YAMAHA VINTAGE SA-50B '73 Pearl Marine

Since the early days of Japanese-made guitars in the 1960s, Yamaha has developed numerous original models with a strong sense of individuality. In particular, from the 1970s onward, they have produced hit models such as the SG and BB, earning high praise both domestically and internationally, especially among fans of Japanese vintage guitars.

This latest arrival is a limited-edition color version of the "SA-50," which, based on its serial number, appears to have been manufactured around 1973. The "Pearl Tone Series," produced only from the late 1960s to the early 1970s, featured five colors: "Pearl Marine," "Pearl Shadow," "Pearl Glacier," "Pearl Camellia," and "Pearl Sunflower." While Yamaha SA models were generally associated with a more subdued image with finishes like sunburst and alga green, these rich and dazzling color schemes remain popular as rare models even today.

【body】
The guitar weighs approximately 3.3kg. It has a thin body and a semi-acoustic-like shape, but it has a hollow body construction without a center block. The maple body is finished in the limited edition "Pearl Marine" color from the early 1970s, and the vivid blue reminiscent of the deep sea is striking. Overall, there are signs of use commensurate with its age, such as scratches, dents, paint peeling, sticker residue, and tarnishing of metal parts, but it remains in relatively good condition. The tremolo arm is missing, and some of the volume control knobs and bridge saddle height screws have been replaced.

【neck】
The neck, like the body, is made of maple with a rosewood fingerboard. There are signs of past repairs to the fingerboard where it had come loose, and it is currently screwed in at the zero fret. There are scattered dents of various sizes on the back of the neck, and the headstock shows significant paint damage, including some paint peeling, sticker residue, and paint peeling on the logo. The tuners are the original covered type, and all the covers, which are often missing, are present. There is some slight variation in the winding tension, but it does not affect tuning. The frets and nut show wear, but they have been leveled and adjusted by our shop, and there is no buzzing or dead spots, resulting in good playability. The nut width is approximately 42.3mm. It features a thin and sleek neck shape.

[Electrical System]
The controls consist of [1 volume / 1 tone / balancer / 3-way pickup selector switch]. The output jack plate is warped. The pickups are the type with chrome covers and black pickup rings. The black covers look cool too, but this one matches the guitar with a more luxurious look. The rich sound characteristic of a hollow body guitar and a certain cheapness are very pleasing. The selector switch has been replaced.

Accessories: Yamaha hard case

Weight: 3.3kg
Body Material (Top/Rim/Back): Maple
Neck Material: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Nut Width: 42.3mm
Fret Width: 2.0mm
Neck Thickness (1F/7F/12F): 21.7mm/23.5mm/25.3mm
Pickup (Neck/Bridge): YAMAHA Low Noise Pickup (8.5kΩ/8.6kΩ)
*The DC resistance value of the pickup is measured through the control section.

Heartman Vintage Guitars is a specialty store for vintage guitars and basses operated by Ikebe Musical Instruments.