Yamaha SA2200

It's a sad thing when an American product is imitated at a better quaility than the origianal and at a better price. I have played many Gibson ES 335s and many copies(most are nothing to write home about) But the SA 2200 takes an American idea and unfortunalty applies a higher level of quality(especialy when compared to later Gibsons) at a cheaper price. Gets your hands on one of these and even Gibson loyalist will have to agree that it is great product.

Sound is where the SA 2200 excells. Try one and you will see what I am talking about. Jazz, blues those subtle harmonics and poping notes. Split coil capability realy adds to the versitility. I want to sell my Les Paul because this can acheive the same tones and more. I think I will hold on to my strat because it can't copy the sound in single PU.

Mine is Violin Sunburst. Beautiful and awesome!! Run your fingernail across the binding on many Gibsons and you will hit a snag where the wood meets the ivory, not on the yamaha. I like ebony fingerboards also. Standard with the SA 2200 premium with a Gibson. The neck is so smooth. You can feel the quality if you are an experienced player. This makes you want to play better. Beautifuly flamed, one of the best looking guitars I have ever owned.

I see these on ebay from time to time and they are still in good shape after many years of use. The SA 2000/2100 are still holding up very well also. This thing is solid. Be good to it and it will teat you right for a lifetime.

Never had to call them

Better price, better quaility, perhaps even better tone. I just with Gibson could put out this product for the same price because I like to buy American when possible.

I have a Yamaha SA-2200 that was made in Japan in 2001. It has a laminated flame maple body, a one-piece mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, beautiful split-block inlays, Gotoh tuners with over sized buttons, 2 volume and 2 tone controls with push/push coil split function, jumbo frets and cream binding. All hardware is gold plated. Color is Yamaha's Violin Sunburst. This is one of the best looking and feeling guitars that I have ever owned.

I started out playing funk, classic rock and blues in the late 60's but now I play mostly jazz and jazz flavored comtemporary stuff and this guitar fits the bill quite nicely. When I first got the guitar home, I plugged it into my Polytome Mini Brute II and was totally blown away by what I heard. As I was playing and enjoying, I looked down at the tone controls and saw that they were in single coil mode so I pushed them in to activate the other coils and was absolutely shocked by what happened. The guitar jumped in volume by about 40% and the notes of the lead lines I was playing actually started to pop! Each individual note had such a woody punch to it, I actually stopped playing and stared at the guitar in amazement. I'm glad no one walked in on me at that moment because I most likely looked like an idiot, staring at the guitar like it was possessed. This guitar sounds good regardless of the pickup configuration chosen. The humbuckers sound rich and full with a sparkling kind of quality to them and the single coils sound nice, clear and funky. I use monster cables all the way around so there was no single coil noise to speak of. My only complaints are that some of the screws were loose and that the case was optional.

The factory set up was perfect. The only reason why I had to set it up again was because I threw a set of .011's on it (it shipped with 010's). Another nice feature of this guitar is that it has 3 adjustment screws so that not only can you raise the pickups up and down, but you can also adjust the angle in relationship to the strings. I tell you, Yamaha didn't pull any punches with this baby. Everything about this guitar screams QUALITY. I'm a Gibson man from way back and I've owned 2 ES-335's and an ES-347 (which also was a killer guitar). The 335's can't touch this guitar. The 347 is close but I still have to give the edge to Yamaha.

I've had this guitar for almost a year and it has not disappointed me once. The stoptail is starting to show signs of wear but all other plating still looks good. The finish is very high quality and shows no signs of wear. I wouldn't hesitate to use this guitar without a backup. The only reason I don't is because I have to make sure my tail is covered in case of the unforseen.

I've never had to deal with them but the store that I ordered the guitar through ALWAYS treats their customers right and if there had been a problem between the time that I received it and now, they would have taken care of it. The guitar is under warranty but I don't remember for how long.

