Saito Guitars S-622CST Surf Green 2025 (New)
Saito Guitars S622CST, surf green, made in Japan 2025. Classic, but with a twist: it's better. The model number here means six strings, twenty two frets, Classic Shape T style body. This is the first example of this model we've had through, but I can confidently say it won't be the last. This is Saito's take on the 60s style Tele, so you get a few classic specs: slab style body, three saddle bridge, classic controls, two single coils, single ply pickguard and a plain headstock. But, you also get some Saito signature stuff: locking tuners, the unmatched 'Standard Grip' neck, the rounded easy access heel join, Saytone Stax handwound pickups and a slick satin finish. The neck is extraordinary: top notch rock maple and Indian rosewood, rolled and rosewood-bound edges, a subtle compound radius for super balanced playing up and down the board and micrometer-perfect fretwork. The sound is so enjoyable: it's a hi-fi, super articulate take on the classic 'twang', with a melodic fatness through the lows and mids. The neck pickup is glassy and fat, with a gorgeous percussive attack and piano-like clarity. The bridge pickup is wide, warm and bristling, with a glowing harmonic complexity that lends every chord a shimmering detail and presence. The solid satin surf green finish is on the understated end of Saito's offerings, but it looks very classy in the flesh and feels awesome in the hands. To say this is every bit as good as stuff we've had through by Fender Custom Shop is honestly to undersell it: holy heck, good!
SAITO GUITARS aim is simple: to create 'Simple and Beautiful Tools'. Company founder Masaaki Saito opened a guitar repair shop in Tokyo in 1991, diligently bringing out the best in customers' guitars for twenty years before turning his attention to product design. In 2011, Saito's SAYTONE Hand Wiring pickups were released, offering gorgeous vintage-inspired pickups wound totally by hand by master craftsmen. In 2015, they launched their solid body S series guitars. The design philosophy is all about functional beauty: stripping away everything that doesn't contribute to function and playability, in order to serve modern players pursuing an increasingly diverse mix of genres and applications. Masaaki calls it 'Beautility'.
SAITO GUITARS all feature these thoughtful details:
Compound radius fretboard for comfy chords down low and precise movement and easy bends higher up the neck
Rolled fretboard edges for improved ergonomics
Wooden fretboard binding to hide fret ends and maximise smoothness
Luminlay side dots for easy visual reference on dark stages
Recessed aluminium neck joint plate paired with a curved heel to minimise weight and allow for easy access to the top frets
Gotoh MG-T locking tuners and 510 series bridges for excellent tuning stability
SAYTONE Hand Winding Pickups, all designed and wound by master craftsmen in house using the best of vintage and modern techniques and materials. Pickups was Saito's entire business for several years, so they're truly boutique quality
Model: Saito Guitars S-622CST
Made: Japan, 2025
Serial: 253065
Finish: surf green, satin poly
Body: alder
Neck: hard rock maple, Indian rosewood fretboard, 25.5" scale, 10-12" compound radius, 'Standard Grip' profile, rosewood fretboard binding, rolled fretboard edges, 42mm nut, 21mm deep at 1st fret, 24mm deep at 12th fret, Jescar FW-51100 Nickel Silver frets
Weight: 3.405kg
Mods: none
Pickups: SAYTONE Hand Winding Pickups. 'Stax' single coil x2
Accessories: Saito SHE-150L semi hard case, trem arm, tools and docs
Cosmetic condition notes: brand new condition, no major marks. Note this guitar has been used to film demo videos and played in store.
Overall: brand new condition (10/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 D'Addario strings.
Fret life: 10/10, brand new