Yamaha SG1000

$886.66 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (7)

1 Critic Review

3 Reviews

Find out who is using Yamaha SG1000

9 wishlisted

20 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (3)

$886.66 24 available Used

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Average Price: $887

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Yamaha SG1000 is priced in the upper end of the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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The Yamaha SG1000 is a timeless classic, revered for its blend of vintage charm and modern precision. Crafted in the prestigious Yamaha Music Craft workshop in Hamamatsu, Japan, this solid body electric guitar is a testament to Yamaha's dedication to superior craftsmanship. The SG1000 is distinguished by its Initial Response Acceleration (IRA), a proprietary technique that enhances the maturation process, allowing the guitar to develop a rich, seasoned tone much faster than traditional models.

This guitar is not just about sound but also about comfort and playability. It features a double-cutaway design, offering easy access to higher frets, making it a versatile choice for a range of playing styles. Equipped with dual humbucker pickups, the SG1000 delivers a powerful yet nuanced tone, making it perfect for both stage performances and studio recordings. Whether you're exploring rock, blues, or jazz, this guitar has the versatility to accommodate your musical journey.

Key Features:

Crafted by master luthiers in Hamamatsu, Japan
Initial Response Acceleration (IRA) for accelerated tonal development
Dual humbucker pickups for a rich and versatile sound
Double-cutaway design for easy access to higher frets
Solid body construction for enhanced sustain and stability

Product specs

Brand	Yamaha
Model	SG-1000
Finish	Black, Brown Sunburst, Cherry Sunburst, Metallic Blue
Year	1976 - 1989
Made In	Japan
Categories	Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material	Mahogany
Body Shape	Double Cutaway
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	Stop-Bar
Color Family	Black, Blue, Brown, Red
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material	Ebony
Neck Construction	Set-Neck
Neck Material	Mahogany
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	6-String
Offset Body	Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	HH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	24.75"
Top Material	Maple
Wood Top Style	Opaque, Plain

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Yamaha SG1000?: The Yamaha SG1000 features an "egg-shaped" neck profile, which is thicker on the 6th string side and thinner on the 1st string side, providing a comfortable and unique playing feel.
What type of pickups does the Yamaha SG1000 use?: The Yamaha SG1000 is equipped with two Yamaha Alnico humbuckers, which deliver a rich, warm tone suitable for a variety of music genres.
Is the Yamaha SG1000 suitable for rock music?: Yes, the Yamaha SG1000's solid mahogany body and powerful humbucking pickups make it well-suited for rock music, offering sustain and a robust sound.
Does the Yamaha SG1000 support coil splitting?: Yes, the Yamaha SG1000 features a coil split switch on the tone pot, allowing players to access single-coil tones for added versatility.
What is the scale length of the Yamaha SG1000?: The Yamaha SG1000 has a scale length of 24.75 inches, which is typical for many electric guitars and contributes to its playability and tonal characteristics.
What materials are used in the construction of the Yamaha SG1000?: The Yamaha SG1000 features a carved maple top and a mahogany body, with a set-neck construction for enhanced sustain and resonance. The fingerboard is made of ebony.

Videos

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Muzak Shack

Yamaha SG1000 Guitar Demo

Muzak Shack

Yamaha SG-1000 1981 - Sound Demo

Paul's JV gear outlet channel

Yamaha SG1000

ZIMM'S GUITARS

Yamaha SG1000 - Guitare Village

Guitare Village

YAMAHA SG1000 / Black 弾く！

phase-in Guitar Shop ギターショップフェイズイン

'82 Yamaha SG1000 Metallic Blue | Review & Demo!

Guitar Chimp

Reviews

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PROS

Massive, powerful sound that rivals a Les Paul
Deep sustain and resonance enhance playability
Double cut body allows for better fret access
Quiet electronics reduce unwanted noise
Superior build quality stands out in its category
Delivers exceptional clean tones, surpassing many competitors
Durable construction, even after decades of use

CONS

Heavier than many comparable guitars
Less versatile than some other models
Increasingly expensive on the second-hand market

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha SG1000.

