That guitar looks really well made and with very good components in every aspect! Plus it's just beautiful! That's a great idea with those set screws to hold everything in place without strings! Thanks for this review Cesar!
Hello Cesar. I have a 1981 Yamaha SG800S that is also in Tobacco Sunburst. It has dot markers on the fretboard but five ply binding on the headstock. It has white open coil humbuckers and still has the pickguard. The binding and pick guard have also aged to a beautiful parchment colour. Oh mine has factory coil splits as well. It is the heaviest guitar that I have ever played and it certainly can go head to head with a Gibson Les Paul with ease. Your guitar is the closest looking Yamaha SG to mine that I have ever seen online. I purchased it a few months ago from the original owner who bought it in Japan in 1981. I love it.
Hi Tim! Wow... I am sure she is a Beauty. In my video I tried to focus on the 1000's series ( 1000's, 2000's, 3000's .. ) as they were my fetish when being a child and a student of classical guitar at the Royal School of Music. Maybe you can shoot a video of the guitar so we all can see her? Yes, as I say on my vid, they are really heavy but worth it.... Mine smokes any Gibson, including my loved 2015 one.... Thanks man, I enjoy a lot reading your comments!
Hi Dale - this guitar has been an Icon from my childhood and adolescence...Imagine a 9 years old lad going to his Classical Guitar Instructor at the Royal School of Music and saying - I want to play electric Guitar :-) More or less the same face my father put :-)
Thanks Bill, is great having you here!. Yes, she is a beauty. And more important - one of my fetishes from my adolescence - so happy I could find one of these :-)
Man that guitar is flawless. I remember this guitar back in the day, might have been Santana. One thing I learned from your videos is a quality guitar case is very important.
Hi Joe, again thanks for watching! Believe me , good cases are needed specially if you travel like a pilot as I do,,,, :-) The issue with this case is precisely - is too hot, man. Is screaming - Steal Me!!! Thanks Joe!!!
Beautiful guitar! I loved your video on it and enjoy your channel VERY much! Definitely subscribing and looking forward to more videos my friend! Greetings from Texas!
Thanks so much for the kind comment and welcome onboard! I really value your sub and I hope you will enjoy the channel. Please stay tuned as I always try to upload 1-2 videos per weekend (unless I am traveling for business like the past month... ). Thanks again!
I always enjoy your reviews! I'm always thinking that the guitar is on a massage table......and is relaxing, lol. This is a beautiful example of Japanese craftsmanship at it's finest. Thank you for sharing.
Now I'm intrigued enough to see if plans for construction are available online . . . I have enough mahogany to build several guitars , hmm . . . maybe I'll build a guitar that has a similar carving . . . this particular guitar reminds me of a Rickenbacher . Tailoring a guitar to one's own likes or dislikes is part of the beauty of playing ! Thank you for the glowing review & history !
Thanks for watching! That could be wonderful if you build a guitar like the SG... It has been a very important instrument in my life... Maybe we can ask Yamaha for the plans- What I can do is shooting pics of all the the routing for you if it helps.... Thanks again!
Let me first congratulate you on a first class video. Like you, I was a kid when first exposed to the sound of Santana, and said to my friend it was like 'the sound of my mother and father talking to me'.I was about 12-13 and I've been playing this kind of music daily since then.I have owned Prs, gibsons and a host of other guitars but for some reason have never pulled the trigger on a Yamaha SG.I am looking at excellent examples of old SG 2000 and these newer guitars based on the SG 1000, not the SG 2000.The neck through construction of the originals, brass sustain plate, and the original a5 Yamaha pickups must make a sound difference but I'd like to know what they are, if any at all. I'm sure this example sustains perfectly well and the pickups are fat enough for Europa, but does anyone have experience of both the old and the new.Thanks again for your excellent video.Ps. I really enjoyed your Gary Moore playing in the other video.Bravo.Jeff Makor
Hi Jeff. Thanks so much for taking the time to watch my video and for your comment which I enjoyed reading.. Well, in my opinion this 1820 with the Seymour Duncan is a better guitar that the older one with the Yamaha pups, and I would include the 2000 series too ( though I understand there might be different opinions). I am going to upload a Santana video and my interpretation of the CrossRoads with this guitar so I would kindly ask you to stay tuned please.... The channel is full of covers, set ups, etc... I hope you will enjoy and welcome back anytime!
