Yamaha SG (Oil Stain Finish) — A Study in Sound Philosophy

In Yamaha’s catalog, this guitar’s finish is designated “OS” (Oil Stain).

During this era, Yamaha appeared to follow a development philosophy quite distinct from that of most other manufacturers.

Typically, the hierarchy of guitar models—what one might call the marketing pyramid—was built around visible and material elements:
the rarity of the wood, the intricacy of craftsmanship or finishing, and the grade of hardware used.
In that world, success often depended less on actual sonic performance and more on how well the instrument could satisfy the owner’s sense of possession—and, in some cases, appeal to buyers hoping the instrument would appreciate in value over time.

Yamaha, however, seems to have taken a different tack.
While not outright rejecting these conventions, the company placed an unusual emphasis on sonic versatility from the very start.
The higher the model grade, the broader the range of tonal variations offered.

A prime example is the coil-tap system known as the Bi-Sound System,
activated by pressing the tone control knob.
This feature, which allows players to switch between humbucking and single-coil tones,
was unique to Yamaha at the time—likely protected by a patent—
and could not be found on guitars from other brands that used push-pull mechanisms instead.

In other words, Yamaha’s design philosophy ensured that each price tier offered its own distinctive character,
so that players could be fully satisfied at any level,
not merely envy those who could afford the flagship models.

Such an approach deserves recognition as an expression of Yamaha’s corporate conscience as a true musical instrument maker.

Yamaha guitars are, above all, remarkably stable and reliable.
Where guitars from other brands might feel like temperamental imported cars,
a Yamaha feels like a finely tuned Japanese automobile—steady, consistent, and engineered for dependability.

Specifications:

• One-piece mahogany body

• Two-piece hard maple top

• Striped ebony fingerboard

• L-1 pickups

• Bi-Sound coil-tap system

Weight: 4.12 kg (including strings)
(Updated August 28, 2016)