Used Yamaha SA2200

[Heltaz]

Hey everyone. I'm thinking of purchasing a used 2007 Yamaha SA2200, and before I make the 5-hour drive to try it in person, I requested a video of the frets. I noticed some minor fret wear, but I'm not sure if it's within normal limits. Could you take a look and let me know your thoughts? Thanks!

Yamaha SA2200 frets - YouTube

[John A.]

Hey everyone. I'm thinking of purchasing a used 2007 Yamaha SA2200, and before I make the 5-hour drive to try it in person, I requested a video of the frets. I noticed some minor fret wear, but I'm not sure if it's within normal limits. Could you take a look and let me know your thoughts? Thanks!

Yamaha SA2200 frets - YouTube

It's impossible to tell for sure from the video because there are too many reflections and shadows, and you can't see the height of the frets with that camera angle. Maybe ask the seller for side-views of the frets (too see if they're worn low), a video of the guitar being played all the way up and down the neck to demonstrate that it's buzz-free (or not ...), and (if he knows how) to provide height measurements? That would give you a lot more information than what you have. All that said, I don't see any bad dents or flat spots, so it looks more or less normal to me (honestly, I can't see any wear at all, but I think that's due to the lighting and camera angle).

[Heltaz]

[mention]John A. [/mention] Thank you for the reply. I have uploaded some horizontal photos. It seems like they look good enough to go ahead and give it a try in person.






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[John A.]

The height and crowns look fine to me. With the caveat that the pictures aren't great, I don't see any wear. But the fact that the seller is willing to provide so many pictures is probably a good sign. With some of the frets, I think I see a thin dark line between the fret end and the fingerboard. Most likely that's just an artifact of the lighting and camera angle, but it could mean that the fret ends have lifted a little.

[Gitterbug]

Those frets seem quite ok for me. They can be recrowned before a refret, which depending on how much you play is in the remote future. The little wear I believe I see on the first fret suggests light cowboy chords playing. As we all know, there's no jazz below 5th fret anyway.

Edit: The SA 2200 is the guitar I should never have sold. If one in such pristine condition came my way, I'd call upstairs and ask for another postponement of my "use by" date.

[Cunamara]

As we all know, there's no jazz below 5th fret anyway.

And no money above it!

[starjasmine]

With some of the frets, I think I see a thin dark line between the fret end and the fingerboard. Most likely that's just an artifact of the lighting and camera angle, but it could mean that the fret ends have lifted a little.

Or that it was refretted? If the original frets on this guitar had nibs, lack thereof means it was refretted.

[John A.]

Or that it was refretted? If the original frets on this guitar had nibs, lack thereof means it was refretted.

I don’t think these ever came with fret nibs. I couldn’t find any pictures with them online, and I haven’t seen nibs on one in person, but I could be wrong about this.

[Woody Sound]

I think Yamaha frets over the binding, no nibs, BICBW. Anyway, they look good. Why don't you ask the seller if they are the original frets.

[DawgBone]

I don't see the difference whether the frets are original or not. It's a Yamaha. It should play good and if it does then nothing else really matters other than the price. The frets look good though his side shots were only of the bass side. I'm more concerned about divots and wear under the higher strings though it appears clean from the original video. Like most guitars it probably sat in it's case it's whole life. I love those Yamaha's, right up there with any good SA guitar and for a lot less money. A player's instrument!

[John A.]

I think we're getting a little far afield here. OP asked if the frets look OK. Everyone says yes. My only caveat is that are some shadows that might be lifted frets (probably not), or might just be shadows (more likely). Whether the guitar was re-fretted or had/didn't have nibs is irrelevant.

[Heltaz]

Thank you for all the advice. I went to try the guitar in person yesterday and ended up buying it. It plays great and sounds great. According to the owner, the only replacement made was the nut, as they replaced the bone one with tusq. The frets look good with no buzzing or issues. I did notice that 1 or 2 frets are slightly lifted but it doesn't affect the sound. I plan to visit my luthier soon to check if it's a problem or not, but overall, it plays well and sounds wonderful. I don't think there's anything to worry about. I'm actually in love with this instrument.


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