Alnico V pickups specs?

[Cuthbert]

Hello everybody,
does anybody know the specs of the Alnico V pickups used on the SG1000 and 2000?

That would be greatly appreciated!

[Buzzard]

Cheers Cuth.

Yamaha don't give a lot of info on the specs, but the Alnico V's are on the hot side.

Yamahas own description:
Alnico V Pickups
Alnico V magnets are used for both the single coil and humbucking pickups to deliver a warm, clear tone that won’t get buried in the mix.
Ring mount rear pickup
The rear pickup is mounted directly on the body.
This configuration captures body resonance, giving a thicker, fuller tone than mounting directly on the pickguard.

Personally when I choose pickups, I never fall in love with the specs, but my ears may love the sound.

Regards
Peter

[Cuthbert]

I am asking the specs because the 1000 reissue I tried sounded better than the 3000, with a more open sound and some bite...so I wanted to understand if the PUs are different or not.

[Buzzard]

Still no luck finding specs, but here's something about the types found here: http://yamahaguitars.nl/facts-figures/sg-pickup-info/



SG Pickup info



SG Pickup info from the SG Graffiti book (thanks to Youkokuramafan)

This is translated directly from the book. Listed are the main models:

1976 – 1983
SG500 used the least detailed and cheapest pickup, called the G-III
SG700 (and later the SG600 and SG800) all used the same “step-up” pickup from the G-III, called the G-II
Not much more information is given on those pickups…those were Yamaha’s “cheap” pickups.

SG1000, SG1500, SG2000 all used the same Alnico V pickup.
This pickup is the model OPG-I. There are two variances, the OPG-I and the OPG-II. The only differences are the OPG-I has gold pole piece height adjustment screws, while the OPG-II has chrome pole piece height adjustment screws. The OPG-I costed 6,000yen OEM, while the OPG-II costed 5,000yen OEM.

1982 – 1998
In September 1982 the first SG-3000’s were made. This also marked the debut of the Spinex pickup, made from Yamaha’s own custom material.
In 1983 many variances of the SG models were made, most of these also used the new Spinex pickup.
From 1983 – 1998 some SG-1000, SG-1500 and SG-2000 models were also ordered with the Spinex pickup. Some still with the OPG-I.

1998 -present
Production of the Spinex pickup stopped. All models after this went back to the Alnico V pickup.
However the model number of the OPG-I changed to the SGH-1CB, many people refer to this as the “New OPG-I”. The base plate of the “New OPG-I” is no longer made of real brass like the original OPG-I, instead it is made of nickel silver. Also, the year of manufacture and model is no longer stamped on the “New OPG-I”. They are just stamped “SG”

[Cuthbert]

Thank you however, it appears they say the new reissues have the same pickups, except that it's not true IMO, I assume I will decide if to buy a set of Alnico Vs as spare parts.

[Cuthbert]

I finally pulled the trigged on a 2009 SG3000, I was curious to find out which pickups used but I just found they are branded SG3000:



Still, the guitar has a very different sound in comparison to a SG1000/2000 with Alnico V bright pickups.

[Mimasu]

I can't compare with a SG1000 or SG2000 (I must be the only vintage Yamaha guitar collector that hasn't a SG2000 ) but I have a fantastic sounding very early SG700. And comparing the SG700 with the SG3000 (and the SG700 even hasn't got the alnico V I think), the SG700 sounds better. I just don't like the Spinex thing. Played a SG2100 with Spinex PU's some time ago, same thing. These Spinex SG's just don't sound like a SG.

Leon

[Buzzard]

just don't like the Spinex thing. Played a SG2100 with Spinex PU's some time ago, same thing. These Spinex SG's just don't sound like a SG.

Leon

I rather like the sound of my 1984 SG-3000 including using coil split for a single coil sound.
The Spinex pickups are rather good for jazzy/bluesy sounds.

For heavier rock'n'Roll, I prefer some hot Dimarzios, alnico pickups have a pretty good bite too.

Loen, have you ever tried out a Weddington ?

Regards
Peter

[Cuthbert]

I can't compare with a SG1000 or SG2000 (I must be the only vintage Yamaha guitar collector that hasn't a SG2000 ) but I have a fantastic sounding very early SG700. And comparing the SG700 with the SG3000 (and the SG700 even hasn't got the alnico V I think), the SG700 sounds better. I just don't like the Spinex thing. Played a SG2100 with Spinex PU's some time ago, same thing. These Spinex SG's just don't sound like a SG.

Leon

He! I sent you a mail on your website as I would like to understand how I can recognise the Spinex ones from the Alnico V.

