1975 Tama 3557 Dreadnought Guitar

Tama guitars from the '70s are pretty well-respected in the guitar community focused on Japanese-made instruments. They're outwardly "close to Martin clones" but are usually solid tops fit to ply back and sides (as in the case of this guy. It's built well and has a great, D-18-a-like sound to it despite the fact that the back and sides are ply rosewood (jacaranda veneer). Its handling is very Martin-like, too.

Bonus details on this model include neat "bordered" binding/purfling in faux-pearl, genuine Grover tuners at the headstock, and a '60s-looking Martin-style cut to the overall build.

It's been adjusted to play spot-on and it does -- with a robust, punchy voice that you would expect from a nice-quality dreadnought.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress and setup work.

Weight: soon

Scale length: soon

Nut width: 1 11/16"

Neck shape: soon

Board radius: 16"

Body width: soon

Body depth: soon

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: ply jacaranda rosewood

Bracing type: x

Bridge: rosewood, ebonized

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 54w-12 lights

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium

Condition notes: it has a hairline crack along the treble side of the fretboard extension on the top that has been repaired and cleated from behind. The saddle is on the low side but still has a little bit of adjustment left -- and I've added a little extra ramping behind the saddle running to the string slots to keep downpressure good on the saddle. The guitar is entirely original save the saddle, a strap button at the side of the neck's heel, and an endpin jack and pickup install (an iBeam pickup or similar, it looks like).

It comes with: sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: MNR