Reverty Used Guitars Japan — every instrument inspected, set up, and played before listing.
1987 Yamaha SHS-10R "Sholky" FM Digital Keytar - Red, Made in Japan
The Yamaha SHS-10 is one of the definitive icons of the 1980s keytar era. Released in 1987, it packs Yamaha's FM tone generation, a built-in speaker, a neck-mounted pitch bend wheel and a MIDI OUT jack into a genuinely portable shoulder-worn instrument. This example is the red SHS-10R and comes complete with its original box, a Yamaha branded shoulder strap and a Yamaha power adapter.
Far more than a period curiosity, the SHS-10 remains a practical MIDI controller for modern rigs thanks to its MIDI OUT and battery operation, while the onboard FM voices and rhythm styles deliver that unmistakable late-80s digital character. Complete examples that still retain the original carton are becoming harder to find, and this is a Made in Japan unit as marked on the rear label.
== SPECIFICATIONS ==
- Model: SHS-10R ("Sholky" shoulder keyboard)
- Year: 1987 (model release year)
- Country of Origin: Japan (Made in Japan, as marked on rear label)
- Serial Number: 396473
- Color: Red
- Keyboard: 32 mini keys (F to C, 2.5 octaves)
- Tone Generation: FM digital
- Voices: 25 (Voice List 00-44 as printed on panel)
- Styles: 25 (Style List 00-44 as printed on panel)
- Effects: Vibrato, Portamento, Sustain
- Controls: Pitch bend wheel, Rhythm Control (Intro/Fill In 1-3, Synchro Start/Start-Stop/Ending), Voice/Style Select, Chord Sequencer (Play 1-3, Record), Parameter Change (Tempo, Transpose, Tuning, Accomp. Volume, MIDI Channel), Mode select, Demo, Power switch, Volume slider
- Outputs / Jacks: MIDI OUT, Headphones/AUX OUT, DC 9-12V IN
- Power: DC 9V, six SUM-3 ("AA" / R-6) batteries or DC adapter
- Speaker: Built-in
== CONDITION ==
Overall: Very Good
- Cosmetic: Some scratches and marks consistent with age; the glossy red finish presents well overall
- Keys: All keys present and intact
- Electronics: All functions operate correctly; the instrument plays and functions as intended
- Original box: Present, but shows significant wear, edge splitting and tearing from decades of storage
Please review all photos carefully for the exact cosmetic condition. All photos are of the actual item for sale.
== INCLUDED ==
- Yamaha branded shoulder strap
- Yamaha PA-3C power adapter (input AC 100V 50/60Hz, output DC 12V 700mA - Japanese domestic voltage specification)
- Original box (heavily worn)
== WHY THIS KEYTAR ==
The SHS-10 sits at the intersection of collectable 80s design and genuinely usable gear: it is light enough to wear all night, runs on batteries, and its MIDI OUT lets it drive any modern synth or software instrument. The red SHS-10R is the most recognisable of the colourways, and finding one that still has its carton, strap and adapter together is increasingly uncommon. A great piece for synthwave and 80s-styled stage work, or as a display item with real period authenticity.
Please feel free to message with any questions before purchasing.
SETUP & INSPECTION
Cleaned, set up, and inspected by our luthier before shipping:
- Neck relief and action adjusted
- Frets and fingerboard cleaned
- Intonation set
- Tuners and electronics checked
Your instrument arrives ready to play.
SHIPPING FROM JAPAN
- Shipped worldwide from Japan with full tracking and insurance
- Carefully packed with protective wrapping, strings detuned to relieve neck tension in transit
- Processed and shipped within 2-4 business days
Please message us with any questions before purchasing.
