|
SG 65
1972 to 1976
Before the mighty
SG2000 which we all know, love and lust after were what could be described as the series 1 SGs with model numbers such as
SG35 / 65 / 85 /175. They were no lesser guitars than the double cut SGs but SGs didn’t capture the public imagination
until the likes of Carlos Santana hung an SG2000 around his neck. The SG2000 was developed from the series 1 guitars with
input from Carlos and Yamaha solid body electric guitars were suddenly a world players.
The first series
were beautifully made instruments from fine tonewoods and they played sublimely. A fantastic collector and player and as good
as any Les Paul that I have ever played on ALL counts including a set of full rich and powerful sounds.
This SG65 is in excellent
condition with virtually no issues apart from a couple of minor in the varnish marks and some degradation of the gold plate
mostly on the tail piece which can be re plated if your are a perfectionist.
Amazing
guitars often overlooked due to the later SG models but equal in every respect and real bargains at the moment.
Yamaha SG800 Walnut
1980 Model - Japan Nippon Gaki
The SG 800 is essentially
a more affordable SG1000 but very closely related. The main differences are cosmetics
and in this case they are very minor indeed.
The pickup surrounds and scratchplate are white and the gold
hardware of the SG1000 is replaced with chrome . The headstock design and binding is a little less elaborate . That’s
about it. It still retains that fabulous mahogany body, the same set neck and sublime playability with auditorium filling
oomph. This even has the coil taps –
The colour and condition
of this guitar is just fabulous and I have never seen another quite like it. This
was originally made for the Japanese market only.
Condition –
There isn’t much to say really . I try to avoid using the word but it isn’t far of mint condition. I would say
it hasn’t been out of someones bedroom for the last 27 years. It really is hard to fault.
It is also 100% original
with no missing or replaced parts and had a recent pro setup.
 SG 1000 - 1981
NOS ( New Old Stock )
This is a recent addition found deep in Sunny Wiltshire from a private collection were it has been since
new . The SG 1000 Cherry we used to have in this slot was so good that we thought it would never be replaced - We were
wrong - This one is better..but it did come at a cost previously unknown for an SG1000 but quality and condition always pay
back.
This one can only be described as New Old Stock - It is as it came out of the factory in 1981 including the
case. Probably never used and possibly the best 1981 example of an SG1000 in the world today. Just amazing . Full SG spec
with the ebony neck / coil taps bla bla but with the goldware gleaming and untouched and all the paint still on the pickup
surrounds. A collectors dream and for once it would be a pity to use it.
  
1983
SG1000
Beautiful Black
It’s always a refreshing change to see an SG1000 or 2000 in something other than Cherry or Tobacco. The solid
colours are pretty rare in these models which is a bit of a mystery because it looks fabulous. Even more pleasing in this
case is that this one is a solid 9/10 with no dinks or donks, fogging, binding lift etc. etc. I am very frugal with the mint
word but it ain’t far off. There is a hint of fretwear which indicates
that this one was used but loved and looked after . Even the gold is pretty good.
Plays and sounds
as well as it looks and a real gem of a guitar. With original case.
Yamaha SG1000 / 24
1983 - Full 2
Octave Dog Killer
How Rare is this
??? Its hard enough finding a decent original SG1000 these days so you can understand
the excitement when we found a 24 fret variant and in a rare colour as well. In fact it’s a fantastic colour –
sort of deep burgundy see through – classy-
Condition is also
pretty good with just a few normal use dinks and donks which are restricted to the back and sides but even these are not serious
and purely cosmetic.
A tiny amount of
fret wear and that’s it. There is a touch of the normal varnish fogging but again its around the back and sort
of looks alright anyway – NO binding lift and the front is just beautiful.
As you would expect
and I won’t harp on about it ( Harp ? ) it plays like a dream and the range of sounds with the coil taps is just heaven.
And that high note only available on the 24 can kill a dog at 100 paces.
SG1300 / 24 - BLUE
-
1983 Full 2 Octaves
In 1983 to 1985 Yamaha
had a proliferation of new models with slight differences to the existing range . Some of these models were SG 1300 , SG2500,
SG1600 and were only produced for the two years and are now very rare and highly desirable.
This is the fabulous
SG1300 / 24 and in a rare and lovely metallic blue.
The 1300 shares the
through neck construction with the SG2000 plus all of the hardware but differs because it has no brass bridge block but adds
2 extra frets giving a full 2 octaves and coil taps which most SG2000’s didn’t have. The body is also marginally
slimmer and more comfortable.
It is a dream to
play with superb action and an amazing tonal range of the highest quality with bucket loads of sustain as well.
