Yamaki 135, made in Japan around 1971, natural gloss. Yamaki is a brand with an intricate history. Founder Kazuyuki Teradaira worked at major 1960s instrument manufacturers Zen-On, before quitting in 1967 to start building under his own brand, Yamaki, which translates approximately to 'happy trees on a mountain'. His brother Yasuyuki had started an instrument distribution company called Daion a few years earlier, and by 1982 they had merged and ditched the Yamaki brand in favour of producing guitars under the Daion brand. This one is a pretty early example, so it's pre-serial and unlabeled save for a '135' stamp on one of the braces, which combined with the logo dates this to the very early 70s. It's beautifully made: the triple bound fingerboard, inlaid three piece back and super dark rosewood fingerboard and bridge are all hints at the care and skill that went into this. The spruce top is a terrific piece: the grain lines get as tight as 0.5mm towards the middle, so this is some proper high grade stuff. It's bookmatched nicely, and features a cute little light coloured band along the join; a quirky little detail I'm quite fond of. Now, we've had a few Yamaki guitars through, and they always sound unreasonably good. This one also sounds unreal. It's rich and full, sparkling with detail and clarity in the highs, with a piano-like percussive oomph through the low end and an understated complexity and balance through the mids. It's great for intricate lines or juicy chords, it really does seem to be alive and breathing in your hands. If you're after an unassuming vintage dreadnought with tone modern USA guitars wish they had, here's your new friend. Lovely stuff.

Model: Yamaki 135
Made: Japan, 1971 approx (no serial)
Finish: natural gloss
Body: square shoulder dreadnought style; solid spruce top, laminate rosewood back and sides
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fingerboard, dovetail joint, 25.5" scale, 15" radius
Weight: 2.125kg
Pickup: none
Mods: none
Case: basic non-original hard case

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end and back and some scuffs around the G tuning post. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear and dimples on the back only. The back has some surface scratches in the bottom corner and top shoulder, as well as widespread light scuffs around the whole body. The sides have some surface scratches on the top shoulder and some scuffs in the elbow area and bottom corner. The front has some dimples in the elbow area and bottom corner, scuffs around the bridge and some play wear on the shoulders and guard. Overall: good condition (7/10).

Playing condition notes: action is moderately low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. The frets have some normal wear but they're fairly even with no major buzz issues, 6/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 12/54 Moonshiners strings.