YAMAHA SA2200

Here’s a design that goes right back to the beginnings of Yamaha electric guitars in 1966 with the Gibson ES-335-inspired SA-5. By 1977, the SA range had expanded and included the SA2000. This featured the sort of outline we see on today’s SA2200, which has been in production since around 1991. Over that period it’s not only been a beacon for Yamaha’s top-level Japanese lutherie but has become quite the jazz/fusion standard. “Probably one of the best kept secrets out there,” we said this year. “Its tuxedo style might not appeal to everyone, but its sounds and feel are simply superb: a very pro-level workhorse guitar that really should be on the radar of any serious player.”