Yamaha SG2000 Wine Red, 1977 (No Longer Available)

Introduced in 1976, the Yamaha SG2000 was considered perhaps the finest solidbody guitar from Japan – perhaps from anywhere – for its time. This design was the result of a collaboration between Yamaha and Carlos Santana to improve the Yamaha SG175. The result became the flagship of the Yamaha electric line until 1988. Around 1983, Gibson gave legal notice to Yamaha over the use of the ‘SG’ term, and Yamaha responded by changing the name for US models to SBG for Solid Body Guitar. However, in Japan, the SG name stayed until 1988 when the model was discontinued.

The Yamaha SG2000 takes cues from classic American models, but there are significant differences, the first being that it uses neck-through construction (the 1984 and later SBG models used set necks). The Maple center section is flanked with Mahogany, and the body is capped with a carved Maple top. The substantial bridge rides on a brass block inset into the top. The neck is three piece, with Mahogany again flanking the Maple center section. This construction provides massive sustain and clarity. The fingerboard is Ebony with acrylic position markers. The tuners are sealed Yamaha models, very smooth and like the other metal parts are gold coloured; the stop tailpiece is cast with a harp and scroll motif. The pickups are Yamaha humbuckers, with three-point mounts for stability and accurate angling. Finishes are polyurethane in a variety of colours, a deep wine red seen here.

This early example of Yamaha SG2000 production dates to 1977 and was built in Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. It’s in good condition with light to moderate wear and a few dings and wear marks to the finish, with corresponding wear to the gold plating – this guitar was actually played! Fret wear is light. The truss rod cover is missing but otherwise it is complete and original. This guitar plays well, as these models typically do, and has more sustain than almost any other guitar.

The original Yamaha hard shell case is included.