A Brief History Of Yamaha Electric Guitars

With over a hundred years of experienceinstrument designed and prototyped in the American
manufacturing musical instruments, Yamaha iscustom shop with direct input from pro players. From
universally acknowledged as the producer some ofthis series there is a direct lineage to the entry level
the world's finest instruments. Yamaha started guitarYamaha guitars produced today. Today Yamaha
production in the mid 1940's and from that day to thisprovide a range of electric and bass guitars to cover
have produced a wide variety of guitars to fulfil theall genres and to suit every pocket, so whether you
needs of all players, from beginner to enthusiast andaspire to the adrenaline fuelled world of hard rock, the
on to professional. In February of 1964 The Beatlessmooth sophistication of jazz or anywhere in between
appeared on the "Ed Sullivan Show" in the USA and atthere is something for you. In the same way that the
a stroke the music world was changed, the electricSG2000 took the electric guitar world by storm, in 1977
guitar was here to stay. In the wake of this Yamahathe release of the Yamaha "Broad Bass" or BB1200
began producing solid body electric guitars at theirbass guitar turned the world of bass guitarists upside
Hamamatsu facility in 1965 and early models of bothdown. Once again Yamaha were amongst the
electric and electric bass guitars debuted in 1966. Byforerunners in the introduction of through neck
the mid 1970's legendary guitar artists such as Carlosconstruction, with it's enhanced sustain characteristics
Santana began to use Yamaha Guitars eschewingand inherent advantages in terms of stability. This
some of the great American brand names in favourcoupled with peerless build quality made the BB
of the unique features and superb build quality providedbasses an instant hit, with Paul McCartney himself
by these instruments. With the development of theplaying a BB1200S in the early 1980's. To this day
SG2000 model in consultation with Carlos Santana,Yamaha's place in the world of bass has been
with it's through neck construction and patentedensured with great session players like Abraham
"T-Cross System" and "Sustain Plate", Yamaha trulyLaboriel and Nathan East playing Yamaha Basses,
broke the mould, and in doing so the stranglehold of thealongside cutting edge artists such as Billy Sheehan,
two big American manufacturers. These innovationsJohn Patitucci and John Myung. Once again the
gave the instrument monumental sustain in conjunctiondevelopments made with these wonderful musicians
with a powerful and warm tonality. With the ringingare put to good use in the instruments Yamaha make
endorsement of legendary musicians such as Bobfor beginners and intermediate players making for a
Marley, Steve Cropper, Phil Manzanera, and Carlosgreat playing experience for all. A brief look at some
Rios, Yamaha's SG range of guitars had sealed theirof the legendary names that have wielded Yamaha
place amongst the elite manufacturers of electricguitars and bass guitars gives you an idea of the
guitars. From there on Yamaha Guitars have goneexalted company you'll be keeping when you buy
from strength to strength, not just producing theyours. Jimmy Page, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, James
instruments we see being used by some of the worldsTaylor, John Denver, John Lennon, Paul McCartney,
great guitar innovators, but also truly blazing a trail inBruce Springsteen, Brian May, Carlos Santana, Bob
the production of high quality, affordable instrumentsMarley, Lee Ritenour, Martin Taylor, Nathan East, Billy
for beginners and intermediate players alike. At the endSheehan, Michael Anthony... the list goes on.
of the 1980's Yamaha Guitar Development opened inThis article was written for Chappell of Bond Street.
North Hollywood, California. One of the first designs toYamaha guitars are very close to their hearts at
come from there was the Pacifica series, this was aChappell's Wardour Street, London store.
quantum leap for Yamaha Guitars, as it was an