Yamaha "Studio Lord" SL450s

Serial No: 060455

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These are quite rare outside of Japan as I believe they were only made for the home (Japanese) market. Probably to avoid the "lawsuit" that put an end to the better known Ibanez Les Paul copies. However these were more than a match for anything Ibanez were producing at the time and build quality is superb as you would expect from Yamaha. These guitars are now filtering through into the western markets and are being eagerly snapped up by guitarists as their reputation for quality and workmanship is second to none. Just read the reviews on Harmony Central to get an idea on just how good these guitars really are.

Here we have a very accurate copy of a Gibson Les Paul Standard. Complete with open book headstock (you don't get that on an Epiphone), Klusion style tuners, 3 piece mahogany set neck (No Volute 80's style), Mahogany body with solid maple cap. Twin humbuckers, 3 way switching and two vol, two tone controls. Only differences really is the lack of fret edge binding. Strangely the Yamaha is approx 2mm thicker in the body and the guitar is about half a pound heavier than my 80's Gibson. The neck is slim section, though 1mm wider than the Gibbo measuring approx 44mm at the nut.

The guitar is in good but used condition. It has a few battle scars a couple of fairly deep ones on the back that have been touched up. They don't affect the guitar as an instrument but are there and can be seen in the pics. The headstock has some chips in the varnish that are only of cosmetic importance. More significant are a couple of marks on the back of the neck (see pics) They aren't structural but have chipped through the varnish. Frets are only showing minor signs of wear and are perfectly playable Rosewood fret board is in good condition. Neck (and body) binding is solid with no chunks missing. It has aged to that wonderfull mellow yellow. The front of the guitar is in good condition, a few minor marks but certainly nothing serious. She's stunning to look at, Yamaha know a thing or two about making beautiful looking instruments. None of that fake modern transfer tigerstripe here! For the un initiated, you know the fake finish on cheap laminate flooring... Well that's what they do to guitars nowadays... Yeugh... Hardware has tarnished slightly but is still perfectly functional. Pickups have had their covers removed (Don't know why... It's more fashion than function). The electrics work well and sound great. Also I have set it up for action and intonation so with a new set of strings of your choice she's ready to play. Check out the high res images below to get a really good look at what you're buying. No dimly lit fuzzy pictures here.

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