1968 Yamaha SA30T Sunburst Vintage Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar, (Used)

The 1968 Yamaha SA30T in Sunburst is a vintage semi-hollow electric guitar with distinctive Japanese character, classic late-1960s styling and a voice that works beautifully across garage rock, indie, blues, surf-inspired tones, alternative music and vintage rhythm guitar sounds.

Built during a fascinating period of Japanese guitar production, the SA30T offers a very different personality from more familiar American-style semi-hollow guitars. It has the charm, feel and individuality of a genuine 1960s instrument, making it a strong choice for players and collectors looking for something with real age and character.

For guitarists who want a vintage semi-hollow with a unique look, lively response and distinctive tonal identity, this Yamaha SA30T is a highly interesting instrument. It offers vintage appeal without being another standard Strat, Tele, Les Paul or ES-style design.

Condition Overview

Very Good Vintage Condition

This 1968 Yamaha SA30T is in Very Good condition for a vintage instrument. This means it shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful ownership and age, while remaining fully functional and ready to play.

Vintage guitars naturally show signs of use, and those details are part of the character and history of the instrument. This example presents well, plays properly and has been checked before sale.

What’s Included?

✔ 1968 Yamaha SA30T Sunburst Electric Guitar

✘ No Case Included
✘ No Gigbag Included
✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This guitar shows cosmetic wear consistent with a vintage instrument from 1968. This can include marks, checking, small dents, light scratches, hardware ageing and general signs of use.

The guitar was originally modified with an additional pot added. It has since been reverted to the original electronics layout, and the extra hole from the previous modification has been plugged.

Fair Deal Inspection & Assessment

This pre-owned 1968 Yamaha SA30T has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• Electronics tested
• Original-style electronics layout checked
• Previous extra pot hole plug inspected
• Pickups checked
• Pickup selector tested
• Volume and tone controls checked
• Output jack tested
• Frets inspected
• Tuners checked
• Bridge checked
• Tremolo system checked
• Neck relief assessed
• General playability assessed

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

This vintage Yamaha semi-hollow has been assessed for playability, with the following checked:

• Action checked
• Neck relief checked
• Frets inspected
• Tuning stability checked
• Electronics tested
• Hardware checked
• Bridge setup checked
• Tremolo operation checked

Please note that guitar setup can sometimes shift slightly during delivery due to changes in temperature and humidity. We take this into account during our checks, but wood can naturally move in transit, particularly with vintage instruments.

Why Choose The 1968 Yamaha SA30T?

Genuine 1960s Japanese Vintage Character

The Yamaha SA30T comes from a brilliant era of Japanese guitar design, where manufacturers were creating instruments with their own look, feel and tonal identity. This guitar has genuine 1960s character, making it far more individual than many modern retro-inspired models.

Distinctive Semi-Hollow Tone

The semi-hollow construction gives the SA30T a lively and open response with extra resonance compared with a solid body electric. It works especially well for clean rhythm playing, lightly driven tones, garage rock textures, surf-inspired parts and vintage-style lead lines.

Sunburst Finish With Vintage Appeal

The Sunburst finish suits the SA30T’s 1960s design perfectly. It gives the guitar a classic vintage look while still allowing the unique Yamaha body shape and styling to stand out.

Restored Original-Style Control Layout

The electronics have been returned to the original-style layout after a previous additional control modification. This keeps the guitar’s functionality straightforward while preserving a clear record of its history.

Excellent Alternative To Familiar Vintage Guitars

The Yamaha SA30T offers real vintage appeal with a distinctive Japanese identity. It is a great option for players who want something more unusual than the standard vintage guitar choices, while still getting the character and feel of an instrument from the 1960s.

Great For Players And Collectors

This guitar will appeal to players who want something inspiring and different, as well as collectors interested in vintage Japanese instruments. It has the right combination of age, visual character, playability and unusual design.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Yamaha SA30T vs Gibson ES-330

The Gibson ES-330 has a very different American vintage identity and sits in a more familiar classic thinline category. The Yamaha SA30T offers a more unusual Japanese design character, with a distinctive look and a sharper vintage personality.

Yamaha SA30T vs Fender Coronado

The Fender Coronado and Yamaha SA30T both appeal to players who enjoy offset-flavoured vintage semi-hollow designs. The Coronado has a recognisable Fender heritage, while the Yamaha offers a more left-field Japanese alternative with its own charm and collector interest.

Yamaha SA30T vs Teisco And Guyatone Vintage Guitars

Teisco and Guyatone guitars are often associated with quirky Japanese vintage style. The Yamaha SA30T sits in a more refined space, offering distinctive 1960s Japanese design while carrying the Yamaha name and a strong reputation for build quality.

