Product Description
This is an incredible find, in outstanding condition
Made In Japan, 1973
1ST Year of production
The SA-500 model is first seen in the 1973 catalogue
(side by side with the SA-450)
The original Maxon pickups are dated to 9th April 1973
Making it an EXTREMLY early, first year model
“GNECO” headstock logo period
Very, very few of the SA500 models from 1973 ever become available
They are becoming increasingly rare to find as the years roll on
The SA-500 is a serious challenger to any “G” brand ES335
With the main difference being it is a full Hollow Body, no centre block
There are four other main features to the earliest SA500 models
These are unique to 1973, and the first half (vol.1 catalogue) of 1974 only
The fretboard is a higher end Ebony, opposed to a standard Indian Rosewood in later years
The fretboard has split parallelogram inlays, opposed to standard block inlays in later years
The tailpiece is a decorative trapeze, opposed to the standard trapeze tailpiece in later years
Finally, the output jack is mounted on the side of the body, instead of the front in ater years
Buy the second half of 1974 (vol. 2 catalogue) all these features change
Making this 1973 version incredibly collectible
The finish is a classic Cherry Red, the figuring on the body wood is amazing
Perfectly offset with aged cream body binding
Maple set neck
24 ¾” scale length, 12” radius
Open book style headstock
All round it is an amazing hollow body at 53 years vintage
It is in excellent overall condition, freshly set up with 10-46 Daddario strings
As a final bonus (and even more collector points) it includes the Original Hard Case
ITEM CONDITION
All machinery, electrical, and pickups are without issue. Some light surface marks and scuffing, some very small impressions/dings/dimples/dents/chips, light aging and tarnish to hardware, - as pictured. The back of the tuners (dust cover circle) have had the circle painted solid black (previous owner).
