The great contributions that the electric guitar and electric bass have made to the development of Rock music are common knowl-
edge. Each has been a powerful in
fl
uence their evolution and development.
The arrival of Yamaha’s SG guitars and BB basses in the late 70’s was a turning point in Rock history. Our guitar designers at the
time completely rethought the functions and design of the guitar, taking an entirely different approach to the construction of the
SG2000. Their efforts were greeted with high acclaim from guitarists all over the world. The BB1200 with its laminated neck also
received high acclaim from professional bassists all over the world, gaining a wide following of regular players. Its fresh design
and tight, heavy tone gave bassists greater presence in the band, and its sound played an important role in the development and
spread of trends such as beat heavy disco and slap style playing.
Fast-forward to 2010, and our latest SG and BB designs focus on Rock. This is a music that is in constant change. With all of its
variants, it is nearly impossible to categorize into a single genre anymore. In these new SG guitars and BB basses we have har-
nessed Rock’s energy, giving it form in the shape of their design. That energy is released at the pluck of a string and transformed,
without loss, into musical expression. This is the reason we focus so much on the instrument’s sound. Greater performance capa-
bilities deliver greater expressive power, the new SG and BB deliver a new means of expression.
Reviving Rock: Making a Bold Statement
Yamaha’s Evolution
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