If the 3000 effectively has the Spinexes and it's not just the cover I might be looking for a 1000 or a 2000, and I agree the Alnico V have a more rock'n'roll sound than the Spinex, or at least this SG3000 which is mellower and warmer than the others I tried.

Anyway, it's good also for Black Sabbath, especially the Heaven and Hell era songs.

[Mimasu]

I think I was wrong with the SG2100, I think is was a SG1600.

I hope you dont mind answering your mail on this forum.

I think all spinex PU's had a cover in one piece. At the other PU's you can see the two different coils surrounded by a separate plastic cover. At least that goes for the 3000 and 1600, 25S, 1966.

One of the coming days I'll check if that complies to all Spinex PU's.

Leon

[Cuthbert]

I think all spinex PU's had a cover in one piece. At the other PU's you can see the two different coils surrounded by a separate plastic cover. At least that goes for the 3000 and 1600, 25S, 1966.

One of the coming days I'll check if that complies to all Spinex PU's.

Leon

Ok but besides the cover how can you spot them? I mean according to the info of the catalogue they might be Alnico V with a different cover...on the other side I found this pic of a 1982 SG3000:



Besides all the wax and the Showa date they look the same as mine.

On the other side those are SG2000 pickups, from the same era (not recent):



With brass backplates and not with the wire on the top coil...

[Les Turnbull]

Wonder why the coil tap wireing has been removed from the SG2000 pups , I added coil tap to my 1983 SG300 which had brass backed pups marked SBG500 .

[TheSupposedStringMeister]

just don't like the Spinex thing. Played a SG2100 with Spinex PU's some time ago, same thing. These Spinex SG's just don't sound like a SG.

Leon

Leon, have you ever tried out a Weddington ?

Regards
Peter

I tried a Weddington last year at the cashies. It was superb to play and I am still hitting myself for not bidding on it. It went for NZD800 which is a steal... And I don't think I will see another for sale in NZ in the next decade

[Mimasu]

Loen, have you ever tried out a Weddington ?

Never had the chance to play a Weddington

think all spinex PU's had a cover in one piece. At the other PU's you can see the two different coils surrounded by a separate plastic cover. At least that goes for the 3000 and 1600, 25S, 1966.

One of the coming days I'll check if that complies to all Spinex PU's.

I proved wrong on that

Looked in the old Yamaha Guitarchive and which SG's are supposed to have spinex PU's, and that's a lot, especially from the 1983-1985 period (a lot of different SG1000's, 1300, 1300T, 1600, 1966, 2500). Some have the one piece cover like the 1600, 1996, 2100, but some haven't.

Based upon the earlier in this topic given translation from the 'Yamaha SG graffiti' the difference between the brass base plate vs the nickel silver base plate started in 1998, at least for the upper end guitars OPG-I PU's (on earlier non SG pu's you find already non brass base plates, like on the SL's, LP's etc). 1998 is also a year that Spinex wasn't used anymore. So the nickel silver base plate and year of manufacturing of your SG3000 would normally mean "New OPG-I", so Alnico V.

Leon

BTW: Every time I pick up that book I realise it would be great if someone would translate the "Yamaha SG graffity" and the "Japan Vintage Collection vol. 7" and we'd all know a lot more about SG's.

[Cuthbert]

Based upon the earlier in this topic given translation from the 'Yamaha SG graffiti' the difference between the brass base plate vs the nickel silver base plate started in 1998, at least for the upper end guitars OPG-I PU's (on earlier non SG pu's you find already non brass base plates, like on the SL's, LP's etc). 1998 is also a year that Spinex wasn't used anymore. So the nickel silver base plate and year of manufacturing of your SG3000 would normally mean "New OPG-I", so Alnico V.

Leon

BTW: Every time I pick up that book I realise it would be great if someone would translate the "Yamaha SG graffity" and the "Japan Vintage Collection vol. 7" and we'd all know a lot more about SG's.

I found out this interesting discussion:

https://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/fo ... 51-/page40

In particular this post:

Thanks. Yes, you're right that the PUs are different.


3000: SGH-ICB (Alnico V)" x 2

2000: SGH-1SOB (Alnico V)" x 2

The two codes come from the Yamaha website description of both guitars that now are offline as they are discontinued.

Also in the description of these vintage 3000s the "Spinex" pus are described as SGH-ICB:

https://store.ishibashi.co.jp/ec/pro/di ... 6212?eng=1#

https://www.sharpenedflat.com/vintage-g ... -3000-0049

Anybody have a "recent" 2000? I think that will be the only way to solve this mystery.