Yamaha SG...who has one?

[6stringgrind]

I have a 70's Yamaha SG1500 (I incorrectly called it a 1000 in a previous post) that I plan to modify. Probably new pickups, refret, maybe new nut. This thing is heavy! Weighs more than any Les Paul I've played. I've heard people call these "Les Paul killers", and I'm certainly hoping to make mine one! It sounds good now, but I think it could be truly great.

Anyway, I just wondered if anyone else here has a Yamaha SG, and if so, what is your opinion of it?

[brad347]

I had one for a minute. It went out the door to buy an engagement ring for my lovely lady last year, but while I had it I thought it was great.

[paintguy]

I have a SBG2000. Killer, killer guitar. Plays great, sounds great with the stock pickups, is neck-thru body, has coil taps, etc.....

As far as sound and playability, on the same league as my Gibson and Prs guitars. A very fine guitar.:AOK One of the best bargains on the resale market.

I didn't change a thing from the stock set-up. I would pay for pups or any work it needed, it just doesn't need it.

[telest]

I've owned three SG2000s since '80. All great, all stock, all heavy. Back then I didn't mind the weight issue, but since then I've plenty of nice light guitars and I can't go back.

Steve

[brattmoore]

I have a SG2000 but no coil tap (?)

[telest]

I have a SG2000 but no coil tap (?)

My first one, '79?, didn't have the coil tap, but I think from '80 or so on they were tap equipped.

Steve

[LaXu]

I'd get an SG2000 in a heartbeat if they weren't so damn heavy.

[telest]

I'd get an SG2000 in a heartbeat if they weren't so damn heavy.

I'm curious about the 700 series. They are made of Agathis?, instead of Mahogany. Suppose to weigh much less.

Steve

[ZenFly06]

I have a 4 serial number ('76) Black SG2000. I bought it new in '77. It's a real player. Not stock, not pretty. Has Seymore Duncans coil tap mini switches, a shaved neck (unfinished) and large frets; it rocks.

And it weighs a ton. I have a occaisional daydream of having it refinished (the neck job revealed a very nice grain tinged with black).
If I do this I'd like to explore some way to lighten the sucker up a couple of pounds.

Great guitar!

[LaXu]

I'm curious about the 700 series. They are made of Agathis?, instead of Mahogany. Suppose to weigh much less.

Steve

In my experience Agathis is only used on cheap guitars and it usually tends to be pretty heavy.

[Mcclassic]

Hi 6stringgrind I have one of the rares SG1600, that is basicaaly a SG2000 with one less binding, coil tap, sunburst, gold hardware. It is an awsome guitar, no more heavy than my Les Pauls, great tone and higher output on the pickups than the regular LP's. Thin neck with ebony fingerboard and great inlay work. This one is from around '86 and they were not manny in the US according with the information I have read. Still made in Japan and very nice made.

Enjoy yours!

[6stringgrind]

Hey Mcclassic!

I'm not much for gold hardware, so the 1500 was perfect for me. Black with silver hardware is a favorite combo of mine. My SG is a cool guitar, for sure, and after I'm through with it, it's gonna be even better!

[telest]

In my experience Agathis is only used on cheap guitars and it usually tends to be pretty heavy.

Well, there goes that theory out the window. :jo

Steve

[jgyn]

I have an SBG-3000 model. Kind of like the equivalent to the Gibson Les Paul Custom.

[ZenFly06]

Here is my SG2000...

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l17/ZenFly/SGfront4.jpg

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l17/ZenFly/SGfull.jpg

[paintguy]

A lousy picture of mine. Yes, I painted the pup rings and pickguard cream.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f134/paintguylarry/DSCN1455.jpg

[JamonGrande]

paintguy,
was that a 2000? i had and then sold one when i was younger and stupid. i think it was late 70's, no coil taps, sunburst. i didn't dig the flatter frets that were on it, so i traded it for a cassette 4 track, DOH!

if i had know then what i know now

joe

[guitarmanuk]

I had an SG800 that I bought in the 80's. I used it a lot when I was younger but as I got older, my back just couldn't take it for a whole night. I bought the Patrick Eggle I have now 13 years ago and the SG never got a look in. I ended up selling it as it just sat in its case doing nothing. However, I concur with everything else that has been siad. It was a killer guitar and I loved the sound, just couldn't take the weight!

[paintguy]

paintguy,
was that a 2000? i had and then sold one when i was younger and stupid. i think it was late 70's, no coil taps, sunburst. i didn't dig the flatter frets that were on it, so i traded it for a cassette 4 track, DOH!

if i had know then what i know now

joe

Joe,
It's a SBG2000 with coil taps. I believe it was made in the 80's. A very fine guitar. Being that I have quite a few nice guitars, and I really need to downsize to what gets played regularly, this is available for sale or trade.

[Tommy P.]

My #1 is an SG2000 I've had since '77 or so (can't remember). The only modifications are a Joe Barden Two-Tone Humbucker in the bridge and a push-pull tone pot to get the Barden into Tele/Strat mode. I rarely use the Barden in full humbucker mode, so it was wired "split" in the push position, and "out" is full humbucker.

The original neck pup is to die for, and I don't know what pickup could ever replace it. Its so clean, fat, bluesy and loud.

I keep both pups on most of the time and blend the with the volume controls. The Barden needs to be as close to the strings as possible, otherwise the original neck pup overpowers it. The Barden is a trebely clean pup and can get chicken pickin twangy when on by itself. I even removed the tone cap for more treble.

Old wood sounds soooo good when its been heavily gigged as this one has. The only thing thats been worrying me is, its got few gigs left in it before I'll have to decide when and where it'll get new frets and a PLEK job.

[Severen]

I have a '79 SG2000, red with gold hardware, no coil taps. Replaced the bridge, tailpiece, knobs and pu's. Kept the tuners b/c it holds a perfect tune. Put in SD pu's, Stars solid brass bridge & an solid brass ornate tailpiece. Yes, it weighs a lot but I like heavy gtrs --- it nails the Santana Europa tone w/o even trying and sustains for days (literally).

I'm thinking of selling it as its been sitting in the closet for awhile since I have become dependent on tremelo bridges.

[WildHawk]

I'd get an SG2000 in a heartbeat if they weren't so damn heavy.

You're right. They weighed a ton. No... two tons. Always thought the pickups sounded like mud. Bought it used for a steal and sold it a few years later for a huge profit. It was a dust collector in my closet.

Not something you'd want to have hanging off your shoulder for any length of time. I'm sure Carlos thinks his PRS weighs 2 lbs. after owning one of those boat anchors.

[little cyress]

Nice guitars... I played around with a black SG1000 and later parted ways. It had non stock humbuckers. ... I still have my SG-3 from '65... that's the Jaguar Killer and would not get confused with a Gibson. But what wood did they use back then in Japan? I think it starts with an N .... god my f$^&* memory

[Gentry]

I have around 20 of them... starting at the SG-500, 800, 1000, 1500, several 2000's, around 10-3000's, and finally the killer of them all SG-T2 Takanaka Blue.

:JAM

[veldt666]

Had three SG 2000's at different times. Made the natural evolution to the MSG, (Image in US.) 1980's. Great guitars, like all Yamaha product,(TopQC).

[electronpirate]

I've been looking for one of these for awhile. Trying to get a handle on the models, but would love to have one.

Anyone?

EP

[Mcclassic]

I have one of the rare mid 80's SG-1600 (I think is '85 or '86), it's basically a SG-2000 with a little less ornamet, I think it has one less biding and mybe something else but so far this guitar is heavy a tonefull, thin neck, very, very great guitar.