FOR SALE - Yamaha SA700 Super Axe Superb
looks, condition and sound, ES335 copy
Click on
thumbnails for full size pictures
Fender Japan are not the only fine
guitars to come out of Japan - far from it. Some of the makes you may
not have heard of, but Yamaha you will certainly know. This is an
example of the sort of quality that had the major US manufacturers
extremely worried in the early-eighties: Yamaha's SA700 Super Axe - a
clone of the Gibson ES335. Here are the specs:
Yamaha recycle serials
so it is impossible to tell exactly when this instrument was made.
However, the SA700 was manufactured only between 1977 and 1983. It was made in Japan (not all SA series
guitars were) and is of superb quality. This guitar may have been
made around 25 years ago, but it doesn't look it, which is a
testament to the original quality. The condition is superb, the
only thing worth a mention is ding on the top horn. Apart from that... well, look at the pics...
gorgeous.
From a translation of the Yamaha
website it is unclear to me which bits of the body are made of
which wood! But one thing is clear - it's not cheap plywood. Of
course, just as with the ES335, there is a hefty lump of wood
inside the body to give extra sustain... hence the weight which,
at around 4kg, is close to the weight of a Strat.
There are years of life in the
frets and the hardware is in superb
condition.
One thing you will notice
about these semi acoustics is
the sustain and the 'feel' of the notes through the body. Plugged
in, its just wonderful... good sustain, obviously, full and
rounded on the neck pup, and with plenty of top without ever being
harsh on the bridge pup. Drive it and the sound just get heavier
without ever get muddy... the tone remains well-defined. Fabulous
and very versatile.
A new set of 10s has been fitted and
the action is clean comfortable right up the neck.
Regular visitors will know that I
rave about Yamaha build quality and the SA series in particular. No wonder then, that the Japanese themselves are keen to
hold on to them and prices are going up fast. If you want one -
don't wait!
ender Japan
guitars for sale, new and
used, Fender Stratocaster for sale, Fender Telecaster for sale, MIJFenders,
CIJ Fenders, MIJ Fenders, Fender made in Japan, Far East guitars