Condition is 9/10
. I can see just two small edge chips which have previously been touched in and some small filled holes up by the Truss rod
cover of no consequence. Other than that it is completely free of any issues and has very obviously been loved and looked
after.
Comes in its original
case which is also in excellent condition. Like new in fact.
SG 1500 - 76 to 79 Love
the colour There
are very very few differences between this SG1500 and the SG2000. These are slight difference in the binding
, no bridge block and a rosewood fretboard. The pickguard isn’t missing but was produced without to show
off the wood. It has the wonderful through neck, the same hardware, the same sublime playability and the
same massive tone. This one even has the coil taps which most of the SG2000’s didn’t have. Another bonus for me is the wonderful range of
lovely colours the SG1500 was produced in and this one is a fabulous deep burgundy brown with all the grain showing through
- VERY classy. There's
just a bit of very light scratching on the back from someones Levi Jeans stud and a slight dulling of the gold but this one
is as good as you will find anywhwere.
SG1500 Cherry
Through neck Wonder
Just for good measure here is another 1500 in another colour . All the same specification as
the one above and Iv'e said it before but the SG1500 is my favourite in the SG range for it sheer playabilty and lack of unneccessary
embelishments. Just a fantastic musical instrument . No abalone inlays, No fancy Maple caps , No brass bit under the bridge
but none of that makes a blind bit of difference . The magnificent through neck etc. - Thats a different matter .
Delivers in bucket loads - Love it.
 Yamaha SG
1600 1983 – Nippon Gakki - Japan In 1983 to 1985 Yamaha had a proliferation of new models with
slight differences to the existing range . Some of these models were SG 1300 , SG2500, SG1600 and were only produced for the
two years and are now very rare and highly desirable. Don't try to figure the Yamaha number system . This
is the virtually unheard of SG1600 . Best way to describe where it sits in the SG hierarchy would
be to say that is part SG1000 and part SG3000 , skipping the SG2000 completely . If differs from the 3000 only because I doesn’t
have the abalone trim around the body but does on the fretboard markers and it doesn’t have the through neck . Everything
else from the colour to the SG3000 Spinex pickups is pure 3000. These actually outperform the standard SG2000 pickups . So
a real mixture and all and a very rare guitar. Plays and sounds like an SG3000 . Condition : Beggers can’t be choosers and
it isn’t mint . There are a number of small dinks to the front and some more plus some scratching to the back with some
dinks to the bottom edge. Back of neck has a few small dinks in the varnish but doesn’t effect anything and there is
the normal wear to some of the gold plate. The tarnish on the pickup surrounds will buff up to new as these are solid brass
but hey - it's the only one we have ever seen.
Playabilty as usual from an SG is just superb and the range
of sounds are just awesome.
 
Yamaha SG 2000 Cherry.
AKA - Les Paul Killer This one
is in superb condition and we have managed to capture that fantastic through neck in the pictures this time. Comes with original hardcase in good condition
and even a few of the original inspection documents . The production quantities of these wasn't actually very high so best advise if you find
a nice one - then buy it. This is an early pre 1980 model without the coil taps but does have the
high sustain T cross construction , brass sustain block etc - Just like Carlos and Bob used to play ..An incredible bit of
kit and often described as a Les Paul killer, although I dislike the expression -
Yamaha SG 2000 Yellow
They call me Mellow
Yellow
Well – whatever
next ? They didn’t make these did they ?
Well obviously they made at least one and here it is. This is as it came from the factory and I would hazard a guess
that it was a special order for someone rich or famous. No scratch plate either by
design to show off that fabulous colour. Serial number puts it at late 70’s.
It has been kitted
out with a pair of high output Dimarzios which make it one HOT SG . The owner obviously knew what he was about or a total
extrovert.
Condition is also
excellent with just a few evidence of use marks , one small chip on the top edge of the neck easily fixed but not a problem
anyway and another on the side of the headstock plus a bit of tarnish to the stop tail piece. That’s about it .
The playabilty and sounds out of this are just awesome. The guy was a obviously power freak which is confirmed
by the original case which has Nissan Skyline DOHC written on it..
Rarity alone makes
what is already a desireable guitar something VERY special.
Yamaha SG 2000 Cherry
Spinex Powered
Yamaha produced a
vast range of SGs and even with several deviations within models. This one has a fabulous specification with all the normal
SG2000 features like through neck, brass sustain plate and ebony fretboard but it also has a lovely five piece maple top with
cross grained centre panel as per the really early models and to top it off it is fitted with the awesome SG3000 Spinex coil
tapped pickups.
It is essentially
an SG2100 but for a European or Japanese market. The SG2100 was for the USA market only .
