MusicRadar

Y is for… Yamaha SG7

The SG7 was the first Yamaha electric guitar unleashed in 1966. Featuring an asymmetrical body with an elongated horn on the treble side and a hockey stick style headstock, the guitar was designed with the input of Japanese Eleki legend Takeshi ‘Terry’ Terauchi (see ‘E’).

The SG7 was reissued in 2000 as the SGV300 in a range of finishes: Black, Canary Yellow, Metallic Red and Pearl Green. A deluxe SG800 model was also released in the same year. It’s become a modern surf classic.

You can see the The Ghastly Ones battling Flying Saucers Over Van Nuys with their SGV300 guitars and matching SBV500 bass on this YouTube clip. Yeah, we want one too…

Y is also for… You Still Believe In Me

The beautiful second track from Pet Sounds (1966) by The Beach Boys, You Still Believe In Me is a testament to both the genius of Brian Wilson and to just how far the band had progressed since the days of Surfin’ Safari. Watch this Behind The Sounds documentary clip for the story behind the song.

Like The Beatles, The Beach Boys' music had matured far beyond only pleasing a teen audience… Although neither groups’ earlier efforts could hardly be written off as throwaway!