(SOLD) Yamaha VG-STD Violin Guitar Standard Antique Sunburst 1994
Yamaha VG-STD Violin Guitar, made in Japan 1994, antique sunburst. Suitably quirky, admirably awesome. The Violin Guitar series was made for a few years from 1993-2003 or so, and came in a Standard and a Custom version. The Custom was fully hollow, cost a small fortune and was only made for a couple of years, while the Standard was a bolt-on with a solid body... it still fetched a fair bit of ¥ back in the day,, at around double the price of a Fender Japan Standard Strat. In terms of looks, this almost forces a double take: it's familiar, like a Hofner bass etc, but also very weird: I've never seen another electric in this shape. The warm amber burst finish looks great and highlights the grain on the flame maple cap nicely, and paired with the gold hardware and faux-F-holes it looks sleek indeed. The neck is comfy and agreeable, carved to a sensible C shape from some nice tightly grained maple. I plugged this in and expected a certain lo-fi jangle... it can cover that happily enough, but it actually packs a very crisp, clear tone. It's sort of like a cross between an SG and a Tele Deluxe: chiming and clear, but super punchy and immediate. In a funny twist it's perfect for punk stuff, all my best Refused and Millencolin riffs came out sounding bang-on. The case has a little window that lets the headstock peep out... bit of a Dracula vibe, but I'll allow it. VG= very good.
Model: Yamaha VG-STD
Made: Japan, 1994
Serial: 406036
Finish: antique sunburst, gloss poly
Body: solid mahogany, faux-F-holes
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, 13.75" radius, 24.75" scale, bolt-on construction, slim C shape
Weight: 3.675kg
Mods: none
Pickups: YGSB-A1C soapbar single coil x2
Accessories: original Yamaha case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end, scuffs on the edges and some scuffs on the front around the posts and the back up near the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and some rub wear on the back only. The back has some scuffs near the neck join, elbow area and bottom corner, as well as some buckle rash and dimples spread around the middle of the body. The sides have some dimples on the elbow area and near the jack and some scuffs on the bottom horn. The front has some dimpels near the knobs, top F hole and bottom horn, as well as some scuffs in the elbow area and both shoulders.
Overall: very good condition (7.5/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 8/10, minor wear only