Regent
If you look for old guitars in Canada, especially eastern Canada, you eventually come to instruments branded “Regent”. They are normally entry to mid-level Japanese made guitars and can be made by a number of different producers. So far I have seen “Regent” guitars made by Guyatone, Kawai, Teisco, and Suzuki… although I am sure there are others and yes, Guyatone is the most numerous thus far. So… who owned the brand and sold the guitars? I had seen photos of one with a label inside that read “NATHANSON” but had no reference until I was contacted by another collector who told me that “S. Nathanson and Sons” owned the name and had stores in Ottawa.
Mid to Late 1960s “Regent” branded Guyatone LG130T 
LG130T headstock 
LG130T controls
Well, I haven’t yet found a direct reference to prove the connection beyond doubt but I found that there certainly was a Sam Nathanson who operated a pawn shop in Ottawa. Sam Nathanson was from an immigrant family out of Romania and as a child he would help his father bring produce into the market to sell in Ottawa. Eventually he would marry and open a pawn shop, “Sam’s Buy and Sell”. He sold many items from his store but over time musical instruments began to take over more and more of the store until he decided to move and open up “Sam’s ABC Music” with a music school in the basement and… well, that’s about where the information ends up until the recession in the 1980s brought closure. So… it appears that he may very well have sold his own “Regent” brand but I don’t have definitive proof. As always, if you have more information about the Nathanson business… especially if you have knowledge about the “Regent” brand, please feel free to comment below or use the contact link to send me a message!
Here’s a gallery of more “Regent” branded instruments and my sources for the information here.
Mid 1960s “Regent” branded Guyatone LG70 
LG70 headstock 
LG70 close up 
Late 1950s to Early 1960s “Regent” branded Guyatone EG80B 
EG80B headstock 
EG80B back… no screws 
EG80B close up 
Late 1960s to Early 1970s “Regent” branded Kawai 12 string guitar 
12 string headstock 
12 string close up 
“Regent” label with Nathanson name 
Late 1960s to Early 1970s “Regent” branded guitar made by Suzuki Violin Co 
Suzuki headstock 
1960s “Regent” branded Teisco EP-7 
EP-7 headstock
Jedistar: https://jedistar.com/regent-effects/
The Jewish Community of Lowertown Ottawa’s Nathanson family history: https://www.communitystories.ca
Old Ottawa and Bytown Pics: https://www.facebook.com/groups/581784745305583
The Historical Society of Ottawa: https://www.facebook.com/HistoricalSocietyOttawa
Empire
Now here’s one that I have only run into twice so far myself, “Empire” branded guitars… again, Japanese made but sold in Canada. I was told that Empire was an instrument store in Vancouver that used to sell these. I looked into it and found Empire Music. According to their website they were a traditional storefront musical instrument seller from 1948 until 1979 at which time they refocused the business to specialize in children’s instruments and educational materials. Now, I have attempted to contact them to confirm or rule out this likelihood but have not received a reply (understandable in a pandemic). I will update this if needed and as usual, I welcome input.
“Empire” branded Guyatone EG60H 
EG60H close up 
EG60H headstock
Empire Music, Vancouver BC: https://empiremusic.ca
Evans
So far I have seen a handful of these, all but one has been in eastern Ontario or southern Quebec, all have also been made by Guyatone. One collector I spoke to said that he was sure it was a store brand, but he didn’t know what store anymore. This one is a pretty much complete mystery so far…
Mid to Late 1960s “Evans” branded Guyatone LG130T 
LG130T back 
LG130T headstock
You skipped Lyle, Mann and Pan.
Oh there are many brands in Canada I haven’t covered yet but these were three that appeared to all be small store owned brands as opposed to a distributor owned brand or department store owned. There are many more to come, you should join!
remember the shop in Ottawa well lots of guitars I bought a Hagstrom Impala there in the mid 70’s loved that place guitars everwhere LOL
I wonder if this Empire brand is related to a classical guitar I am trying to trace the history of. Labelled as “Medallion,” E800, the Canadian distributors on label were Empire Music Co. LTD. which leads me to think it is pre-1979 and the same BC entity.
I would think that’s quite possible.
Hi i have an old Regent 8 string banjo needs a bit of Renovation but sounds good does anyone know a collecter (uk) chris.
Found a Regent acoustic intact with distinctly dark wood and Suzuki feel and sound – open tuners, thick chunky neck, paper thin top and absolutely no ID beyond the REGENT on headstock. Gifted to me by a fine gentleman named Jack Cooper, who knew I need music therapy. JAH provides. Love from Victoria BC.
Hi great photos of Sam’s ABC pawnshop..I bought lots of musical equipment from Sam’s and Weiners music store in the 60s thru the 80s..I bought my 1st electric guitar at shopper’s city east end ottawa in the 60s it was a 1 pickup regent electric $29.95.
I have lots of stories about both music stores, I’ll pist them later,Paul Fenton
Fantastic! I would love to hear more about the shop, it sounds like an awesome place. I’m sad I didn’t get to see it for myself.
Hi. Nice to hear from you..how can I include some old photos of guitars etc in my posts.?. I think I’ll have a blast making some posts on your cool site!thanks Paul Fenton
I don’t really have a means of allowing direct photo posting but if you email photos to me I will sometimes add them to the website, otherwise you could put them into an online gallery and post the link here. I will send you an email address.