(SOLD) Used Yamaha Studio Lord SL500 Red Sunburst 1979
Yamaha Studio Lord, SL500, made in Japan 1979 in red sunburst. This is one monster LP! The build quality of the Yamaha LP models is astounding, they're beautifully put together and the necks always feel great. Most of the SL500 models (made 76-79) have a sandwich-construction 3 piece agathis body, but this one has a two-piece unchambered body joined in the more traditional way down the centre. The catalogue specs the body as agathis, but the 1980 Lord Player models were mahogany, and I suspect this particular guitar was made in a transitional period and features a solid mahogany body. It weighs a fair bit, but the tone... gosh! It has a thick, rich, warm, singing tone that has a huge amount of body to it. The guitar has been certainly played and a has a light-relic look, but is in pretty good shape given it's nearly 40 years old. This is a proper vintage LP with enormous tone!
Manufacturer: Yamaha
Model: Studio Lord SL500
Year: 1979 (serial 005576, 1979 best estimate by serial and catalogue)
Made in: Japan
Finish: Red sunburst over plain agathis/mahogany
Body: Agates (possibly mahogany), plain maple top
Neck: Maple
Weight: 4.9kg
Mods: Replaced pickups at some point, switch replaced recently
Neck pickup: Non-original covered humbucker, 6.80k ohms
Bridge pickup: Non-original covered humbucker, 6.75k ohms
Case: none
Cosmetic condition notes: Moderate cosmetic wear. There's a spot on the top that looks like it's been deliberately sanded down when you look closely. Plenty of minor dings and scratches around the body and headstock, nothing too major. Chrome has aged to a nice smoky look. The pickup covers don't line up exactly with the bobbins, the original pickups must've been a very slightly different size; this has no functional effect. Overall: fair condition.
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. The frets are a little worn but no major pitting, plenty of life left. Guitar has had some nut work, a new pickup switch and tone pot and setup through our local master luthier. Feels very sturdy and reassuring, the neck is slim and comfortable and the tone is as thick as pudding!