Books
The following items are digital scans from our archive of original documents
Books
Musical Instruments and Way of Musical Life (1976)
From Players Corporation and in Japanese.
Page 86 features JooDee models JST-55YS (B), JST-60N, JST-50N, JLP-55CS (TB), JYP-55YS, JRB-50B, JJB-60YS (B).
Page 152 features Yamaki models YW-40, YW30-12, YW-60, YM-800, YM-1000, YM-2000.
Page 153 features a dual Yamaki / JooDee ad. Yamaki has a “Get in folk” tagline featuring a YW-50 (with Daion “Y” logo on headstock), and JooDee has a “Get in rock” tagline featuring a JST-55YS.
Rock & Guitar (1977)
This Japanese publication is from April 1977 an has 154 pages.
There is a section that starts on page 123 entitled “Electric Guitar & Guitar Amp Catalog.” On page 130 we have the JooDee brand mentioned and lists the JST-60N (Stratocaster style guitar).
The blurb says that JooDee is a brand “that has made a name for itself over the past year or two.” It goes on to state “the series consisted mainly of copy models of Fender, Gibson, Rickebacker, etc."
Rock & Guitar (1978)
This Japanese publication is from April 1978 an has 178 pages.
There is a section that starts on page 147 entitled “The Rock Catalog.” On page 161 we have a picture of the Yamaki YST-800 (Stratocaster style guitar).
The blurb says Yamaki is a new electric guitar builder, but that you might have heard of its predecessor - JooDee. The paragraph also mentions they have a limited production, all hand made, full-acoustic “GEM” guitar at 330,000 Yen.
The YST-800 has American made Mighty Might picks that are comparable to Dimarzio, and the detachable neck has the “ERS” system. The body is single plate white ash, neck is maple, and fingerboard is rosewood (all maple neck is available). The price is 80,000 Yen.
1978-’79 Electronic & Electric Musical Instruments Catalog (1979)
A Japanese publication by Music Trade with ~232 pages.
Many Yamaki models are listed. Page 42 has Fender Stratocaster styled models YST-800, YST-600, YST-550, YST-500, and YST-450. Page 44 has Les Paul styled models YLP-800, YLP-600, YLP-550 (triple humbucker), YLP-500, and YLP-450. Page 75 has Fender Precision and Jazz styled models YPB-700, YPB-500, YPB-450, YJB-800, YJP-600, and YJP-500.
There is also a full page Yamaki ad on page 43 highlighting their unique features of their electrics.
Page 57 has two models from T & JooDee, the GEM-A and GEM-B, both at ¥300,000.
Guitar Catalog ‘79 (1979)
A Japanese publication featuring electric guitars, basses, amps and accessories.
Page 154: Founder (distributed by Daion) models FLP-20, FLP-32
Page 155: Founder FLP-35, FSG-20, FSG-30, and FST-20
Page 240 Yamaki YST-500, YST-550
Page 241 Yamaki YST-600, YST-800, YLP-500, YLP-550.
Towards the back of the book there is a full page ad for Yamaki that highlights some of their innovations (e.g. Epochal Rod System) and other features of their electric guitars.
‘80 Musical Instrument Catalog (1980)
A Japanese publication featuring electric guitars, basses, amps and accessories ~178 pages.
On page 83, in the acoustic guitars section, features the Yamaki YF-20 and YW-30W (Maple).
Page 92 of the electric guitar section shows the Yamaki YST-600 Stratocaster style guitar:
Lastly on page 96 the listing says Founder FLP-20 (a Les Paul style guitar), but the headstock says Yamaki. This is not too surprising as Daion distributed both Yamaki and Founder.
Guitar Catalog ‘80 (1980)
A Japanese publication featuring electric guitars, basses, amps and accessories ~194 pages.
Page 95: Founder (distributed by Daion) models FST-20, FLP-20, FPB-20
Page 123: T&Joodee GEM-A, GEM-B
Page 127: Washburn SB-30, SB-40-I, SB-20, SB-10, A-20, A-10
Page 141: Washburn Acoustics D-66SW, F-60SW, D-30S and Yamaki Acoustics Mark-V, YW-50M, THE ‘79/T (transducer)
Rock Hardware (1981)
From author Tony Bacon. There are two mentions of Daion.
First is on page 26 in the Acoustic Guitar chapter and notes that manufacturers were making acoustics out of “unusual or exotic woods.” “The Daion acoustics, for example, recent products of Japan, feature ovoncol sides and back, and a nato neck.”