I've been playing for 34 years. My other gear includes a Parker Fly Classic, an Epiphone Emporer from the early 80's, a Guild Starfire II from 1998, a '77 Les Paul Custom, a Polytone Mini Brute II guitar amp as well as a Roland JC-120. If this guitar were lost or stolen, I would definately buy it again. The only thing I wished this guitar had is a stoptail with fine tuners.

Made in 2003, Japan.
22 frets with hollow body, ES335 style, 5 ply top and back with the top and back flame maple finish.
Two volume pots and two tone pots. The tone pots act as coil splitter switches by pushing on them. Comes with 2 humbuckers, gold finish hardware, plush hard case with "YAMAHA" logo. In the case was a neck rod adjusting wrench and a small phillips head screw driver, all in a plastic bag together with a generic Yamaha owners manual.
Mine is the violin sunburst finish.

The sound on this thing blows me away. Just about anything sounds good whether clean or with distortion. I'm not saying this lightly. I own a Gibson Les Paul custom as well as a Fender Strat american deluxe (amongst others), and I must say, the SA2200 just sounds great - straight out of the box - the set up was magic. I normally set up all my guitars to my liking, the SA2200 I'm not touching - it's set. The coil splitting adds an extra dimension to the guitar - no matter what I play on this thing, it just sounds good! and I'm no virtuoso neither. It gets a bit "noisy" in single p/u mode but you gotta be real close to the amp for that to happen. I just plug it in to a Roland cube30 amp and that's it. The sound has all the subtle harmonics, hard to describe. It sounds good.

The set up out of the box was was pretty much it for me. Low action with no buzzes, intonation perfect, and the finish ... let me just say I'm still looking for a flaw. Immaculate. The nut is well cut, the binding is excellent, the sunburst finish is just "to die for".
One thing - the balance between the lower 3 strings and the top 3 was a bit out (to my ears) - the G, B and E strings just seemed to jump out in volume compared to the E, A and D. That was easily fixed by just screwing down a little (one turn) the poles on each p/u under those strings.

Never had a Yamaha before so I can't comment, but I'm not about to play cricket and use the guitar as the bat either. I take care of my gear, so unless this thing has got a hidden defect, I can't see it falling apart on me. It exudes quality.

Never dealt with them but when I was looking to buy one of these I was told by the local shop I was going to have to WAIT 3 to 6 MONTHS for it to arrive.
I contacted Yamaha direct in Melbourne and they looked up their records and put me onto a music store that had just received one after waiting a while. The store was about 70Km from where I live - I got in touch with them and bought it on the phone on the proviso that if I wasn't happy with it (colour, fit, etc.) I would send it back, they have a seven day return policy. They aren't getting this one back.

I've been playing since 1967 and have collected a stack of gear. I also own a GODIN SOLIDAC which also is a great underrated, versatile guitar. I just wish they made instruments like this back when I was younger, but then again I probably would have been just too stupid to buy one. I've owned an ES335TD, which I traded in for the Les Paul (go figure!) years ago, but for the life of me I just can't remember it coming close to the overall quality and sound of this Yamaha. And for the price, you have to wonder...thanks Yamaha. The other thing I like about it is the neck on the guitar, it is simply well cut - it suits my hands. If you have a chance to try one of these guitars, grab it ... only thing is, after you do try it, you're gonna want it.

Features as indicated by the other posters, except for the all mahogany neck wich leads me to believe this guitar is older than the 2 years the seller claimed. I saw a very similar SA2200 from 1992 on a guitar dealer's site. New SA2200's have a maho/maple/maho neck. I got it used, alas there are some small spots on body and neck. The neck is a little flatter than the usual fat Gibson type neck,for sophisticated jazz/fusion types with "proper" technique" no problem, for the blues wailer who is bending strings all the time with his thumb on top of the neck this could take a while to get used to. Fingerboard is real ebony,you feel and hear it immediately,smooth feel and tight sound with good sustain.

