After some years drooling over it I found the right oportunity to get one of these from Japan (to Spain) for Christmas. Paid little over 600€, shipping and customs included. This Yamaha SBV-500 was made in Taiwan in 2000 (acording to the Guitar Dater Project). It's REAL LIGHT and comfy. Neck is AMAZING (like them skinny). Came with strings loose so it's been in tune for over an hour now, and it's OK, action feels good. Don't like these strings much (probably a heavier gauge than I'd use) but it's OK. I've only tested it with rudimetary means (crappy computer speakers), will sample it at home with some nice bass cover soon. Has some dings here & there, but overall looks nice, well maintained. It has a crack on the headstock, from the hole for the E string tuner screw do the border (you'll see it in the last -headstock rear- pic). Nothing to worry about, doesn't make it to the front of the headstock, not structurally challenging. Should I still try and do something about it, inject some glue in there or anything? Probably the reason why this was the cheapest SBV-500 I've seen on evil Bay for quite some time (I knew beforehand from the seller's photos, just didn't care). Came with a nice brand new gig bag too. Love the looks, the crimson colour, love the aggressive Jazz'ish tone. I might even try this strung BEAD with a metal band I often sub for.
Last but not least, photos, for it to have happened...
Will show up under the tree this next DEC-25. And this is how my stable will look now...
Last but not least, photos, for it to have happened...
Will show up under the tree this next DEC-25. And this is how my stable will look now...
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There's no SBVs to be seen 'round here in Spain, there's no price reference really. Only occasionally I've seen them go used from within Europe, and at sleep prices (towards the 1K€ mark). Been looking real often, and they don't seem to go down. The one I bought is the cheapest I've ever seen, acquirable from the EU.
