1974 Tama 3555 – £649

NEW ARRIVAL  Tama are one of the best kept secrets amongst 70’s Japanese guitars. They were handmade by a select group of Ibanez luthiers for a few years in the mid to late 70s, and represent amongst the highest quality guitars of the period, both in skill of craft and the materials used. Made from all solid woods, the 3555 has the classic combination of Bear Claw Spruce top with Rosewood back and sides, Ebony fingerboard and bridge, and double Abalone binding on the sides. Add to this the quality finish, plus nearly 50 years of play, and the guitar has a real maturity to it’s tone, with great clarity and definition. The guitar is in well played condition, with quite a few bumps and bruises, but no cracks or repairs. There’s a general feeling amongst dealers that prices of these better Japanese acoustics is going to rise, so this could be a good investment as well as a good player. The guitar comes in a non original case.