All user reviews for the Yamaha SGV800

This is the 1967 (maybe even earlier) Yamaha (Nippon Gakki Co.) "sunburst" solid body electric guitar with "Samurai" headstock with slight offset. I could see no model number on this guitar. The re-issue of this guitar is the SGV 800. I got it for free from someone who got it for free from his uncle. Was hardly used. The strings were rusted. Unlike the re-issue models, this guitar has 2 single coil pickups and zero fret fretboard. It was not well set up so after a bit of tinkling around I found how to adjust the neck. The intonation was set not well ajusted either.

It's a very light guitar. Very interesting shape. Very comfortable to play. Very narrow thin maple neck with lots of birdseyes in the wood and rosewood fretboard. Perfect guitar for a person with small hands. Great unique vibrato mechanism that keeps the guitar in tune yet huge amount of action.

At first I did not like this dinky guitar. I was used to big heavy guitars. It felt fragile, but the light weight won me over. There is not much I don't like about this guitar except maybe the general quality of construction seems to be just adequate....not more.

The pickups do not seem to be of the highest quality. These are my first "single coil" pickups. The toggle switch mechanism seems flimsy but is well placed far below the pickups. The re-issue model has the toggle switch a bit too close to the pickups. The tone and volume pots are a bit scratchy but this guitar must have sat for years in some closet. The tuners and guitar strap buttons also seem flimsy but they have given me no problems. The finish on the guitar is minimal. The body of the guitar seems to be made of 2 peices of wood (the joint is visible behind the guitar) that is a bit softer than I am used to. I guess alder. There is a rather nice white plastic that protects the whole lower part of the body. The grain is visible but very fine, straight and ordinary. The frets are about average in size but seem quite hard. The neck is straight. Over-all construction is adequate and not more.

The re-issue models of this guitar are quite expensive. I guess this guitar sold for under 100 dollars in 1967. I did not use this guitar much at first. Now, I use it at home a lot more and sometimes at practice sessions. I was surprised at how many people recognize this guitar as being something almost 40 years old. When I wear it, I almost feel that I have to play some rock or surf music. After carefully ajusting, I started to appreciate it a lot more. No guitar or amp rates a 5. I rate this guitar at 4 because there is no 3.6

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Guitar factory in Japan, with 22 frets, it is team of two microphones Yamaha P-90 type, configured fawn Les Paul. The bridge is Yamaha team of ball bearings offering plutt look "old" vaguely reminiscent of the Bigsby. Ct knob, it has a microphone volume and tonality. The switch is a toggle swith.

UTILIZATION

Recalls that of the handle strato series L We like or not like it. The fans will dtest flat handle. However, it is plutt end. The frets are fine and vintage style. Access in acute is specially easy, but it's OK.
The ergonomics are well thought plutt. It feels good of the game with scratches. As against it is heavy (more than a strato). Yes, we get easily sound quality.

SOUNDS

A priori, this guitar has t think for surfing or rock styles plutt 50's. I use it personally for playing heavy metal and hard-core. I play with a Peavey 5150. With a minimum gain, the dynamics of a SGV800 hell. The punch is impressive, and the clarity of her remarkable (effect P-90). All the sound of this guitar are cool. The microphones serious, the sound is standard and drooling and abrasive, ideal for headphone and Kyuss riffs fawn. A rgal. For clean sounds, you sail in the very spirit strat.

OVERALL OPINION

I use the SGV800 past year. What I like most is the sound, and the original design. What I like least is the buzz GNR by P-90, but I will shield the cavities of the microphones). I tried hundreds of guitars before acqurir. I would do without this choice problem, and even, I'll buy another for a spair in concert.

This guitar Made in japan will not have t (re) manufactured that 2000 copies. Saddle sleeve with white binding (with screwed plate and four screws), Rosewood (nice vein) taken with mother of pearl. Thin and tall frets. Katana with fawn head mcanique blocking "Sperzel" (architecture of the head allows the strings to the handle straight ...). Two P-90 pickups (Seymour Duncan), a toggle switch type Gibson, two buttons and a volume of Tone (Chrome superb craftsmanship, my knowledge never met on another guitar). The profile of the handle is plutt C-shape on top and flatten APRS tend the 9th box. SPECIFICATIONS Yamaha easel with a superb production, shuffled a bright chrome and subtle spices sands ...!!! Blue Sparkle paint (probably acrylic ...).

Look above ...

UTILIZATION

I-9 is the handle for comfort
-Access to acute is easy, nothing to complain of it.
-The interface is very good, its shape is very well, it's true what is a little heavier than average but if you have the potatoes will not be a problem ...
and color as I did in blue .. (yes, yes, the esthetic is important)
We can get sounds easy enough ..

SOUNDS

My band playing punk rock at times, I like the distortion, rather heavy style green day ... I play on a fender twin amp and I'm pretty disappointed because I do not get the sound I want (in the low I'm talking about), to crystalline sounds for his pass, but I use my strato distos (a tenson, and yes it sounds better in the sgraves yamaha ..)
-jai put 5 because I like the sound of this guitar lens but I do not like the sound distortion ...
and p-90 did not even impresisonés .... disappointed on this side of ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 3 years, I like its shape, "The Bluish," the ease of the handle, but I like less sound distortion, it sounds much better in the bass with my strato (and yes its tenson! sounds better!) I bought on a whim to have one in this style!
value for money is pretty good (€ 400 for me) ... and personally I would do not have that choice I much prefer my gibson dc ... but it's a good guitar ...

Guitar acquired in 2001 with an easel / ultra smooth vibrato
Typical settings 2 tone and a volume whose location is well thought of for violing but sometimes annoying Lorqui the attack on the right hand hits the knob that goes wrong easily.

UTILIZATION

The handle is nice, a thin profile, but it will.
Access to acute is impeccable and the overall ergonomics

SOUNDS

I itches more I play. This guitar helps me out sounds and arrangements to validate my bass lines.
I plugged into a bass amp SWR 100W where does a very nice clear sound.
I detune Si for deep and serious I have a BOSS metal zone connected to my regret, all micro P90 MT + 2 + 100W SWR not ring at all. I do not know whose fault, but it's not the right formula.

OVERALL OPINION

Occasional use since 2001 and 2000F acquired at the time, this guitar is fulfilling its role.
I love the retro look but very specific forms of models integrating several references (head explorer, 4001 rickenbacker body mounted as a left, Ibanez IC ...) with a sequined black finish. I love the model with a strong personality. And for sound, light is perfect for the secret to Pink Floyd very flat.
The handle is a little special, a little thick for my taste, and the spacing between the strings a bit tight for my bass player's fingers. But you get used to it ...
The price / quality ratio is very good if you are searching a clear strat-type with little crack in prices crazy, and I would say even more clean!
I do it again this choice because it combines a great look, sounds and a nice vibrato.
In retro style with a good personality for both visual and sound not too expensive, although I'll side with Hagstrom ...