The
Musima Deluxe 25 is a rare and iconic model, produced in East Germany (GDR) in the early 1970s. Directly inspired by the Fender Jazzmaster and Jaguar, this guitar, with its era-typical sunburst finish, belongs to Musima’s first series of solidbody guitars, reportedly created to mark the brand’s 25th anniversary.
Its solid (non-hollow) plywood body is paired with a bolt-on, three-piece beech neck, featuring a painted veneer fingerboard designed to imitate rosewood. The ultra-thin frets, white plastic nut, and zero fret give this guitar a distinctly retro character, further emphasized by plastic inlays and binding around the neck and headstock.
The Deluxe 25 has a rather thin sound with limited sustain, partly due to its two-screw neck joint, which lacks rigidity. Nonetheless, the instrument exudes a particular charm, offering a very vintage, characterful tone that appeals to fans of ex-Soviet guitars.
It is equipped with two Musima single-coil pickups that produce a bright, cutting tone. These are controlled via a 3-way selector switch, one volume and one tone knob, and a 4-way “Varitone” rotary switch that drastically alters the tone. A Tune-o-matic-style bridge offers decent intonation, while the Strat-style output jack plate with three-screw mounting adds a functional touch. The black pickguard enhances its raw, outdated look that makes it instantly recognizable.
The inline, open Musima tuners are of modest quality, typical of the era's production, but they contribute to the instrument’s vintage authenticity.
Primarily a collector’s guitar, the Musima Deluxe 25 will appeal to lovers of quirky tones, Eastern European vintage instruments, or curious players looking for a rare guitar with unapologetically retro design.
Available in store.
