18 replies to this topic

[Sector9]

Hey all, just a quick note to brag a little, and to ask a few questions!
Yesterday I bought a Yamaha S-50A classical guitar. The japanese Nippon Gakki model. Here's where the braggin comes in: I bought it at an old surplus store for 60$ canadian (maybe 40-45 U.S) Its in great shape. I called a vintage guitar store, and the guy said without looking at it...he'd give me $400-600 Cdn.
400-500 U.S)
Obviously im keeping it! I put new strings on and cleaned it up and it plays incredible. Now here's where the questions come in. The guy told me that those particular guitars were not made after late 70's or very early 80's. My question is, can anyone tell me any distinct features on my particular model that might help me to determine the exact year it was made???? or what the production run for this model was 40's though 80's??

When all is said and done this is my 3rd guitar, and the second that ive just stumbled upon! One i bought to learn on, one i found in a thrift store (handmade)
and this one. now i have 3 on my wall and my g/f is started to give me the crooked eye about having too many....

If anyone had any deals like this...and im sure im not alone....lets hear'em

[randomorwhat]

Good deal man

I got a good deal on my Yamaha LL11E - 400 quid down from 700, which ain't so bad

[cichlid_dmb]

Tell your girlfriend to cut that crooked eye crap out and make you some pancakes.

Three is perfectly acceptable. Awesome find, too. Congratulations.

[apollocastonople]

If its that old, hows the action? Is the fretboard warped? I mean a guitar that old....wouldnt it just naturally over time get into bad shape, or is there a way to keep it in good condition?

[jshrel24]

If its that old, hows the action? Is the fretboard warped? I mean a guitar that old....wouldnt it just naturally over time get into bad shape, or is there a way to keep it in good condition?

We arnt talking like 400 years old here man, only a couple 10 years. If anything it would make it sound better.

[apollocastonople]

If its that old, hows the action? Is the fretboard warped? I mean a guitar that old....wouldnt it just naturally over time get into bad shape, or is there a way to keep it in good condition?

We arnt talking like 400 years old here man, only a couple 10 years. If anything it would make it sound better.

Ah i see

[SmashySmashy]

lucky bum. my yamaha classical is a pile of crap. it was my first guitar sadly enough. its a C-40 model and cost me 300 cdn with a 35 mm paded gig bag. maybe in several years it will be worth something. i doubt i will get more than 250 for it cause its used but in good condition. oh why cant i get a good deal on a great guitar. but you never know. i might even find one at my grandparents house when we clean out stuff for a yard sale. my Sigma acoustic is like 16 or 17 years old and has held up fine other than the nut needs replacing

[grzegorz_panek]

If its that old, hows the action? Is the fretboard warped? I mean a guitar that old....wouldnt it just naturally over time get into bad shape, or is there a way to keep it in good condition?

We arnt talking like 400 years old here man, only a couple 10 years. If anything it would make it sound better.

That's right. And even much cheaper classicals don't break so much over time. There is a reason why they don't have truss rods... they don't need them. String tension is not so strong here, and intonation set at the production line will last for long years.

[ctshaynes]

Post or PM me the serial number, and I'll try to find out for you. If you don't know where it is It may be located just inside the soundhole towards the neck, on the soundboard brace. I've also seen them on the neck blocks, but neither was a classical.

[Sector9]

hey man... im not sure what your resources are...but if it gives me a sense of how old this is.... im super greatful. Ive been told these guitars' production run was halted in the early 80's.
the serial number is very faint but it reads "20712014"

Yamaha S-50 A (nippon Gakki)



thanks alot

[Sector9]

ok..... so i found it out myself.

my guitar is unit 014...and was made on july 12.... but here's the deal. They say the serial numbers repeat every 10 years. so my guitar was made in either 1962,1972,1982,

[goldrush]

ok.....  so i found it out myself. 

my guitar is unit 014...and was made on july 12.... but here's the deal. They say the serial numbers repeat every 10 years.  so my guitar was made in either 1962,1972,1982,

Interesting.....you can find out the day it was made, but have to guess at the year. Oh, those crafty executives at Yamaha!

[ctshaynes]

Yep I came up with the same info, I should have just looked up the link and given it to you to start with! .
Now what you have to do are to look up pics of S-50 A's from '62 '72 and '82, and look for one that matches yours. Almost all guitars go through subtle cosmetic changes from year to year. My '71 fg300 has many differences from another one I saw in a music store recently.

[Sector9]

oddly enough... my guitar seems exactly identical in every way to this on sale on ebay..... colour, wood grain patterns, everything. So im inclined to think it was a 72 model...which makes me super happy

A 32 year old guitar for the equivilant of 35 bucks american!


check out the link and dont be afraid of bidding on it..... i own it..play it and love it!


http://cgi.ebay.co.u...3744536530&rd=1

[Sector9]

wait...hold the phone..... the only difference i see is that mine dosent have those knobs for a strap... Im strapless!
you think that makes it older or newer?

[SmashySmashy]

wait...hold the phone..... the only difference i see is that mine dosent have those knobs for a strap... Im strapless!
you think that makes it older or newer?

I would assume its newer but im not totally sure. mine is new and it has no straps on it but its a different model. or the seller had the strap installed which is hard to do.

[epearson]

If its that old, hows the action? Is the fretboard warped? I mean a guitar that old....wouldnt it just naturally over time get into bad shape, or is there a way to keep it in good condition?

We arnt talking like 400 years old here man, only a couple 10 years. If anything it would make it sound better.

Only if it's solid woods, which I kinda doubt as Yamaha makes fairly affordable beginner classicals but not affordable Solid Top classicals.

[Negsmeister]

I have one for sale in pretty decent shape. Some buckle rash on the back and a \couple of very minor dings but man, it rings like a bell. I'll take the best offer, buyer pays shipping

[Nealio]

Seriously, you resurrected an 11 year old thread, with your first post just to advertise your guitar that's up for sale?

 

Thread locked.