I own two Pencos.
I am the original owner of a '74 or '75 Penco Les Paul Black Beauty. I recently changed out the hardware and replaced the pick-ups witgh a Dimarzio Super Distortion and a P90 for my oldest son. It rocks!
And about two months ago I purchased a Mid 70's Penco Dread.
I had been keeping my eyes open for a Penco. I played one that was the studio knock around guitar a few years back while directing a voice session and it was amazing. That one was a solid spruce top. I agree with it being thin, and it had laminated rosewood back and sides.
The one I purchased has a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Tough to tell, but I think it's laminated. It has a Gibsonesque bridge with the screw saddle setting. And the bridge is bolted on, like a Gibson. Which is a really good thing because it's all warped and separated and the bolt is the only thing holding it on. But even with that, the thing sounds amazing. I'd compare the mahogany with a Martin D-18. The rosewood one I played sounded very much like a D-35.
My information is that they were built for the Philadelphia Music Comapny by Ibanez and branded Penco. (or whatever the factory that now puts out modern Ibanez's was called back then.) I think they're one of the best kept secrets around. We can't talk price here, but I paid very little. Like under a couple hundred little. I plan to replace the bridge, set it up and keep it forever.
max
I am the original owner of a '74 or '75 Penco Les Paul Black Beauty. I recently changed out the hardware and replaced the pick-ups witgh a Dimarzio Super Distortion and a P90 for my oldest son. It rocks!
And about two months ago I purchased a Mid 70's Penco Dread.
I had been keeping my eyes open for a Penco. I played one that was the studio knock around guitar a few years back while directing a voice session and it was amazing. That one was a solid spruce top. I agree with it being thin, and it had laminated rosewood back and sides.
The one I purchased has a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Tough to tell, but I think it's laminated. It has a Gibsonesque bridge with the screw saddle setting. And the bridge is bolted on, like a Gibson. Which is a really good thing because it's all warped and separated and the bolt is the only thing holding it on. But even with that, the thing sounds amazing. I'd compare the mahogany with a Martin D-18. The rosewood one I played sounded very much like a D-35.
My information is that they were built for the Philadelphia Music Comapny by Ibanez and branded Penco. (or whatever the factory that now puts out modern Ibanez's was called back then.) I think they're one of the best kept secrets around. We can't talk price here, but I paid very little. Like under a couple hundred little. I plan to replace the bridge, set it up and keep it forever.
max
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Penco Bass Guitar For Sale
Vintage MIJ Penco M-60 Classical Acoustic Guitar & Martin TKL Case. Penco 5-string banjo 1970's brown. Penco Black Beauty Les Paul Custom Copy 70's Black. Non Functioning. What is Reverb. Favorite this post Sep 2 Mesa Triple Crown 100 Sale/Trade $2,250 (Brandon VT) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Favorite this post Sep 2 Taylor 714 USA guitar Sale/Trade $2,800 (Brandon VT) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Vintage MIJ Penco M-60 Classical Acoustic Guitar & Martin TKL Case. Penco 5-string banjo 1970's brown.
Penco Guitars For Sale
- Penco was a brand of guitars manufactured circa 1974 to 1978 in the same factory (Hoshino Gakki) in Japan as the Ibanez guitars and was distributed by the Philadelphia Music Company. The Penco brand was of relatively high quality and part of the 'copy guitar/lawsuit guitar' craze of the 1970s.
- Penco was a brand of guitars owned and manufactured by the Hoshino Gakki Co. In its factory of Nagoya, Japan. Ibanez guitars was another brand owned and manufactured by Hoshino Gakki. In the United States, Penco guitars were distributed by the Philadelphia Music Company.