Yamaha SG200 body gets some love and a new finish

Low end Yamaha SG200 been abused a bitLow end Yamaha SG200 been abused a bitDSC_0786DSC_0787DSC_0788Pleased this one is an early one made in JapanPleased this one is an early one made in JapanDSC_0790Dent in the back of the neck from a crude clamping to glue neck back to fretboard.. wtih the wrong glue all corrected now and  this dent steamed outDent in the back of the neck from a crude clamping to glue neck back to fretboard.. wtih the wrong glue all corrected now and this dent steamed outDSC_0792Crack was eay to clean out and reglue with titebondCrack was eay to clean out and reglue with titebondDSC_0794DSC_0795nasty crack in the control cavity all glued and repaired from the inside..nasty crack in the control cavity all glued and repaired from the inside..Decided to refinish her in natural.. Hot air gun duties on one of the hottest days of the year = sweat!Decided to refinish her in natural.. Hot air gun duties on one of the hottest days of the year = sweat!came away quite nicely!came away quite nicely!doing the edges...doing the edges…all sanded with the Nato (a similar wood to Mahogany) looking nice!all sanded with the Nato (a similar wood to Mahogany) looking nice!DSC_0803Decided to heep the headstock black (and to preserve the serial numberDecided to heep the headstock black (and to preserve the serial numberOil going on! I love this stage!Oil going on! I love this stage!top piece of wood is lighter but still decided no stain.. Nato??? to me this really looks like Mahoganytop piece of wood is lighter but still decided no stain.. Nato??? to me this really looks like MahoganyDSC_0807first coat almost disappeared instantly she is soaking it up!first coat almost disappeared instantly she is soaking it up!After second coat with the components I am thinking of using in placeAfter second coat with the components I am thinking of using in placeSBG500 pickups with the potential to coil tapSBG500 pickups with the potential to coil tapAfter another coat,,, maybe 2 PAF style pups (my favourite sound..After another coat,,, maybe 2 PAF style pups (my favourite sound..Or PAF from Vontage Super Distortion rear.. sure looks the business...Or PAF from Vontage Super Distortion rear.. sure looks the business…OK finally settled on... new Gotoh bridge (old one was literally sagging! gold tail piece and gold reflectors.. Dual PAF pickups..OK finally settled on… new Gotoh bridge (old one was literally sagging! gold tail piece and gold reflectors.. Dual PAF pickups..Electrics fitted and studsElectrics fitted and studsFinish on the back really shows up the figuring in the wood wellFinish on the back really shows up the figuring in the wood wellDSC_0827DSC_0831Headstock cleaned and tuners added.. Black/ChromeHeadstock cleaned and tuners added.. Black/ChromePleased with the cut from old finish to newPleased with the cut from old finish to newJust need to put the pickup wiring in then she is almost ready to goJust need to put the pickup wiring in then she is almost ready to goDSC_0847Almost done just need the nit cut frets levelled and dressed and string her up!Almost done just need the nit cut frets levelled and dressed and string her up!Decided on a Super Distortion in rear as the PAF lacked a little drive...Decided on a Super Distortion in rear as the PAF lacked a little drive…DSC_0906DSC_0904Truss rod cover back onTruss rod cover back onFrets in good nick decided against levelling as she played well as she wasFrets in good nick decided against levelling as she played well as she wasFew knocks on the fret board but nothign seriousFew knocks on the fret board but nothign seriousCover back on rearCover back on rearDSC_0909All finished and now a really nice guitar with great tone and sustain! a Rock Machine Really...All finished and now a really nice guitar with great tone and sustain! a Rock Machine Really…DSC_0983DSC_0982DSC_0981In the end I ended up installing the SGB500 pickups I have.. They sound great in her!In the end I ended up installing the SGB500 pickups I have.. They sound great in her! Yamaha SG200 made in Japan from the ear;y 80s.. This was the low end of the SG range of guitars from Yamaha and made from Nato (similar to Mahogany). Still well made and a guitar when equipped with the right pickups, can perform with the best of them. This was just a body in bad condition with a neck splitting away from the fret board and a crack in the control cavity.. finished damaged beyond what I would call relic.. so a refin in order..

2 thoughts on “Yamaha SG200 body gets some love and a new finish

  1. OK Stewart…I have just watched all the pics through, read the captions etc…I have always done bits of woodwork (currently tidying up an 18ft day sailer including lots of wooden bits)..so have a little understanding of what you are doing (if you exclude the electronics)…The more I see the more impressed I am (genuinely)…nice to see what you are doing…hope it plays as good as it looks…(Did you use Teak Oil…Danish Oil…or what?) I think the ‘sacrifice’ of my Dad’s guitar was probably worth it in the long run if it helped you get a start to where you are now…though don’t say that to him…it is a subject which has been closed and not mentioned for decades….!!

    • Thanks David. The finish I use is a “Finishing Oil” from Liberon.. is great and gives a nice hard finish in just a few days

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