What do you know about Arbiter guitars?

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Author Message Sixvsix (Sixvsix) Posted on Monday, January 12, 2004 - 10:27 am:    Here we go again. Does anyone know much about Arbiter copies and what factory they came from in the 70's as they crop up over here occasionally? I once owned a fixed neck LP-TV-JNR model for a month or two around 1978 but I negelected to find out much about them at the time. As I recall it was quite nice. I have a feeling there is a Fender link in there somewhere. Me thinks this may be one for Harry. six Craigjc (Craigjc) Posted on Monday, January 12, 2004 - 12:16 pm:    Got a new book at Christmas that mentions Arbiter guitars. Think they were made in England by Arbiter prior to Dallas Industries taking over (ie. the popular Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face). I'll find out more (don't have the book with me). Sixvsix (Sixvsix) Posted on Monday, January 12, 2004 - 2:09 pm:    Thank you Craig. However I'm pretty sure they were made in Japan and imported to us here in the UK. I'll look forward to your info. six Craigjc (Craigjc) Posted on Monday, January 12, 2004 - 8:10 pm:    Open Mouth Insert Foot. Sorry, Six, I got home and investigated what I THOUGHT was a small history of Arbiter guitars, but it wasn't at all. Hayman guitars were made in England distributed by Arbiter. Later, Arbiter became the main distributer for Fender in England. It does make sense that imports bearing the Arbiter name were probably imported by this same company, though. Sorry for the misinformation. Sixvsix (Sixvsix) Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 9:02 am:    Hi Craig, I've done a bit of digging around and Arbiter were indeed dealing Fenders in the UK back then. As with most big ditstributors, Arbiter badged guitars were their copy range but i'm still unsure what factory they came out of. There are some very strong Ibanez/Greco/Antoria overtones in their construction. six Sixvsix (Sixvsix) Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 6:07 am:    Here's one that's popped up on UK ebay. Check out the neck inlay. Does it look familiar? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2371657238&category=2384 six Sixvsix (Sixvsix) Posted on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 1:58 pm:    Here's a Arbiter Les Paul on UK ebay right now. Looks a little like the Ibanez 59'er. Check out the truss rod cover pic. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3705587374&category=2384 six Chipsotoole (Chipsotoole) Posted on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 7:51 am:    I always undersood the name Arbiter was the UK importer/distributor that asked for it's own brand name to be placed on Ibanez/Antoria products coming out of the Fuji Gen Gakki factory...they would occasionally ask for cheaper parts like tuners and electrics to be fitted to keep the unit costs down (and make them more competitive)...but ultimately the woods and general build quality remained to the high Ibanez standard!! Sixvsix (Sixvsix) Posted on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 8:39 am:    Yeah like the Ibanez/Antoria logo. There are some similarities in construction and your point about sourcing cheaper hardware is interesting. six Sixvsix (Sixvsix) Posted on Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 4:44 pm:    Here's another Arbiter in the UK: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3707134837&category=2384 six Sixvsix (Sixvsix) Posted on Saturday, March 13, 2004 - 5:53 am:    Here's a really nice Arbiter available for you guys in the States and Canada. However not mega collectable like the seller insists. The last two I've seen in the UK didn't meet their reserve at under £200 about $350. This one looks to be in good shape. Scruggs fans check it out! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3710981849&category=47072 six Ariblues (Ariblues) Posted on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 5:42 am:    Here are pictures of a Twin arbiter and a Humming bird arbiter (hopefuly) Ariblues (Ariblues) Posted on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 7:48 am:    The Arbiter Custom Acoustic in the picture is mine and I'm the second owner of this great guitar. The hippy with the twin I don’t know, I did just find the picture from the net. The Original Owner bought this Acoustic from a Guitar shop in Sweden 1977. I don't know how this "England Ibanez" did found it's way to Scandinavia, but I'm very happy that it did. On the tag inside the guitar it says Like this: A SPECIALLY SELECTED ARBITER GUITAR Model No........ (empty) CBS/ARBITER LTD LONDON ENGLAND I would say that this is the best friend for a songwriter/troubadour, good solid quality with a real vintage feeling, and with a very nice sound. I can recommend 70’s Arbiter to anybody. (I have played guitar 28 years and I can make my living with Music) Ariblues (Ariblues) Posted on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 4:10 am:    Check this baby! http://www.soundstown.com/egp03.htm

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