(SOLD) Yamaha SG-2A Flying Samurai Pearl Blue 1968
Yamaha SG-2A Flying Samurai, pearl blue, made in Japan 1968. The Flying Samurai debuted in 1967, responding to the exploding popularity of both surf rock and the electric guitar in Japan at the time. The shape was, and is, totally original: you can see the influence of Fender offsets and Mosrite stuff, but they're clearly not a copy of anything else. The hardware is quirky, with a Jazzmaster-ish tremolo sitting atop a roller-tuneomatic-ish bridge at one end and a zero fret and 'hockey stick' headstock at the other. It all works nicely in the hands, owing mostly to some very tight and tidy build quality. The neck is a comfy soft V, it's carved from some lovely maple and topped with a dark rich red piece of rosewood ; it feels intuitive in the hands. The tone on offer has a foot in a few camps: Mustang, Strat, Harmony... it's got it's own thing goin on. There's heaps of percussive, snappy attack, naturally short sustain, a fairly square midrange with some sweetness on the top and a clear fundamental note. It's awesome for shoegaze, psych or grungy stuff, as the clarity and kick cuts through layers of dirt and ambience with plenty of conviction, provided you don't mind a bit of vintage single coil hum. The pearl blue finish is my favourite of the 1968 offerings, it has yellowed slightly to a rich oceanic blue-green and has a disarming depth and shimmer to it. There's a lot to love here, it's as cool as you could ever ask it to be.
Model: Yamaha SG-2A Flying Samurai
Made: Japan, 1968
Serial: 8095
Finish: Pearl Blue 1968
Body: nato
Neck: maple, rosewood board, 24.75" scale, 43mm nut, soft V shape
Weight: 3.415kg
Mods: nut replaced
Pickups: Yamaha single coil x2
Accessories: trem arm, basic gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor scuffs on the end and edges, and some a scratch near the A tuner post and some dimples on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has widespread dimples and scuffs around the whole body, as well as some scratches along the back edge, elbow area and middle of the body. The sides have minor dimples around the whole body, as well as some dents in the elbow area and near the jack. The front has scuffs around the tailpiece and elbow area, dimples up from the bridge and near the knobs and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 11/49 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 7/10, normal wear inc minor pitting, no major buzz issues