Introduction

Some of the information for these “first generation” POWER SERIES models has been covered on the POWER SERIES - Mark XX-B (1979-80) page and the POWER SERIES Mark X (1979-80) page. This series also used the first generation red plastic POWER case.

Content on the “second generation” Mark XX built from 1980-1984 can be found on the POWER SERIES - Mark XX page.

POWER SERIES Mark XX (1979-80)

Unlike the first generation Mark X, the Mark XX has push-pull coil splits on the volume knobs, rosewood knobs and switch tips, and gold hardware (strap pins, tuners, string ferrules, screws, and the ring on the pickup selector). As with all POWER SERIES, the nut and saddles are brass.

The most striking aspect of these guitars are the striped multi-piece fretboards. Even models with a rosewood fretboard were striped using wood strips strips to carry over the neck-through theme.

The Mark XX has the input jacks on the bottom edge, a flat back with a beveled edge, and slightly asymmetrical horns that would become more pronounced in the next generation Mark XX built from 1980-1984. Binding is present on the top, but this would also disappear in later generations. The Mark XX has a 5-piece neck-through design, and the Mark X has a 3-piece neck.

PRODUCTION CHANGES

Note we have a small sample size so our differences by year might not be 100% accurate. As you will see in the model picture galleries below, the serial numbers are very close together for both 1979 and 1980.

The rosewood knobs had two variations. 1979 models have a dot mark on top of the rosewood knobs and a side contour to make it easier to use the push-pull coil splits, while 1980 models do not. The rosewood knobs (and switch tips) found on the 1980 first generation Mark XXs also carried over to the 1980-1984 series, but only partially for the first year of production (1980).

The pickup rings on the 1979 model are also rosewood. They are an sight to behold, with the neck pickup ring thinner than the bridge, and wrap around the humbuckers to fill in the gaps at the end of the coils. Perhaps they were too expensive to make or hard to source, but by 1980 the pickup rings switched to traditional plastic and were stained in a wood colored finish.

Lastly, the tuners change from 1979 to 1980. The 1979 tuners have the Gotoh “G” above the name Yamaki with the set screw holes towards the inside. In 1980 the design changes with the set screw positioned directly below the tuner. The label of the “disc” on the tuner has variation even though the serial numbers are only a few digits apart. Some have Yamaki over the Daion Y logo, while another has just the Daion Y logo.

As stated in the aforementioned pages, this series was made by Yamaki and was heavily influenced by the Washburn Wing Series. To illustrate that point, the pictures below shows two Washburn Falcons in “Cherry Sunburst” next to two Daion POWER SERIES Mark XXs in the same finish. The similarities (and colors) are undeniable. The electronics (pickups, push-pull knobs, circuit board, switches, etc.) are the same as well as the bridge plates, brass saddles, and nut.

Shape of the headstock and upper and lower horns, pickup selector location, design of the brass inlay fretboard markers are the obvious differences. The wood control cavity cover is different on the back due to the location of the pickup selector of the Daion being on the upper horn with it’s own wood cover. When you remove the main wood cover, on both the Daion and the Washburn, you will find a metal shielding cover that sits on top of the Yamaki circuit board and control electronics.