After a good setup and polish (believe it or not, this made an audible difference!),the Yamaha came to life. It hasn't been played for a while and such a guitar needs to be played for a few days to "wake up". The SA2200 does the semi-solid thing quite convincing from good mellow jazz sound to a wailing BB King type blues to bluesrock/classic rock. With the coil splits you can even get into a little country or funk,although i wouldn't expect strat/tele sounds. Sustain is good and the stock pickups (Gotoh?) aren't bad at all,though as a Seymour man i think a set of SD's might bring this Yamaha to a(n even) higher level. Amps in my living room are a Peavey Classic 30 for clean and a little Marshall Studio 15 for rock.

I got it used,as i mentioned it has a few spots,of course this has nothing to do with Yamaha's building quality. I put on a set of 010 D`Addario's and did the setup. The frets are still in perfect shape,great fretboard,well dressed. Easy to get a good low action without buzz. Finish is beautiful and seems solid. The top,sides and back are flamed maple,looking good but the flames on the top don't go all the way from the edge of the body to the seam in the middle. Minor point. The gold plating on the hardware is fading a little on the bridge and tailpiece,for a used guitar not bad,i've seen far worse(Did i say Epiphone?).

I just got it,but it has been around,alas a couple of spots show it. It held up quite good IMHO,the switches and pots feel solid,no crackly sounds. The tuners,Gotohs probably,work fine, the guitar stays in tune. I don't play in a regular band anymore,so it hasn't been road tested by me. But someone else already has and it held up good. I would always bring a second guitar in case you break a string, but for blues/jazz/classic rock you could do it all with this guitar.

I have tried to find out its age but i couldn't get through the myriad of Yamaha Corp. web pages. Surfing around i got to know some serious jazz cats play this SA2200: French gipsy jazzer Bireli Lagrene and fusion great Frank Gambale.

I'm an old geezer who has been suffering from G.A.S. for over 20 years. Limiting the field to semi-acoustics i've had a Gibson ES335 Studio,an ugly black guitar with bad fit&finish,it came to life after putting SD's on,good for blues/jazz but plugged into a cranked up Marshall it started to feed back,no good for rock. A little further back in time i had an Ibanez AS200,beautiful Jap guitar with great fit&finish,good for rock/rock'n roll/rockabilly but a little lean for jazz. Always regretted selling that AS200,in a way i have it back now with this SA2200 with the added bonus of a good jazz/blues sound. Long story short this SA2200 is the cheapest and best semi-solid i've ever had and even one of the best electric guitars i've ever had,period. This guitar is the unsung hero of the semi-solids. Even when you buy it new it's worth the price IMHO:?1400 euro with case is still a lot cheaper than a used Gibson ES335 with all its faults in the fit&finish dept. I have too many guitars,should my house ever burn down then i'll buy a Yamaha AS2200 and a good tube amp,enough to make me a happy old geezer :-)

Mine is a 1992 2200... It is the 20th one ever made... I bought it used in absolute mint condition. The features on this guitar are all that one could really hope for... Dual coil splitting... and an amzing finish... Quite possibly the best guitar necks i've ever laid my hands on (rivaled only by the Ibanez AS2000)... Perfect width and the medium frets are perfect (mine has no fret wear)... One of the most solid feeling guitars i've held in terms of quality.

I like to play a lot of blues and am starting to get into jazz (scofield type stuff)... I normally don't use a pick but will on occasion... This is the only department in which i was disappointed. The stock Yamaha pickups are not very good at all... They are ok for a clean jazzy setting but are certainly lacking something... The single coil option doesn't get anywhere close to a Strat... I usually keep pickups set to Humm... My biggest complaint with the sound though is the ringing of chords (distorted or clean)... Chords sound muddy through most any amp clean or distorted... The guitar sounds great when running through lines and improving... I am thinking of changing the pickups to see get an improvement because i love the neck and body of the instrument so much... I haven't decided on anything yet... Maybe I'll just buy an old Ibanez AS200 and sell this guitar... After all, sound is the MOST important thing...

Unbelievable!!! the main reason i can't part with this guitar... I'd rather put in a couple of hundred $$ for better pickups, because the finish is so good... The neck is the best i've felt... Absolutely perfect!... The balance is great and the shape is great... The cutaways are not as fat as on a 335 so it's easier to maneuver you hands around the top... One of the best I've laid my hands on... The neck was the first thing i noticed right away... It's that good...

