(SOLD) Yamaha SA-75 Semi-Acoustic Bass Natural 1973
Yamaha SA-75 bass, natural gloss, made in Japan 1973-4. We love vintage Yamaha stuff around here, and the first generation SA series guitars are certainly a shop favourite. The SA series launched in 1967 and we among Yamaha's first electric guitar offerings, and we've had a bunch of those through the shop. This is the first SA bass we've had, and heck, it's very cool. It's a semi-hollow maple body, with the cool Mosrite-influenced horn shape and a carved maple top and back; the thing looks superb. There's some cool visual details on top: leather tailpiece, chevron inlays, flame maple in the neck... classy stuff. Being short scale and semi-hollow, this has a particular sound. It's warm and round, with short sustain and a plonky fundamental note, perfect for folk or jazz stuff but also fun for indie or garage rock. The neck is super comfy, and it's had a full re-fret from an excellent local luthier, so it's playing really smoothly. There's a lot to love here, and my fellow vintage Yam enthusiasts will know already: it's very good.
Model: SA-75
Made: Japan, 1973-4 (serial 5I02060)
Finish: natural gloss poly, 3-ply black guard
Body: laminate maple, semi-hollow, thinline depth
Neck: maple with rosewood board, 30" scale, 12" radius, 40mm nut, vintage C shape
Weight: 4.135kg
Mods: re-fretted, pots replaced, knobs replaced
Pickup: Yamaha humbucker x2
Case: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples and scuffs on the end and edges, plus a little section of binding missing on the top right corner. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has some dimples around the back edge and elbow area, some surface scratches in the middle of the body and widespread light scuffs around the whole body. The sides have dimples in the elbow area and bottom horn and some light scuffs around the jack. The front has a couple of chips in the clear coat on the edge near the knobs, some dimples in the elbow area and horns, plus some standard play scuffs on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (7.5/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. The frets are brand new, 10/10for fret life left. Wearing fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.