'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2 (FINISHED)
- windmill
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2
looks good
Well done
Well done
- ludobag1
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2
Looks pretty ,i love the dark rosewood
- ThePearDream
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2
The neck looks so much better now!
Does it still need a new high e tuner?
Does it still need a new high e tuner?
Doug
@dpcannafax
@dpcannafax
- SuperAxe
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2
Thank you.ThePearDream wrote: ↑Fri Dec 17, 2021 8:25 amThe neck looks so much better now!
Does it still need a new high e tuner?
I carefully wedged the tuner bits open with a screwdriver; You can just see it on the photo
![Smiley :)](./images/smilies/smiley.gif)
Both the high and low E tuners were a little loose so clamped them back a little bit. They are in pretty good condition for 55 years of age.
The guitar's birthday was December 5th !
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SG-2-Tuners-20211217_153539-1024x682.jpg)
- SuperAxe
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2
As previous photos show, I decided to stick with the original chromed brass nut. I took the crappy pins of it though and used a drop of superglue to hold it in place.
Couple of nut shots:
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SG-2-Nut-JAY_1184-1024x681.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SG-2-Nut-JAY_1186-1024x683.jpg)
Couple of nut shots:
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SG-2-Nut-JAY_1184-1024x681.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SG-2-Nut-JAY_1186-1024x683.jpg)
Last edited by SuperAxe on Tue Apr 16, 2024 10:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- SuperAxe
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2
Been working on an amplifier which is now finished so back to the SG-2.
Sourced some soft steel bar and have drilled the 2.5 holes for the pole pieces. The six holes on the right have been tapped to 3mm x 0.5 pitch. The only 'suitable' pole pieces I can source in NZ are like the one shown. It has the same head size as the originals. Once all is tapped I will saw the bars to size.
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SG-2-Pickup-Steel-Centre-20220309_175754-1024x526.jpg)
Also been thinking about the vibrato handle for the SG-2 and the SA_50. They are the same so I am hoping to find a replacement solution for both of them.
I think my current approach will work but I am waiting for materials and tools to make them.
Anyways, I bent the handle by hand (3 bends) so I have something that approaches the original and I can use it for testing. The original handle has compound bending (radiused) which I probably wont be able to replicate.
I have the collet for the SA-50 but not for the SG-2 so my solution will not need a collet. I am also hoping to address an issue with the original construction re the handle being too lose in its fitting.
More to come on this...
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SG-2-SA-50-Vibrato-Mechanism-20220309_122459.jpg)
Sourced some soft steel bar and have drilled the 2.5 holes for the pole pieces. The six holes on the right have been tapped to 3mm x 0.5 pitch. The only 'suitable' pole pieces I can source in NZ are like the one shown. It has the same head size as the originals. Once all is tapped I will saw the bars to size.
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SG-2-Pickup-Steel-Centre-20220309_175754-1024x526.jpg)
Also been thinking about the vibrato handle for the SG-2 and the SA_50. They are the same so I am hoping to find a replacement solution for both of them.
I think my current approach will work but I am waiting for materials and tools to make them.
Anyways, I bent the handle by hand (3 bends) so I have something that approaches the original and I can use it for testing. The original handle has compound bending (radiused) which I probably wont be able to replicate.
I have the collet for the SA-50 but not for the SG-2 so my solution will not need a collet. I am also hoping to address an issue with the original construction re the handle being too lose in its fitting.
More to come on this...
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SG-2-SA-50-Vibrato-Mechanism-20220309_122459.jpg)
Last edited by SuperAxe on Tue Apr 16, 2024 10:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- ludobag1
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2
For the radius maybe with heat on a form on wood ? Or if you find someone with a tube plier (a plomber for example)
What you miss is thé nut for the collet ,or the collet itself? On pics i see 2 collet and one nut
What you miss is thé nut for the collet ,or the collet itself? On pics i see 2 collet and one nut
- SuperAxe
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2
Yes, you are right. I miss one of those special nuts which taper on the inside....
- SuperAxe
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2
After 7 months of doing other things, I am back on this now...
I disassembled the pickguard, cleaned it and then straightened the pickguard as it was very wonky. I also wound a new bridge pickup which hopefully will sound good. Probably being too optimistic for the first attempt
Dirty pickguard:
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1-Dirty-Pickguard-20221020_120301-1024x645.jpg)
Ready to be cleaned:
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2-To-be-cleaned-20221020_121047-1024x683.jpg)
Cleaned:
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/3-Cleaned-20221020_130607-1024x641.jpg)
Straightening the pickguard with heat. Could not find the iron so used the next best thing
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/4-To-be-Ironed-20221020_130553-1024x698.jpg)
Now that the pickguard is nice and flat again, it can be traced to make a template...
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/5-Ironed-and-Traced-out-20221020_132745-1024x772.jpg)
And fully re-assembled
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/6-Re-assembled-20221020_135604-1024x666.jpg)
Potentiometer date detail - The potentiometer dates shown are both 41.11 from the Showa Emperor period (Hirohito). This corresponds to a Western date of November 1966.
