Yamaha SA700 Super Axe Persimmon Red 1978
Yamaha Super Axe SA700, red, made in Japan 1978. The Super Axe series took this form and name from around 1976-82, and they're really excellent guitars. The build borrows some ideas from the iconic ES-335, although it's got different shaped horns and is made from different timbers. This one has a slightly chunky neck that sits beautifully in the hand, and reasonably light body resonantes with enthuisasm with every note. Plug it in, and you get a percussive clarity mixed with a singing woody smoothness. It's got enough kick and bite for agressive rock lines, but enough refinement and body to deliver the thick jazzy cleans too. The particular clearcoat Yamaha were using in the late 70s was prone to a bit of clouding when exposed to humidity over time, so this one presumably lived at the warmer end of Japan for a while and has the finish marks to prove it, so it's priced to go accordingly. Why axe when you can Super Axe?
Model: Yamaha SA700 Super Axe
Made: Japan, 1978, Nippon Gakki factory
Serial: 003853
Finish: Persimmon Red, gloss poly
Body: laminate birch, semi hollow with centre block, thinline depth
Neck: mahogany, rosewood board, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, generous C shape
Weight: 3.825kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Yamaha A-III PAF-style humbucker x2
Accessories: basic vintage case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has chips and dimples on the end, dents on both sides, scuffs on the front and dimples on the back up the top, as well as fading all over. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, just some scuffs, dimples and clouding on the back. The back has a dent near the front strap pin,scuffs on the horns and middle of the body, dimples in the elbow area and back edge and surface scratches in the bottom corner. The sides have scuffs on the top horn, dimples in the elbow area, back and near the jack and some scuffs on the bottom horn, as well as fading all over. The front has extra screws from a since removed tailpiece, dimples around the knobs, a couple of dents near the tailpiece post, a scratch between the tailpiece and bridge, dimples in the elbow area and back edge, play wear on the guard and horns and minor clouding all over the body.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 11/49 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear only