1978 Yamaha SG2000 1978 - Bareknuckle PAFs - Jumbo Refret

1978 Yamaha SG2000
Here is a fine example of my favorite guitar of all time, the Japanese-made Yamaha SG2000 made famous by Carlos Santana.  Revered in guitar circles as the "Les Paul Killer", and made during the heyday of Japanese craftsmanship.

Specification

• Body: Mahogany with carved Maple top, T-Cross maple structure
  
• Neck: Laminated Rock Maple and mahogany, Ebony fingerboard, 22 frets, 24-3/4 scale length, 13" radius
  
• Neck markers: Mother of pearl split markers
  
• Hardware: Gold plated, brass sustain plate under bridge, Harp and Scroll motif on the stoptail
  
• Pickups: Upgraded to Bareknuckle Mule (neck) /Riff Raff (bridge) PAFs
  
• Finish:  Polyurethane, Tobacco Brown
  
• Tuners: Gold finish Precise Torque Tuners 15:1 ratio, staggered
  
• Electronics: 2 volume / 2 tone, 3-way pickup switch
  

Details & Disclosure

When I purchased this guitar, it was in similar condition, except the frets were worn down and uneven from years of play wear, and the pickups were non-original and cosmetically worn. It is an instrument that was well-played, yet well-maintained.  

To bring it up to modern playability and my tonal preferences, I invested over $700 in the following:

• Complete refret and level using 6100 Jumbo Jescar Frets with hotdog ends for a smooth feel
  
• Pickups were replaced with Bareknuckle PAFs (Mule in the Neck and Riff Raff in the bridge)
  
• A new bone nut was recut and fitted.
  
• Dunlop Dual Design Strap buttons replaced the tiny original strap pins
  
• 11 gauge strings were fitted
  
• All work was done professionally at the renowned Gary Brawer guitar repair shop in San Francisco.  
  

The guitar itself has only minor, natural play wear evidenced by light pick swirls in the clear coat and very minor finish indentations that don't extend through to the wood beneath. The only significant blemish is a long belt-buckle gauge on the back of the body across the control cavity, which is out of sight when you're playing it.  There is a small amount of pitting and tarnish on the gold hardware. There have been no major structural breaks or repairs.  This guitar has none of the characteristic clear coat "cloudiness" that occurs with these models as they age. 

All electronics and hardware are working perfectly.  And it comes with the original Yamaha case, which has some tolex wear and tear, but snugly holds the instrument safe and is completely functional.