It's a very reliable guitar... I'm starting to get a little static with the selector switch, but nothing a little cleaning won't solve...

I don't know...

I've been playing for about 10 years... this guitar is the best I've owned in terms of quality, but sound was disappointing... I've played the Ibanez AS2000 (AS200 remodel) and love the sound on that guitar a lot better... Richer chords... Good tone... Great Balance... This guitars chords just don't ring the way they should... But because there is so much potential with a little electronic tweaking I'm not gonna hold it against this guitar... I can't part with it and will probably put som Seymore Duncan Antiquity pickup on it... I might go with Schaller Super 50 for more of a wailing sound and funk potential, but in the end who knows... This is a great guitar...

2 superb Yamaha humbuckers with coil tap on both. The coil splitting capability makes this one of, if not thee most versitile guitar i have ever played.

WOW!!!!! WHAT A GUITAR!!!!!! I have always trusted Yamaha to make quality instruments and i bought this guitar from a certain music company in a guitar magazine without even playing it first because i knew Yamaha would not let me down! I was looking for a 335 style guitar but was not prepared to pay Gibsons rediculous prices, so when i found this guitar going for #1045 i snatched it! I play a wide range of styles. I have always had a taste for blues and classic rock however i have always enjoyed Noel Gallaghers music in Oasis. This guitar can do it all, you want a sound it's got it in spades. I use it through a Roland Blues Cube along with a Marshall Guvner pedal a Boss CE-20 Chorus pedal and a Boss DD-3 Digital Delay. The sound is truly amazing through the CE-20 and the DD-3 on a clean setting, beautiful is the only word i can think of to describe it. This is simply the best guitar i have ever played!!!!!

The factory set up was perfect! Absolutely flawless!

I've only had it a day but i'm sure this guitar has a few decades ahead of it!

Never had any problems with this particular guitar but have dealt with them before and as you would expect from Yamaha they are experts.

Have played various Gibson 335's and not one of them got close to this. If it were stolen i'd find the guy who took it and beat the hell out of him! I will never sell it, it is by far the best guitar i have played! Buy one if you get the chance!

This particular SA2200 is made in 1999. Yamaha Japan factory made. As of 19 Feb 2002, it is still in production so the specifications can be read off www.yamaha.com.

I play a bit of everything except metal, though I am heavily into bebop currently. This guitar is versatile enough to cover everything from Jazz, blues, R&B, soul, funk, pop, rock to a fair amount of hard rock, especially with coil splitting capabilities. Could very well emulate the sound of muddy Les paul and twangy Fender, though it might sound more convincing with some pedal effects.

I used to switch to neck pick-up with tone level at about 3 to achieve a mellow peusdo fat archtop tone. It is the jazz tone that I yearned to have but it could sound really bassy at the lower register, especially when paired up with a lousy amp at the conservatorium. Lately, I have sticked to leaving the tone level at full that allow more definition and clarity in tone quality, yet still maintain warmth and some mellowness.

I plug it directly to a Yamaha G100-212 Mark 3 or a Carvin MTS-3200, with occasional use of an Arion SCH-1 Stereo Chorus in the effect loop.

The set-up was okay but not immaculate. Factory used 0.009-0.0042 as default, action was pretty decent. Personally, I don't trust anything that is factory set-up, so upon receipt of this guitar, I sent it to my trusted luither for set-up to my requirements. Changed the string gauge to 0.012-0.052. It feels better with a heavier gauge. Sound wise - it is fuller and fatter. The neck was mildly adjusted. Not much else was done.

Even though the top is not properly bookmatched, it is only a comestic flaw. The guitar was specially ordered for me by Music Plaza. Knowing that I am looking for a jazz guitar, the company encouraged me to try the Yamaha AEX-1500. And in the event that I might like the latter better, they are willing to void the special order agreement and sell me the AEX. However, I must say that this particular AEX didn't sound as good as the SA 2200, so I walked out the store with the SA 2200.

