Categories: Guitar EquipmentPro Audio Archive

Yamaha Guitars And Guitar Amplifiers 1968

Download the entire 12-page 1968 Yamaha Guitar/Amp Catalog (USA region):

DOWNLOAD: Yamaha_guitars_amps_1968_catalog

Models covered in this publication: Model 150, 120, 100, 80, and 60 Classical guitars. Model FG-110, FG-150, FG-180, FG-230 steel-string acoustic guitars. Model SA-50, SA-30, SA-70, SA-20, and AE-11 electric hollowbody guitars; and the TA-60 and TA-30 guitar amplifiers.

I have owned and used several of these instruments. The electrics are really very cool, but keep in mind that most examples will need a neck reset and/or plane in order to play like a new guitar. Dig that dark green finish on the bass though. Killer.

It has often been noted that Jimmy Page toured with Yamaha acoustics in the early 70’s, which may be why Japanese Made ‘red-label’ Yamaha acoustics are currently in-demand.

Yamaha has used the term ‘natural sound’ for many decades to market a wide range of different audio gimmicks. The only constant seems to be that ‘natural sound’ represents Yamaha’s willingness to try odd new things in a constant technological struggle to achieve more accurate sound-reproduction. This early iteration of ‘natural sound’ seems to consist of these odd trapezoidal ‘happy-meal’ foam speakers. We had one of these amps in our band back in the 90’s and it was heavy as a bastard and very dull-sounding.

Not sure if this was Yamaha’s own technology or if they licensed it from another firm. In any event, these odd speakers made their way into an obscure Fender combo amp in 1969, the Bantam Bass.

(web source)

The Bantam Bass is essentially a Bassman 10 with one large foam speaker in place of four 10″ drivers. It was a short-lived product.

chris

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View Comments

Jacob says:

01/08/2011 at 11:54 pm

Awesome! It's hard to find info on the TA-60 Pyramid amps. I have a 1968 and a 1969. I also am the proud owner of the complete repair manual for these. Great sounding amps. Perfect for surf tones or just running F/X pedals. If you have the chance to pick one up, do it. You won't show up to the dance with the same dress as anyone else for sure. Good luck!
- Joe says:
  
  02/27/2011 at 11:39 pm
  
  I have one too. I love the sound. How do you read the serial for what year it is?
  Joe
  - Jacob says:
    
    04/12/2012 at 2:18 pm
    
    Joe, what is your email? There is a tech here in Seattle that repaired mine, really nice guy.
- Josh says:
  
  09/24/2011 at 2:51 pm
  
  Jacob, any chance you'd be willing to scan that TA 60 repair manual? A buddy of mine has one that's on the fritz, and the service manual would be a huge help. Or if anyone else has access to the manuals let me know!
- Roly says:
  
  09/26/2011 at 9:26 pm
  
  Jacob,
  
  I have a couple of people having troubles with these and would be very greatful if you could send me a scan of the circuits (schematics) - rolyroper AT yahoo DOT com.
  
  TIA
- Buzzard says:
  
  06/27/2012 at 1:48 pm
  
  Hi Jacob.
  Do you have a scanned version of your TA-60 manual ??
  Any chance you'll e-mail it to me ??
  Best Regards
  Peter
- petra says:
  
  08/05/2012 at 2:57 am
  
  Hey do you know where i could find front grill screen for ta 60 thanks
- SVO says:
  
  03/12/2013 at 10:38 pm
  
  any chance of getting a scan of the service manual for the TA-30
- T Max says:
  
  11/18/2013 at 1:59 am
  
  Jacob,
  I just bought a Yamaha TA-60 but it needs work. I could use the schematic to get it repaired.
  Thank you.
  T Max from Boston
- Maurice Turgeon says:
  
  03/10/2017 at 12:25 pm
  
  Hi, I have one TA-60 that belongs to my friend that would need repairs and I would be very grateful if you could send me a copy of the diagram at least (advise me if any costs??..)
  Thank you very much Maurice maurice442 at hotmail dot com
Guitar Amplifiers says:

03/11/2011 at 7:28 pm

wow I had no idea that Yamaha made guitars back then, I guess you learn something new every day. That picture of the electric acoustic looks sort of like an archtop guitar to me but now quite as big maybe.