I'm getting obsessed with Yamaha guitars. The only problem is, people don't look after theirs like l do. And obviously, you do. I have 30 year old guitars like brand new.
I love that SG Cesar it's a beautiful guitar, but surely the binding can't be Ivory that would be illegal wouldn't it? Wow that's a heavyweight definitely one for playing sitting. 😎
Hey Simon - Sorry if I was not clear - Ivory I meant the Colour, not the material. I don't know what material is the binding made of - I do assume is plastic.Thanks for pointing this out!!
Nice Axe Cesar. She is pretty. I don't care for active pickups either. Ohhh Nooooo not IRA, are you trying to start another tone war? lol . Kidding. Wow over 10lbs, you defiantly need a Stretch strap for that back breaker ☮
Ahhh Mannnn..... The IRA thing - as I say I do not perceive any f... difference. I bought the Guitar because i always loved it and when I was a child I did not have the money. I used her a lot during my session playing instead Les Pauls. Yes she is heavy but ya know..Fat bottom girls ;-) Thanks Harry, appreciated you watching and commenting.
Another excellent review, Cesar! I'm still trying to find that perfect neck and fretboard for me. I have really only played my American Stratocaster Deluxe for any length of time and it has a compound radius on a modern C shape neck. I find it difficult to play at times, especially at the nut but I usually chalk it up to my inexperienced fingers. I did pick up a PRS briefly at GC but couldn't really get a good feel for it or test drive it much. I think I would like a more flat fretboard than what I have. I need to do some research on the differences between radius'. I have been in the market for a new guitar for a while now. I love my Strat but I am bored with it and need something new to keep me interested in playing. I still practice regularly but you know what I mean. There are so many to choose from and the particular PRS that I want is between 3 and 4 thousand bucks so...I better know that I will love to play it and it will be comfortable to me. I'm not a huge fan of painted necks but I think I can live with it. I also want a Gibson SG and Les Paul just because. I have a buddy that has a nice collection of Les Paul's that will let me play with. As a matter of fact, before I bought my Strat, he offered to let me take home one of his Les Paul's and one of his Strats to compare. I didn't feel it was necessary because I had already researched and made my mind up that I wanted an American Stratocaster. Im starting to blabber lol. Do you think it is easier to play a more flat fretboard than one like mine? I know that you like chunky necks, I might be the opposite...just don't know. I've only been playing for about a year and a half so I really don't exactly know what its good for me. I know that I love playing and I love my Strat but I also know that there could be something better for me to be playing. And when I say better, I mean more player friendly to me. I have also been researching different amplifiers...omg, don't get me going down that road. I still haven't made my mind up but I am leaning towards one of Fenders higher end models. I really like my clean channels and I know Fender is tough to beat when it comes to clean. But I also like to get a lil dirty every now and then lol. There are TOO many choices!
Hi Danny! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with me. I really appreciate your friendship. Now - It is funny you ask me this because just as we speak I am uploading a vid about fretboard radius because some personal messages I have received.... maybe you and me we have telepathy! My honest advice is go as flat as you can. 10 inches is PRS's like. Danny, guitars are a very personal thing. But you are right, you need to find something that keeps you motivated... Strats are great guitars (Please hit American Standard). You will see one of mine in the video. Regarding amps, I have always prioritised a good clean channel. Fender is top of the game there. Another honest advice - learn CLEAN. Practice clean - be honest with you and so you can hear your mistakes ( if you use a lot of gain you will not ). You will need some discipline to practice - It depends on what your objectives are. If you want to be a really good player you need to practice, my friend. Discipline and practice. But if you want to be just a recreational player, simply have fun. And I am more than happy to assist if I can be of any help. Cheers my friend.
Why don't you try Carvin....they can build practically anything you want and the guitars are simply wonderful - and there are some f them not that expensive....You can choose neck profile, radius, everything....
+Cesar Blues Guitar I will take a look at them. To be honest, I know nothing about them. The only manufacturers that have been on my radar are PRS American, Gibson and Fender American. What draws me so much to PRS is the looks, sound and quality and also that it's something different from a LP and Strat. I will definitely start researching them though, thanks!