This guitar has gone through several live playing and it has delivered as it promised. I have replaced the original strap buttons with Jim Dunlop strap-lok to eliminate the risk of dropping the guitar during performance.

There is some typical wearing off e.g. tarnishing on the bridge due to uncountable hours of playing, but these are minor. The guitar should be able to go through a decade before I start replaing parts here and there.

I have played a lot with this guitar without a back-up, and will continue to do so. This axe is definitelt trustworthy.

This is actually a replacement. The original SA 2200 that I purchased from the store has a factory defect and I sent it back to Music Plaza, Singapore. They gladly took it back and ordered a new piece for me. According to them, SA-2200, AEX-1500 & AES-1500 etc. are made in Japan with specific quanitity and order from its distributor, so I waited for about 3 months to receive my "made to order" SA 2200. While waiting, the staff kept me posted of the progress, as well as offering alternatives such as using the credit I have with the company to purchase a Mike Stern Tele or a G&L Legacy or the AES 1500 or the AEX-1500.

The guitar was never been repaired for any reason (touchwood). It was under a one year warranty for the electronics but the warranty has expired. Anyway, if ever anything happened to my guitar, I will send it to my trusted luither.

I have been playing for 12 years now. In my arsenal, there is a variety of gears including a Ibanez LR-6, a Gibson made Steinberger GM7T, a Melancon Pro-Artist Telecaster. My luither has always pushed me into selling off my SA-2200, citing that there is no need for having many guitars around, let alone having two 335 style. However, I insisted on keeping this because it is more versatile than LR-6 with its coil split capabilities. It is has wider range of tonal possibilities than either my Fender strat or EB/Musicman Silloutte.

If it were stolen, I will probably buy it again. Considering the differnt made of 335 style copy around e.g., Ibanez AS 220 (I think), Washburn, Equiphone Sheraton, I will definitely stick to a Yamaha SA 2200 for its workmanship and quality etc.

In term of quality, I think it sounds better than any non-custom Gibson made ES-335. I have the privilege of trying my SA-2200 against a brand new Gibson ES-335. Sound-wise, the Yamaha is much brilliant than the Gibson, and the former's workmanship is more superior than the latter.

More features? I like it just the way it is. There is nothing more that I would ask for from this guitar

The SA2200 is a thinline double cutaway semi-acoustic, similiar in style to a Gibson 335. Two Yamaha humbucker pickups, three way selector, coil-tap on both pickups, passive electronics. Fingerboard is ebony with 22 frets and generous split-parallelogram inlays. Bridge is Tune-O-Matic. Tuning heads, pickups and bridge are finished in gold - no corrosion problems so far.

Overall, nothing desparately innovative in the form factor. It's a classy interpretation of of a familiar theme rather than a groundbreaking concept.

This one is the "brown" sunburst finish on a maple top. To my eye it's an attractive gold rather than brown with a subtle figuring that shows clearly through the finish.

Overall, the guitar looks sophisticated rather than dramatic. The inlays, figured top, sunburst and gold fittings work well together. Overall build quality and finish appears excellent. It definitely looks the business for Jazz and Blues.

This instrument sounds so good I find it hard to put down. To my ear, the sound is warmer and somehow more authoritative than the Gibson equivalent. Even on a clean amp setting, there's plenty of bite with a good top end response - for some jazz styles, you may want to roll a couple of notches off the tone control. The pickups deliver plenty of volume and no noticeable hum.

The coil-tap is a nice bonus and provides a useful and very different sound that works well for funky chord work. If anything, the character of the coil-tap reminds me somewhat of a Telecaster. As you'd expect, you do get less volume and some hum with the coil-tap on.

I generally put it through an old Laney Pro-Tube on the clean channel with just a touch of reverb. It has sufficient character that effects just seem unnecessary.

The sound is characteristically jazzy. Fat, complex chords sound rich, satisfying and clearly articulated. Linear picked passages are precise and warm. It also works well for blues with a surpising sassy edge to the sound.

Construction and setup is generally excellent.

