Query failed: connection to localhost:9312 failed (errno=111, msg=Connection refused). Anyone know about Lamaq guitars? Also need machine head advice. - Acoustics Discussions on The Fretboard
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UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45

Anyone know about Lamaq guitars? Also need machine head advice.

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GemsdalsGemsdals Frets: 83
edited September 2022 in Acoustics
I picked up this Lamaq Exotiq GAL2990E yesterday but can find very little about it anywhere. The original owner told me it cost £800 but I've only found a post online talking about some models being sold off cheap on eBay in 2005 (not this model) so I've really no idea regarding it's origin. It has flame maple back and sides, a cedar top, Rosewood neck and a pinless bridge and seems well built. 
If anyone has any personal knowledge of experience with this brand I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

Secondly the Jinho machine heads are gold and quite tarnished due to age and one of the buttons is broken so I'd like to swap them over. Could Grover Rotomatics, Wilkinson WJ303's or Kluson Round Back Tuners be a good fit? 
I've never fitted machine heads before so sorry if it's a daft question but the dimensions look to be the same. 

Some pics below 




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Comments

  • ICBMICBM Frets: 69426
    I know nothing about the brand but all the tuners you mention should be a drop-in fit for those. (The Klusons with the screw lug in the same position, obviously.) You will need a small cross-head screwdriver and a 10mm spanner, or better, a socket set - less chance of damaging the collars - to change them.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • GemsdalsGemsdals Frets: 83
    That's great. Thanks for the advice. I'm going to invest in a decent tool kit too. 
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  • earwighoneyearwighoney Frets: 3380
    I also know nothing about the brand, but came across an interesting thread here.

    Interesting to see the Lowden style bridge on it.
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  • TanninTannin Frets: 4394
    edited September 2022
    A nice looking instrument which reminds me of ... I can't quite remember what but it looks familiar. The neck is mahogany, or a similar-looking timber. Rosewood is hardly ever used for necks because it is too heavy.
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  • GemsdalsGemsdals Frets: 83
    earwighoney said:
    I also know nothing about the brand, but came across an interesting thread here.

    Interesting to see the Lowden style bridge on it.
    Yes that's the thread I've seen which made me question if this was one of the clearance guitars but the original owner said only a small number of these were shipped from China before Lamaq packed it in after another brand copied his designs. I think Breedlove also have the same bridge. 
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  • GemsdalsGemsdals Frets: 83
    Another search has led me to Guvnor guitars, there's one on ebay that looks near enough identical shape wise. 
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  • PALPAL Frets: 465
    If you mean the tuner button is broken you can buy replacement buttons.
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  • GemsdalsGemsdals Frets: 83
    edited September 2022
    PAL said:
    If you mean the tuner button is broken you can buy replacement buttons.
    I know I can buy the buttons but I don't like the look of the tarnished tuners so was going to replace them. Replacing the rusty parts and the buttons was my 2nd option which I might end up doing as I might end up moving it on as I got it in a trade and don't really need it. 
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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 69426
    Gemsdals said:

    I know I can buy the buttons but I don't like the look of the tarnished tuners so was going to replace them. Replacing the rusty parts and the buttons was my 2nd option which I might end up doing as I might end up moving it on as I got it in a trade and don't really need it. 
    The state of the existing tuners would probably be an obstacle to a sale. I would fit the cheapest half-decent replacements - which I think are the Wilkinsons, but I haven't checked - even if you're not going to keep it.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • GemsdalsGemsdals Frets: 83
    ICBM said:
    Gemsdals said:

    I know I can buy the buttons but I don't like the look of the tarnished tuners so was going to replace them. Replacing the rusty parts and the buttons was my 2nd option which I might end up doing as I might end up moving it on as I got it in a trade and don't really need it. 
    The state of the existing tuners would probably be an obstacle to a sale. I would fit the cheapest half-decent replacements - which I think are the Wilkinsons, but I haven't checked - even if you're not going to keep it.
    Yes I'm sure your right, the Wilkinsons are my first choice at the moment. I've spoke at length to the original owner today who assures me that the original Lamaq guitars are a big step above the Guvnor ones on ebay and confirmed the back is solid flame maple which is a bonus. I guess I'm just having some buyers remorse as I really needed the money from the sale of mine yet gave into the temptation of something new which is entirely on me. 
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