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Up for sale a 1980s Guyatone Sharp 5 model LG-1200 in exceptional, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. This highly-coveted top-tier model was only produced briefly in the '80s and combines fine craftsmanship with unique surf-inspired design including a radically shaped alder body with prominent German Carve, Fender Jaguar-style single coil pickups, and a smooth, responsive vibrato. Designed by Jinichi Nagasaka (who would later design the Yūzō Kayama model in conjunction with Mosrite), this iteration of the Sharp 5 elevates the original design with heel-less set-neck construction and premium hardware. The Ventures themselves even briefly played their own custom-made Guyatone LG-1200s which can be seen in the epically bad music video for "Wipe Out '88."
Tonally, this LG-1200 has plenty of chiming treble snap and bass register growl. The ingenious pickup switching (one three-way switch, and a smaller three-way mini toggle) allows for all possible pickup selections between the trio of single coils. The bridge pickup offers a rubbery snap and upper midrange honk, with a cutting sparkle that sounds great when paired with either of the other coils. The neck pickup has a thick woof, and the middle pickup acts as a useful thickening agent. This Guyatone weighs 8lbs 8oz, professionally setup here at Mike and Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action and accurate intonation.
The maple set neck has a medium C-shaped profile carve with moderate shoulder at the nut and a gentle increase in overall heft further up the fretboard, measuring .835” deep at the 1st fret and .975” at the 12th. The bound ebony fretboard has a 9 1/2” radius, featuring star inlays and stock slender fretwire which is in remarkable shape, showing only a hint of wear beneath the plain strings on the crowns of frets 1-3. This guitar plays cleanly up the 24 3/4” scale with a straight neck and a responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod. The fretboard width is 1.650" at the zero fret just forward of the brass nut. The matching Sparkle Blue headstock features a gold script “Sharp Five” logo, and the gold Kluson-style tuners turn smoothly and hold accurate pitch.
All of the electronics work as intended, with a three-way pickup selector switch and Master Volume and Tone knobs. The three-way mini toggle functions as follows:
Up - Middle pickup disengaged
Middle - Middle pickup engaged in all pickup settings
Down - Middle pickup only (traditional three-way pickup toggle bypassed)
The all-gold hardware is extremely clean, only displaying a faint dusting of patina on the knobs and vibrato. The vibrato bridges the gap between Fender and Mosrite, with aesthetics closer to the latter and the functionality of the former. It actuates easily and is very smooth and responsive, working in concert with the very heavy-duty roller bridge (another nod to Mosrite) for warbles and expressive dives. The dark purple two-ply blue pickguard accents the gloss Sparkle Blue finish which is bold and vibrant, and cosmetic wear limited to just a few faint finish scratches on the body as a whole. The smooth gloss finish on the neck profile is pristine.
The original black tolex hardshell case is included.
Tonally, this LG-1200 has plenty of chiming treble snap and bass register growl. The ingenious pickup switching (one three-way switch, and a smaller three-way mini toggle) allows for all possible pickup selections between the trio of single coils. The bridge pickup offers a rubbery snap and upper midrange honk, with a cutting sparkle that sounds great when paired with either of the other coils. The neck pickup has a thick woof, and the middle pickup acts as a useful thickening agent. This Guyatone weighs 8lbs 8oz, professionally setup here at Mike and Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action and accurate intonation.
The maple set neck has a medium C-shaped profile carve with moderate shoulder at the nut and a gentle increase in overall heft further up the fretboard, measuring .835” deep at the 1st fret and .975” at the 12th. The bound ebony fretboard has a 9 1/2” radius, featuring star inlays and stock slender fretwire which is in remarkable shape, showing only a hint of wear beneath the plain strings on the crowns of frets 1-3. This guitar plays cleanly up the 24 3/4” scale with a straight neck and a responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod. The fretboard width is 1.650" at the zero fret just forward of the brass nut. The matching Sparkle Blue headstock features a gold script “Sharp Five” logo, and the gold Kluson-style tuners turn smoothly and hold accurate pitch.
All of the electronics work as intended, with a three-way pickup selector switch and Master Volume and Tone knobs. The three-way mini toggle functions as follows:
Up - Middle pickup disengaged
Middle - Middle pickup engaged in all pickup settings
Down - Middle pickup only (traditional three-way pickup toggle bypassed)
The all-gold hardware is extremely clean, only displaying a faint dusting of patina on the knobs and vibrato. The vibrato bridges the gap between Fender and Mosrite, with aesthetics closer to the latter and the functionality of the former. It actuates easily and is very smooth and responsive, working in concert with the very heavy-duty roller bridge (another nod to Mosrite) for warbles and expressive dives. The dark purple two-ply blue pickguard accents the gloss Sparkle Blue finish which is bold and vibrant, and cosmetic wear limited to just a few faint finish scratches on the body as a whole. The smooth gloss finish on the neck profile is pristine.
The original black tolex hardshell case is included.
