FOR SALE - Yamaha SA700 Super Axe Superb
looks and sound, ES335 copy
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:
Specification
Body
Maple/Beech/Spruce
Neck
Mahogany
Fretboard
Rosewood,
Frets
22, Wide
Weight
4.1kg
Pickups
Humbucker x2
Control&Switch
2 Vol, 2 Tone, 3 Way Switch
Hardware
Chrome
Pickguard
n/a
Condition
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 very good
indeed, although there is a sprinkling of small marks... click on
the thumbnails above for close-ups. None of the imperfections are
particularly noticeable and all are very minor.
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.
All controls work smoothly and
without noise. A new set of 10s will be fitted and the action is low and very
comfortable. There are years of life in the frets. The pick guard
is missing as is one of the tone control labels... again, see pics
above. Hardware is in superb condition.
There is no case or gigbag with
this guitar but it will be packed superbly for shipping.
Comments
Plugged
in, the sound wonderful... good sustain, 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... jazz, rock, blues, country, it handles them
all I absolutely love these guitars and will be playing it
regularly until someone buys it!
Yamaha guitars in general have a real
feel of quality, but their Japanese-built SA series semi- acoustics are just
superb. No wonder then, that the Japanese themselves are keen to
hold on to them and prices are going up. 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
