Comments on: The Nuts (& Bolts) of the Guitar Biz – Vintage 1968 Noble EG 686-2HT Electric Guitar

By: Russell Pompeo

Russell Pompeo — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 20:33:00 +0000

where might I find a wiring diagram for a Noble 4 pickup solid body with rocker switches?

thanks

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 19:29:20 +0000

How. Much. Is. A. Noble.
Eg 686-2 ht. Guitar. Worth.
Good. Condition. ?

By: Randy

Randy — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 21:36:13 +0000

What are these Noble 686 2HT electric guitars worth I have one for sale

By: Alex Pansoy

Alex Pansoy — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 03:33:24 +0000

Thank you so much for this article. I purchased this guitar 20 years ago for $20 at a neighborhood flea market, and I’ve never been able to find any information on it. I figured that it was some sort of Mosrite copy, but that was about it. Anyway, it’s got a really glassy high end and that P90 “honk”. It’s pretty cool. Mine has that Bigsby style bridge too.

By: JD Todd

JD Todd — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 17:37:06 +0000

Thank you so much. I found one at a fleet market yesterday. It screamed at me from across the room. I couldn’t stop looking at it , it’s odd shape and oversized features were so breath taking but the price tag was more overwhelming. After reading this article I’m proud to say that it’s now one of my favorite posesions

By: Guitarded

Guitarded — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 04:45:48 +0000

I thoroughly enjoy this website! I own several Fenders, Gibsons and Valley Arts strats. Good guitars all. But let me tell you, in my humble opinion of having played now for 40 years, one of the best bargains still to be had in older ‘vintage’ guitars are some of the Japanese Matsumoku plant manufactured guitars. I own a bunch! I’m telling you now…their day is coming soon-the day when they are sought after for being the gems they are.Vantage, Electra, Westone, Aria, Aria Pro II, Memphis, Westbury, Westminster, several models of Epiphones, and Skylarks (sold by JC Penney).
Some of my Japanese Matsumoku made Electra’s, Aria Pro II’s and Westone’s are superb quality instruments. I truly have to chuckle at the prices they can still be found for if you are just a little patient and dedicated to the search. I wish I could post pics for you.

By: Jim Streckenbach

Jim Streckenbach — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 20:58:46 +0000

I bought one of these Noble guitars in Seattle from a discount place called House of Values in 1969 for about $75.00. I had gotten a Teisco from Gov-Mart in 1966 from my parents for Christmas (after much begging). It was a wonder I didn’t give up playing it was such a pain trying to tune it. Much later figured out that the bridge had been placed incorrectly.
Anyway I saw that Noble and fell in love. I went and sold my mini-bike I had built to help pay for it. It has the BEST neck of any guitar I have ever played and never goes out of tune. I have a number of guitars and basses now, but my Noble is VERY special to me.

By: Don Giroux

Don Giroux — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 18:58:31 +0000

Great article. I had my eye on one of these guitars and was on the fence about purchasing it until I read this article. I guess it’s a bit more rare than I thought and could actually be a player. Thanks for all the great info

Don

By: Silverio Tone

Silverio Tone — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 20:48:01 +0000

It is just so refreshing to read an article about cool wonky looking 60s gits and not have one single damn reference to Ry Cooder , Jack White or Dan Auerbach rear its’ ugly head.

Damn it now I have… damn !!

By: Fritz

Fritz — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 16:50:10 +0000

I’ve got one of these Nobles, it’s about the best guitar I’ve got yet paid the least for. I think the one pictured here has the wrong bridge, they came with a Mosrite-style bridge that had plastic rollers.

By: Dale

Dale — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 16:43:01 +0000

Great Article!
It is good to see someone who will stand up for a well-built instrument regardless of where it was made. When I was learning to play in the 60’s , Japanese guitars were considered junk. Period. Anything U.S. made was o.k., regardless of quality. Now, admittedly, some Japanese guitars of that period WERE crap. Plywood fretboards, questionable electronics, etc. However, many were as well built, if not better built and sounding as good or better than U.S. counterparts costing many times more. It’s also nice to read that someone has the GUTS to say that some of the U.S. Holy Grail brand names, well, maybe, weren’t really built that well. As an example, I own a Matsumoku teardrop bass (Raven) as well as a Vox from the same period. Frankly , the Raven blows the Vox away in terms of sound, playability and overall construction. It is simply a better bass. And yes. I know that Vox wasn’t made in the U.S. Anyway, great article!!!

By: Jeff Jaeggi

Jeff Jaeggi — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 16:36:43 +0000

A very enjoyable article, Michael. I want to say thanks for the fine stories you have told of the history of guitars. I own three Matsumoku made guitars, and I love them for how well made, and subsequently how playable, they are.

All the best to you,
Jeff Jaeggi

By: J. D. King

J. D. King — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 16:03:16 +0000

“Mosrites weren’t that great.”

Finally, it’s been said. Truth or blasphemy? The guitaristas will opine…