Yamaha SG1820
Launched in 1974, the Yamaha SG was the guitar that proved to the world that Japanese guitars should be taken very seriously. With the classic SG2000 developed in association with Carlos Santana, the SG has long been a player's favourite thanks to a combination of incredible sound, outstanding playability and individual styling.
From its rich tone and long sustain to its outstanding playability and stunning design, all of its signature characteristics have stood the test of time, remaining relevant to this day. However, there have been countless changes in the music scene and the emergence of many new music styles since the birth of the SG guitars.
Along with such changes we have witnessed huge improvements and changes in amplifiers and effects - suffice to say, players demands today are totally different from those when the original SG was introduced.Although the original SG models have carved their names in the history of electric guitars, to satisfy those demands, and make today’s SG as iconic and relevant as the original models, the SG1820 series was developed.
Using direct feedback from Yamaha’s London and Tokyo Artist Relations offices and Yamaha Artist Services Hollywood (YASH), the guitars are specced with the custom-shop parts that artists want and need and finished with the new simpler cosmetics that players have been asking for.
Featuring Japanese handmade set-neck construction, African Mahogany body and neck and maple top, the new SGs feature totally updated, no-compromise specifications to make them perfect for today’s musicians.
Finally, the stadium-ready SGs that Yamaha have been producing for artists are available to the public.
Materials
While preserving the basic structure of Maple Top/Mahogany Back and SG’s iconic double cutaway design, the body of SG1820 was redesigned to capture the sound and look which today’s guitarists want.
The contoured body top curves more deeply than previous models - the top arc of the curve, the center part of the body, has optimized wood-mass to maximise string-body vibration from the from the bridge and tailpiece. The deep curve maintains the guitar’s optimum weight balance and enhances the SG’s stunning shape. The back contour featured on SG1/2/3000, designed for increased comfort when the guitar was played high on the strap, has been modified to a flat back on the new SGs.
The new flat back design increases the volume of Mahogany to significantly increase the low-mid response and presence while reflecting ergonomics needed for the lower stance modern players take with SGs.
Pickups
SG1820: Seymour Duncan ‘59: A classic, warm humbucker with smooth midrange and rich high-end. Works perfectly with SG1820 to give a hot-vintage tone with plenty of presence and depth.
Headstock
The SG’s headstock has been reshaped to a slightly smaller size to improve body balance. The classic ‘flower pot’ head mark has also been down-sized to match with the new headstock size. Both the SG1820 and 1802 feature traditional SG inlays, perfectly proportioned to the new, smaller headstock. The SG1820A’s unique outline design perfectly updates the SG’s classic style for a modern, aggressive look.
Grover Locking Tuners
The SG’s strings are locked in place at the post to ensure zero slippage and complete tuning stability along with quick, efficient string changes.
This is the standard model of the SG1820 series and the guitar all of the new SGs are based on. Its spec and appearance are based on feedback from the artists who were involved in its development in Tokyo, London and YASH in Hollywood. SG1820s are all handmade at YMC in Japan and feature the custom-shop parts relied on by professionals for tour-ready tone, feel and reliability.
Specifications:
- Maple & Mahogany Body
- TonePros AVR-II Bridge
- Gloss Finish
- Mahogany 3-piece Neck
- Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1n Pickups
- Rosewood Fingerboard
- Grover Locking Tuners
- Hardshell Case