Yamaki Custom

My Yamaki Custom is constructed of incredably tight grained Spruce top with what appears to be an exotic wood back and sides. The back is book matched (as well as the top) nearly perfectly however, the back has a center ivory detail the entire length.
The neck and board are flawless maple and ebony. Single "dot" fret markings.
The tuners are enclosed chrome and are tagged "Yamaki".
Although old, the guitar is in like new condition.

Incredable tone with a deep natural sound. There is a natural vibrato quality that I have not been aware of in other guitars. I do have a slight buzz on one fret, with one string, however, I have not adjusted of compensated for this as yet.

I found this guitar and case in a garage that was being demolished, it had been neglected from what appears the time it was new....no wear on anything, and had what appeared to be the original strings on it!!
Incredable action...easy on the fingers...everything seems perfect.

I haven't had alot of time to play the guitar as yet, however, this seems to be the one I will keep out on the stand.

No idea......out of production at this point.

I've been entertaining myself for almost fourty years by playing on and off. This guitar has encourged me to pick it up more frequently than any other I have had....that in itself is saying something for the instrument!
I have four other guitars...inexpensive....that do not come close to the "feel" and sound of this guitar. I've shown it to others who play frequently and they say they would like to have it.
Absolutely the best "find" I've made for a musical instrument.

This is a very unusual guitar.
Mine is a 1972 model Yamaki Custom that I bought new in 1972 for $235US. It is a dreadnought with dimesions almost exactly matching a Martin D-28. It has a spruce top with very, very tight grain which must have come from a very cold climate. (Canada? I mention Canada because I bought the guitar in Detroit - right across from Windsor, Ontario and it seems like most of these guitars were sold in Canada). I don't know what kind of wood the sides are made from, but the back is 2 piece mahogany with a narrow spruce strip running down the center. The neck is 2 piec mahogany with a real rosewood fretboard. The frets are machine steel like a Martin. The flimsy machine heads are nickel. The body is banded on both the front and back with a laminate white plastic. Despite its age, it is a very attractive guitar.

The sound quality is very neutral. Despite the fine wood construction, it lacks the depth of a Martin or the presence of a Taylor. Of course this is probably and unfair comparison for a $235 guitar. In today's market the tone will match or exceed most guitars in the $400-$600 price range.

This guitar has superior action and ease of play. It plays better than $1500 guitars I have tried. Despite severe wear to the rosewood fretboard, the frets have held up well with no buzz or rattle anywhere. The simple bridge has retained its intonation and has never required adustments. Remarkable for a 30 year old instrument.

This guitar is like the energizer bunny - it keeps going and going.... It has been dropped, sat on, and has fallen many times from careless propping and handling (on my part..hey it was only $235!!)and has never required any repairs or adjustments. It just looks kinda beat up.

This company apparently went out of business in the late 70's as a result of a tradmark infringement dispute with Yamaha. Understandable since the "Yamaki" script on the headstock reads "Yamaha" from across the room.

After 30 years this is still one of my favorite guitars. Although I have others such as a Talor 310CE and a standart Strat, I still play this Yamaki regularly.

I have a Yamaki Custom. It has a spruce top and a three piece back. The back is maghony with an inlay of another wood in a banded trapezoid pattern which is about 2 inches wide at the base of the neck and widens to about five inches at the bottom. It has nickel tuners and the sides are banded as will as the neck which also is banded. It a dreadnought with a three piece neck. No electronics.

I don't know a whole lot about when it was made. All that it says on the inside is Made by Yamaki and 135.

It is a really amazing sounding guitar. I play all kinds of music and it is great for most situations. Although I really don't like the sound of a dropped d. The bass is a little thin.

The action is very fast I have played electrics that don't play so well. The bracing is very neat and the tuners are solid.

It has held up well so far. Although some of the frets are starting to wear. The finish is still solid.

I have been playing for about 15 years with this guitar and it is a joy to play. I would get another in a heartbeat if I could actually find one.