Yamaha SG-35A Burgundy 1974
Yamaha SG-35A, burgundy finish, made in Japan 1974. The Yamaha SG series is a cult favourite these days, they're truly excellent guitars. The most famous models, the late 70s SA1000/SA2000 etc, feel and sound like a Les Paul taken to the extremes of balance and playability. This one, however, is a bit different: Yamaha were doing a lightweight, bolt-on style version of the shape for a year or two, and it has a swagger all it's own. It's got a slim, fast playing neck, quirky but functional hardware and an awesome two-tone textured pickguard... it has a bit of a vintage racecar aesthetic to it. This one has enjoyed some considerable attention from our (Yamaha obsessed) tech, so it's had the nut cleaned up, a fret dress, an electrical freshen up and some new tuners installed. It's playing brilliantly: smooth, comfy, balanced, and somewhat compact and easy to get around on. The sound is barky and meaty: heaps of weight through the low end, snarling aggressive mids, chirpy highs with granular detail. It's a little close to a Gibson SG than an LP, although it has a little more inherent brightness and shimmer than many SGs. I really enjoy this, and for a cool little fifty year old slice of guitar history, it's amazing value. So fun!
Model: Yamaha SG-35A
Made: Japan, 1974
Serial: 30437
Finish: burgundy, gloss poly
Body: katsura
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fretboard, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, bolt-on construction, slim C shape
Weight: 3.850kg
Mods: tuners replaced, nut re-cut, one bone saddle replaced, intonation screws all replaced, jack replaced, pickup covers removed and reinstalled
Pickups: Yamaha 1157 alnico humbucker x2
Accessories: vintage hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has scuffs on the end, top and bottom edges and some dimples on the back near the low and high E tuners. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples, scuffs and rub wear on the back. The back has some scuffs and surface scratches in the middle of the body and on the bottom corner, scuffs and dimples in the elbow area and top horn and widespread minor rub wear. The sides have scuffs on the top and bottom horns, scuffs and dimples in the elbow area and some dimples near the jack. The front has dimples on the top horn, up from the bridge pickup, in the elbow area and near the knobs, and some dimples behind the bridge and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/52 strings.
Fret Life: 7/10, some normal wear, recently levelled and dressed and playing smoothly