Re: K.YASUMA GUITARS

: : : : : I am looking at a K. Yasuma Guitar that I believe may be a model 130. It has the Newance logo on the headstock and a serial number. There is no model number but the word Lackeys is on a label on the inside. Does anyone have any info about this guitar.
: : : That's weird. I have a Yasuma that I bought in 1969 at Lackeys Music in Newport News, Va. The darn Lackeys sticker is covering the model number. Are you from that neck of the woods?

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: I am from That "neck of the woods". I bought a Yasuma from Harry Lackey at his store in Hampton in the early '70s. (See my previous post.) I have found out since then that K. Yasuma was in the furniture business (like competitor Yamaha was) and saw an opportunity to expand into a related business. Most of their output went to the UK but a few dealers in the states probably imported them themselves. They were no-doubt scared off by threatened lawsuits by Martin, as they are pretty good knock-offs and sounded better than many affordable American guitars from that time period. As I recall, several of my schoolmates bought Yasumas as an affordable move-up from the beginner guitars we got as kids. Harry's was strictly a "guitar store" no horns or drums as I recall. Gibson was his main line and he had a good selection of new and vintage(just "used" in those days)guitars.
: I just had a luthier friend check mine over and clean up the setup. It still sounds great. I have (except once) stuck to Lackey's recommendation to only use extra light strings. The bit of masking tape he put inside to remind me is still there. I put lights on one time and the action change scared the hell out of me. It probably could have been set up for them but it plays very well and plenty loud for solo efforts as is.
: It is good to hear that a few of them are still around and are appreciated.

Not sure but you maybe remember a band I was in back around that time, Tricks. We played all over the Tidewater area, east coast & midwest. When I first bought my Yasuma, I had never heard of them but was amazed at how good it played & sounded. Only problem is that the neck was pulling away from the body so I bolted it all the way through & put a strap nut on it, looks factory & it's worked fine for what, 30 some years. You got any idea what these things are worth?