'70s Yamaha FG-550 12-String Guitar Jacaranda HANDMADE

$ 406

$ 406 Sold For

Oct 31, 2006 Sold Date

Oct 24, 2006 Start Date

$ 100 Start price

14 Number Of Bids

USA Country Of Seller

eBay Auctioned at

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Description

Rare, and rarely offered, 1970s deluxe Yamaha FG-550 12-string guitar. Red Nippon Gakki label; made in Japan; all parts original. I haven't come across another 550 for auction in my 10 years on eBay. According to the Yamaha guitars concordance, the 550s were handmade instruments. The wood on the back and sides is gorgeous Jacaranda, as is the veneer on the headstock. Binding the top and bottom with the sides is triple-bound WOOD (about the color of coffee with four creams in it!), not plastic, which is what was typically used for the standard-issue versions of this instrument. The heel is capped in the same-colored wood. Rope-style binding around the soundhole is also unique to the 550s. CONDITION: about an 8 out 10. There are a few dings and scratches -- see pics -- but nothing major and nothing to threaten the integrity or sound of the instrument. A few small dents to the back of the neck. No cracks, no loose innards, no buckle rash, tuners work fine, action is low (approximately 3/16ths at the 14th fret) and the frets show little wear. There is no bowing of the neck and no bellying of the face of the guitar around the bridge. I've used D'Addario Lights on it almost exclusively, and I've kept it tuned down to D or C. It sounds fantabulous (!), with a nice low end and lots of detail in the highs. (I love these guitars -- why they aren't more collectible than they are is beyond me -- they're really well-made instruments, and they sound great!) CASE: comes with (possibly original?) chipboard case. Low opening bid; no reserve; sold as-is. PAYMENT: cash, check, money order, PayPal. DUE: Within 10 days of end of auction. SHIPPING USA: $45.00 via UPS, includes packing materials, insurance, tracking, etc. ~~~NON-U.S. BIDDERS PLEASE NOTE!: I WILL accept bids from non-U.S. bidders, but ONLY if you accept these terms: 1. You must pay with U.S. cash or PayPal within 10 days of auction end; 2. I will ship via Air Mail only; 3. The shipping rate will be determined AFTER the auction ends. Why? The costs to ship overseas are based on weight of the parcel PLUS length, breadth and depth, and they vary for every country. Add to that such variables as cost to insure, how much to insure for, tracking, or any of the other dozens of options you may choose, and you can see that it's nearly impossible to give an accurate price quote for every country prior to shipping. Unlike many sellers who estimate the shipping and estimate high in order to cover every eventuality, be assured that I only charge what it ACTUALLY costs to ship to your address and no more -- no handling fees, or rounding up, etc. But the actual amount will only be determined once the auction is over and the guitar has been boxed up, weighed and I know what insurance and tracking options you want. Please don't write asking, "How much to ship to. . . . " Your bid is your agreement to these terms.~~~ Thanks!