Features and functionality

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The SG1000 has a coil split feature, providing a glassy tone ideal for jazz when the volume is rolled back.
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The Yamaha SG1000's upper midrange is particularly emphasized, making it suitable for recordings where a pronounced midrange presence is desired.
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Comparisons

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The neck of the SG1000 is round with a 12" radius, contrasting with the slimmer 60s neck profile on the H535.
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Owners favor the SG1000's playability and tone over Gibson Les Pauls, highlighting its unique neck radius and feel.
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SBG1000/1200 models from '83-'86 feature thinner bodies and lighter weights, contrasting with earlier, heavier models.
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The Yamaha SG1000 is noted for its unique blend of Les Paul heft with an SG's style, particularly appealing to those seeking alternatives to traditional Gibson models.
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Mods and upgrades

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Arcane pickups are considered for a tighter, punchier sound compared to the stock pickups.
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Build quality

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The SG1000 is made in Japan (1980), weighing 9.5 lbs, comparable to a Les Paul's heft and resonance.
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The early Yamaha SG1000 models include a belly carve, enhancing comfort for certain body shapes.
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The SG1000 features a thick poly finish, which can become cloudy over time due to sweat exposure, especially in older models.
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User experience

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The SG1000's stock pickups excel with gain but may feel bass-heavy; some prefer pickups with tighter bass response.
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A wide leather strap (2.5") attached via the inner side of the strap can mitigate neck dive effectively.
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Owners appreciate the small, wide frets, which differ from taller frets on other guitars, requiring an adjustment period but ultimately enhancing playability.
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Setup and maintenance

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Ensure the push-push coil splits in the tone controls function smoothly; early models may lack factory coil splits.
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Value and pricing

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Recent market trends show increasing prices for Yamaha SGs as they gain recognition for their quality.
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Owners report the SG1000 as a dream guitar that retains its value, even surpassing initial quality expectations compared to other vintage Japanese models.
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Critic Reviews

Blog

fretandnut.co.uk

The Yamaha SG1000 is revered as a high-quality vintage guitar, with a build and sound that rivals and sometimes surpasses 1970s Gibsons. Its cult status is bolstered by endorsements from iconic musicians. While the original hardware may need updates for optimum performance, the SG1000's craftsmanship and tonal versatility, especially with its coil-split option, make it a valuable find. If you can snag one, it's well worth it for the style and sound.

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Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 7 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

davepepper

640

about 5 years ago

Nothing not to like apart from weight and current pricing

Took the plunge and bought one of these from a seller in Japan. For a 35 year old guitar it was in beautiful condition and lived well up to expectations. Quiet (electronics), sturdy, oozes sheer quality. Not the most versatile guitar I own, or the easiest to play. Easy to fall into the trap of just turning everything up and noodling. But for fatter sounds it's the best guitar I have. I have no urge to own a Les Paul. Getting more expensive to buy second hand for some reason. All the best ones seem to be in Japan or in the hands of a single seller in the UK who is essentially scalping them. One of the nicest guitars ever made, by anyone.

Roles:

Guitarist Keyboardist Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Rock Pop

ebebebeb

963

over 5 years ago

Heavy guitar

A very serious instrument for professional players, the only drawback of this instrument is that the guitar is really heavy

jez_sullivan

120

over 8 years ago

Almost the perfect Les Paul Killer

Superb build and tone. Only downside is the weight. Get a broad strap. Like a ales Paul, but tonally a touch more top end. Does cleans better than an LP.

Artist usage

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Robin Simon

Guitarist

Ultravox

Verified via YouTube

At 26.41 in the video Simon can be clearly playing this guitar for Magazine. He is playing a different guitar at the start of the video.

Ray Fenwick

Guitarist

The Spencer Davis Group

Verified

Ray Fenwick is confirmed to use the Yamaha SG1000 guitar, as he stated, "In 1977, whilst touring Japan as part of the Ian Gillan Band, I was given two superb guitars by Yamaha - a SG1000 and 2000... Of the two guitars, the 1000 has become my firm favourite." This information is sourced from the Guitar Review Section on his official website.

David Zackrisson

Guitarist, Composer

Beardfish

Verified via YouTube

https://youtu.be/XI5OPDH_lyw David Zackrisson used Yamaha SG 1000

Album Usage

The Yamaha SG1000 has been featured on the following albums:

Bahama

Masayoshi Takanaka (1998)

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Yamaha SG1000, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Yamaha SG2000 Solid Body Electric Guitars

Yamaha SG700 Solid Body Electric Guitars

Yamaha SG 3000 Professional Custom Solid Body Electric Guitars

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Yamaha SG1500 Solid Body Electric Guitars

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Vintage or Discontinued high-end alternative

The main differences between the Yamaha SG1000 and SG1500 are the fingerboard material (ebony or rosewood), construction (presence or absence of a sustain plate), and manufacturing period. The SG1500 has specifications similar to the SG2000 and is characterized by a tighter sound with better sustain. The SG1000 features bi-sound (coil tapping) and is appealing for its thick midrange.

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