Yamaha SG Versus Ibanez Artist

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Author Message Vintageboy Username: Vintageboy Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Monday, September 26, 2005 - 5:42 pm:    Hello, I've used to own an Ibanez Concord 698M acoustic and was very impressed with it. I've since been looking into other japanese guitars and recently came across the Yamaha SG series. I've read a few posts mentioning the Yamaha SG as compared to the artist series from Ibanez. Of course, most people seem to be biased towards the artist series (go figure, this is Ibanez Collectors World, not Yamaha Collectors World) though everyone admits the SG is a formiddable oponent. I would just like to hear more opinions about the SG (namely 1500 or 2000 with a through neck) since tehre is relatively little information out there about the SG series as compared to ibanez and I know many people on these forums have owned or played the Yamaha SG2000 or 1500 or 3000. What in particular is prefferable out the artists (through neck models) compared to the SG (through neck models) (i.e. hardware, pickups, wood quality, neck thickness, sound e.t.c). It seems that the Yamaha SG is less popular, so its more affordable for a poor mans budget. Acetan Username: Acetan Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Monday, September 26, 2005 - 9:50 pm:    While the high end SG's have through necks, I don't think production Artist solid bodies have them, they have set necks. Ace Fox Username: Fox Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 1:29 pm:    Hello Vintageboy.. I happen to own a very good Yamaha, through-neck one, and also some Artists.. Even if the Yamaha is quite good I still prefer Ibanezes.. The SG compared to A:s is a little bit clumsier, heavier and the neck profile is clubby somewhat. The pickups on Yamaha lose in comparison to Super58´s and while Yamaha has also quite nice inlays, the A:s win the inlay-competition. Sound-wise Yamaha does not deliver as the Artists, albeit both are quite good LP-substitutes. As they were meant to be. Both varieties are fine instruments but I prefer Ibanezes. And no, no way I´m gonna sell my Yamaha either, even if it has only push-push pot coil taps while Ibanezes have tri-sound circuitry... Vintageboy Username: Vintageboy Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 3:20 pm:    Thanks for the info Acetan Fox: Yeah, i havent heard the greatest things about the pickups on teh yamaha, i planned to change them out anyways. But as you mention a clubby neck...plus the through neck, wont the SG sustain better than the artist? It's got a brass plate under teh bridge and a 3 piece neck. Of course, both guitars get great reviews from people who swear by each model, but the Yamahas' are much cheaper, ont he range of anywhere from 400 on up. I'm just trying to get a good guitar for recording becuase i'll be going into the studio in a little over a month. So Im not so concerned with looks or weight (ill play sitting down), i just need a great sounding guitar (for my price range) and it seems like the artist or yamaha sg are going to be it. Also, in terms of sound, what does teh yamaha lack as compared to the artist (i.e. warmth? balance over strings? strum definition) and is it becuase of the yamaha stock pickups? Thanks for the response. Sixvsix Username: Sixvsix Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 3:25 pm:    I love the SG2000/3000 but it's the weight that gets me every time. six Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Tuesday, September 27, 2005 - 9:47 pm:    Here's a picture of my bandmate, Mario, playing his Yamaha SG (I think it is a 1000, maybe a 1500.) He is the best guitar player I've ever played with. He broadened my musical horizons into the world of jazz. This past weekend he relocated to CA. Here's another picture of our last jam/going away party. When I met him, he had a Schecter 7 string. He loved my Ibanezes and played my Artists, AS200s, GB10 and GB12. It was a toss up between the AR300 and the SG1000 when he was looking for a new solidbody. One the other hand, he really wanted an AS200, but ended up getting a new Epiphone Casino. He sold both the Schecter and Epiphone anticipating his move across the US. He didn't speak warmly of either afterward. He loved my GB10 and choose to play it over the GB12 the last time we played. I've always admired the SG series. If I wasn't so fixated on Ibanez I would be collecting Yamahas. I played his SG once and was surprised at how different it felt from the Artists. But if the SG was good enough for Mario, it would be good enough for me. Personally, I'd like to get a higher end model (2000 or 3000). Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 - 7:02 am:    John I recognize a few of those guys from the Philly show! I wish Mario well in CA! Vintageboy Username: Vintageboy Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 - 12:35 pm:    Hey JOhns you know with the SG's anything 1500 and above is a through neck for sure, 1000 and below are set necks with various models as bolt ons around teh 500's. There just little info on the SG's compared to the wealth of info for ibanez. YOu said "I played his SG once and was surprised at how different it felt from the Artists." HOw was it different.. Chris

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