The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

Q&A, discussion, and information for the labels covered by The Guitar Gallery (Specifically and exclusively guitars made by Matsumoku up to 1987)
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 Post subject: Yamaha MSG/Image
PostPosted: Thu 28 Jul 2022 05:04 PM 
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Power Chorder

Joined: Sun 16 Jan 2022 01:22 AM
Posts: 21
Any thoughts on the Yamaha Image (also referred to as the MSG - "Martin's Solid Guitar")?

They were made in the late 80's through the early 90's. Here is an article about that model:
https://www.vintageguitar.com/5511/yamaha-image/

When I first heard of these, I noted that they were made in Taiwan rather than Yamaha's main Japanese factory. This made me skeptical, imagining that the quality would be lower than their made-in-Japan models - perhaps closer to a typical Chinese/Korean/Indonesian instrument of that time. However, I've read some online reviews from users who have absolutely raved about them, saying they were better than Yamaha's vintage flagship SG series (which is saying quite a lot!!!). Some have even compared the quality to a USA-made Paul Reed Smith!

Anyone hear owned/tried one?


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 Post subject: Re: Yamaha MSG/Image
PostPosted: Fri 29 Jul 2022 07:53 AM 
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Virtuoso
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Joined: Sat 12 Oct 2002 09:20 AM
Posts: 1123
I haven't tried a Yamaha Image Custom, but I played the semi acoustic counterpart to it. The Image Custom was made in Japan (maybe there is an entry model to this line made in Taiwan). Not sure if the guitar is made by Yamaha themselves, a lot of the Japanese made Yamaha guitars are actually made by Fujigen.
Anyway, you can't do much wrong with a Japanese made Yamaha guitar... but be prepared to pay the price. A used Image Custom in good shape can easily cost you 1500 USD... and in that price range there is a lot of competition.


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