(SOLD) Yamaha SA-1200S Semi-Hollow Burgundy 1980
Yamaha SA-1200s semi hollow, burgundy, made in Japan in 1980. This is exceptionally good, it's really quite remarkable. The SA1200S is a rare model, Yamaha made a total of 800 between 1980-82, that's all. It's basically the same guitar as the more-famous SA2000, but without the fancy inlays and the gold hardware and with a different species for the top. The top on this is solid spruce, and therein lies a lot of the majesty: the tone is thick, juicy, eloquent, warm and absolutely brimming with harmonic richness. The neck pickup tone is absolutely divine, it sings with a full sweetness that's sublimely alluring. The original push/pull pots have been switched for regular ones, so you get two pristine, clean and articulate PAF-style humbuckers that balance perfectly. The burgundy finish has a few marks to show it's considerable age, but is in pretty good shape overall. It shows off the grain of the spruce and maple proudly up close and has a deep richness from afar. This will easily cover blues, jazz, rock, country... whatever you throw at it really. Grab yourself a rare gem before the word gets too far around, and shhhhh... don't tell too many people!
Model: Yamaha Super Axe SA-1200S
Made: Japan, 1980 (best estimate on serial and catalog, serial 002125)
Finish: burgundy gloss over spruce/maple
Body: solid spruce top, laminate maple back and sides, semi-hollow with centre block, thinline
Neck: maple, ebony fretboard, moderately slim profile
Weight: 3.8kg
Mods: tailpiece changed, push/pull pots removed, machine heads changed
Pickups: original Yamaha humbuckers, not splittable
Case: unbranded period-correct hardcase, good quality and condition
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. There's a couple of screw holes from a since-removed retrofitted tremolo system, they're small but visible behind the tailpiece, as well as a couple of scratches in the same area. There's a minor crack in the lacquer only around the input jack, apart from that it's all minor. Minor buckle rash, minor play scratches, minor dents on the end of the headstock on the back. Overall: good condition (7/10).
Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, intonation is good, action is low, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Frets have some normal wear but are in tidy shape, 7/10 for life left. Setup with fresh 11/49s. Did we mention it's good?