Yamaha SL500S Studio Lord, made in Japan 1981, red sunburst. The Studio Lord was Yamaha's take on the Les Paul, made from 1976-82 approx in Japan. This one dates to later in the game, so it gets a non-sandwich body, the uncovered cream pickups and a super sturdy slim 60s style 3-piece neck. The build and finish quality is immediately obvious on this, it really feels like a million bucks. Plugged in, you get plenty to work with: thick juicy lows, huge wide mids with an expressive complexity and  a bell-like clarity and chime on the top end... gorgeous. The cherry burst finish has aged gracefully; there's a few marks around the place to show for four decades of feelings, but it's looking pretty crisp. These never last long, because when folks play them in the shop, it tends to be love at first sight, so don't leave it too long. Yum-aha, right?

Model: Yamaha Studio Lord SL500S
Made: Japan, 1981 (serial 030004)
Finish: red sunburst over plain maple
Body: agathis/mahogany, non-sandwich style, plain maple top
Neck: maple, 3-piece, rosewood board
Weight: 4.185kg
Mods: none
Neck pickup: Yamaha L-III PAF-style humbucker x2
Case: basic gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. There's a couple of minor marks around the edge of the headstock. Neck is clean and smooth in the hands, no major marks. The back has some widespread light scuffs and dimples, no major marks though. The sides have a few dimples in the elbow area and near the jack, nothing nasty. The front is pretty tidy, just a few dimples near the knobs and in the elbow area and some play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets look good, there's minor wear only, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.