Product: Yamaha 10
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted
05/08/2006
at
03:04am
by
Col
Features
:
8
Paid $178 Australian off Ebay,
This is an early 1960s all solid construction Japanese made Dynamic Yamaha. It carries 18 frets with a scale length of 25 and a 1/2 inches and joins the body at the 12th fret.
I am not sure as to the wood for the neck, back and sides, it is possibly Basswood, but it is deffinately not mahogony or rosewood. The top is probably solid spruce, but if not, then it is western red cedar, it's hard to tell, because it comes with a sunburst finish on the top with clear laquer for the rest of it. It is not Dreadnought shape, possibly Yamahas' own design, because it has a patent number written inside, but if not it is more than likely a Martin design. The back is slightly arched and the body thickness is 3 and 3/4 inches. It has a really narrow neck of just under 1 and 3/4 inches at the nut and would probably be more suited to steel strings as opposed to the nylons it came with. There is no truss rod, but the neck is more than average thick through and I doubt if some light guage bronze strings would hurt it. The tuners aren't original and have only just been replaced. actually, this whole guitar has only just had a complete makeover, fretwork, everything and there are no issues whatsoever with this little beauty. It came in its original hard case.
Sound
:
9
Guitar sounds great, it has a lot of good quality sound that you would expect from all solid construction. I believe it will sound exeptional with steel strings on it and there is nothing I dislike about it.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
The action is really good, the neck and fretboard are as straight as an arrow (perfect) and the frets have just recently been topped. all panels on this instrument are properly bookmatched and there are no flaws whatsoever. The finish and original condition carries its fair share of scratches which suggests that this guitar has been used quite often and regular over the years.
Reliability/Durability
:
9
This is an over 40 year old guitar that is structurally as good as the day it was put together, it has been played, but also very much looked after by its' original owner and all subsequent owners where the one before me overhauled it. It has proved to be very much reliable and durable and I can't imagine or foresee any real issues for the future, unless it becomes abused.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Haven't needed it, But Yamaha is a big company who would probably resond if need be.
Overall Rating
:
9
Been playing for what seems like a life time (33 years) and own a vast array of instruments, mainly guitars (all sorts) Make tongue drums from time to time and also a few solid body guitars (elec.)
This is a very good example of an early well looked after Yamaha.
I can compare it to a same vintage Model 15 Yamaha which is similar, but this mod. 10 has a narrower neck and the body is slightly smaller.
both of these guitars sound and play beautiful and as their name suggests, dynamic.