The green bass however looks pretty spiffy. I think I want one!
- KC Beck says:
  
  10/01/2012 at 2:47 am
  
  FYI,
  Not selling it but I got a 3rd generation guitar, in green also, very very rare with the color and SA-30.
  
  The green is beautiful, if you can find one like it it is a great guitar, only complaint at all is keeping it in tune, but such is life for bigsby style guitars. It was my grandpa's and my dads, and mine Now.
John Booth says:

03/17/2011 at 4:45 pm

I am looking for one of these Yamaha ta-20, ta-30 or ta-60 amps.
Anyone willing to sell to an individual in the USA email John at raggedtelecaster@gmail.com
- Buzzard says:
  
  07/14/2012 at 7:36 pm
  
  here is a link for a TA-30 on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221067654521?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619
- John Booth says:
  
  01/11/2018 at 8:12 am
  
  Guys, I no longer need this amp (I'm the poster above)
  John
Henrik says:

10/05/2011 at 6:42 am

Jacob,

If you got the willpower and resources to scan the manual it whould be one of the gratest moments in my life since me buying a TA-60 this monday, this would helt me alot!

Cheers
Hnordlander@gmail.com
John Booth says:

02/03/2012 at 8:37 am

Guys,
I have a perfect TA-60 myself except one of the weird speakers doesn't work. Does anyone know where I can find one of these JA-4001 speakers used in the Fender Bantam and Yamaha TA-series amps?
Thanks,
John in ohio
- Buzzard says:
  
  06/15/2012 at 3:57 pm
  
  Look out for Yamaha TS cabinets or RA-50.
  Both are somewhat costly, but you might find one suitable for spares.
  
  regards
  Peter
- Dwain L. Schmidt says:
  
  09/29/2018 at 3:04 am
  
  did you ever find a speaker for the T60? I have 2 if needed. thanks dwain.schmidt@gmail.com
Buzzard says:

06/10/2012 at 8:30 am

There are 5 Yamaha TA amps:
TA-20
TA-30
TA-60
TA-90
TA-120
Buzzard says:

06/26/2012 at 5:19 pm

Ups !! , there is supposed to ba another TA model: TA-70 ,
looks a bit like TA-90, but with only 2 speakers.
Does anyone have pictures ??
Buzzard says:

06/28/2012 at 4:42 pm

Yeah !! , got a workshop manual covering TA-30 , TA-60 and TA-120.
That'll keep my amps alive for years to come. :o)
- Bruno Sousa says:
  
  12/21/2012 at 9:14 pm
  
  Hello
  
  Saw your comment regarding the circuits/manual of the amp Yamaha TA60.
  I have a broken Yamaha TA60 and I would really need this. Could you please send me a scan of it.
  
  Thank you very much, sorry for the abuse.
  
  Best
  Bruno Sousa
- T Max says:
  
  11/18/2013 at 2:02 am
  
  Buzzard--
  I also could use a schematic for the TA-60--just picked one up but it needs work.
  Thank you--T Max
- Sven Midensol says:
  
  08/26/2014 at 5:34 pm
  
  Hi. I just got a TA-70! The power amp is dead and i really could use a wiring... U still have?
  
  Thanx in advance!
  
  sven.midensol at gmail.com
- egon andersen, højbovej 5 8270 højbjerg, denmark says:
  
  04/13/2016 at 5:00 am
  
  i just bought a yamaha ta 60 and i could use a manual. can i buy a copy of yours venlig hilsen egon
nathaniel brewer says:

07/13/2012 at 12:42 am

i have a 1968 yamaha sa-30 semi-acoustic hollowbody ss 9435. I have the original capo's and strap from the 60's. looking to sell it... great playing guitar, just want to get rid of it. need some cash. i will send pics if anyone is interested.
Mike says:

07/19/2012 at 2:36 pm

What is a ta-60 worth?