The Yamaha SX is one of the forgotten Yamaha electrics of the 1970s. Built for only a few years from 1974, it had a flared headstock found on no other Yamaha, early bodies made of katsura wood, and a famous user in Tommy Bolin of Deep Purple. This guide covers the early and late SX models, what sets them apart, and what to look for today. For the brand as a whole, see our Yamaha Brand Guide.
Yamaha SX Quick Facts
- Period covered: 1974 to 1979
- Early models: SX-60, SX-80, SX-125: two single-coils, katsura body
- Late models: SX-800A/B and SX-900A/B: humbucker or single-coil versions
- Look: A flared headstock unique to the SX series
- Famous user: Tommy Bolin (Deep Purple), 1975 Japan tour
- Today: Rare on the used market
Prefer to watch? This article is based on my own video below.
What Is the Yamaha SX?
The SX was a double-cutaway solid-body Yamaha made from late 1974 to the end of the decade. It sat beside the better-known SG, but it had its own personality: a flared headstock seen only on this series and a lighter, brighter character.
Because it was made for such a short time, many Yamaha fans have never seen one. That is exactly what makes it interesting today.
Early Yamaha SX (1974-1976): Katsura Body and Two Single-Coils
The first SX models, the SX-60, SX-80 and SX-125, arrived in November 1974. They had a set neck and two single-coil pickups.
The real surprise is the body wood: katsura, a Japanese hardwood almost never used for guitars. In Japan it is better known for things like shogi boards. The result was a bright, crisp tone, noticeably lighter than a Strat in both sound and feel.
Late Yamaha SX (1976-1979): SX-800 and SX-900
From 1976 Yamaha moved to the SX-800 and SX-900, each in A and B versions. The 900 had gold hardware and the 800 chrome, and the catalog lists Yamaha G-I humbuckers on the SX-900A and G-II on the SX-800A. Otherwise they were built almost the same.
| Version | Body | Neck | Pickups | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A (SX-800A / 900A) | Maple top, mahogany back | Mahogany | Humbuckers | Thicker, Gibson-leaning |
| B (SX-800B / 900B) | Maple top, sen back | Maple | Three single-coils, 5-way switch | Brighter, Fender-leaning |
Sen is a Japanese wood often compared to ash, common on 1970s Japanese guitars. With these A and B options, the SX became more of an all-rounder than the early katsura models.
Tommy Bolin’s Yamaha SX
Tommy Bolin played an SX on Deep Purple’s 1975 Japan tour. It was a Yamaha-provided guitar, built with a five-ply through-neck, three single-coils and a Strat-style bridge.
Not quite a stock SX
Yamaha’s own ad called Bolin’s guitar the SX-125 Custom, an order-made model. So it is best seen as a custom build on the SX theme rather than a regular catalog SX, and a production SX won’t match its specs.
Pat Simmons of the Doobie Brothers and Rory Gallagher also appear to have shown up in Yamaha ads with the SX.
Yamaha SX Models at a Glance
| Model | Years | Pickups | Hardware |
|---|---|---|---|
| SX-60 / SX-80 / SX-125 | 1974-1976 | 2 single-coils | Varies by model |
| SX-800A | 1976-1979 | Humbuckers | Chrome |
| SX-900A | 1976-1979 | Humbuckers | Gold |
| SX-800B | 1976-1979 | 3 single-coils | Chrome |
| SX-900B | 1976-1979 | Single-coils | Gold |
Which Yamaha SX Should You Look For?
| You want… | Look for |
|---|---|
| The most unusual SX | Early SX with a katsura body |
| A Gibson-like voice | SX-800A / 900A |
| A Strat-like, bright voice | SX-800B / 900B |
| Gold hardware and the top spec | SX-900 |
Whatever you buy, check that the pickups and electronics are original: on a guitar this rare, replaced parts are common.
Final Thoughts
The SX never got the fame of the SG, but it shows Yamaha experimenting in the mid-1970s: a one-off headstock, katsura bodies and a Deep Purple connection, all in about five years.
If you ever spot one, it is worth a closer look. You will not see many.
FAQ
When was the Yamaha SX made?
The Yamaha SX was made from November 1974 to 1979. Early models ran to about 1976, and the SX-800 and SX-900 followed from 1976.
What wood is the early Yamaha SX made of?
The early SX-60, SX-80 and SX-125 used katsura, a Japanese hardwood almost never used for guitar bodies.
What is the difference between the Yamaha SX-800 and SX-900?
The SX-900 has gold hardware and the SX-800 chrome. Otherwise they were built almost the same, each in A (humbucker) and B (single-coil) versions.
What is the difference between the SX A and B versions?
The A has a maple top on a mahogany back with a mahogany neck and humbuckers. The B has a maple top on a sen back with a maple neck and single-coils.
Did Tommy Bolin play a Yamaha?
Yes. Tommy Bolin played a Yamaha-provided SX on Deep Purple’s 1975 Japan tour, with a five-ply through-neck and three single-coils.
Is the Yamaha SX rare?
Yes. It was made for only a few years in the 1970s, so it rarely appears on the used market today.
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