Danny, I love PRS too. As you have seen on my channel I have two - An American Custom 24 ( around 3500 USD ) and the PRS SE Custom 24 ( around 900 USD when I bought it new ). My Lady in Red is absolutely lovely. If you are not in a budget, that would be my strong recommendation. But Carvin makes wonderful instruments too....
Hi John! Thanks so much for your sub! Really appreciate you taking the time to create an account, watch my vids and comment.... welcome on board! We are still a tight group but growing by the minute and very nice people are around. Stay tuned - past weekend was a working one but I am preparing two very good ones for the weekend!
+Cesar Blues Guitar your welcome cesar.. just saying this.. the first video i watch on your channel is your playing killing me softly with an yamaha silent guitar.. i dont have knowledge about guitar. i searching for killing me softly guitar and your video pop up that was 3 or 4 months ago.. i only have an very old cheap acoustic that i play and practice.. keep it up sir cesar... tnx for sharing knowledge.. all the way here philippines
I heard the SG3000 and what a tone,creamy,warm you could play it for days and still not get enough.
Yes.... but I can assure you my 1820 does the job... you can listen all my Covers with my SG 1820... thanks for watching and commenting!
Cesar All Guitar Definitely this 1820 is a magnificent guitar,no doubt about it.
That guitar looks really well made and with very good components in every aspect! Plus it's just beautiful! That's a great idea with those set screws to hold everything in place without strings! Thanks for this review Cesar!
Thanks Master! I do really appreciate your inputs always!
Hello Cesar. I have a 1981 Yamaha SG800S that is also in Tobacco Sunburst. It has dot markers on the fretboard but five ply binding on the headstock. It has white open coil humbuckers and still has the pickguard. The binding and pick guard have also aged to a beautiful parchment colour. Oh mine has factory coil splits as well. It is the heaviest guitar that I have ever played and it certainly can go head to head with a Gibson Les Paul with ease. Your guitar is the closest looking Yamaha SG to mine that I have ever seen online. I purchased it a few months ago from the original owner who bought it in Japan in 1981. I love it.
Hi Tim! Wow... I am sure she is a Beauty. In my video I tried to focus on the 1000's series ( 1000's, 2000's, 3000's .. ) as they were my fetish when being a child and a student of classical guitar at the Royal School of Music. Maybe you can shoot a video of the guitar so we all can see her? Yes, as I say on my vid, they are really heavy but worth it.... Mine smokes any Gibson, including my loved 2015 one.... Thanks man, I enjoy a lot reading your comments!
Excellent review pointing out all the details and features. I appreciate you sharing the history as well. Beautiful guitar.
Hi Dale - this guitar has been an Icon from my childhood and adolescence...Imagine a 9 years old lad going to his Classical Guitar Instructor at the Royal School of Music and saying - I want to play electric Guitar :-) More or less the same face my father put :-)
I'm buying this next week. Can't wait!
I am sure you will LOVE IT!!!
I enjoy your guitar reviews almost as much as your playing! Another beautiful guitar my friend!
Thanks Bill, is great having you here!. Yes, she is a beauty. And more important - one of my fetishes from my adolescence - so happy I could find one of these :-)
Man that guitar is flawless. I remember this guitar back in the day, might have been Santana. One thing I learned from your videos is a quality guitar case is very important.
Hi Joe, again thanks for watching! Believe me , good cases are needed specially if you travel like a pilot as I do,,,, :-) The issue with this case is precisely - is too hot, man. Is screaming - Steal Me!!! Thanks Joe!!!
Really interesting and enjoyable review of an underrated brand. Bravo, Cesar 😎
Thanks so much for such a nice comment!
Thank you Cesar. What do you think of their Revstar range? Eg the RSP20CR?
Hey Paul! I have several covers with my Yamaha Revstar in the channel...great axes, man! Thanks for watching!
Cesar All Guitar thanks man. So which do you prefer? RevStar or this Sg 1820?
Beautiful guitar! I loved your video on it and enjoy your channel VERY much!
Definitely subscribing and looking forward to more videos my friend!
Greetings from Texas!
Thanks so much for the kind comment and welcome onboard! I really value your sub and I hope you will enjoy the channel. Please stay tuned as I always try to upload 1-2 videos per weekend (unless I am traveling for business like the past month... ). Thanks again!
