Japanese translation help in guitar search

November 1, 2012 6:24 PM

I've been looking for a certain guitar (a Yamaha SG 3000) and have lately been looking on Japanese web sites to see if I can have one shipped from there. I've found one I like the look of, but Google Translate isn't being particularly helpful. Could anyone translate the description for me?

Here it is:
シリアルSIJ0041 からはじまります。オリジナルハードケース付属。こちらの商品は珍しく白濁がほぼありません。フレットの減りも少なく、ロッドを含め機能良好です。弦交換、クリーニングずみ。プロによるメンテナンスずみの商品になりますのでご安心して検討ください。古いものですので多少使用感はございますので神経質な方は入札をお控えください。送料一律2000円。 北海道、沖縄、中継地点がある地域は4000円。 落札後12時間いないに連絡お願い致します。落札後24時間いないに振り込み確認できるかたのみ入札をお願い致します。新規のかたとの取引はいたしません。ご理解お願い致します。今回一回限りの出品ですので是非ご検討ください。

I'm especially interested in what it has to say about clouding/fogging on the guitar, which affects how the finish looks over time. If there's any mentions of damage or imperfections to the guitar, I'd really like to know about those, too.

You can view the guitar here if that would be helpful.

If you need any more information that could help with the translation, please ask and I'll do my best to help.

Thanks for your help!

posted by Put the kettle on to writing & language (3 answers total)

"Serial number begins with SIJ0041. Original hard case included. It is uncommonly without much cloudiness. Not much wear on frets, it's in good shape, including the rod. It has been cleaned and had the strings replaced. It has been professionally maintained so please consider this item with peace of mind. It is an old item with a little wear so those who are anxious about such things please should not bid.

Flat shipping of 2000 yen, 4000 to Hokkaido, Okinawa, and other far locations is 4000 yen. The winner bidder should contact me within 12 hours of winning. Only those who can confirm payment within 24 hours of winning auction should bid. I won't deal with a newcomer, please understand. This is a one-time only offering."

I don't know much about guitars, but I took from the description that this type of item might be subject to clouding but the description says that this is not so much the case with this guitar. Not very clouded/fogged. The description says it is in good shape but does show some sign of use. If you don't have a bidding history with the website, you might have trouble buying this item based on the comment about no newcomers. The information on shipping costs anticipate shipping in Japan. You'd likely have to pay a bit more for shipping, assuming that the seller will ship internationally.

Please let me know if I can assist further.
posted by Tanizaki at 7:30 PM on November 1, 2012

Wow, that was a really detailed answer - you told me everything I needed to know. You were right about the clouding - it's particularly common in this make of guitar and it affects the value dramatically. Thanks so much for your help.

As a side note, unfortunately, someone else bought the guitar just as I was about to bid, but if it hadn't been for your translation, I wouldn't have got that far, so it's very much appreciated.
posted by Put the kettle on at 8:37 PM on November 1, 2012

if this is the real deal, you won't be disappointed. these are remarkable instruments. lost mine to theft, alas :-(
posted by j_curiouser at 9:37 PM on November 1, 2012