Fernandes MY-115S

This MY115S was one of the really interesting looking signature models. It is the Kiyoshi (Media Youth) model developed from MY95S launched in 1997 and finishing production as the MY-Custom S in 2003, and Kiyoshi was, and still is, a very successful musician in Japan and amongst fans of Japanese modern music. He used this model of guitar in his collaboration with Hide.

I bought this in as I knew it would put a smile on Keith's face when he really was up against it towards the end. His comment when I pinged him a photo of it is unbroadcastable however playing it was the second thing he would do to it. As well as the orange half sucked Firebird appearance, the sustainer function was something he was looking forward to experimenting with.

Then, a thoroughly good friend of ours took it to write and record with (it's on a few Delicate Giants tracks) and now it had returned to us; it's served its purpose admirably now and this is too useful and decent an instrument to stay here when it should be out plying its trade. As far as I am aware, this model was not routinely available outside Japan and therefore they are a very rare sight. I know of a few in Australia and a couple have been shipped in to USA, but none in UK or Europe. Like the other Artist Series guitars from Fernandes in the era, the guitar is made beautifully - a real professional grade instrument.

The body is maple and mahogany, the neck is maple with a nice rosewood board - flat and thin for those virtuosos, and nicely balanced for long stints on stage. The double octave neck feels good at the top and the bottom. The pick-ups are top drawer Fernandes - a VH402 at the bridge and a CD-100F with the sustainer at the neck. The bridge is a Wilkinson VS100 and in perfect condition. Like many of the signature models, the pick-ups are key to the design, and they don't bother with tone controls, so a single volume pot only. The 3 way toggle governs the pick-ups in classic 3-way fashion, and the 2 mini-switches control the sustainer circuit. The farther unit swiches the unit on and off, and the nearer 3 way switch governs the effect - a dynamic setting which responds to your picking strength; a setting that forces through a sustained note and the third setting that forces through an octave above the note you play. It is a sensitive unit unlike some others that can get overpowering and uncontrollable - this one seems to know what you want and lets you calm the effect very well.

The guitar is luthier prepared and ready for studio or stage. It will definitely get you noticed! You will see some unfortunate cracking and crazing of the lacquer on the upper horn. According the previous owner, this happened on a flight and not from anything more severe. It is invisible from the first row of the audience and has no bearing on the way this looks and plays. There is a stage-bash on the lower rear back of the body - nothing remotely serious. But if a perfect finish on a 25 year old is critical, please make sure you look at the photos carefully or call us for a video call.