I now own this very guitar, happy to see what its capable of. hav'nt played for years and was pretty shite then I nearly cut my hand off with a circular saw and now the arthritis is kickin in so I figure guitar as therapy and look forward to being able to do half the stuff you can
Hi, Yamaha SL500 spec according to original catalogue in Japanese ; Body : Maple on top of Agathis (not mahogany) at middle and back Neck : Maple with rose wood fretboard, set neck Weight 4.3kg I have one of these too.
I think they didn't always make the body from Agathis, I have a 1980 Yamaha SL500 it has 3 piece Maple neck , 2 piece Mahogany body & Maple Cap, it is very certainly a Mahogany body I know Mahogany, it's look and smell are unique. Not the same look as Agathis. It seems some SL500s have 1 piece Maple Cap, 2 piece Maple Cap or 3 piece Maple Cap, and same with the body some 2 piece , some 3 piece. The way I got my year built is using a Yamaha document for SG guitar's. Everything doesn't always match what Yamaha says it seems so nothing is guaranteed except what you have in your hands.
Hi River, thanks for your enquiry. unfortunately I've not been able to get official specs on this 40 old guitar myself but, I know a great when I play one. I believe the cap is maple; it's a 1 piece set neck; rosewood fingerboard; mahogany body (1piece) and mahogany/maple front; C shape neck (I think) - feels much like my Gibson Standard - maybe slightly thicker. There's definitely no veneer on this guitar (it's weighty - around 7-8.5 lbs). Sorry, I can't be more specific but as I said earlier, there's not a lot of official information. My guitar tech thinks it's one of the best LP copies he's ever come across. Pick ups are stock PAF 's (I think). I'm not sure if Gibson parts would be compatible. Probably best to ask a guitar tech for that sort of info. I can tell you this though, with no hesitation - it's a magnificent MIJ killer guitar that can certainly mix it with the big boys. It's a joy to play. You could pick one up for around the $700 - 900 AUD Cheers, I hope this helps
@Alex Rogers How comfortable is it to play sitting down? I sold off my Epi Les Paul recently because I could not bond with it. One issue was the discomfort when playing it sitting down. It was not too heavy but the contour just did not suit me.
Hello Howard, yeah, I guess Les Pauls can be quite heavy and a little uncomfortable particularly when sitting down but, it's not something that really bothers me and handle it well. The fact is - Les Pauls 'rock' and yet purrs like a kitten (when required). So, for me, it's a small inconvenience and well worth experiencing a little discomfort ... it's entirely your choice Howard. It certainly didn't bother Jimmy Page or Les Paul himself. haha 😎
Hi. I'm wondering if you are sure about the manufacturing date on this one. Because of the Yamaha headstock shape, I would have thought it was later (after the 'lawsuit' issues). I have an SL450 with the open-book style headstock (for Japanese domestic market) which I believe is from 1980. Also wondering if yours has the push-pull pots. I think some had some unusual woods (like jacaranda) for the capping.
They make some good stuff. I had the double cutaway??? SG something? Sounded great, played great but man was it heavy. A few minutes with it & I felt like I had a broken shoulder. Wish I would have kept though as now days I'm more of a sit at home recording guy.
Hi, Beautiful tones there,I'd like to ask whats the neck shape and size?? Also is this a 12" radius? Thanks again nice demo. PS.. Whats a fair price for these in todays market
Thanks Jerry. I thinks it's your traditional c shape and I think 12"radius but I'm not technically minded. It's a case of if it feels, sounds and plays well it's a goer for me" haha Australian dollars around $800
Now that im looking at it more i'd also like to ask is that a maple cap?OR is it a veneer same with the back is that mahogany one piece or 2/3 pieces? or is that also veneered? Lastly the neck One piece 2/3 or ?? Now the very loast would gibson parts fit on it as in tail piece or abr-1 bridge pickup rings and pickups.Sorry i hope im not asking you to much but im interested in it,You had such good tone as it is just wondering bout the other stuff. J.
"Joe Bonamassa! - I wish haha ... you're way too kind Lorraine. I do have a dream though and that is to meet Joe and jam with him but, it's just a dream ....haha
Wanting to buy a sl500 for the wife for her birthday as a gibson is ridiculously over priced and not worth the money compared to the Yamaha, but they're not that common over in Scotland.
I now own this very guitar, happy to see what its capable of. hav'nt played for years and was pretty shite then I nearly cut my hand off with a circular saw and now the arthritis is kickin in so I figure guitar as therapy and look forward to being able to do half the stuff you can
Great tone and wonderful slow blues playing. Why did you stop making videos? That playing brightened up my evening.
Great playing! I also have the SL500 with the yellow plastic thing on the left hand side & love it!
Hi,
Yamaha SL500 spec according to original catalogue in Japanese ;
Body : Maple on top of Agathis (not mahogany) at middle and back
Neck : Maple with rose wood fretboard, set neck
Weight 4.3kg
I have one of these too.