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/7-Pot-Dates-41.11-20221020_135334-1024x716.jpg)
I disassembled the pickguard, cleaned it and then straightened the pickguard as it was very wonky. I also wound a new bridge pickup which hopefully will sound good. Probably being too optimistic for the first attempt
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/wink.gif)
Dirty pickguard:
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1-Dirty-Pickguard-20221020_120301-1024x645.jpg)
Ready to be cleaned:
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2-To-be-cleaned-20221020_121047-1024x683.jpg)
Cleaned:
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/3-Cleaned-20221020_130607-1024x641.jpg)
Straightening the pickguard with heat. Could not find the iron so used the next best thing
![Roll Eyes ::)](./images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/4-To-be-Ironed-20221020_130553-1024x698.jpg)
Now that the pickguard is nice and flat again, it can be traced to make a template...
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/5-Ironed-and-Traced-out-20221020_132745-1024x772.jpg)
And fully re-assembled
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/6-Re-assembled-20221020_135604-1024x666.jpg)
Potentiometer date detail - The potentiometer dates shown are both 41.11 from the Showa Emperor period (Hirohito). This corresponds to a Western date of November 1966.
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/7-Pot-Dates-41.11-20221020_135334-1024x716.jpg)
Last edited by SuperAxe on Tue Apr 16, 2024 10:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- SuperAxe
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2
I noticed I started this thread November 5th 2021... So it took me almost a year to restore it
Accomplished most items I listed in the OP which is a good thing. The two most demanding items were the making of the whammy bar & collet and the making of the bridge pickup from scratch.
I can proudly say that the whammy bar/collet works wonders and the bridge pickup sounds fantastic. No idea how the bridge pickup compares to an original though...
Here some photos showing how it looks now.
First up -
1) hand made bridge pickup to look sort of similar. This is a prototype but I am going to leave it in as it sounds so good.
2) new slotted grub screws on the G & D string saddles to replace the 4 black ones (managed to buy a whole lot from AliExpress)
3) new whammy bar and collet. I have made a video of it and will post that after I have done the editing.
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-07a-Bridge-Pickup-Whammy-Bar-Slotted-Screws-JAY_1717-1024x852.jpg)
Here closeup of the collet assembly - note the teflon sleeve the bar sits in
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-08-New-Bridge-Pickup-and-Whammy-Bar-JAY_1715-1024x681.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-01-Front-JAY_1692-498x1024.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-03-Front-Closeup-JAY_1693-768x1123.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-02-Back-JAY_1700-437x1024.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-04-Headstock-Front-JAY_1702-1024x447.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-05-Headstock-Back-JAY_1701-1024x456.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-06-Medium-Frets-JAY_1713-1024x681.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-07-Medium-Frets-JAY_1714-1024x348.jpg)
![Smiley :)](./images/smilies/smiley.gif)
Accomplished most items I listed in the OP which is a good thing. The two most demanding items were the making of the whammy bar & collet and the making of the bridge pickup from scratch.
I can proudly say that the whammy bar/collet works wonders and the bridge pickup sounds fantastic. No idea how the bridge pickup compares to an original though...
Here some photos showing how it looks now.
First up -
1) hand made bridge pickup to look sort of similar. This is a prototype but I am going to leave it in as it sounds so good.
2) new slotted grub screws on the G & D string saddles to replace the 4 black ones (managed to buy a whole lot from AliExpress)
3) new whammy bar and collet. I have made a video of it and will post that after I have done the editing.
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-07a-Bridge-Pickup-Whammy-Bar-Slotted-Screws-JAY_1717-1024x852.jpg)
Here closeup of the collet assembly - note the teflon sleeve the bar sits in
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-08-New-Bridge-Pickup-and-Whammy-Bar-JAY_1715-1024x681.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-01-Front-JAY_1692-498x1024.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-03-Front-Closeup-JAY_1693-768x1123.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-02-Back-JAY_1700-437x1024.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-04-Headstock-Front-JAY_1702-1024x447.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-05-Headstock-Back-JAY_1701-1024x456.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-06-Medium-Frets-JAY_1713-1024x681.jpg)
![Image](https://www.thesupposedstringmeister.net/superaxe/TheSupposedStringMeister/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SG-2-07-Medium-Frets-JAY_1714-1024x348.jpg)
Last edited by SuperAxe on Tue Apr 16, 2024 10:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- windmill
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2 (FINISHED)
Excellent work
well done
![Smiley :)](./images/smilies/smiley.gif)
well done
![Smiley :)](./images/smilies/smiley.gif)
- BoringPostcards
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2 (FINISHED)
Great job! Looks amazing.
Det er mig der holder traeerne sammen.
- antisymmetric
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2 (FINISHED)
Beautiful work, looking forward to seeing this one up close. ![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/cool.gif)
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/cool.gif)
Watching the corners turn corners
- Amon 7.L
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2 (FINISHED)
Spectacular restoration, I love it!
- shoegaze_head
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Re: 'Restoring' a Yamaha SG-2 (FINISHED)
Awesome job! The refret especially made such a difference in the guitar.