Yamaha SG1820A Electric Guitar

Body Material / Structure

While preserving the basic structure of Maple Top/Mahogany Back and SG’s iconic double cutaway design, the body of SG1820 was redesigned to capture the sound and look that today’s guitarists want.
The contoured body top curves more deeply than in previous models – the top arc of the curve, the center part of the body, has optimized wood mass to maximize string-body vibration from the bridge and tailpiece. The deep curve maintains the guitar’s optimum weight balance and enhances the SG’s stunning shape.

The back contour featured on SG1/2/300, designed for increased comfort when the guitar was played high on the strap, has been modified to a flat back on the new SGs. The new flat back design increases the volume of Mahogany to significantly increase the low-mid response and presence while reflecting the ergonomics needed for the lower stance modern players take with SGs.

Fingerboard

With countless custom-shop artist-specced SGs being produced with Rosewood fingerboards instead of the traditional SG’s ebony board, we selected premium rosewood for the fingerboard on the new SGs. A warm, well-balanced tone and great feel match modern tones and playing styles perfectly.

Headstock

The SG’s headstock has been reshaped to a slightly smaller size to improve body balance. The classic ‘flower pot’ head mark has also been down-sized to match with the new headstock size.

IRA (Initial Response Acceleration)

If you’ve ever played another guitarist’s instrument and not been able to get the same sound, it’s probably because you are playing a different style than what the guitar is used to. After playing the same guitar for years, the guitar adapts to the guitarist’s playing style. It takes time for a new guitar to adapt to your own way of playing. Stress found between parts like finish, woods, body, neck, fingerboard, nut, bridge, etc., must be released before all of the parts can resonate together as an instrument. It takes time and a lot of playing for this to happen.

Using IRA technology, stresses like those between the finish and wood are released by applying specific vibrations to the completed guitars. Once this treatment is complete, the guitar responds accurately to the guitarist’s performance and produces sound more easily. It also shortens the time needed for the guitar to adapt to your playing style. And it delivers excellent sustain.

Pickups

Yamaha SG1820A uses EMG-85 (neck), and EMG-81 (bridge) pickups, the best choice for modern and high-gain players. Close-aperture coils and balanced magnets (ceramic in the 81, alnico in the 85) give a rich, varied tonal palette with immense detail, clarity, and the ability to cut through the mix.

Grover Locking Tuner

The SG’s strings are locked in place at the post to ensure zero slippage and complete tuning stability along with quick, efficient string changes.
Tonepros Bridge / Tailpiece

Tonepros’ lighter bridge and tailpiece design enhance the vibration of the guitar’s body by reducing the mass of the metal parts. The locking design ensures the bridge and tailpiece are tightly anchored on their mounting studs for ultra-efficient vibration transfer, maximizing sustain and improving clarity.

Graph Tech Nut

Graph Tech captures the best properties of bone nuts – exceptional resonance, amazing clarity, and smooth sustain – while improving on them with permanent lubrication, better longevity, and easier cutting.