Rare 1978 Yamaha Custom L-52 Jumbo Acoustic Guitar made in Japan - Bob Dylan Budokan
SKU: 48947477928

Rare 1978 Yamaha Custom L-52 Jumbo Acoustic Guitar made in Japan - Bob Dylan Budokan

Sale price$5399.55 Regular price$5999.50
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Description

Rare 1978 Yamaha Custom L-52 Jumbo Acoustic Guitar made in Japan - Bob Dylan BudokanMaker: Yamaha Model: Custom L 52 Condition: Very good Description: Collector opportunity; an ultra rare 1978 Yamaha Custom L 52 acoustic guitar in original condition aka the Bob Dylan Budokan guitar. Bob purchased his L 52 specifically for his 1978 tour which kicked off with Eight shows at the Budokan which were recorded, with tracks appearing on the Bob Dylan at Budokan album. L 52's were the top of the line hand made model available only as part of

Maker: Yamaha

Model: Custom L-52

Condition: Very good 

Description: 

Collector opportunity; an ultra rare 1978 Yamaha Custom L-52 acoustic guitar in original condition - aka the Bob Dylan Budokan guitar. Bob purchased his L-52 specifically for his 1978 tour which kicked off with Eight shows at the Budokan which were recorded, with tracks appearing on the Bob Dylan at Budokan album. L-52's were the top of the line hand made model available only as part of their special order program and Yamaha's "Four Heavenly Kings" L (Luxury) series overseen by Terry Nakamoto, a legend in the acoustic guitar world. When it comes to Japan vintage guitars this is considered one of the Holy Grails!

This one is in overall very good condition especially considering its age. The body shows some general playwear, some very minor surface scratches and scuffs, and in some spots there is some kind of reaction to the finish that is almost un-noticable unless in the right lighting. The binding on the body has faded to an almost red color in some spots and shows a fair amount of cracking throughout, see our photos for details. Besides that the body is overall in very good shape and has no major damage of any sort. Neck shows some very minor surface wear and a few very minor dings that dont affect playability in any way but otherwise neck is in great condition and very comfortable with a soft V profile. Headstock shows some light surface marks and some very light wear along the edges but is otherwise in good condition. Beautiful ebony fretboard that shows some very light wear on the first 3 frets but is otherwise very clean. Frets shows some light wear and some minor divots mostly on the first 3 frets but otherwise have no issues and in good overall condition. Features an ebony bridge that is fully adjustable with individual saddles for each string ensuring proper intonation. Has a new set of bridge pins installed and the old bridge pins are included but the original set has one damaged pin. A stunning, rarely seen and highly collectible custom Yamaha that plays and sounds like a dream, Just ask Bob Dylan (or Paul Simon, or Jimmy Page - other fans of the L-52 model). Has been fully inspected and set up and ready for a new home. Includes original hard shell case.  

  • Body: It features a jumbo body with a distinctive white double pickguard.
  • Top: The guitar has a solid spruce top, which contributes to a crisp, articulate, and vibrant tone.
  • Back & Sides: The back and sides are made of solid maple, a wood choice that gives the guitar its characteristic bright, clear sound.
  • Neck: The neck is typically made of maple and is described as smooth and comfortable for easy playability.
  • Fingerboard & Bridge: Both the fingerboard and bridge are crafted from ebony.
  • Hardware: It often includes an adjustable bridge, which aids in precise tuning and detailed string balance.
  • Aesthetics: The L-52 is known for its distinctive and luxurious appearance, featuring a black body finish on some models, and a design that makes it a "legendary rarity" among vintage Japanese acoustics.

Weight:  6lbs 6oz

Neck Shape: Soft V

Neck Thickness: 1st fret .874", 12th fret - neck joint

Fretboard Radius: 12"

Nut width: 1 3/4"

***Listed shipping price is for USA only. For anywhere outside of USA please contact us for a qoute.*** 

From the web:

In the history of Japanese acoustic guitars, there remains a legend that is still talked about today. The four guitars born in 1975: the L-51, L-52, L-53, and L-54.

The Four Heavenly Kings of YAMAHA L

The term "Four Heavenly Kings" carries a certain charm that tugs at the heartstrings of the young. These four overwhelmingly distinctive entities possess an aura reminiscent of legendary artifacts or treasured relics passed down through tales. Within this group, the appeal of the "L Four Heavenly Kings" lies in each embodying a distinct concept and sound, radiating a truly unique presence.This article focuses on the "L Four Heavenly Kings," delving into the background of their creation and the enduring charm that continues to captivate people to this day.

The L-52 Custom, featuring a jumbo body inspired by the Gibson J-200.
A jet-black body with a white double pickguard... reminiscent of Gibson's Everly Brothers. This black color is designed to appear dark brown depending on the light, and upon closer inspection of the head, the wood grain subtly shows through, allowing you to appreciate its lacquerware-like beauty. White double pickguard. Upon closer inspection, its asymmetrical size creates a unique design. Why this design was chosen remains a mystery unless you ask the maker, but considering the L-51's design mentioned earlier, it's intriguing to speculate: "Perhaps the placement area of the pickguard and body controls the resonance on the bass and treble sides, just like the L-51." According to Terry Nakamoto, the sound design was consciously tailored to Japanese tastes, aiming for a subdued feel rather than flashiness.
Featuring a Tune-O-Matic bridge, it delivers a crisp, clean sound while still allowing the jumbo body's rich resonance to shine through.