Yamaha SA30T vs Modern Retro-Style Semi-Hollows

Modern retro-style guitars can offer convenience and consistency, but they do not have the age, wear pattern or genuine period character of a 1968 instrument. The SA30T gives players a true vintage experience rather than a modern recreation.

Who Is It For?

Beginner Players

This is not a typical beginner guitar. A beginner could enjoy it, but it is best suited to someone who understands the character of vintage instruments and is comfortable owning a guitar with age, history and visible signs of use.

Intermediate Players

Intermediate players looking for something more inspiring than a standard modern electric guitar will appreciate the SA30T. It offers a unique feel and voice that can push your playing in new directions.

Professional Players

Professional players can use this Yamaha SA30T as a distinctive studio or stage guitar. Its vintage voice, semi-hollow resonance and unusual look make it excellent for adding character to recordings and live sets.

Suitable Genres And Uses

This 1968 Yamaha SA30T is well suited to:

• Garage rock
• Indie
• Alternative
• Surf-inspired tones
• Blues
• Vintage pop
• Psychedelic rock
• Lo-fi recording
• Studio texture
• Clean rhythm guitar
• Light overdrive
• Characterful lead lines
• Players wanting a vintage Japanese guitar

Why Choose A Vintage Japanese Semi-Hollow?

A vintage Japanese semi-hollow offers something very different from mainstream electric guitar choices. These instruments often have their own visual language, pickup response and playing personality, making them ideal for players who want sounds and looks that stand apart from standard modern guitars.

The Yamaha SA30T is especially appealing because it comes from one of Japan’s most respected instrument makers. It has the age and character of a true 1960s guitar while still being practical enough to play and enjoy.

A semi-hollow guitar can also be very useful in the studio. It adds air, resonance and personality to clean and driven parts, helping tracks feel more alive and less generic.

Looking for advice on vintage Japanese guitars, semi-hollow electrics or characterful recording instruments? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Yamaha SA Series

Yamaha has a long history of producing high-quality guitars, and the SA series is an important part of that story. Before Yamaha became widely associated with later professional semi-hollow models, earlier instruments such as the SA30T showed the brand exploring bold electric guitar design during the 1960s.

The 1968 SA30T reflects that period perfectly. It has the personality of a vintage Japanese guitar, the practical appeal of a semi-hollow electric and the visual flair of a design that does not simply copy the usual American templates.

This example also carries its own individual history, including a previous electronics modification that has been professionally reverted. That detail forms part of the guitar’s story while keeping the instrument playable and functional.

Technical Specifications

Power Requirements

No power supply or battery is required. This is a passive electric guitar and only needs a standard 1/4" instrument cable and a suitable guitar amplifier, pedalboard or audio interface.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
Competitive prices on leading music brands
Secure UK-wide delivery
Flexible finance options available (subject to status)
Friendly support before and after your purchase
A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

FAQ

Is the Yamaha SA30T a good choice for vintage guitar tones?

Yes. The SA30T has genuine 1960s character, semi-hollow resonance and a distinctive voice that works well for vintage-inspired clean and driven sounds.

How does a semi-hollow guitar differ from a solid body?

A semi-hollow guitar has more acoustic resonance and air in the sound than a solid body. It can feel more open and lively, especially for clean, lightly driven and rhythm guitar parts.

Is this guitar suitable for recording?

Yes. Its distinctive vintage character makes it useful in the studio, especially when you want a guitar part to stand out from more common electric guitar sounds.

What styles suit the Yamaha SA30T?

It works well for garage rock, indie, alternative, surf-inspired sounds, blues, vintage pop, psychedelic rock and characterful studio textures.

Does the plugged hole affect playability?

No. The plugged hole is a cosmetic and historical detail from the previous modification. The guitar remains fully playable and functional.

Is this suitable for live performance?

Yes. It can be used live, especially by players who want a vintage semi-hollow sound with a distinctive visual identity.

Is this a collector’s guitar?

Yes. It will appeal to players and collectors interested in vintage Japanese guitars, especially unusual Yamaha models from the 1960s.

Can vintage guitars need more care than modern guitars?

Yes. Vintage guitars should be stored carefully, kept away from extreme temperature and humidity changes, and maintained properly to preserve their condition and playability.

Can I try this guitar in-store?

Fair Deal Music has a large Birmingham showroom, and our team can offer advice on vintage Yamaha guitars, Japanese semi-hollow instruments and pre-owned electric guitars.