MUSIMA - 1656 THINLINE - - Semi-acoustic guitar - Germany - 1970

MUSIMA 1656 THINLINE Semi-acoustic- made in GERMANY -70's

Please read the English version for the correct translation!

This is a very rare model 1656 guitar by the East German (GDR) company "Musima".
This is -I suppose- a transitional model between the MUSIMA 1657 (with the paddle-shaped headstock, double cut-away) and the MUSIMA 1655 (single cut-away, same neck).

This particular guitar has been modernised at some point, refretted and has two non-original single-coil pickups and a non-original, era-correct tremolo (WDR) and works remarkable smoothly and stable.
Also a new ebony bridge and a set of good locking tuners complete the whole setup. All tuners are working well and hold the tune nicely. As is typical of 70's guitars, the (vintage) bridge-pickup has a lower output than the neck-pickup.

This particular neck feels very modern, has a low action, and medium-jumbo frets and and supports fast playing. Scale length: 642mm/25.3"
Like most German guitars from that Golden Era, this one features a zero fret. This ensures that, regardless of the string gauge, you always automatically get the lowest possible string height. When adjusting, only the bridge and truss rod are important!
This Musima guitar has a truss-rod to ensure that the neck remains straight and playable under normal conditions.

It undoubtedly plays like a modern guitar should. Excellent for jazz, soul, blues and fusion; with the corresponding sounds.
The finish (black rose) is actually not that bad at all; as you can see in the pictures.
This is the perfect opportunity to purchase an excellent playing rare vintage German guitar.
This oldie is definitely a player and ready to rock..!

Musima was a famous East German instrument manufacturer located in Markneukirchen.
This southern part of Saxony (Vogtland), near the Czech border, has a long history as a centre of luthiery due in part to the nearby forests of spruce; perfect for violins. The area was settled in the late 1600s by Protestant violin makers.
Escaping persecution in their native Bavaria they established a violin makers' guild and by the mid to late 1800s Markneukirchen was the largest producer of violins.

After World War II this area became part of communist East Germany (GDR). Many of the luthiers left the area and settled in the area of Erlangen in West Germany. The remaining instrument makers were organised into collectives and the Musima factory established in 1952 first as VEK but soon the name was changed to VEB Musima. At its peak in the 1960s and 1970s, the Musima factory was one of the world's largest musical instrument manufacturers with around 1200 employees making 360 guitars per day, as well as other instruments. When East and West Germany united in 1990 the Musima factory soon closed.

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I'm loosening the strings a bit for transport. So, you'll need to tune the guitar again upon arrival.
The colors may differ slightly from reality due to the monitor and the camera.

Private sale: so no guarantees, returns and all risks are always for the buyer.
Any additional costs, such as VAT, import duties, and customs fees, are the buyer's responsibility.
This instrument has been well-played and well-maintained for over half a century. However, you should always be aware of scratches, dents, crackling potentiometers and material fatigue—in short, everything that's normal for this age.
By placing a bid you agree with the above.
Will be carefully packaged, of course!
Happy bidding and enjoy making music!