I always enjoy your reviews! I'm always thinking that the guitar is on a massage table......and is relaxing, lol. This is a beautiful example of Japanese craftsmanship at it's finest. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Blkjakk - Never thought about the table in that way :-). Yes, the guitar is absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Brilliant made this presentation of this guitar icon. Damn great stuff.
Now I'm intrigued enough to see if plans for construction are available online . . . I have enough mahogany to build several guitars , hmm . . . maybe I'll build a guitar that has a similar carving . . . this particular guitar reminds me of a Rickenbacher . Tailoring a guitar to one's own likes or dislikes is part of the beauty of playing ! Thank you for the glowing review & history !
Thanks for watching! That could be wonderful if you build a guitar like the SG... It has been a very important instrument in my life... Maybe we can ask Yamaha for the plans- What I can do is shooting pics of all the the routing for you if it helps.... Thanks again!
I haven't found plans yet, but have a pretty good idea how to make a 'close' approximation of the shape ;)
Please keep me posted - that would be wonderful!!!
Will do ! * Still searching possibilities ;)
Let me first congratulate you on a first class video. Like you, I was a kid when first exposed to the sound of Santana, and said to my friend it was like 'the sound of my mother and father talking to me'.I was about 12-13 and I've been playing this kind of music daily since then.I have owned Prs, gibsons and a host of other guitars but for some reason have never pulled the trigger on a Yamaha SG.I am looking at excellent examples of old SG 2000 and these newer guitars based on the SG 1000, not the SG 2000.The neck through construction of the originals, brass sustain plate, and the original a5 Yamaha pickups must make a sound difference but I'd like to know what they are, if any at all. I'm sure this example sustains perfectly well and the pickups are fat enough for Europa, but does anyone have experience of both the old and the new.Thanks again for your excellent video.Ps. I really enjoyed your Gary Moore playing in the other video.Bravo.Jeff Makor
Hi Jeff. Thanks so much for taking the time to watch my video and for your comment which I enjoyed reading.. Well, in my opinion this 1820 with the Seymour Duncan is a better guitar that the older one with the Yamaha pups, and I would include the 2000 series too ( though I understand there might be different opinions). I am going to upload a Santana video and my interpretation of the CrossRoads with this guitar so I would kindly ask you to stay tuned please.... The channel is full of covers, set ups, etc... I hope you will enjoy and welcome back anytime!
Good video Cesar, I like the double cut outs on this guitar!!!!🎸🎸🎸👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼😊
Thanks Steve - she is really pretty!
Beautiful guitar Cesar.
All rights to be proud of.
Thanks so much Will. Now they are becoming collector pieces...This one is very close to my heart.
I'm getting obsessed with Yamaha guitars. The only problem is, people don't look after theirs like l do. And obviously, you do. I have 30 year old guitars like brand new.
Does it suffer from neck dive at all? Cheers.
I love that SG Cesar it's a beautiful guitar, but surely the binding can't be Ivory that would be illegal wouldn't it? Wow that's a heavyweight definitely one for playing sitting. 😎
Hey Simon - Sorry if I was not clear - Ivory I meant the Colour, not the material. I don't know what material is the binding made of - I do assume is plastic.Thanks for pointing this out!!
Nice Axe Cesar. She is pretty. I don't care for active pickups either.
Ohhh Nooooo not IRA, are you trying to start another tone war? lol . Kidding.
Wow over 10lbs, you defiantly need a Stretch strap for that back breaker ☮
Ahhh Mannnn..... The IRA thing - as I say I do not perceive any f... difference. I bought the Guitar because i always loved it and when I was a child I did not have the money. I used her a lot during my session playing instead Les Pauls. Yes she is heavy but ya know..Fat bottom girls ;-) Thanks Harry, appreciated you watching and commenting.