However, the pickup selector gives the bridge pickup only in the middle position. Also, the jack socket is a little picky about leads. It's fine with a Venom lead but other cheaper leads don't make good contact.

Both minor problems but disappointing on a guitar this well made.

It feels as solid and durable as a semi-acoustic can get. No sign of chips or scratches on the finish or any corrosion on the gold fittings. I'd depend on it but take a backup anyway - you can't be too well prepared!

I've bought a range of stuff from Yamaha over the years - sound cards, guitars etc - it's all been a good investment.

Never had to contact them.

This dinosaur's been playing for 30 years or so, recording and occasionally gigging. I like jazz, blues, and roots music. I also use a battered 78 Gibson SG Custom and a Pacifica (surprisingly capable) through a Laney pro-tube and a Cakewalk based PC recording setup.

If it was stolen, I'd definitely look to replace it.

I love the look of the thing and the warm, jazzy sound. I chose it to get the classic jazz tones that a solid just can't deliver - I've not been disappointed.

I've given it a nine because of it's good looks, character, and playability. It's expensive for a Yamaha but good value for a guitar that's definitely in the same league as a Gibson.

This is a Gibson 335 copy. (wide / medium thin hollow body, with a central sustain block running the length of the body) Ebony fingerboard with block mother of pearl inlays, mahogany neck, flamed maple laminated top and back, black pickguard, gold hardware. Stop tailpiece. two PAF style humbuckers with separate tone and volume controls and push-pull coil splitters. Large, accurate, non-locking tuners (yamaha). Brown Yamaha hardshell case included with cable and allen wrench. 1997? Japanese made. 3 way selector switch. The only addition I might make are locking tuners.

Tone is generally excellent with a fairly wide range. It covers B.B., and Clapton Cream very well, and works great with a wide variety of Jazz tones. The coil splitters yeild a very nice approximation of P90s. Sound is quite sensitive to string type. To get anything near a tele-like twang, you need the brightest strings you can find - but I did not expect Tele sounds from a semi-hollow body. I generally run through a Yamaha T100 combo or a little champ practice amp, but for me the sound comes alive with a clean, twin such as a Fender Dual Professional. I am considering such a purchase. I have had no problems with feedback. Full cords on high distortion settings with the humbuckers can yeild a mushy sound (power cords kill), but this is not a style I favor in general so I have not worked on dialing something in. I had previously considered Pauls, SGs, 175s, 295s, as well as a "real" 335, but now I have no need for them. I may buy a Tele or another Strat to round out my rock/surf/country abilities, but for Jazz, Classic Rock, Electric Folk, etc., this is all I will ever need. I reserve the 10 catagory for the fablulous guitar I have never played.

Generally the Guitar is gorgeous with excellent materials and workmanship. However, the dots along the binding strip on the top side of the neck are all smudged. No will see this who is not playing the guitar, but I think that this is a grotesque oversight on an otherwise superb instrument. Except for that, the quality of fit and finish blows away all the Gibsons I have tried. I had my dealer adjust the setup to my liking. The quality of wood and construction make adjustments easy. Action is great all over the board. I am wearing off the gold on the top of the bridge nut because my geasy paw sits there all the time, but I don't think solid gold would be structurally sound - do you? Would have been a 10 but for those dots.

Totally solid. Who would go to an important gig with only one guitar? But seriously, I would only bring a accoustic or solid body for variety, not for backup. Reeks of quality - except for those dots.

I allways go to the shop or my guitar tech.

I've been playing on and off since '64. I also have an old Charvette, Cheap Squire Strat; have owned various Gibson solids, other electics, flat tops and classicals. I use pedals from Fulltone and Danelectro - occationally an ART effects unit. I have Yamaha and Fender amps and am planning to buy a good clean twin. The only reason I might not buy another SA2200 if this were lost, is I love change. I love the warm, sweet tones, the great action, and the rich look. It's the best 335 type out there for the money and one of the most versitile guitars available. I plan to keep this one. Locking tuners, quick release strap locks, and nice clean dots would make it perfect.