I am offering here a Yamaha SG2000 BS from 1979, the handcrafted in Hamamatsu, Japan, top-of-the-line solidbody model of the infamous SG series by the legendary guitar maker Yamaha, featuring a solid mahogany body with maple top, three-piece mahogany/maple neck in neck-through construction with medium “C” neck profile and 43mm bone nut, bound ebony fingerboard with split triangle mother-of-pearl inlays and 22 medium jumbo frets, two incredibly hot-sounding Yamaha Japan Alnico V humbucker pickups, as well as high-quality Yamaha Japan die-cast tuners in a semi-transparent Brown Sunburst high-gloss finish with elegant gold hardware and 5-ply cream binding in well maintained condition, including original Yamaha vintage luxury hardshell case and professional setup with 10-46 Elixir Optiweb strings.

Introduced in 1976, the Yamaha SG2000 was considered one of the best solid-body guitars from Japan—perhaps even from around the world—at the time. The design was the result of a collaboration between Yamaha and the exceptional American guitarist Carlos Santana, with the goal of further developing the Yamaha SG175. The result became the flagship model of Yamaha’s electric guitar line until 1988 and continues to enjoy absolute cult status to this day.

At first glance, the Yamaha SG2000 resembles a 1970s Gibson Les Paul Custom with a double cutaway, but it features several differences in the details. The first difference is that the SG2000 features a one-piece neck construction. The center section of the neck is made of maple and flanked by mahogany—the mahogany body also features a arched maple top. In addition, the solid Adjusto-Matic bridge rests on a brass block recessed into the top, which, together with the one-piece neck, ensures extremely efficient tone transmission—so it’s no surprise that this Carlos Santana-style guitar just won’t stop singing.

And even though the guitar isn’t exactly a lightweight at 4.52kg due to its solidbody construction, it resonates incredibly well acoustically and delivers plenty of tone when plugged into an amp.

Plugged in, two powerful Yamaha Alnico V humbuckers deliver a wide sonic spectrum ranging from rock to blues. Hot, direct, and punchy—yet clear and articulate at the same time, so that every nuance is captured while playing.

A sound sample of this model (only in Cherry Sunburst) can be found above at the end of the photo gallery.

In terms of playability, the 43mm bone nut, the shorter 628.6mm scale length, and the double cutaway provide incredibly smooth playability across the 22 medium jumbo frets with clean intonation.

Technical Specifications:

• Origin: Hamamatsu, Japan
• Year Built: 1979
• Body Style: Double Cutaway Solidbody
• Body: Solid mahogany with belly cut
• Top: Carved plain top maple
• Neck: 3-piece mahogany/maple/mahogany neck (T-Cross System), neck-through
• Neck profile: Medium “C”
• Neck thickness: 20.8mm (1st fret) / 24.8mm (12th fret)
• Fingerboard: Ebony with split triangle mother-of-pearl inlays, bound
• Fingerboard radius: 14″
• Frets: 22 medium jumbo
• Nut: 43mm, bone
• Headstock: Angled mahogany headstock with black front and mother-of-pearl flower inlays, 5-ply binding
• Pickups: 2x original Yamaha Japan Alnico V humbuckers
• Electronics: 3-way switch, 2x volume and 2x tone controls
• Tuners: Yamaha Japan die-cast gold tuners
• Bridge: Yamaha Adjusto-Matic bridge with brass sustain plate
• Tailpiece: Stopbar with engraving
• Hardware: Gold
• Bindings: Cream, 5-ply
• Pickguard: Black, 2-ply
• Finish: Brown Sunburst high-gloss, semi-transparent
• Scale length: 628.6mm
• Serial No.: 004929
• Weight: 4.52kg
• Includes black Yamaha Vintage luxury hardshell case

These early Yamaha SG-2000s are exceptionally well-crafted instruments and are particularly rare in unmodified condition.

The guitar is in excellent original condition and is technically flawless. Due to its age, there is some superficial wear, and the finish has become milky in some places, which together create an authentic vintage patina (see photos). The frets are still in very good condition.

The instrument has been professionally set up with 10-46 Elixir Optiweb strings, and I (a long-time guitar teacher) will ship it via DHL with insurance upon request for €49.99 within Germany or for €89.99 within the EU. Worldwide shipping is available—individual shipping costs upon request.

All photos shown are of the actual instrument for sale.