PRE-SALE: Yamaha Super R'n'Roller SR400 - Natural, 1979

PLEASE NOTE! This instrument is presented as a pre-sale item. It will undergo luthier work, including, among other things, polishing of the finish, refurbishment of the metal parts and shielding of the electronics. Depending on the assessment of the neck geometry, the original frets will receive an advanced levelling and polishing, or – if levelling (planing) of the fingerboard proves necessary – the instrument will receive a completely new set of frets. The final price includes the above work. This listing does not constitute a commercial offer within the meaning of Article 66 § 1 of the Polish Civil Code.

About the instrument

The Yamaha SR400 Super R'n'roller is a Japanese electric guitar from the late 1970s. The SR series was a Yamaha line with a Stratocaster-style body, offered at the turn of the 1970s and 1980s. The example presented here has a sen ash body, a maple neck with a maple fingerboard and a natural finish that shows off the figure of the wood.

Technical specification

• Manufacturer: Yamaha
• Model: SR400 Super R'n'roller
• Year: late 1970s
• Body: Sen Ash
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Maple
• Frets: Vintage Style
• Pickups: 3x Yamaha Single-Coil
• Electronics: Passive (1x Volume, 2x Tone, 5-way switch)
• Bridge: Vintage tremolo
• Tuners: Enclosed
• Cosmetic condition: Pre-sale / visible signs of use
• Finish: Natural
• Weight: 3.66 kg

Body and construction

The solid Stratocaster-style body is made of sen ash and given a natural finish, in which the figure of the grain remains visible. Sen (Kalopanax), also referred to as Japanese ash, was a material widely used in Japanese guitars in the 1970s, with a grain pattern close to that of American ash. The instrument uses a traditional Bolt-on construction, with the neck bolted to the body. In line with the pre-sale arrangements, the finish and the wooden parts will undergo cleaning and polishing in our workshop, and the electronics cavities will be shielded.

Neck and playability

The maple neck of this model has a maple fingerboard – a construction in which the fingerboard is a cap made of the same species of wood as the neck itself. Depending on the assessment of the neck geometry, the original frets will receive an advanced levelling and polishing, or – if levelling (planing) of the fingerboard proves necessary – the instrument will receive a completely new set of frets. This will ensure correct intonation and proper string action along the entire length of the fingerboard. The fingerboard surface will be cleaned and conditioned.

Sound

The instrument is fitted with three single-coil pickups branded by Yamaha, in a passive circuit, with one Volume control, two Tone controls and a five-way switch.

• Character: Three single-coil pickups in a sen ash body and with a maple fingerboard give a voice with a clear top end and a pronounced attack. The five-way switch also provides the intermediate positions, in which two pickups work at the same time.
• Dynamics: The passive electronics respond in proportion to the strength of the picking attack. The planned servicing of the circuit and the shielding of the electronics cavities will reduce susceptibility to ambient noise – which is of particular importance with single-coil pickups.

Additional information

• The Super R'n'roller series is not featured in Yamaha's official historical materials today, which is why the dating and the specifications are based on collector sources and period documentation.
• The sen ash body is a documented specification for this model, confirmed on several independent examples.
• The factory in which this instrument was built is not documented – the attributions to particular factories that circulate are not confirmed in the sources.
• The guitar is offered on a pre-sale basis, which makes it possible to reserve this particular example before the full programme of luthier work in our workshop has been completed.

Hardware

• Bridge: A vintage-style tremolo with adjustable saddles, allowing intonation and string height to be set. In line with the scope of work, the hardware will undergo cleaning and refurbishment, and the bridge – a full intonation and string height adjustment.
• Tuners: Enclosed, of the type used in instruments of this period. The hardware will be thoroughly cleaned and lubricated to ensure tuning stability.

Condition

• Technical condition: The instrument is currently being prepared for playing (pre-sale). Once the planned luthier work is complete, it will be fully functional mechanically and electronically.
• Cosmetic condition: The instrument shows signs of use appropriate to its age – details are visible in the photographs.
• Setup and modifications: The planned service work includes: a setup (truss rod, string action and intonation adjustment), cleaning and polishing of the frets or – if required – levelling of the fingerboard with a refret, cleaning and polishing of the wooden and metal parts, servicing of the electronics.

Why choose this instrument

• Japanese construction from the 1970s: An example from the period when Yamaha was building its own line of instruments with a Stratocaster body outline, with a sen ash body and a maple fingerboard.
• Natural finish: The Natural version shows off the grain of the sen ash, characteristic of Japanese instruments of this period.
• Pre-sale offer: Buying on a pre-sale basis means you can reserve this particular example and receive it directly after the luthier work in our workshop has been completed.
• Comprehensive service: Within the agreed price the guitar will undergo all the planned preparation work, which removes the need for any further outlay of your own after collection.