The SA50 was launched in July 1967 as a replacement for the SA5 similar in many ways but with some cosmetic differences. The 50B
was launched later, October 1968 according to the archives, but catalogues from around that time are hard to find so it is difficult
to be certain. I have seen the 50B in a 1972 catalogue and only the 50 appears in the 1968 English catalogue. The B is the same guitar but
with a different body finish see later. These guitars featured as far as the 1974 catalogue
Specifications SA50
Body Curly Maple with a high Gloss Polyurethane finish Celluloid (Ivoroid) binding with 2 similarly bound F holes
Natural Finish ones are Sycamore.
Neck Bound Maple Glued in Matching on all but the Sunburst
Fretboard Rosewood 22 Frets with a zero fret, block markers 630mm scale 13.75" radius
Headstock See pictures Matching on all but the Sunburst Yamaha written on Aluminium Truss Rod cover with Tuning Fork logo
Tuners Yamaha Closed High Ratio
Pickups 2 Hum Free Yamaha Anisotrophic Ferrite with fully adjustable pole pieces
Controls 1 Volume 1 Tone 1 Blender and a 3 way
Nut 42mms
Hardware Chrome
Bridge Roller type strings individually height adjustable and bridge adjustable with Feather Touch Yamaha Trem and Yamaha stoptail
Pickguard Small black 5 ply
Colours Sunburst, Natural, Aruba Green or Cherry Red
Weight 3.4kgs
The 50B is the same guitar with a special finish that they called Pearl Tone. The colours had peculiar names the catalogue
has Pearl Marine, Pearl Sunflower and Pearl Shadow, the archives have White Sycamore (natural finish), Pearl Sunflower,
Pearl Camellia, Pearl Marine, Pearl Glacier.
