Prototype?/Sales Sample? Tama 3559 1974

Most Probably unique Tama 3559 SS

Okay so we have all had some fun speculating about what the SS actually means on these rare and early guitars.

Yes, fun, guess what - that is also a thing!

So-called 'experts' both real and quite clearly fake, have previously chipped in with all manor of nonsense about this guitar to be fair....

I mean, here we've handled many many thousands of Japanese guitars - maybe that does or does not qualify us as experts, although it certainly qualifies us for at least a little artistic licence here and there?! ;)

So, as with most things, there are many interpretations.

In real terms this is part of our shop collection of Tama, and we've only seen one other of their guitars with the SS moniker - original guess as to the meaning of these was 'Sales Sample' or possible prototype/early version.

If you happen to actually know, then we would love to hear about it.

There are only a few online references to this model 3559, and any information or photo's online relate to this very guitar only, and no others!

Even the dedicated Tama website has no info on this guitar!

So it is a curiosity, the only one we have seen and very likely the only one made.

Solid top, double plate back and sides, sounds immense

Tone is nicely open, guitar has been played quite a lot

Some honorary signs of use, definitely not mint, yet no repairs/damage/issues nothing to put a player off

Nice action, plenty of saddle room

A relic from Ibanez's top brass, Tama, the best, never to be repeated and most probably unique!

Enjoy!