The L Custom Series, starting with the L-52, is sometimes described as having "a distinctly Japanese sound," but the L-52 is also known for being highly regarded by top artists overseas.

Paul Simon fell in love with its sound, placed an order for a smaller body size, and has been using it to his satisfaction. John Lennon took a liking to this model after playing his guitar and ordered his own custom model.


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SKU: 48947477928

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4.8 ★★★★★
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Nash Crawford
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice toy for Chewers!
Was chewed in a day or so, but she loved it.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Beth
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Still in one piece and played with!
Color: Checkers - Dinos Bruto (Purple), Size: Mini
Very durable for my little King Charles Chewer. She's had it for a while now and all though the chewing phase has calmed down, she still can be somewhat rough with the toys. The little dino is standing firm. It was a battle she figured she couldn't win with Dino. Now he's a fetch/ tug o war toy that still gets a few nibbles.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2026
K
Verified Purchase
Kimmi Bear
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 4
DONT BUY THE ELEPHANT, ITS NO GOOD. but GR8 BRAND!
Color: Checkers - Elephant (Gray), Size: Large
The elephant toy had no trunk by the FIRST day! The elephant now looks like an angry Koala bear OR an angry trunk less elephant(whichever u want to say) I LOVE the donkey and dinosaur toys so I bought the elephant confidently, thinking I had nothing to worry about. I wouldn't have spent money on this knowing the trunk would be chewed off in a matter of minutes. My Bella usually chews but she has had her donkey and dinosaurs with the chew guard for MONTHS and there are NO TEARS OR RIPS even with her playing and chewing on them ROUGHLY all day. If you buy any of these type toys I DO highly recommend the donkey or dinosaurs ONLY. The elephant being chewed up in a matter of minutes really makes me angry that I ever spent the money on it. HAD I known it wouldn't be the high quality dog toy I'm used to from GoDog, I would've just bought a second donkey or dino! Now Bella doesn't get her new toy for the month (I try 2 buy her a new stuffed toy or 2 about 1 time a month whenever I have the extra money for it) I guess she will have to go without this month because I spent it on this now trunkless elephant/angry koala:( Whichever name you call it, it is now going to be trash. UPDATE! If you contact the GODOG company they will send one replacement toy for your pet! They also asked me my pet's size, breed and age in order to send the best possible toy! They sent Bella a snake that has held up Extremely WELL! It's great and so far is my favorite(and one of Bella's favorites) The snake has less sqeaky things in it so she doesn't have the drsire to tear it apart immediately to retrieve them by rippong it to shreds:) My updated rating is for the MANUFACTURER'S GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. The fact that they actually replaced it was good but the fact that they went that extra mile by researching the best toy match for my Bella was above and beyond! If you have a Godog toy that went bust right away, contact the manufacturer for a replacement. If you give them your dog's age, weight and breed they will even try to match your pets replacement toy with something that is better suited to your dog's chewing style. (Bella's style is destructive haha) Good luck, ya'll!
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Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2016
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Verified Purchase
AmberC
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
My Dobermans favorite toy to destroy, and one of our recommended picks.
Color: Checkers - Elephant (Gray), Size: Large
Ok, here's an honest breakdown review. I have a 6 month old Doberman who shreds every stuffed animal and dog bed he's come across. He's one of the worst chewers I've owned. We have tried a WIDE variety of stuffed toys. That said, this elephant is his favorite toy. I have ordered 4 of them so far, and just ordered another 4-pack on a buy three get one free deal. The elephant stands out above all the other stuffed creatures from goDog for me as to durability. Hence why I keep buying more. But they usually last about 2-3 weeks on average. In our house, the poor creatures are subjected to vicious, crazy, shaking of the head, helicopter type rotation. It' so hard if it hits your bare arm or leg it actually stings especially when its wet. Then the old, put it between his legs laying down, tearing at the legs action. The limbs are usually the first things to go over time. But they are each almost self sealing, so you clean up as little fluff and keep using it. Eventually the pup reaches the main body and finishes it off. For a normal light to normal chewer, one of two will get you a long way. For those of us resigned to having zoomie type manic chewers that need a constant supply of toys, 2-3 week durability is pretty sound too. I do not recommend the green cheaper monster. It lasted about 45 minutes. The free replacement took about 3 days. Hopefully this aids you in your decision!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Ashley
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Very durable for rowdy pups
Color: Checkers - Elephant (Gray), Size: Large
This toy has outlasted any other dog toy I have ever bought. I have one large and one medium dog who share toys, fight over toys, chew them to death and still play with them. It might be because it isn't one of their favorites. I don't know. All I know is that our house is littered with dog toys in different states of destruction and this elephant toy has very little damage. It has definitely been in the dog toy rotation. I had this toy for 2 months without any major damage. The day I wrote the review the dogs tore the leg off! I still think it is a good toy. Some toys lose the stuffing or squeaker the first day.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2025

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