Lastly on page 208, in an index of Selected Manufacturers, Daion is listed with three locations:
Daion Co Ltd, 3-5-20 Motomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaks 556, Japan
Rosetti Ltd, 138-140 Old Street, London EC1, UK
MCI Inc, 7400 Imperial Drive, Waco, TX 76710
GuitarBook - Guitar Catalog ‘81 (1981)
In the electrics section on page 132 and 133 we see a range of Yamaki made guitars and basses. Under the Yamaki brand we have their top of the line electrics: YLP-800 Les Paul, YST-800 Stratocaster, YPB-700 Precision Bass, and YJB-800 Jazz Bass. It’s interesting to know that Yamaki was selling their own branded electrics as late as 1981.
Yamaki made Washburns: SB-30 (Eagle?), SB-20 (Falcon?), SB-10 (Hawk?), Stage Series A-10, A-20, and for basses SB-40-1 (single pickup Vulture) and SB-40-2 (P/J dual pickup Vulture).
We also see Joodee on the same page listing non-Yamaki made instruments, namely the high end GEM-A and GEM B archtops.
For acoustics, on page 155 we see a narrow range listed. Yamaki YW-60M, Mark I (same as a Daion Mark I), and a YB-500 “buffalo head”.
For Washburn acoustics, and I’ll assume these are Yamaki made, models F-26S, D-50S, and D-62SW.
Rockin’f - The Musical Instruments 1981 (1981)
A Japanese publication featuring Yamaki-built Washburn electric guitars and basses, Yamaki electric guitars and basses, as well as Yamaki acoustics (474 pages).
Electric Guitars: Page 164 Washburn SB-30 (Eagle), SB-20 (Falcon), and SB-10 (Hawk), A-20 (Stage Series), A-10 (Stage Series); page 166 Yamaki Les Paul style YLP-800, YLP-600, YLP-500, YLP450 and Stratocaster stle YST-800, YST-600, YST-500, YST-450
Electric Basses: Page 199 Washburn SB-40-1 (single pickup), SB-40-2 (two pickup), SB-50, B-20 (Stage Series); Page 200 Yamaki Precision style YPB-700N, YPB-500, YPB-450, Jazz style YJB-800, JYB-600B, JYP-500
Acoustic Guitars: Page 250 Yamaki YW-200M, YW-150M; Page 251 YW-100M, YW-80M, YW-60M, YW-50M, YW-40M, YW-30M, YW-100M-12, YW-60M-12, YW-50M-12, YW-30M-12; Page 252 Mark V, Mark IV, Mark II, Mark I, YW-35W, YW-30H, YW-25, YW-20, YF-30M, YF-20; Page 253 YB-500, YB-400, YB-400-12, YB-300
GuitarBook - Guitar Catalog ‘82 (1982)
On the color page entitled “The Exciting Column ‘82,” The Year ‘81 Caribou is featured (at that time having sliding tone and volume controls). On page 57 we see featured the A-5 from Washburn’s Stage Series.
Electric Guitars: Page 106 Daion Savage; Page 108 Washburn A-10, SB-10; Page 111 Washburn A-20, SB-20 (Falcon); Page 114 Daion Mark XX and Washburn SB-30 (Eagle)
Electric Basses: Page 126 Daion Savage; Page 127 SB-40-2; Page 128 Daion Mark XX-B
Acoustic Guitars: Page 132 Daion B-54E (BIT Series); Page 133 L-999E (Legacy); Page 140 Yamaki YW-60M-12; Page 141 Yamaki YW-100M
The Complete Guitar Guide (1982)
Page 47 has a full page review of the Daion Caribou acoustic-electric guitar. “…a very well made guitar, easy to play and with a good sound for both acoustic and electric playing. For the price one would say that is was an excellent value.”
Page 48 has a full page review of the Daion Legacy L-999 acoustic guitar. “At the current asking price the Daion Legacy is a tremendous bargain for a very well made, distinctive looking and sounding acoustic… There are few there are few other bargains around… but none of them beat the Daion.”
Rockin’f Rock & Folk - The Musical Instruments ‘82*’83 (1983)
A Japanese publication (~470 pages).
Electric Guitars: Page 194 Daion Savage and Mark XX; Page 232 Washburn Wing Series SB-30, SB-20, SB-10; Page 233 Washburn Stage Series A-20, A-10; Page 247 T&JooDee (also distributed by Daion) Gem-A, Gem-B
Electric Basses: Page 253 Daion bass Mark-XX-B; Page 273 Washburn basses SB-50, SB-40-1, SB-40-2
Acoustic Guitars: Page 285 Daion THE ‘81C, THE ‘81 Gazelle; Page 286 THE ‘80E, THE ‘79E, THE ‘78E, THE ‘78E/12, L-999E, L-99E, L9E, B-55E, B-54E; Page 318 Yamaki YW-40M, YW-50M, YW-60M, YW-80M, YW-100M, YW-150M, YW-200M; Page 319 Yamaki YW-30M, YW-20, YW-30M-12, YW-50C, YW-40C, YW-30C, YW-60M-12; Page 318 Washburn EA-44, EA-40
Rockin’f Rock & Folk - The Musical Instruments ‘83>’84 (1984)
A Japanese publication (~402 pages).
