Yamaha SG (electric guitar)
The Yamaha SG is an electric guitar . It was developed by Yojirou Takabayashi for Yamaha in the early 1970s .
Design
The shape of the body of the Yamaha SG is largely the same as that of the Gibson SG . The edges of the body are not flattened. As with other components, it is based on the design of the Gibson Les Paul . The Yamaha SG differs in particular in the shape of its back (from the 1000 series) and in the placement of the center of gravity from comparable guitars.
More expensive models of the Yamaha SG are built with a continuous neck that is only divided in the middle by a bar. The ebony fingerboard has mother-of-pearl and ivory inlays. The heavy body is made of mahogany and thus gives a soft yet clear sound. This is ensured, among other things, by the then new sustain block under the bridge.
Models
The first model in the SG series was the SG 175. The model series was expanded from the SG 100 to the SG 3000. In 1988 production was discontinued.
For the USA , model designations "SBG" began in 1980, due to licensing problems with the type designation "SG", which was already used by Gibson. For the same reason, it was marketed in Great Britain with the suffix “S” after the model number. The addition “T”, however, was used for the tremolo versions.
Special models
In 1980, Yamaha manufactured a series of 50 SG 2000 units entirely by hand. These guitars are u. a. heard on various records by Joe Cocker and Tina Turner. Guitars from this series are now sold at very high collector prices.
For the 30th anniversary of the SG guitar, Yamaha produced the SG 1996 in 1996 . This anniversary model was equipped with a flame-top body and Spinex PU pickups. 300 of them were made, each with the serial number on the end of the fingerboard near the body.
Guitarists
Overall, the SG series was less popular with guitarists than the Gibson and Fender classics. One of the most famous musicians is probably Carlos Santana , who played on "SG 2000" guitars for a long time. Two guitarists from the band Ultravox also played Yamaha SG guitars: Midge Ure owned an “SG 2000”, Billy Currie an “SG 100”. Another musician of the SG class from the 1990s is Jury Kasparjan , who even plays the SBG 200 today.
Individual evidence
- ↑ http://www.stallionmusic.btinternet.co.uk/SG1996.htm# ( Memento from March 10, 2007 in the Internet Archive )