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.
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.
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!
I have one too. I love the sound. How do you read the serial for what year it is?
Joe
Joe, what is your email? There is a tech here in Seattle that repaired mine, really nice guy.
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!
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
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
Hey do you know where i could find front grill screen for ta 60 thanks
any chance of getting a scan of the service manual for the TA-30
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!
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.
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
here is a link for a TA-30 on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221067654521?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619
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
Look out for Yamaha TS cabinets or RA-50.
Both are somewhat costly, but you might find one suitable for spares.
regards
Peter
There are 5 Yamaha TA amps:
TA-20
TA-30
TA-60
TA-90
TA-120
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 ??
Yeah !! , got a workshop manual covering TA-30 , TA-60 and TA-120.
)
That’ll keep my amps alive for years to come.
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
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.
What is a ta-60 worth?
if anyone has a ts60 speaker cab (from the ta70?) could they tell me what the values for the fuses are? it’s probably the same power amp as in the ta60 seeing as it’s driving 2 of those same speakers.
The amp unit should be the same as in a TA-60 , using 2 and 3 amp fuses.
Doesn anybody know anything about the yamaha ts-200 its a 412 powered cab but has no volume or eq knobs you just plug in and play but if you hook up a od pedal it can ge really loud it looks like it might have tubes in it but i wasnt able to take off the covers that looked like they might have tube in them
I have a working TA-60 that I’d like to sell. My only complaint with this amp is that the potentiometers are ‘scratchy’, and that’s after I cleaned them with Caig Lab’s faderlube. Nice sounding amp, but I’ve got too many of those..
I have the TA-30 and would greatly appreciate a scan of the repair manual
Thanks
Dana in Alberta
Do you still need a repair manual ??
I’ve got scans. ;o)
Send me an email, and return the pdf files.
Best Regards
Peter
Def. can use a TA-60 schem. If there are any out there pleeeeze send me one. Never have I seen speakers like this. The Japanese always seemed to have a futuristic sense in many of their designs and took chances…or bust…which happened from time to time. Gotta luv it!
Do you still need a repair manual ??
I’ve got scans. ;o)
Send me an email, and return the pdf files.
Best Regards
Peter