The Yamaha SA503 TVL Troy Van Leeuwen Signature in Black is one of Yamaha’s most distinctive semi-hollow electric guitars, combining vintage-inspired construction with a highly unusual three-pickup switching system developed around the requirements of Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen.

Built around a laminated maple semi-hollow body, set neck and bound rosewood fingerboard, the SA503 TVL delivers the resonance and openness of a traditional thinline guitar while retaining enough focus and sustain for heavier alternative, rock and experimental styles.

Its defining feature is the trio of soapbar-style single-coil pickups, controlled by Yamaha’s dual 3-way All Access switching system. This gives the guitar far more pickup combinations than a conventional semi-hollow, ranging from warm individual pickup tones to unusual blended sounds.

A Bigsby vibrato adds smooth pitch movement and reinforces the model’s striking retro-meets-modern appearance.

This Pre-Owned example is finished in Black, is in Very Good condition, weighs an actual 9.66 lbs, and includes a hardcase.

AT A GLANCE

Detail	Specification
Brand	Yamaha
Model	SA503 TVL Troy Van Leeuwen Signature
Finish	Black
Type	Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
Pickups	3x Soapbar-Style Single Coils
Switching	Dual 3-Way All Access Selectors
Vibrato	Bigsby
Weight	9.66 lbs
Condition	Very Good / Pre-Owned
Case	Hardcase Included

PRE-OWNED CONDITION REPORT

This is a Pre-Owned Yamaha SA503 TVL Troy Van Leeuwen Signature in Very Good condition.

The Very Good condition grade reflects a guitar that has been well looked after overall while showing the light signs of previous use expected from a Pre-Owned instrument.

This individual guitar weighs 9.66 lbs.

A hardcase is included.

KEY FEATURES

• Troy Van Leeuwen Signature model

• Black finish

• Semi-hollow double-cutaway construction

• Laminated maple body

• Set neck construction

• Rosewood fingerboard

• 24.75" scale length

• 22 frets

• 13.75" fingerboard radius

• Three soapbar-style single-coil pickups

• Dual 3-way All Access selector switches

• Individual Front, Centre and Rear Volume controls

• Master Tone control

• Bigsby vibrato

• Chrome hardware

• Distinctive split F-hole design

• Actual measured weight of 9.66 lbs

• Very Good Pre-Owned condition

• Hardcase included

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT

The SA503 TVL is far more than a conventional semi-hollow with an artist name attached.

Its three-pickup layout and dual-selector switching system give it a genuinely unusual tonal range, allowing combinations that are simply unavailable on most two-pickup semi-hollow guitars.

The hollow resonance of the maple body combines with the direct attack of the single-coil pickups to create tones that can be bright and cutting, warm and bluesy, or layered and complex.

It is especially well suited to players who like alternative, experimental and atmospheric guitar sounds but still want the feel and visual presence of a classic semi-hollow.

DETAILED FEATURES & BENEFITS

Troy Van Leeuwen Signature Design

The SA503 TVL was developed with Troy Van Leeuwen, best known for his work with Queens of the Stone Age and A Perfect Circle.

Rather than simply modifying the appearance of a standard model, Yamaha gave the guitar its own unique electronics and visual identity.

Semi-Hollow Maple Construction

The body uses laminated maple construction in a classic thinline semi-hollow format.

This gives the guitar a resonant acoustic quality while retaining enough control for amplified rock and alternative styles.

Black Finish

The Black finish gives the SA503 TVL a darker and more understated appearance than many traditional sunburst semi-hollow guitars.

Combined with the chrome hardware and Bigsby, it gives the model an immediately recognisable stage look.

Rosewood Fingerboard

The bound rosewood fingerboard provides a traditional playing surface with a smooth feel and classic visual contrast.

24.75" Scale Length

The 24.75" scale length gives the guitar a slightly softer string feel than a 25.5" Fender-style instrument.

This works particularly well for expressive bending, vibrato and chord work.

22-Fret Layout

The neck provides 22 frets, giving a familiar range for rock, blues and alternative playing.

Three Soapbar Pickups

The SA503 TVL uses three soapbar-style single-coil pickups rather than conventional semi-hollow humbuckers.

This provides a brighter, more articulate character and contributes significantly to the guitar’s distinctive sound.

Dual 3-Way Selector System

Yamaha’s All Access switching system uses two 3-way toggle switches to control the three pickups.

This allows a much wider selection of pickup combinations than a conventional 3-way system.

Individual Pickup Volumes

Each pickup has its own Volume control.

This allows the player to fine-tune the balance between the three pickups rather than relying on a single Master Volume.

Master Tone

A single Master Tone control adjusts the overall high-frequency response.

This keeps the control layout manageable despite the guitar’s complex switching system.

Bigsby Vibrato

The fitted Bigsby vibrato provides smooth, subtle pitch movement.

It is particularly effective for chord shimmer, ambient playing and vintage-style expressive vibrato.

Distinctive Split F-Holes

The elongated split F-hole design gives the SA503 TVL a much more modern appearance than a conventional thinline semi-hollow.

9.66 lbs Actual Weight

This individual guitar weighs 9.66 lbs, giving buyers an exact indication of how this particular example will feel.

WHO IS IT FOR?

The Yamaha SA503 TVL is particularly well suited to alternative, rock, indie, experimental, post-rock and atmospheric players who want a semi-hollow guitar with significantly more tonal flexibility than a conventional two-pickup design.

It is also a strong choice for Queens of the Stone Age and Troy Van Leeuwen fans looking for one of Yamaha’s more unusual discontinued signature models.

PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS

The SA503 TVL works particularly well for:

• Alternative rock

• Indie

• Stoner rock

• Experimental music

• Post-rock

• Blues

• Psychedelic music

• Ambient guitar

• Clean rhythm

• Overdriven lead tones

• Studio layering

Its three-pickup electronics are particularly useful when building contrasting guitar textures within the same arrangement.

HOW IT COMPARES

SA503 TVL vs Conventional Semi-Hollow

A traditional semi-hollow usually uses two humbuckers and a standard 3-way selector.

The SA503 TVL uses three single-coil pickups and two 3-way selectors, making its switching system far more versatile.

Single Coils vs Humbuckers

The soapbar-style single coils provide more attack and openness than many conventional semi-hollow humbuckers.

This helps the guitar retain clarity through effects and heavier arrangements.

SA503 TVL vs Standard Yamaha SA Models

Traditional Yamaha SA guitars generally focus on classic dual-humbucker semi-hollow sounds.

The SA503 TVL takes a considerably more experimental approach with its three pickups, Bigsby and custom switching.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Details
Product Type	Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
Brand	Yamaha
Artist	Troy Van Leeuwen
Model	SA503 TVL
Finish	Black
Body Type	Semi-Hollow
Body Material	Laminated Maple
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	13.75" / 350mm
Scale Length	24.75" / 628.7mm
Frets	22
Pickup Configuration	SSS
Pickups	3x Soapbar-Style Single Coils
Controls	Front Volume, Centre Volume, Rear Volume, Master Tone
Switching	Dual 3-Way All Access Selector Switches
Electronics	Passive
Bridge	Adjustable Bridge
Vibrato	Bigsby
Hardware	Chrome
Weight	9.66 lbs
Case	Hardcase Included
Condition	Very Good / Pre-Owned

POWER REQUIREMENTS

None.

The Yamaha SA503 TVL uses passive electronics and requires no battery or external power supply.

FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★

Best suited for: Players wanting an unusual semi-hollow with distinctive styling, Bigsby vibrato and a genuinely versatile three-pickup switching system.

Customers usually upgrade from: Conventional dual-humbucker semi-hollows, standard P-90 guitars and mainstream alternative-rock instruments.

Most commonly paired with: Fuzz, overdrive, delay, reverb, modulation and valve amplifiers.

Our tip: Spend time experimenting with the two selector switches and the individual pickup volumes. The ability to blend three pickups at different levels is one of the most interesting aspects of the SA503 TVL.

Showroom feedback: This is a genuinely distinctive Yamaha. The combination of three soapbar pickups, Bigsby vibrato and Black semi-hollow body gives it a personality that is completely different from a conventional ES-style guitar.

WHY BUY PRE-OWNED FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

Buying a Pre-Owned Yamaha SA503 TVL Troy Van Leeuwen Signature offers the opportunity to own a discontinued and increasingly distinctive Yamaha signature model.

This example is in Very Good condition, weighs 9.66 lbs, and includes a hardcase.

Fair Deal Music has decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging Yamaha, Pre-Owned and specialist guitars.

WHY BUY FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music combines a large Birmingham showroom with nationwide ecommerce and knowledgeable musician-led advice.

Customers benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987

• Birmingham's largest independent music store

• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews

• Knowledgeable musician-led advice

• Extensive experience with Yamaha and Pre-Owned guitars

• Large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Friendly customer support

• Part-exchange and trade-in service

• Request a Video Demo option

TRADE IN. TRADE UP. SAVE MORE.

Your current guitar or other musical equipment could help towards the cost of this Yamaha SA503 TVL.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.

PART EXCHANGE / TRADE-IN

If you already own a guitar or other musical equipment you are considering replacing, Fair Deal Music can assess it for part exchange.

Trading in can remove the inconvenience of selling privately while allowing the value of your current equipment to go directly towards your next instrument.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this Yamaha SA503 TVL used?

Yes. This is a Pre-Owned Yamaha SA503 TVL in Very Good condition.

Is it a Troy Van Leeuwen Signature model?

Yes. The SA503 TVL was developed as Troy Van Leeuwen’s Yamaha signature guitar.

What finish does it have?

It has a Black finish.

Is it semi-hollow?

Yes.

What is the body made from?

It uses laminated maple construction.

What fingerboard does it have?

It has a rosewood fingerboard.

What is the scale length?

It uses a 24.75" scale length.

How many frets does it have?

It has 22 frets.

How many pickups does it have?

Three.

What type of pickups are fitted?

It uses three soapbar-style single-coil pickups.

Are they humbuckers?

No. They are single-coil pickups.

How are the pickups controlled?

The guitar uses two 3-way selector switches as part of Yamaha’s All Access switching system.

Does each pickup have its own Volume control?

Yes. Front, Centre and Rear pickups each have an individual Volume control.

Does it have a Tone control?

Yes. It has a single Master Tone control.

Does it have a Bigsby?

Yes.

Does it require a battery?

No. It uses passive electronics.

How much does it weigh?

This individual guitar weighs 9.66 lbs.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A hardcase is included.

What condition is it in?

This example is in Very Good condition.

Is it suitable for Queens of the Stone Age-style tones?

Yes. The model was developed specifically with Troy Van Leeuwen and is particularly well suited to alternative, heavy and experimental guitar sounds.

Is it suitable for clean playing?

Yes. The three single-coil pickups provide plenty of clarity and useful clean combinations.

Can it handle fuzz and overdrive?

Yes. Its clear pickup response works particularly well with fuzz, overdrive and layered effects.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. A video demo is particularly useful with the SA503 TVL because of its unusual dual-selector pickup system.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers guitars and a wide range of other musical equipment for part exchange.