According to the archives this guitar was made in Japan from
1979 to 1983 and retailed on release at 160,000 yen. However the model appears
in the English catalogues until at least 1987.
It is in effect an SA2000 but with a spruce top
Whilst the catalogues show only 2 colours there are some quite rare ones in a Natural blonde finish. see below
Specifications
Body Bound Beech and Birch Sides with Arched Spruce top
Neck Set Mahogany Matching body
Fretboard Bound Ebony 22 Frets 350mm radius
Headstock Thistle logo Yamaha above Model name on Truss Rod Cover
Pickups 2 Splittable Alnico 1* A-1 Humbuckers
Controls 2 volume 2 tone with push push coil split
Tuners Gold Yamaha Branded Gotoh
Nut 43mms
Hardware Gold
Bridge Gold Plated Stud type with Yamaha Gold Plated Stop Bar Tail piece
Pickguard Small Black
Colours Burgundy or Antique stain and very rarely Blonde Natural
* Some sources suggest Alnico II but the difference is not likely to be significant
John and I have exchanged several emails and below is an extract from one of Johns
Hi I have a Yamaha SA2000S natural/blonde. Below is some history about the guitar. I also know someone else in
Birmingham who also has one of these guitars & can verify the story as his father was the manager of the guitar shop
in question at the time.
Yamaha SA2000S blond I believe there was only 21 made, and I have number 19. The guitar was originally from Woodroffes a
music shop in Dale End Birmingham which doesn’t exist anymore. The serial number is 015919 any info on the history of this
guitar & how to read the serial number would be greatly appreciated
I am a bit dubious about this story for reasons I have explained to John but if anyone knows anything either way about the
blonde natural SA 2000S I would appreciate you letting me know
Update July 2024
I have received this email which appears to confirm the story. Thanks Rob
Hi Bill,
I happened to be googling YAMAHA SA2000s and came across your site. I then saw the story about the batch of 21 that went to
Woodroffe's in Birmingham. I can confirm the story is very true. Sadly my Dad passed away a while back but I am still in contact
with quite a few people who worked at the store at that time. I still have the guitar and very occasionally gig with it.
It isn't in as good condition as John's but that's just down to the amount of use it has had. I was actually trying to get
a valuation on it for insurance purposes and so far I've not found a comparable guitar for sale. Anyway, it was quite a surprise
reading the article today!
Kind regards,
Rob Oliver