In the Solid Electric Guitar section, on page 168 we have the Daion Savage (¥70,000) and Power Mark XX (¥100,000).
In the Semi & Full Acoustic Electric Guitar section, on page 205 we have the Headhunter-555 (¥80,000).
In the Electric Bass Guitar section starting on page 216 lists the Savage (¥70,000) and Power Mark XX (¥120,000).
In the Electric Acoustic Guitar section on page 232 we see the Daion THE ‘81C (¥80,000), THE ‘80E (¥70,000), THE ‘79E (¥65,000), THE ‘78E (¥60,000), THE ‘78E-12 (¥65,000), L-999E (¥70,000), L-99E (¥60,000), L-9E (¥50,000), B-55E (¥50,000), and B-54E (¥40,000).
In the Acoustic “Folk” Guitar section, the Yamaki line is listed on page 271: YW-200M (¥200,000), YW-150M (¥150,000), YW-100M (¥100,000), YW-80M (¥80,000), YW-60M (¥60,000), YW-60M-12 (¥60,000), YW-50M (¥50,000), YW-40M (¥40,000), YW-30M (¥30,000), YW-30M-12 ($30,000), YW-20 (¥20,000), YW-50C (¥50,000), YW-40C (¥40,000), and YW-30C (¥30,000).
Rockin’f - The Musical Instruments ‘84>>’85 (1985)
A Japanese book published on April 25, 1984 (402 pages).
Electric Guitars: Page 169 Daion Savage Mark XX; Page 212 HeadHunter HH-555
Electric Basses: Page 222 Daion Savage and the Mark XX-B
Electric Acoustic Guitars: Page 242 Daion Performer PC-999 and PF-999, THE ‘81C, THE ‘80E, THE ‘78E, THE ‘78E/12, L-999E, L-99; Page 243 has the L-9E
History of Electric Guitars (1988)
This ~290 page book out of Japan has a lot of brands that are a part of the Daion family tree. Starting on page 161 there is a section dedicated to Japanese guitar makers.
Daion as a manufacturer is listed on page 176, and the comments are quite glowing. When referring to the Mark XX, “The Power Series has a simple design. This model is the highest grade leader’s model in terms of materials, finishes, and hardware. Its outstanding quality balance was outstanding even in the original at the time.” The comments on the Mark XX-B, “The small and compact body may have come too early. It clearly has the current specs such as the 24F specification neck. There are plenty of other ideas everywhere, and it’s just too early super bass.” (translated by Google)
Founder is highlighted on page 187 “A high-cost performance brand released as a two-piece brand together with Yamaki, mainly in 1978.”
Page 212 has JooDee, “A brand created by Daion with the slogan ‘Return to Original’” and that it debuted in the mid 1970s.
T & JooDee is on page 235 (another Daion distributed brand). Gem-A and Gem -B models pictured.
Washburn is on page 243. It is interesting that it says Daion was the early distributor and that in 1984 there was a “agent change," I assume to Headway Co, Ltd who is also listed as a distributor alongside Daion.
Lastly we have Yamaki on page 245. The text says the brand appeared around 1978 (I assume for electrics as we know Yamaki acoustics were well established before 1978). Models highlighted are the YST-550, YST-800, YLP-800, and YJB-800.
The Guru’s Guitar Guide (1990)
Page 24 has a short blurb on Daion:
“(Japan late 70s-80s £100-335) High quality copies (some branded JooDee or Yamaki); 80s original Power Series solids, Headhunter semis VB3-4”
Value Brand rating: VB3 = £100-150, VB4 = £150-200.
Page 63 “JOODEE see DAION”
Page 88 “YAMAKI see DAION”
The Illustrated Directory of Guitars (2006)
The Daion ‘81 Gazelle receives a two-page spread (pages 90-91) in this large format hardcover book from 2006. It says Daion is the Japanese word for “great sound,” was imported by MCI in Waco, Texas and that Daion was led by Hirotsuga Teradaira. It states MCI’s relationship with Daion started in 1978 and ended in 1984.
History of Japanese Electric Guitars (2015)
On page 157 Daion is listed as a Japanese company involved in the 1960s guitar industry in Japan.
“Daion Co. - Osaka distributor of “Shinano” and “Tamura” guitars.”
Japanese Vintage Guitars (2016)
This book is in Japanese.
Yamaki guitars start on page 155 and cover the following models: YB-400, Delux F-120, YB-300, Custom F-130, YM-1000, R-100, and F-185.
Daion Savage is featured on p130 (as well as prominently on the back cover!).