1978 Yamaha SG500 Vintage Electric Guitar Cherry 100% Original w/ Case, Japan

Up for sale, a 1978 Yamaha SG500 in 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. Little sibling to the venerable SG2000 (known as the "Les Paul Killer" for numerous, very good reasons), the SG500 is an incredibly well-crafted, soulful, and powerful instrument. Boasting mahogany set-neck construction, a carved maple top, and a solid mahogany body, this Yamaha takes Gibson's tried and true tonewood combination and utilizes it to great effect. The guitar offers the signature midrange warmth of mahogany with the distinctive note attack and cut of maple, qualities which translate well via the original humbucker pair. The pickups offer a full, assertive sound, and this Yamaha has plenty of natural punch and sustain, weighing 9lbs. We've had this SG500 professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, accurate intonation, and easy-playing action.The mahogany neck has a medium C-shaped profile carve at the nut, with plenty of heft and substance as you travel up the fretboard, measuring .840" deep at the 1st fret and 1.010" at the 12th. The bound rosewood fretboard has meticulously inlaid split pearl triangles and stock medium jumbo fretwire which has plenty of meat, ostensibly leveled and crowned in the guitar’s lifetime, currently showing just a touch of wear on the crowns of frets 1-2. The guitar plays cleanly in every register up the straight neck with an ideally adjusted truss rod. The scale length is 24 3/4“, and the 1 11/16“ nut is hand-carved from bone, adding to both the sustain and articulation of the tonal response. On the headstock, a set of chrome Rotomatic-style tuners turn very smoothly and hold pitch well.All of the electronics work as they should, with a three-way pickup selector switch and individual Volume and Tone knobs governing the stock pickups. The humbuckers have original date stamps on their baseplates that translate to the 53rd year of the Showa period (1978). Yamaha even made special versions of the Gibson reflector cap knob style, with ridges around the edges that make the knobs easier to grasp and roll with your finger for quick swells and adjustments (the silver caps on the knobs are no longer present). The original bridge and stoptail are present, showing some light surface patina on the chrome plating.The gloss Cherry finish is vibrant and rich, with none of the clouding that sometimes plagues vintage Yamaha finishes. There is prominent pick scuffing across the strum path, extending to the bass-side waist and towards the knobs. The finish exhibits scattered dings across the back, wear through the gloss on the back lower bout body edge, and light buckle rash on the bass-side upper bout. The smooth gloss on the neck profile shows only a few shallow marks on the profile length.The original form-fit black tolex hardshell case with green plush interior and Yamaha badge on the exterior is included.