's market. While unsuccessful in that endeavor, the Elger brand transitioned to become Ibanez in 1965 and was the first American company to import Japanese guitars to the US market... later finding itself at the receiving end of the "famous" Gibson lawsuit. 

Fender is known for its electric guitar varieties and seems to be battling a mediocre reputation for its more modern acoustics. This was not always so. Fender originated its acoustic lineup in California in the 1960's, then joined the "Import Revolution" with well-made Japanese built models in the 1970's, long before the modern shift to other Asian factories. The results are some excellent and affordable vintage Fender acoustics on today's market... if you know what to look for!