Yamaha SA-70 Short Scale Bass Guitar - Fretless - Semi Acoustic - Jumbo Hard Case - 1969

I am selling my Yamaha SA-70 Semi Acoustic Fretless Bass Guitar, made in Japan in the late 1960’s. It has a 31 inch scale, has a set-neck which is straight, and all notes play comfortably up and down the neck.

Yamaha guitars from this era are very well made and this is no exception. It seems to have been well played over the years - the dense dark burgundy finish shows a lot of wear on the top layers but few chips and no breaks. The trim around the headstock has come off in some places.

I have never seen another fretless SA-70 but they might be out there. I bought this as a project, with the fretboard not installed and the neck sanded and clean. I don’t know if this was the original fretboard but it is a gorgeous piece of rosewood and fits like it was made for the guitar. I used Titebond hide glue to carefully adhere and clamp the board to the neck. If for some reason you wanted to revert to fretted it will come off cleanly with steam and heat.

The neck is medium thin, described as a slim C. Not as thin as Hofners from this era but fits well in the hand. This is the first short scale fretless bass I have played and am really taken by it - so much more comfortable to fret than a full scale for those of us used to playing guitar.

I place my finger slightly above the side markers and pretty much in the middle of the double markers to play in tune and it works well. Playing with a tuner attached has helped me find the true notes on the fretboard.

The pickups, from what I have read, are humbuckers and are very clean sounding, with little line noise or hum. Each read 8.4 resistance, and together read 4.2.

Two of the knobs are standard, the one closest to the pickup is volume, the one below it is tone. The third one, between the bridge and the tail, is a blender - when turned clockwise it engages the neck pickup and turned counter clockwise engages the bridge pickup. In the middle setting both are on. The neck pickup has a deep tone and the bridge leans towards the treble so there is a nice distinction. I assume these are not the original knobs and it would make more sense to move the tone knob back to the tone pot, just never got to it. (I've changed them since taking the photos).

The volume and tone knobs turn clean. The blender knob has a bit of static when you get towards the middle and sometimes, when turned all the way clockwise the sound drops out until you slightly turn it. They probably could use a good cleaning but access to them would be complicated. 

There are membranes inside both f-holes that help prevent distortion (I am told), which is a nice touch.

The long metal truss rod cover and oversize plastic covered metal tuner grips are also quite stylish. The original tuners hold tune very well. The graphite nut is relatively new and I have filed the string grooves a bit to improve string height and playability.

Basic dimensions are:

Length - 44 inches

Lower Bout - about 15.5 inches

Depth - 1 7/8 inches

Body and neck are maple. 

The truss rod works with an 8 mm (or slightly smaller) tool, though I have not had to make any adjustments.

The bass comes with a jumbo size Dean hard case, probably from the 1990’s. The lower back hinge is not intact but when all latches are locked it is very strong and secure. 

I will pack professionally and ship quickly. Feel free to send questions.

I often have 60’s guitars and basses on my Reverb page, feel free to check them out.