Another excellent review, Cesar! I'm still trying to find that perfect neck and fretboard for me. I have really only played my American Stratocaster Deluxe for any length of time and it has a compound radius on a modern C shape neck. I find it difficult to play at times, especially at the nut but I usually chalk it up to my inexperienced fingers. I did pick up a PRS briefly at GC but couldn't really get a good feel for it or test drive it much. I think I would like a more flat fretboard than what I have. I need to do some research on the differences between radius'. I have been in the market for a new guitar for a while now. I love my Strat but I am bored with it and need something new to keep me interested in playing. I still practice regularly but you know what I mean. There are so many to choose from and the particular PRS that I want is between 3 and 4 thousand bucks so...I better know that I will love to play it and it will be comfortable to me. I'm not a huge fan of painted necks but I think I can live with it. I also want a Gibson SG and Les Paul just because. I have a buddy that has a nice collection of Les Paul's that will let me play with. As a matter of fact, before I bought my Strat, he offered to let me take home one of his Les Paul's and one of his Strats to compare. I didn't feel it was necessary because I had already researched and made my mind up that I wanted an American Stratocaster. Im starting to blabber lol. Do you think it is easier to play a more flat fretboard than one like mine? I know that you like chunky necks, I might be the opposite...just don't know. I've only been playing for about a year and a half so I really don't exactly know what its good for me. I know that I love playing and I love my Strat but I also know that there could be something better for me to be playing. And when I say better, I mean more player friendly to me. I have also been researching different amplifiers...omg, don't get me going down that road. I still haven't made my mind up but I am leaning towards one of Fenders higher end models. I really like my clean channels and I know Fender is tough to beat when it comes to clean. But I also like to get a lil dirty every now and then lol. There are TOO many choices!
Hi Danny! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with me. I really appreciate your friendship.
Now - It is funny you ask me this because just as we speak I am uploading a vid about fretboard radius because some personal messages I have received.... maybe you and me we have telepathy! My honest advice is go as flat as you can. 10 inches is PRS's like. Danny, guitars are a very personal thing. But you are right, you need to find something that keeps you motivated... Strats are great guitars (Please hit American Standard). You will see one of mine in the video.
Regarding amps, I have always prioritised a good clean channel. Fender is top of the game there.
Another honest advice - learn CLEAN. Practice clean - be honest with you and so you can hear your mistakes ( if you use a lot of gain you will not ). You will need some discipline to practice - It depends on what your objectives are. If you want to be a really good player you need to practice, my friend. Discipline and practice. But if you want to be just a recreational player, simply have fun.
And I am more than happy to assist if I can be of any help. Cheers my friend.
+Cesar Blues Guitar Thank you so much for your reply and advice!
Why don't you try Carvin....they can build practically anything you want and the guitars are simply wonderful - and there are some f them not that expensive....You can choose neck profile, radius, everything....
+Cesar Blues Guitar I will take a look at them. To be honest, I know nothing about them. The only manufacturers that have been on my radar are PRS American, Gibson and Fender American. What draws me so much to PRS is the looks, sound and quality and also that it's something different from a LP and Strat. I will definitely start researching them though, thanks!
Danny, I love PRS too. As you have seen on my channel I have two - An American Custom 24 ( around 3500 USD ) and the PRS SE Custom 24 ( around 900 USD when I bought it new ). My Lady in Red is absolutely lovely. If you are not in a budget, that would be my strong recommendation. But Carvin makes wonderful instruments too....
Excellent review. New subscriber , The House sent me .
Many many thanks for the sub and welcome on Board! Randy is a great friend, yes! I hope you will find the channel interesting! Welcome back anytime!
I would love to have the 2011 sg1820 honeyburst.
Yes.. is gorgeous indeed. But I love mine too :-) Thanks for watching and commenting!
Porque esa trae un estuche clásico y otros modelos 1820 traen un estuche más modernete? Gracias.
Pues no lo se, Jose...siento no poder ayudar con esto...Gracias por ver el video.
this review is awesome!
Thanks so much! The channel is full of reviews, set ups, covers and now lessons.... Welcome back anytime!
Nice!
Thanks Man!
new sub here cesar.. nice.. i always watch you.. but now finally made an account..
Hi John! Thanks so much for your sub! Really appreciate you taking the time to create an account, watch my vids and comment.... welcome on board! We are still a tight group but growing by the minute and very nice people are around. Stay tuned - past weekend was a working one but I am preparing two very good ones for the weekend!
+Cesar Blues Guitar your welcome cesar.. just saying this.. the first video i watch on your channel is your playing killing me softly with an yamaha silent guitar.. i dont have knowledge about guitar. i searching for killing me softly guitar and your video pop up that was 3 or 4 months ago.. i only have an very old cheap acoustic that i play and practice.. keep it up sir cesar... tnx for sharing knowledge.. all the way here philippines
Thanks for your comment... keep on practising and playing! Let me know if I can be of any help. Cheers!