'Japan handmade top brand' - I came across this phrase 3 times out of 5 articles describing this guitar while browsing through the Japanese blogs. For those who are less faimiliar with the brand, Navigator is ESP's sub brand for non-metal players. In its lineup, Grassroots sits on the bottom, Edwards stays around the mid range, and Navigator apparently goes on top.

As for this particular model, this is one of their 335 type semi-hollow bodies. Navigator 335 series appears in the ESP catalogues only from 1975 to 1984. The guitar I put up here is their 1983-1984 production. The guitars manufactured around this period are distingushiable by the distant dots on 12 frets. Navigators from the rest of years have dots coming close each other, one on 5th string and one on 2nd string. As a matter of fact, It is very rare to find this particular production and you wouldn't want to miss this chance. According to the Japanese sites, this model was played by Lee Ritenour and Larry Carlton in their Japan tour in 1980's.

To speak of the quality, I have no hesitation to give it 10 out of 10 marks. Action, intonation are all good, and no neck curvage found at all. Sturdiness on binding and fret dressing is excellent. Lacquer finish stays intact for 30 years. Quality woods and mahogany center block produce the warm and matured sound.

(added on 25 Sep 2012) This guitar turned out to be SA-150. ESP advises there is diferrence of the tuning pegs between SA-120 and SA-150, where SA-120 has brass-made ones while SA-150 tuning pegs were made from bovine bone. FYI, details about SA-120 is at http://www.sharpenedflat.com/vintage-guitar/Navigator-SA-120-0040