Camel Journeycast, made in Japan around 1975, black. Well, we get a few weird brand names around here, but a headstock with 'Camel' emblazoned in black and gold is a first. The brand was short lived and never made in great numbers, but the story goes that they were made for Japanese domestic market distributors Kyowa Shokai as a sister brand to the more common Fresher guitars, and made at the reputable Chushin Gakki plant. That factory would go on to make all those Charvel and Jackson guitars that did so well in due course. Smoking was (and is) massive in Japan, and it's been alleged the Camel branding was at least an unofficial nod to the popular maker of cancer-sticks, although the truth of the matter is hard to verify. Anyhow, is it good? Yes! The neck is a gorgeous piece of lightly flamed maple, straight and sturdy after all these years and carved to a typical 70s-style U shape. The grain of the sen ash body is visible through the black finish when you get up close, hinting that this packs both premium wood selection and a nice thin finish. There's heaps of spank and shimmer when you plug it in: the neck pickup is glassy and full, the middle pickup is percussive and plonky and the bridge pickup angular and rich... it's a whole lot of tone. It's fair to say you don't see many of these around the neighbourhood, so make it yours and name it Camela Anderson for me.

Model: Camel Journeycast CSC500
Made: Japan, Chushin Gakki plant, 1975 approx (no serial)
Finish: black, gloss poly
Body: sen ash
Weight: 3.730kg
Neck: maple with maple board, 10" radius, 25.5" scale, mild U profile, 42mm nut
Mods: none
Pickups: single coil x3, note the switch is a three way
Case: basic non-original gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some minor scuffs on the end and some minor dimples on the back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has some scuffs on the top horn, around the cavity and in the elbow area and some dimples along the bottom side. The sides have some minor scuffs in the elbow area and some dimples near the jack. The front has some light scuffs in the elbow area, dimples near the jack and some standard play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. All electrics tested and working properly. The frets look are pretty tidy and even but there's some light wear, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.