Yamaha Studio Lord SL800S, made in Japan around 1980, tobacco sunburst. The Studio Lord was Yamaha's take on the Les Paul, made between 1976 and 1981. These are some of the best vintage Japanese LPs going around; they're unsung legends, and as word slowly gets out they're gaining a cult following. This is the highest end model in the SL line of 1980 catalog, so you get the deluxe splittable humbuckers with cool little push/pull tone knobs, but the best thing is the absolutely top notch quality of wood that's gone into this little honey. The lower end models use agathis in a sandwich-style construction, but this is a legit two piece mahogany body, joined in the traditional lengthways style, featuring some lovely tight patterns as seen only on proper high-grade old specimen mahogany. The maple top is lovely too, it's got some unusual patterns on show underneath the superbly smooth sunburst finish. The neck is perfect; everything feels super easy... it's slim and sturdy and seems very 'alive' in the hands. The pickups sound brilliant in both single coil and humbucking modes; every combo seems to work nicely. The tone is thick, warm, responsive, articulate and supremely satisfying; this is an absolutely brilliant guitar. It's hard to recall playing a nicer LP than this in my life to be honest, it's seriously that good.

Model: Yamaha Studio Lord SL800S
Made: Japan, Fujigen factory,1980 (serial 001623, 1980 best estimate by serial and catalog)
Finish: brown sunburst over plain maple
Body: high grade mahogany, plain maple top
Neck: maple, 3-piece, ebony board
Mods: none
Neck pickup: original covered PAF-style humbuckers, splittable
Case: none

Cosmetic condition notes: very minor finish wear. There's a couple of very shallow nicks on the back, and the front has a couple of and dimples, mostly just behind the bridge. The plastics have yellowed with age. Overall: excellent condition (9/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets look great, there's very little wear, 8/10. What a delight!