Belated NGD - it's passed the probation period!

Van_Hayden

Thanks guys - pretty pleased with this. It's been a well looked after guitar.

@fretfinder this ones a bit fatter than a typical 60s taper gibson.

@bertie I was thinking BKP.....,

Gold's growing on me - the whole vibes more 355 than 335 with the ebony. At least it's not got a flame top...

Van_Hayden

JookyChap;13158" said:

That's a beaut - crazy good for that money too...

Yeah quite pleased - especially as I got double that for the 335 it replaces! I have to say this is at least an equal to the gibson.

Evilmags

Van_Hayden;13889" said:

[quote="JookyChap;13158"]That's a beaut - crazy good for that money too...

Yeah quite pleased - especially as I got double that for the 335 it replaces! I have to say this is at least an equal to the gibson.
[/quote]

The yammie guitars in that range at that time blew most 335s out of the water. Id go as far to say that the wake up call was a major reason for Gibson's current survival.

ROOG

Nice one, and good price too. Currently contemplating one my self. Regarding its build quality, putting it up against the Gibson I'd say the Yamaha is hard to beat. 

OilCityPickups

Nice instrument ... I've always had a soft spot for Yamaha semis. Good GAS!

Van_Hayden

Yeah - really like it. Still maintain that a great gibson is a fantastic guitar that's really hard to beat, I know a man with a 63 Historic 335 that blows the socks of my Yamaha but he won't sell it... . Trouble is the great gibsons don't come along that often.

The build on Jap stuff is so good (although the binding isn't always that great - they tend to use a black band on the inside of the binding to help hide filler, on a top end Benedetto it'll be cream on the inside donut stands out) but the QA before it goes out the door is superb. You never get the feeling that "that'll do" will do!

BluesyDave

Lovely looking Guitar you have Van.  I agree with you on the Jap built Guitars.  I've owned a few over the years and they've all been very good......wish I still had a few of them  

UnclePsychosis

I love Yamaha. 

Basher

A lovely looking hunk of lumber.

I like my SA2200 a lot. Don't mind the gold and flame too much. Along with the ebony and whiff of quality I think it adds to the "six string gin palace" vibe. Would prefer a nice plain cherry finish, a-la-355 but am quite happy with the sunburst.

I know that you'll probably replace the pickups but I would be interested as to what you make of the stock units. Would also love to hear some sound clips at some point.

Van_Hayden

The pickups in this one aren't that bad - for stock pickups. They're not particularly balanced, and the necks way too hot and a bit muddy. So coming from a point of view that I expected rubbish jap pickups, I'm quite surprised. It'll sound a lot better with a set of hand wound pickups though, as the actual acoustic sound if the guitar is great.

mike257

Congrats, it's a looker! Occasionally get the pleasure of borrowing my brother's SA2000S, the Yamaha semis of that era are just wonderful instruments. I wouldn't be rushing in to changing anything on it if it was mine!

Van_Hayden

SA1000S - nice! I was looking for one but they're super rare!