Yamaha Studio Lord, brown sunburst, made in Japan 1979. I always enjoy getting my hands on a Studio Lord, they're very good instruments. They were Yamaha's take on the Les Paul, available from 1976-82 and made alongside the famed SG and SA series. It feels awesome in the hands: the neck is slim and comfy without being uncomfortably skinny, it resonates gregariously unplugged and it holds tune convincingly. The tone on offer is thick and juicy. The neck pickup is dark and plump, but still offers enough chime to come out clearly. The bridge pickup is syrupy and full with a piquant attack and a generous complexity; it sounds awesome. The finish is in great shape, given the many decades on the clock, warming the room with it's rich egg-yolk to dark choc glow. There's plenty to like here, join the House of Lords today.

Model: Yamaha Studio Lord SL500
Made: Japan, 1979 approx (serial 003980, very faint)
Finish: brown sunburst over plain maple, gloss poly
Body: agathis (asian mahogany), three piece non-sandwich style, plain maple top
Neck: maple, 3-piece, rosewood board, 12" radius, 24.75" scale, moderate 1960 profile
Weight: 4.150kg
Mods: pickguard removed and missing, inlays possibly replaced
Pickups: Yamaha L-III humbucker x2
Case: none

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has some dimples along the back edge and elbow area, a crack in the cavity cover and widespread light scuffs around the whole body. The sides have minor dimples near the jack and some light scuffs in the elbow area and top horn. The front has an extra hole where guard used to attach, scuffs along the back edge and around the bridge and some play wear on the horns. 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. The frets have minor wear only, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.