1981 Yamaha SG 2000 DP Deep Purple - 1 of 600

This is a 1981 SG 2000 DP, with the DP standing for Deep Purple. This model was offered on a limited run basis of 600 guitars. It’s a hard model to find, especially in good condition.

The Yamaha SG-2000 was a groundbreaking and iconic guitar, the result of a collaboration between Yamaha and Carlos Santana and was originally released in 1976. At introduction, the SG 2000 was the flagship model of the SG line. Featuring an ebony fretboard with mother of pearl split inlays the SG 2000 was highly praised when introduced and highly sought after ever since.

The SG 2000's construction was a no compromise solution, the most interesting aspects being the mahogany and maple neck through construction which runs the entire length of the guitar and a solid brass sustain block under the bridge. I’ve included in the pictures a diagram that shows a cutaway of the construction and detailed specs I scanned from a 1977 SG-2000 brochure.

The SG 2000 was no slouch as a player in any way, from the overall design, construction and materials used, even a heal-less neck from the neck through design. Pickups too were matched to the model. Here’s how Yamaha described them:

'Yamaha pickups are really "hot", with about a third more output than competitive models. Thus, you can overdrive your amp to get solid distortion without inconvenient, unreliable "booster" boxes. When you want a clean sound, Yamaha pickups give you a rich full tone at all volume levels, unlike some high-output, hum defeating pickups. The pickups have individually adjustable pole pieces, and are tri-mounted to allow parallel adjustment to the strings while simultaneously eliminating rattles.'

Really great wood being used on Yamaha’s from this time, which can be seen in the jet-black ebony fretboard. Workmanship and attention to detail is as you would expect on a high-end guitar made in Japan in 1981.

Overall the condition is very good for a forty year old guitar. As can be seen in the pictures there are some dings and scratches, some old touch ups on the bottom edge and the headstock is cloudy. The guitar has been fully gone through and received a full setup (action, relief, intonation, tail piece height, pickup height, nut relief), the frets have been level, crowned and polished, fretboard cleaned, pots, jack and switch cleaned. Pickups are dated July 1981 and the electronics are original. The guitar plays and sounds fantastic.

This guitar is located in the US.

I am a serious collector of high-end Japanese guitars. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions or visit my website to see my collection or learn more about vintage Japanese guitars.