POWER SERIES - Mark XX

Introduction

To understand the differences between a Mark X and Mark XX, please see the POWER SERIES Overview on the Mark X page.

There were two series of the POWER Series Mark XX - the first generation produced from 1979-1980 and the second generation (this page) produced from 1980-1984.

Production Changes

There are some subtle production changes in the second generation. NOTE the production changes are approximate by year and are solely based on a sample size of ~20 instruments. We do not know the exact serial number or month when a change was made.

Knobs

Rosewood knobs and switch tips can be found on 1980 to 1981 modes. Metal knobs and switch tips were introduced sometime in 1981 and ran through 1983. Plastic amber colored switch tips and knobs were seen on 1984 models. Some collectors see the rosewood knobs (also used on the first generation models) as more collectible as they are perhaps more true to the original design. The rosewood and metal knobs and switch tips are an original design and, to our knowledge, not shared with other guitar manufacturers. This makes replacements incredibly difficult to find. The plastic knobs on the 1984 models are “off the shelf” and readily available. The 1981 Japanese catalog and the 1981 German catalog actually shows both rosewood and metal knobs in the photos of the Mark XX.

Tuners

There were at least three tuner designs used from 1980-1984. There is a unique tuner design on 1980 models, another variant that ran roughly 1981-1982, then a final variant from 1982 to 1984. It is generally believed that Gotoh made the tuners for Daion. We have noticed the nut on the tuning pegs also varies between 9mm and 10mm during production, so both sizes are correct.

Bridge

Early bridges have a similar design to the Washburn Wing Series and first generation Mark XXs. Somewhere during 1981 production Daion switched over to a “script” bridge that has more surface area on the bridge plate to incorporate the Daion logo.

Headstock Logo and Fingerboard Sticker

Probably in an effort to get the brand more visible on the guitar, at some point in 1984 the Daion script logo was added to the headstock in gold lettering. Also by 1984 a Daion logo sticker was being applied on the fingerboard between the 19th the 20th fret. Not surprising, over time many guitars lost this fretboard sticker (as well as the “Made in Japan” sticker on the back of the headstock that was typically placed below the serial number).

Body & Wood

1980 models have a harsher transition line along the edge of the body that gets smoothed out by 1981. It is generally believed, and evident in photos, that the rosewood in later years is less dark than in early production. This can easily be seen in the the two prominent rosewood stripes in the 9 piece neck-through construction.

Electronics

The electronics changed very little throughout production and are generally robust. That being said, we have seen the mini-toggle switches wired backwards on a few occasions (i.e. the coil split is engaged by pushing the switch down and away from the pickup rather than up). We also have seen the wiring of the split coil mini toggles switches done differently on late (i.e. 1984) production. Lastly we have seen a different pickup introduced in 1984 that does not have the triple screw anti-tilt feature and has GOTOH printed on the bottom of the pickup. See serial number 840014 in the gallery below as an example. This GOTOH printed pickup is the same as used in the Mark XXX (also a 1984 build). Oddly enough, on both the Mark XXX and on serial number 840014, it appears the factory ran out of bridge pickup rings and instead two neck pickup rings were used.

Miscellaneous

Pickup rings are fragile and tend to break, more so on the neck pickup. The mounting screw locations on all four corners of the pickup rings and the pattern for the triple screw adjustment may or may not be unique to Daion. It is generally believed the pickups were made by Gotoh. Even though early Washburn Wing Series (also made by Yamaki) used similar pickups, we have found differences in spacing that do not make them interchangeable. More research is needed on this topic to be sure.

Pickup ring screws are the same as the ones used on the wood covers on the back of the guitar. Early production used the same length screws on the strap pins. In later production (~1984) we’ve seen a shorter screw used on the horn strap pin. Bridge screws changed over the years. Early production used the same screw on all four corners, and in later production we have seen a shorter screw used on the front (pickup side) side of the bridge.

The original gold finish on the hardware (tuners, bridge plate, string saddles), wears away quickly with use. The brass saddles are prone to tarnishing.

Green and Black seem to be the rarest colors. Tinted Tan is actually a matte finish, and all other colors are gloss. Tinted Tan can turn glossy in areas from use, especially where the player’s body makes contact with the guitar. From a playability standpoint, the quality is very consistent across the production run. Which one is more desirable or valuable comes down primarily to condition and the buyer’s preference of color, knobs, and whether the guitar has an original Daion hard case.

Specifications

Two “Power Pulse” humbuckers with triple screw anti-tilt, two volume and two tone knobs, coil splitter mini-toggles, and a three-way pickup selector. Nut and saddles were brass. Necks were a 9-piece maple and rosewood design.

Mark XX Tan guitars had an Ash body with a Rosewood lamination. All other colors were a Maple lamination. The Mark XX was available (in most years) in five colors - Tan (TAN), Green (GR), Black (BL), Brown (BR), and Wine Red (WR). Green was dropped from the 1984 Price List. The Daion branded cases came in a burgundy / brown and green color.

The Mark XX was the top of the line electric offered by Daion with a list price was $799 USD. For comparison, a HeadHuner HH-555 was $649 USD. The Mark XX was a very expensive guitar in it’s day - $799USD in 1984 inflation corrected is about $2,375 in 2024!