There are 4 or just possibly 5 series of YG guitars plus the YGS and YGX both of which are described separately. The series are
prefixed by 5, 6, 8 or 12 and it is possible that a YG 321 exists as I have seen reference to it on one website but I have
no other evidence of such a model. There are variations within the series and where a model has a M after it it refers to a Maple
board and an R refers to a reverse headstock. The 8s all have a D this means direct mounted pickups i.e. no pickguard.
Where were they made
Good question with no certain answer. It would seem that the majority were made in Taiwan I have seen a 1221 that was made in Japan
but I have seen a 1212 made in Taiwan. The Blues Saraceno model is made in Japan but all the other 8 series I have seen are made in Taiwan.
So I suspect there are a few of the higher end models made in Japan with some made in Taiwan.
Update August 2022
I now know that the YG612FP was made in Japan and it is said that only 100 units were made in April 1991 but I have no absolute
proof of this. * See update March 2024
Comprises 3 guitars the 512, the 521 and the 521 MR the numbers have the usual significance of series number of humbucker
and number of single coils.
Specifications 512
Body Alder
Neck Bolt on Maple
Fretboard Rosewood 24 frets 350mm radius 648mm scale
Headstock Matching Body Colour Pointed Yamaha let it rock written on model number on reverse
Tuners Black Yamaha sealed diecast
Pickups 2 Focus Alnico V single coils and 1 Focus ceramic humbucker with coil split
Controls Black Speed dial 1 volume 1 tone 5 way switch with black switch tip
Nut 41mms Locking
Hardware Black
Bridge Rockin Magic iii
Pickguard White or Black depending on body colour strat style
Colours Black, White, Red Metallic or Marine Blue Metallic
Years available April 1991 to 1993 released at 55000 yen
Specifications 521
Body Alder
Neck Bolt on Maple
Fretboard Rosewood 24 frets 350mm radius 648mm scale
Headstock Matching body colour Pointed Yamaha let it rock written on model number on reverse
Tuners Black Yamaha sealed diecast
Pickups 1 Focus Alnico V single coil and 2 Focus ceramic humbuckers with coil tap
Controls Black knurled 1 volume 1 tone 5 way switch with black switch tip
Nut 41mms locking
Hardware Black
Bridge Rockin Magic iii
Pickguard White or Black depending on body colour strat style
Colours Black, White, Red Metallic or Marine Blue Metallic
Years available April 1991 to 1993 released at 55000 yen
Specifications 521 MR
Body Alder
Neck Bolt on Maple
Fretboard Maple 24 frets 350mm radius 648mm scale
Headstock Plain Pointed Reversed Yamaha written on model number on reverse
Tuners Black Yamaha sealed diecast
Pickups 1 Focus Alnico V single coil and 2 Focus ceramic humbuckers with coil tap
Controls Black Knurled 1 volume 1 tone 5 way switch with black switch tip
Nut 41mms
Hardware Black
Bridge Rockin Magic pro ii*
Pickguard White or Black depending on body colour strat style
Colours Black, Lightning Blue or Lightning Red
Years available April 1992 to 1993 released at 57000 yen
Update April 2020
*Sebastian from Argentina has emailed me to tell me that the 1992 model had an RMXiii Bridge. Thanks Sebastian
This follows exactly the same pattern as the 5 series with the addition of a 612FP.
Specifications 612
Body Alder
Neck Bolt on Maple
Fretboard Rosewood 24 frets 350mm radius 648mm scale
Headstock Matching Body Colour Pointed Yamaha let it rock written on no model number
Tuners Black Yamaha sealed diecast
Pickups Live GS 3 Alnico V / USA single coil × 2, Live GH 3 Alnico V USA Humbucker × 1 with coil split
Controls Black Knurled 1 volume 1 tone 5 way switch with black switch tip
Nut 41mms Locking
Hardware Black
Bridge Rockin Magic pro ii
Pickguard White or Black depending on body colour strat style
Colours Black Pearl, Gold Pearl, White, Purple Metallic, Yellow Pearl, Crimson Red
Years available April 1991 to 1993 released at 65000 yen
Specifications 612FP
Body Basswood
Neck Bolt on Maple
Fretboard Rosewood 24 frets 350mm radius 648mm scale
Headstock Matching Body Colour Pointed Yamaha let it rock written on no model number
Tuners Black Yamaha sealed diecast
Pickups 2 Focus Alnico V single coils and 1 Focus Ceramic Humbucker with coil split
Controls Black Knurled 1 volume 1 tone 5 way switch with black switch tip
Nut 41mms Locking
Hardware Black
Bridge TRS 101
Pickguard Free Art
Colours Black or White
Years available April 1991 to 1991 released at 70000 yen
The Free Art pickguard is a clear plastic guard covering the whole of the body with one of 4 designs under it.
Update 2024
Josh Webb has got from Yamaha that these were made from March 1991 to Dec 1991 and as previously stated there were 4 graphic options.
See below for the story and pictures of Josh's guitar.
Josh's YG612FP
Josh imported this guitar, he describes it as being in fair condition. He set out to bring it up to great condition.
He certainly succeeded as the pictures below show. Also of interest is the very unusual neck joint I haven't seen one like it
before.
