(SOLD) Yamaha SG-45 Gloss Mahogany 1973
Yamaha SG-45, mahogany finish, made in Japan 1974. The Yamaha SG series has existed in one form or another for six decades now and enjoys a loyal following. This model dates to the 'pre Santana' era, a time when Yam were making a couple of different body shapes under the same series before they got consolidated into the double-cut style body still available today. It's a guitar that could only have been made in the seventies: the brown finish, bold curves and visual asceticism are such a product of their time. It's got a lot going for it in my books. First, it feels great. The neck is an agreeable moderate round profile, expertly carved by hand from some lovely mahogany and rosewood. The body is lightweight and well balanced, it's surprisingly comfy and offers plenty of natural resonance. The original pickups have been replaced with a Duncan '59 and a vintage Gotoh PAF-style, both of which sound great. The tone is roughly in the ballpark of a Les Paul, with with a bit more air and space in the midrange and more pronounced bark in the attack. It's thick, rich and defined but with a certain honky sweetness, which is really fun. It's easy enough to pick up the later SG500 and SG1000 type models from the late seventies, but this curvy cucumber is a much trickier score, so if you're a fellow vintage Yam enthusiast, you're sure to appreciate the weird wonder of this brown beauty.
Model: Yamaha SG-45
Made: Japan, 1973 (serial 20493)
Finish: mahogany stain, gloss poly
Body: katsura
Neck: mahogany, rosewood slab board, 24.75" scale, 12" radius
Weight: 3.7kg
Mods: pickups replaced
Pickups: Seymour Duncan SH-1 '59 humbucker, Gotoh GW-HB humbucker (bridge)
Case: basic non-original gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some scuffs and dimples on the end and top edge, as well as a small dent on the front near the logo. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back and a little dent behind the 12th fret only. The back has some scuffs near the neck joint, some dents on the bottom horn, some dimples and scuffs on the back edge and in the elbow area and a little chip and some marks in the middle, no major marks. The sides. The sides have some dimples on the top horn and elbow area, an extra hole from a former strap pin on the back edge and some dimples on the bottom horn and near the jack. The front has some dimples near the switch and up from the bridge pickup, some small dents near behind the bridge and in the elbow area and some standard play scuffs on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (8/10).
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets are pretty good with minor wear only, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 11/49 Moonshiners strings.