Neck - Humbucker
Bridge - Humbucker
Construction:
* Alder Body
* Maple Neck
* 3 way Selector
* Side mount input jack
Friday, April 3, 2009
Yamaha 120SD Telecaster Copy
I picked up this guitar in January 2009 and it has a market value of $80. It's a Yamaha Telecaster (Tele) copy from the 1990's. It may be the Yamaha 120SD based on what I found but there is no label that confirms this model. It has great versatility available from its dual humbucker pick-up configuration. It's an alder body with maple neck. Plays great and sounds great with low action. As far as I can tell, this guitar is all original and complete except for 1 missing/broken string. This guitar is in very good condition but it has several nicks and dings in the finish that are hard to photograph because of the black color. All I can find is information on the Pacifica and this isn't labeled as such. I think it may be the 120-SD model, but there isn't a tag or sticker that say so. This Tele copy is black and the guitar is setup with Yamaha pickups as follows:
Neck - Humbucker
Bridge - Humbucker
Construction:
* Alder Body
* Maple Neck
* 3 way Selector
* Side mount input jack
Neck - Humbucker
Bridge - Humbucker
Construction:
* Alder Body
* Maple Neck
* 3 way Selector
* Side mount input jack
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31 comments:
Hi
I just bought the same guitar in immaculate condition and 120SD label on the head. The year of production may be 2006 or 1996 or 1986 from the serial number. How long it was safely hiding in a basement. Do you know years of production of this axe in Taiwan?
Also your guitar has knobs replaced I think for mine has them with dials and in black
Thansk for you postings I bookmark it and will wait for your comments
You've got the dates right and I would guess 1996 based on what I know of this guitar. I was not able to find out what years this model was produced by Yamaha. Do you have an example of the correct knobs that should have been on this guitar?
Mine knobs look very generic
http://www.allparts.com/store/knobs-plastic-knobs-pk-0154-023,Product.asp
this guitar sounds much better than Ibanez GSZ120 I have. Is it due to laquer finsh on old guitars? for newer cheap guitars have some kind of thick sturdy plastic finish.
All of those items can add up to a better sounding guitar. As the wood and finish ages, the sound can change. The woods used on some cheaper guitars don't age as well and the finishes you mention don't really age at all, at least not in a good way.
nice pink camera :-)
No serious.... the tele looks very interesting...
My wife's camera takes better pictures than mine so I use it. Not so bad to use around home, but it does get a little embarassing when we're out and I use it.
mine was made September 14th, 1985, 1995
or 2005 according to "the guitar dater project"
http://www.guitardaterproject.org/Yamaha.aspx
but i know it was 85 because it was purchased over 20 years ago. I just wish i knew what kind of pickups came stock with this guitar
I never found much on the details on this guitar like what kind of pickups were used. Thanks for the link to the guitar dater, will come in handy for other Yamaha's I have.
I had one of those and actually want to buy one again. They're still sold in Europe.
Mine was natural oil finish and it was basswood, not alder. Neck is nice and thin. So comfy and playable.
I think pickups were something made by Yamaha and they were Alnico. They gave the guitar a very nice warm, rich sound but you won't get metal tones out of it. I swapped them for DiMarzios PAF Pro and FRED at neck and bridge respectively.
Indeed, the knobs on yours are not stock as they came with generic black with white numbers plastic knobs. I also upgraded those to brass knurled black ones.
I also installed mounting rings as the stock pu's are bolted to the body and there's a foam pad beneath them to keep them from rattling and getting microphonics.
As I said, I loved that one and I would like to get one again... especially the oil finished one.
I bet the oil finish looks nice, I really like natural finished guitars or translucent finishes.
I used to own a guitar just like this one. It is indeed the 120SD. I bought mine in the summer of 1998. Great quality guitar.
The original knobs were black hats with white numbers, not the chrome ones yours has.
Thanks for the information spivonious, that will help others to identify their guitar.
I own two of these... one black and one oil finished. Purchased new in 1995 and 1996 (I think). I play a little too hard and wore the finish off (down to the bare wood) between the pickups on both guitars. Awesome, no-frills, decent sounding guitars.
Hi, I love the guitar and I am doing a guitar project and I need a 120sd body... I was wondering if one was up for sale or you know where I could get one... I have tried eBay!
I agree, very much worth the money they sell for on ebay.
You'll have to keep checking ebay for one, that's where I sold the one pictured here.
I`ve got one also. Natural with Huge YAMAHA logo on head stock. Pawn shop bargain at $50. Was completely spray painted gold. Stripped back to natural with replacement pups and this things a tank. Its been through climate changes that have turned necks into hockey sticks on guitars on the rack next to it. But its still perfect. Doubt I`ll part with this relic.
You got a good deal at $50 and I bet it looks great now that you've stripped it to the natural finish.
I got Mine back in Colombia for something like $80 but it's the best guitar ever. Some one stripped it to natural finish vut this one has white pickups and white knobs. I think this one is from 96.I Recor everything with it.
check it ot here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaNu4wf9IQU
the more I learn the more I love Japanese guitars from 80s-90s with fixed bridges.
I didn't realize there were offered all over the globe. Thanks for the information on Columbia.
What did you learn about them that makes you love them more?
Yep, 1996 is about right. I got one brand new with natural finish for Christmas when I was 14. I'm 27 now, have a pile of ESP guitars, but I still have my Yamaha on hand in my room for writing new riffs and practicing on.
This is a great guitar. I'll never part with mine. And for the going price (according to what people paid on here), I don't think you'll find a guitar that plays better.
www.ianjosephlaw.com
I would agree, it's a great guitar for the price. You can get better, but it's a great value.
Based on what this website says mine is an '84 made Oct. 11th, 6th production. (Korea?) Looks much the same but with orig. knobs and is natural finish. Mine has 6 strings :>)
http://www.guitardaterproject.org/Yamaha.aspx
Been trying to get some info on this guitar for a while but not alot out there. It has been my fave for years. Also have picked up a real Tele which is better suited for other types of music. I still prefer it over my Epi-LP.
I've used that website before as well for Yamaha guitar dating.
Bought mine in '96 also - Built like a freakin' tank. Looks just like yours, only with the stock knobs. Tiny 120SD decal near the top/back of the headstock.
Will rock and moan with the very very best - or do the round trip & jazz tones.
Comfy neck stays true, action is low & fast, stays in tune.
I'll grab this one off the wall as quickly as my prized vintage American instruments.
A true player/writers guitar!
I seem to have fallen for Yamaha instruments in general. I have a Yamaha Piano. A Yamaha AE 500 that plays like butter. A acoustic Yamaha FGX 04 ltd. And now just picked up a Yamaha 120SD in a natural finish that satisfies my need for a Tele. I've owned Fender Tele's, Strats, and a Jaguar ... this Yamaha Tele plays and sounds just as good.
I remember the first 120 SD's I saw had RGX necks and pups in them. Like an idiot,I paid double for a different guitar that was half as good.That was early 90's or late 80's.
hi i recently got one of this gitar very similar to yours(it haves a sticker with the words 120sd in the back of the head) but i dont know exactly wich is it fabrication date , someone told me that the natural finish was made just from 1980-1984 i want to know if this is right thanks
I just got my 120SJ back from the tech, bought it for $80 and replaced the pots and did a thorough cleaning. After a setup and new strings, it is an awesome guitar that looks, plays and sounds much more expensive than it really is. If you see one of these, grab it.
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