It is all original
apart from one scratchy potentiometer which was changed and a new set of knobs ( Originals still in the case ). A Rhythm /
Lead plate has also been put on the 3 way switch to cover up some scratches caused by some idiot not taking care. No big deal
though – the plate covers it. It is an Awesome guitar in excellent condition
with just 3 or 4 in the varnish pinhead dinks on the whole guitar – See pictures – and a bit of fretwear on the
lower frets which effect nothing. No fogging – No binding issues etc. Lovely.
One thing I haven’t
been able to do is date it but I would put it between 1984 to 1990.
Playability is just
superb and in the performance stakes it is pure Man Eater and through a decent
amp just destroys anything in its path.
SG 2000 - 1981 -
Almost Black
To all intents and purposes this is a black SG 2000 - Rare enough - but catch it in a cross light and theres
a definite purple hue . Hey thats a good name for a Country and Western singer - Puple Hue - Almost as good as Slim
Pickins or Matt Vinyl . I drift -
Nice pretty much unmarked condition with the ebony neck, brass sustain plate and all the SG2000 gubbins
this is one awesome SG - looks like a new 3 way selector but otherwise 100% original including the hardcase.
.
.
.
Yamaha SG2000 - Late 70's
Burgundy / Walnut
It has probably got a name but Burgundy Walnut will have to do. Its a lovely colour with the
grain showing through and a real change from the tobacco or cherry burst.
Just a bit of honest playwear in places, a bit on the goldware and just a tad on the frets
and fingerboard but this one has been used professionally for a long time and looked after . These are not an issue and effect
nothing . There is maybe a touch of the dreaded fogging as well if I was to be very critical and maybe one or two in the varnish
dinks on the back but overall a fantastic early SG2000 and highly desireable.
All the normal SG2000 attributes such as fabulous through neck, sustain block etc. and as an
ex pro's instrument , beautifully set up .
SG 2100S ORIGINAL 84 Model
Merry
Christmas
I
bring you one of the most desired and inspired Rock Guitars EVER.
So what is an SG2100S – Pure genius that’s what
, that will out play just about any solid body electric guitar on the planet, but being more subjective : The original SG2000
stopped in about 1984 but continued in the guise of the SG2100 for the USA market only - but with a difference . Yamaha
fitted the mighty Spinex pickups as per SG3000 which are considered by some to be the best pickups ever produced . Who am
I to argue.
All of the features of the SG2000 are there including the wonderful through neck. Ebony fingerboard, brass sustain plate etc . so it has
in fact a higher spec than the SG3000 but without the elaborate decoration but instead a very classy very rare deep see through
cherry .
Condition is excellent but there are a couple of small issues
– beggers can’t be choosers on one as rare as this :
There are a couple of tiny marks on the front but no dinks
and just a hint of fogging by the selector switch and the tailpiece screws have been painted but are easily replaced if it
bothers . The tailpiece and tuner heads also have mild tarnish. The back has a bit of buckle rash and some tiny dinks but
OK. Everything else is just perfect. Still a good 9/10 and very classy.
The icing on the cake is that this serial number comes up on
the Yamaha charts as Christmas Day 1984. A special date for a special guitar.
Yamaha SBG 3000 White
Pure Indulgence
We are in deep trouble with the bank manager here who doesn't subscribe to the theory that
these are better than money in his bank. The man has no soul ! How could we resist.
Probably the rarest of colours and breath takingly beautiful apart from being what is probably
one of the best solid body electric guitars on the planet. Never equalled. Not far of mint condition either with the tiniest
of headstock corner dinks very easily touched in and as usual the brass pickup rings could do with a polish but we leave em
original in every way.
This is of course an SG3000 but made for USA by Nippon Gakki Japan - hence SBG on the headstock
not to confuse it with the Gibson SG - AS IF -
Yamaha SG3000 –
1982
Sunburst
The most common of
the original series of SG-3000s seem to be this sort of maroony cherry burst which probably has a name and maybe common is
a bad choice of words because they are all very rare in good condition these days. This is one of those colours that actually
looks better in real life, in fact fabulous.
Anyway – we
though we ought to have one to complete the set and here it is and in pretty excellent condition with just a few in the varnish
scuffs otherwise perfecto.
These are staggering
guitars as everyone seems to realise now because they have all but dried up with prices rising all the time . Even the new
models have taken a recent price hike .
 Yamaha SG3000 Custom
Black Sparkle
!985 model SG3000 in the superb black sparkle which just will not photograph . This one is totally complete as sold
back in 1985 with original warranty card, Instruction booklet and even the optional brass scratch plate all in the original
case. A collectors dream.
Not far off mint condition either with just one unfortunate tiny dink on the back which could
easily be fixed but we leave em as they are. There is a tiny amount of fretwear which points to the guitar having been used
and loved.
Theres not much to add really - It's just Loverly .
|