I think they didn't always make the body from Agathis, I have a 1980 Yamaha SL500 it has 3 piece Maple neck , 2 piece Mahogany body & Maple Cap, it is very certainly a Mahogany body I know Mahogany, it's look and smell are unique. Not the same look as Agathis.
It seems some SL500s have 1 piece Maple Cap, 2 piece Maple Cap or 3 piece Maple Cap, and same with the body some 2 piece , some 3 piece. The way I got my year built is using a Yamaha document for SG guitar's. Everything doesn't always match what Yamaha says it seems so nothing is guaranteed except what you have in your hands.
Hi River, thanks for your enquiry. unfortunately I've not been able to get official specs on this 40 old guitar myself but, I know a great when I play one. I believe the cap is maple; it's a 1 piece set neck; rosewood fingerboard; mahogany body (1piece) and mahogany/maple front; C shape neck (I think) - feels much like my Gibson Standard - maybe slightly thicker. There's definitely no veneer on this guitar (it's weighty - around 7-8.5 lbs). Sorry, I can't be more specific but as I said earlier, there's not a lot of official information. My guitar tech thinks it's one of the best LP copies he's ever come across. Pick ups are stock PAF 's (I think). I'm not sure if Gibson parts would be compatible. Probably best to ask a guitar tech for that sort of info. I can tell you this though, with no hesitation - it's a magnificent MIJ killer guitar that can certainly mix it with the big boys. It's a joy to play. You could pick one up for around the $700 - 900 AUD
Cheers, I hope this helps
Hi Alex, thanks & yeah they're great guitars. Cheers, 👍
Beautiful guitar & sound! Very good playing. Cheers.
Thanks buddy ... 👍
@Alex Rogers How comfortable is it to play sitting down? I sold off my Epi Les Paul recently because I could not bond with it. One issue was the discomfort when playing it sitting down. It was not too heavy but the contour just did not suit me.
Hello Howard, yeah, I guess Les Pauls can be quite heavy and a little uncomfortable particularly when sitting down but, it's not something that really bothers me and handle it well. The fact is - Les Pauls 'rock' and yet purrs like a kitten (when required). So, for me, it's a small inconvenience and well worth experiencing a little discomfort ... it's entirely your choice Howard. It certainly didn't bother Jimmy Page or Les Paul himself. haha 😎
Hi Walter, I'm using a Peavey Bandit 112 and a Rowin delay pedal. It's a great balance - I use it often on stage. Cheers
Really nice demo thanks man
love it, Maggle!
Yeah, it's great! Glad you enjoyed it ...
Hi. I'm wondering if you are sure about the manufacturing date on this one. Because of the Yamaha headstock shape, I would have thought it was later (after the 'lawsuit' issues). I have an SL450 with the open-book style headstock (for Japanese domestic market) which I believe is from 1980.
Also wondering if yours has the push-pull pots.
I think some had some unusual woods (like jacaranda) for the capping.
Yeah, I'm not sure man. my guitar tech and I are of the belief it's a late 70's - early 80's but not confirmed afraid. Sorry bealetm
They make some good stuff. I had the double cutaway??? SG something? Sounded great, played great but man was it heavy. A few minutes with it & I felt like I had a broken shoulder. Wish I would have kept though as now days I'm more of a sit at home recording guy.
Love your playing here too!
yo tuve una , sonido increible !!
Hi, Beautiful tones there,I'd like to ask whats the neck shape and size?? Also is this a 12" radius? Thanks again nice demo. PS.. Whats a fair price for these in todays market
Thanks Jerry. I thinks it's your traditional c shape and I think 12"radius but I'm not technically minded. It's a case of if it feels, sounds and plays well it's a goer for me" haha Australian dollars around $800
Lovely playing, whats the backing track?
Thanks Larry.
It was just a backing track I found on 'You Tube' - there's countless number of them. I can't remember which one exactly ... sorry
Hi ,
wich Effects and Amp are you using in the Video ?
Cheers
Hi Walter, a Peavey Bandit and a delay
Now that im looking at it more i'd also like to ask is that a maple cap?OR is it a veneer same with the back is that mahogany one piece or 2/3 pieces? or is that also veneered? Lastly the neck One piece 2/3 or ?? Now the very loast would gibson parts fit on it as in tail piece or abr-1 bridge pickup rings and pickups.Sorry i hope im not asking you to much but im interested in it,You had such good tone as it is just wondering bout the other stuff. J.
I really couldn't tell you Jerry. I'll try and find out. Cheers
helo! is the neck too fat or slim?
In between somewhere
Joe bonamassa.
"Joe Bonamassa! - I wish haha ... you're way too kind Lorraine. I do have a dream though and that is to meet Joe and jam with him but, it's just a dream ....haha
YESSS ;)
a small
can
hahaha!!!
Wanting to buy a sl500 for the wife for her birthday as a gibson is ridiculously over priced and not worth the money compared to the Yamaha, but they're not that common over in Scotland.
I ordered one from Japan and it cost $170 us for shipping but I only paid $380 US for the guitar in remarkable condition.