Luna acoustic guitar

Stringsword · #1 08-04-2021, 04:14 AM

I have recently looked at a vintage Luna W 200 japanese acoustic guitar. It seems that there is very little to none information to find about it on the internett. So i was hoping someone here might have som knowledge or experience with this guitar? Is it a good guitar? Does it have any value at all?

Mandobart · #2 08-04-2021, 06:06 AM

Luna instruments have not been around long enough to be "vintage" (typically refers to at least 25 years old or more).

Luna instruments are not built in Japan, they are built in China mostly.

I would not trust anyone advertising a "vintage" Luna "from Japan."

Luna instruments I've seen have all been low end artistic interpretations of guitar or ukulele shaped objects sold at shops that don't typically carry player-grade instruments.

Gdjjr · #3 08-04-2021, 06:25 AM

I have a Luna Folk Body. I like it. The only thing I don't like is the string spacing close to the nut. But, it sounds good.

Highroller · #4 08-04-2021, 06:39 AM

Welcome to the forum, Stringsword.

I've never read anything "bad" about Luna guitars, but they are generally aimed at the beginner-to-intermediate market, and use their striking good looks as their major selling point, rather than their sound. Kinda makes you wonder ... why would a guitar maker do that? They don't have a lot of appeal to the "high end" crowd you'll find here at AGF, but that shouldn't necessarily deter you from getting one.

If you try it out, it feels good in YOUR hands, and YOU like the tone and sound of it, it might be the perfect guitar for you.

As far as prices, I'd guesstimate somewhere in the $100-150 range would be about right for a used one in reasonably good shape. They're not expensive guitars in the first place, don't overpay for it.

Good luck with it!

Gdjjr · #5 08-04-2021, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highroller

Welcome to the forum, Stringsword.

I've never read anything "bad" about Luna guitars, but they are generally aimed at the beginner-to-intermediate market, and use their striking good looks as their major selling point, rather than their sound. Kinda makes you wonder ... why would a guitar maker do that? They don't have a lot of appeal to the "high end" crowd you'll find here at AGF, but that shouldn't necessarily deter you from getting one.

If you try it out, it feels good in YOUR hands, and YOU like the tone and sound of it, it might be the perfect guitar for you.

As far as prices, I'd guesstimate somewhere in the $100-150 range would be about right for a used one in reasonably good shape. They're not expensive guitars in the first place, don't overpay for it.

Good luck with it!

If I may- what does over-pay mean? I paid 279 bucks for my Folk Body, I'd sell it for anything over 50% of what I paid. It's less than a year old (I got it last spring). It is in "mint" condition and I probably have the box it came in. Should I ask for more?

TomB'sox · #6 08-04-2021, 08:42 AM

I bought a cool little Luna for my daughter to play, it is really striking and unique in appearance and although it is nothing to get excited about in terms of sound, it is 100% perfect for what it is used for and sounds pretty good for a starter guitar for her. They are what they are. She also has a Luna Uke, all spalted Maple which has held up well for the 5 years she has had it.

Highroller · #7 08-05-2021, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gdjjr

If I may- what does over-pay mean? I paid 279 bucks for my Folk Body, I'd sell it for anything over 50% of what I paid. It's less than a year old (I got it last spring). It is in "mint" condition and I probably have the box it came in. Should I ask for more?

Right, I believe the OP is looking at a used guitar, calling it "vintage" - whatever they mean by that. But he doesn't say what the seller is asking for it. If they're asking $400 or something like that, I'd call that "over-paying".

Did you get yours new at $279? 60% of $279 is $167 - right about (more or less) in the range I'm guesstimating a used Luna should go for.

Personally, I think Lunas are nice looking guitars, and price isn't necessarily an indication of "good" anymore. There's product for every imaginable niche these days. Just look at Recording King and Gretsch Jim Dandies. Cheap guitars, but they do their thing extremely well, if what they do is what you're looking for!

Assuming the OP can try before they buy, I think it'll come down to how it feels and plays in their own hands.

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DCCougar · #8 08-05-2021, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highroller

...striking good looks...

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

...it is really striking and unique in appearance....

As mentioned, they are very low-end guitars. They are generally "striking" because they use laminates, not solid woods. With laminates, they can get eye-catching flames or other wood figuring without the high price normally associated with fine solid wood figuring. In general, laminates do not produce the rich, preferred tone of more expensive guitars.

rstaight · #9 08-05-2021, 09:34 AM

I have looked at Luna in the past. They do have some nice looking instruments with some of their series. They even have a bamboo travel guitar.

I wasn't looking at them as a player but for their looks.

Thought of as a beginner guitar they do list from about $180 to $830 depending on the model.