1975 W.F. Mitchell MD-750s Brazilian Rosewood
Many companies sprang up in Japan and other Asian countries starting in the late '60s making quality copies of popular American guitars for the folk/rock music market of the time, frequently the same models under a number of different names. However, most of these companies were Asian instrument-makers who used or modified American designs to produce sometimes better-made versions of the American guitars. W. F. Mitchell was purportedly the head designer for Gibson guitar in Kalamazoo, Michigan, before they had a falling out and he developed his own company in Asia, starting in Japan in about 1970. Apparently he made small numbers of quality guitars as “W. F. Mitchell,” although neither the Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars nor the Vintage Guitar Price Guide mention either him or his guitars and there is virtually nothing about them available on-line. In the mid-1990s he apparently turned to the mass market; the “Mitchell” company has now been marketing entry to mid-level copies of the best American models since then, according to The Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide.
However, according to the previous owner, this particular guitar was made between 1975 and 1980 during his experiments with upscale models and is very rare. This is a vintage WFM MITCHELL MD-750S guitar, presumably the top of his line, although the label gives very little information. The serial number is 805382, but of course I have no idea what the numbers represent; perhaps the 8 is for 1978, 05 is for May, and 382 is the total number of guitars he had produced at that time. While the label says “Since 1924,” this would only make sense with the scenario I was given if he was jokingly referring to his birth date, making him 54 years old in 1978. The enclosed tuners are marked “Made in Japan,” for what that’s worth.
The crucial fact about this MD-750S is that the back and sides are highly figured Brazilian Rosewood, carefully book-matched for the two sides and the two parts of the two-piece back. This was apparently one of Mitchell’s early designs and features a solid spruce top and abalone everywhere—rosette, top, back, and side binding are laced with hand inlaid abalone, while the abalone fretboard markers are similar to those on the iconic Martin D-45. The saddle and nut appear to be bone, and the bound fret board and bridge are ebony, contrasting nicely with the white abalone-dot pins.
This guitar is in unbelievable condition for its age: there is a single ding in the bass edge of the top lower bout, a finish crack at the seam which is barely visible and has been repaired by a professional luthier, and some small bruises on the treble side. A Fishman Sonitone EQ and a celluloid pick guard along with a tuner in the sound hole have been added long after the manufacture date and allow for performance in virtually any venue. On the whole, it has many visual characteristics of the most expensive American models of which it is no doubt a copy, and the dramatic Braz makes it a really stunning guitar.
The included vintage hard shell case may not be original to this guitar, but it certainly fits the Mitchell's dreadnought body. There are a few dings and bruises and some slight wear on the interior; however, the handle and all the hardware work perfectly, and it obviously is virtually indestructible. It offers authentic and substantial protection for this awesome guitar.
The buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower forty-eight states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.
I have tried to give an accurate and thorough description of this guitar and case, but much of what I have said was observations and assumptions which I cannot guarantee. Therefore, its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to purchase it; I will respond within 24 hours.
Thank you for your interest in this beautiful and rare instrument.
ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS
Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but all payments must clear my bank before the guitar will be shipped. I will CONSIDER reasonable offers, even including installment payments and trade-ins, but generally since I already attempt to price my guitars very competitively, unusual deals must be unusually sweet.
From henceforth [that's how retired English teachers talk], insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states is $55 due to constantly rising shipping costs unless a specific listing says otherwise; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. I have sold guitars to Russia, Japan, Australia, and over 50 other countries, as well as almost every state in the USA. Since some of my guitars travel thousands of miles, I take care to use lots of packing materials, protect the neck inside the case, and of course de-tune the strings.
I make every effort to describe and illustrate each guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. However, many of my instruments are well-played vintage items which are many years old, and I am not a luthier. One should assume that any guitar will require some set-up to satisfy your personal requirements, and that not every flaw or ding will be seen/recognized/described in the listing. Thus the return of an instrument will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please read the listing carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy.