Yamaki Unknown

I got a 12 String Yamaki in highschool (1972) and used it all the way through collega and law school. The guitar was a Japanese Martin copy or style. It was very well made. Although the brdige eventually popped up.

It sounded great 12 and 6 string. For a while this was my only guitar (I also play electric and at the time had an SG standard and a Guild hollow body). I was happy with the sound and was happy playing with others using much more expensive Martins. It was kind of a joke, Japanses Martin that sounds great.

Action and finish were well above the price paid.

Guitar was very durable although after 10 years of use the bridge began to lift. I should of had it repaired, but I gave it away.

Never

Been playing 0ver 30 years.Play acoustic and electric. I live in Singapore. If I run across one of these in Asia, I will buy it.

I bought this Yamaki deluxe 12 string as a yard sale where it appeared that a lady was selling off all her husbands stuff. I didn't play guitar at the time but asked her how much for the guitar, she said "how bout $15?" I said sure and not having any cash on hand, I wrote her a check (not having any cash in the bank either).
I had never heard of this brand but it looked like a nice guitar. My friends who play always comment on the sound quality of it. I've got it set up as a six string and am starting to learn to play it. I hope to learn to play. One time I brought it to the beach and while walking down the stairs to the beach (known as 1000 steps) it fell out of the case and slid down the stairs. I thought for sure that was it but it only suffered a few minor scratches -- amazing!?
After reading the other peoples' articles on the Yamaki, I'm going to keep mine.

The old axe has walnut matched and inlayed body, very tightly grained spruce top with sound whole inlays, rosewood fret board, w/ nice inlay work and mother of pearl YAMAKI on the neck plate unfortunatly it has plastic pins and plactic bridge pieces.The frets are milled and filed like a Martin.The action is super although I had to do a little tweaking to get rid of some neck noise. All and all I'd say for a 25 or 30 year guitar that has been in a very dry climate and had no maintanance because I bought from an old lady who said that it has'nt been out of the case in 20 plus years. Yes, I bought at a garaGe sale and No, you don't want to how little I paid for it. If someone was to offer me 500 dollars I would be insulted. Oh yea it has the origanal case not great but hay!

Ive got it strung with 6 strings and plat alot of hardcore blues. With a Woody pickup in it somtimes. the sustain is like a rippling satiny butter sound `and if you hit one of the harmonics just right it sound like a YES show. just super!

As stated above. Nice and seems to holding up well and the action is great and neck is straight

This ax will be around for a long time but does have a small flaw bellow the pick guard running with the grian.

Yea right 1-800 -YAMAKI No, I think they were ran out of town by Yamaha YEARS AGO.

I had a YAMAKI 12 string Guitar. Solid top, top was a light brown color. Nothing I'd ever seen before. I had looked around for 12 strings before but didn't find anything I liked. I picked up this guitar and fell in love with it. It sounded so nice! I had to get some repairs done to the guitar. I gave it to my friend with a woodshop. He made guitars there. The shop burnt down along with my guitar. I was heart broken. I've never found a 12 string Yamaki ever again. If ya know of anyone who wants to sell on (yeah right) please contact me. dobleduce@home.com or dobleduce@hotmail.com

A wonderful instrument. Never seen one like that since

I bought my Yamaki new in about 1976. At the time I was in the market for the perfect guitar and spent a lot of time playing some very expensive instruments including Gibson, Martin, as well as some handmades. I kept coming back to this one which, in the end, I bought, I think for about 450.00 CDN with a hard case. I don't know the model. I'm not even sure of the woods. It is a beautifully built guitar, the top is solid, markers and name are pearloid, detail work is loevely. It has stood up very well over time.

This is (still) THE acoustic guitar for me. Now and then I visit the shops thinking that I could use a new acoustic but no one is making one that sounds this good (I keep buying electrics though). It has a beautiful soulful balanced tone that I've yet to find in another acoustic. I did install a Fishman under the saddle (no holes though - I use an external pre-amp) and used it live for a while. Amplified, it sounds like all other amplified guitars. I now use a Godin live and this one stays protected at home strictly for unplugged use.

Out of the store it was and still is (almost) perfect. Top, back & sides are beautiful grains accented with thick creamy bindings and inlays. Action is a little higher than others but I like it that way.

23 years, a few scratches. Never adjusted, nothing replaced. It went to a luthier 3 years ago to reglue some of the bracing that was apparently being affected by 'drying out'. The luthier gushed about how nice an instrument it was!

It has been everywhere and subjected to some awfull conditions. A great piece of work!

Never dealt with them. I know that their quality sagged some years after I bought mine and that they went out of business.

Been playing for 35 years. Bought this went I left for college. Still play in a weekend band. This is one fine instrument. Any one lucky enough to come across one should buy it!

I am interested in finding out more information on this model. If anyone out there is a Yamaki expert, I'd appreciate hearing from them. There are no markings on the guitar other than the manufacturer's stamp and the number '131010' stamped on the inside at the neck joint.

Looks like a Martin copy with a twist: All the hardware is brass. The inlays and saddle pegs as well. It also had a brass bridge but had to go after installing a Fishman pickup. The colour is a medium brown transparent without a pick guard.

Bought this guitar after hearing its full round and deep bass sound.
Found the neck a bit to thick to my liking. It resonates extremely well and has a wonderful loud sustain.

very durable and dependable.

No known support as Yamaki as far as I know has been out of business for a few years.

Compared to many higher priced guitars ie: Martin, Taylor, handmades etc. this guitar holds its own. It just sounds great and not afraid to travel with it.