Specifications 621
Body Alder
Neck Bolt on Maple
Fretboard Rosewood 24 frets 350mm radius 648mm scale
Headstock Matching Body Colour Pointed Yamaha let it rock written on no model number on
Tuners Black Yamaha sealed diecast
Pickups Live GS 3 Alnico V USA single coil x 1, Live GH 3 Alnico V USA Humbucker x 2 with coil split
Controls Black Knurled 1 volume 1 tone 5 way switch with black switch tip
Nut 41mms Locking
Hardware Black
Bridge Rockin Magic ii
Pickguard White or Black depending on body colour strat style
Colours Black Pearl, Gold Pearl, White, Purple Metallic, Yellow Pearl, Crimson Red
Years available April 1991 to 1993 released at 65000 yen
Specifications 621MR
Body Alder
Neck Bolt on Maple
Fretboard Maple 24 frets 350mm radius 648mm scale
Headstock Plain Reversed Pointed Yamaha in capitals no model number on
Tuners Black Yamaha sealed diecast
Pickups Live GS 3 Alnico V USA single coil x 1, Live GH 3 Alnico V USA Humbucker x 2 with coil split
Controls Black Knurled 1 volume 1 tone 5 way switch with black switch tip
Nut 41mms Locking
Hardware Black
Bridge Rockin Magic pro ii
Pickguard White or Black depending on body colour strat style
Colours Black Pearl, Lightning Blue, Purple Metallic, or Lightning Red
Years available April 1992 to 1993 released at 67000 yen
Only 3 models here an 820DR, an 821D and an 821DMR
The 820DR is a Blues Saraceno model.
Note the unusual position of the upper fret markers on the 821s and it appears
that some of the upper frets are scalloped.
Specifications 820DR
Body Basswood
Neck Bolt on Maple
Fretboard Rosewood 22 frets 350mm radius 648mm scale
Headstock Black Reversed Pointed Yamaha in capitals no model number on
Tuners Black Yamaha sealed diecast
Pickups Live GR 4 Alnico V USA x 1, Live GH 5 Alnico V USA x 1
Controls Black Knurled 1 volume 3 way switch with black switch tip
Nut 41mms Locking
Hardware Black
Bridge TRS pro
Pickguard None
Colours Green Plaid
Years available April 1993 to 1994 released at 85,000 yen
Specifications 821D
Body Alder with Sycamore top and Back
Neck Bolt on Maple
Fretboard Rosewood 24 frets 350mm radius 648mm scale
Headstock Matching Body Colour Pointed Yamaha in capitals
Tuners Black Yamaha sealed diecast
Pickups Black Live GS 3 Alnico V USA single coil × 1, Black and White Live GH 3 Alnico V USA Humbucker × 2 with coil split
Controls Black Knurled 1 volume 1 tone 5 way switch with black switch tip
Nut 41mms Locking
Hardware Black
Bridge TRS Pro
Pickguard None
Colours Antique Sunburst or Violet Burst
Years available April 1992 to 1993 released at 85000 yen
Specifications 821DMR
Body Alder with Sycamore top and Back
Neck Bolt on Maple
Fretboard Maple 24 frets 350mm radius 648mm scale
Headstock Reversed Matching Body Colour Pointed Yamaha in capitals
Tuners Black Yamaha sealed diecast
Pickups Black Live GS 3 Alnico V USA single coil x 1, Black and White Live GH 3 Alnico V USA Humbucker x 2 with coil split
Controls Black Knurled 1 volume 1 tone 5 way switch with black switch tip
Nut 41mms Locking
Hardware Black
Bridge TRS Pro
Pickguard None
Colours Antique Sunburst or Violet Burst
Years available April 1992 to 1993 released at 85000 yen
Update January 2022
Victor Acenas bought an 821-DMR in Manilla in 1994 the serial number indicates Made in Taiwan in November 1993.
He kindly sent me a couple of pictures here they are
These are the top of the range all released at 100,000 yen, with some beautiful bodies shame they have
a locking trem. There are 3 models The 1212, the 1221, and the 1221MR.
Specifications 1212 and 1221
Body Light Ash or Sen
Neck Bolt on Maple
Fretboard Ebony 24 frets 350mm radius 648mm scale
Headstock Matching Body Colour Pointed Yamaha in capitals let it rock and model number on back
Tuners Gold Yamaha sealed diecast
Pickups Black 1212 Live GS 5 Alnico V USA x 2 single coil, YGH A 18 B Alnico V Special Humbucker x 1 with coil split
1221 YGH A 16 B Alnico V Special x 1, Live GS 5 Alnico V USA x 1, YGH A 18 B Alnico V Special x 1 with coil tap
Controls Gold Knurled 1 volume 1 tone 5 way switch with white switch tip
Nut 41mms Locking
Hardware Gold
Bridge Rockin Magic pro ii
Pickguard White Strat style
Colours Translucent green, Translucent red burst, Faded burst, Mist violet
Years available April 1991 to 1993 released at 100,000 yen
Specifications 1221MR
Body Light Ash or Sen
Neck Bolt on Maple
Fretboard Maple 24 frets 350mm radius 648mm scale
Headstock Reversed Matching Body Colour Pointed Yamaha in capitals let it rock and model number on back
Tuners Gold Yamaha sealed diecast
Pickups Black A 16 B Alnico V Special x 1, Live GS 5 Alnico V USA x 1, YGH A 18 B Alnico V Special x 1 with coil tap
Controls Gold Knurled 1 volume 1 tone 5 way switch with white switch tip
Nut 41mms Locking
Hardware Gold
Bridge Rockin Magic pro iii
Pickguard White Strat style
Colours Translucent Blue or Faded burst
Years available April 1992 to 1993 released at 100,000 yen
