SOLD - Yamaha SL700S Studio Lord (Les Paul-style) Superb quality, Split-coils
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 late seventies/early eighties: Yamaha's SL700S. Here are the specs:
This model was made in
Japan between 1980 and 1981 and is of superb quality. The guitar may have been
made around 25 years ago, but the condition is excellent. Of
course, there is a little buckle rash - but nothing major. The
back of the neck has been relacquered as there was some hairline
cracking in the original topcoat, which was allowing dirt and
sweat to penetrate... which would in turn cause more of the top
coat to lift. A light sanding, several coats of clear lacquer plus
a buffing, and the neck is once more smooth, glossy and a pleasure
to play. Check
the above pix for close-ups.
There
is very little fret wear and all controls work smoothly and
without noise. The tone pots are push-pull and operate as coil
tappers. The action - with a new set of 10s fitted - is very
comfortable. The hardware is in excellent condition and the tuners work smoothly and precisely.
You won't need telling
that Yamaha introduced their SL as a copy of Gibson's Les Paul. This guitar is
extraordinarily well put together. If, like me, you are used to
Fenders, the weight of this thing, 4.4kg, is something of a
surprise. But mass is supposed to equal sustain and this guitar
has no shortage of that! The sound is full with good tonal
definition... quite amazing actually. And, of course, you have the
variation in tones that being able to split the humbucker coils
brings. This puts modern
Korean-built rivals to shame in every department and gives any
Gibson a run for its money.
I've had a couple of
Yamaha SL, SG and SAs s in the recent past and they are just fantastic - under-rated in the UK (but not in Japan,
where they are very well-respected) and something of a well-kept
secret. A highly recommended guitar.
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
