This is a list of Yamaha signature instruments, the signature instruments have been developed by Yamaha together with the artists, some from the ground up[1] while others are based on standard models.[2]
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The Yamaha AES620 SH was the former signature guitar of former Van Halen and current Chickenfoot vocalist Sammy Hagar. The guitar was designed by Hagar together with Yamaha's custom shop in Hollywood California and based on the AES620 with modifications designed by Hagar. The solid body guitar is fitted with two humbuckers, the neck being a standards Yamaha model and the bridge pickup being a Seymour Duncan JB model both being controlled by separate volume controls and a single tone control.[2] The rosewood fretboard also features a Cabo Wabo inlay at the 12th fret.[2] He has recently switched to Gibson guitars, releasing 2 new signature guitars with them. [3][4]
The Yamaha CV820 WB was the former signature guitar for current Limp Bizkit and Black Light Burns guitarist Wes Borland. During his early career with Limp Bizkit Borland was endorsed by Ibanez but decided to end the collaboration, since Ibanez wanted him to modify one of their current guitars and market as a Wes Borland signature, while Wes himself wanted to be able to design a guitar from the ground up to create his own dream guitar. After leaving, Wes played PRS for a short time before starting his current collaboration with Yamaha guitars.
The semi-hollow guitar is developed by Borland and Yamaha luthier John Gadesi, and built using the Japanese method Takumi-Kezuri (translates to "skillful carving"[5]), which means that the back, the sides and the center-block is constructed out of one piece of alder and fitted with a maple top. The design for the body of the guitar is done by Borland several years earlier, but not made into reality until his partnership with Yamaha.[6] Since leaving Limp Bizkit Wes moved more towards vintage and semi-hollow body guitars since he likes their resonance and he claims they feel more alive.[7] The guitar is fitted with a three-piece maple neck with a 24 fret rosewood fretboard without markers. The guitar is equipped with two splitfield humbuckers which are controlled by a three way toggle switch and wired straight to two separate volume controls and without any tone controls.[1] He has recently switched to Jackson guitars. [8]
The Yamaha PA511MS is the current signature guitar of American jazz guitarist Mike Stern, known for his work with Miles Davis. The PA511MS is based on Sterns own heavily modified Fender Telecaster[9] and features an ash body and maple neck in similar design to the Telecaster. The guitar is fitted with a fixed bridge and single volume and tone controls for the two Seymour Duncan pickups.[10]
The Yamaha SA503 TVL is the signature guitar of Troy Van Leeuwen the former guitarist of A Perfect Circle and current guitarist and multi-instrumentalist of Queens of the Stone Age. The SA503 TVL features a semi-hollow maple body and neck.[11] The guitar is fitted with a Bigsby vibrato tailpiece and three P-90 pickups controlled by two three-way switches.[11] The neck and bridge pickups are controlled by the rear selector, similar to how the switching system of a Gibson Les Paul. The middle pickup is controlled by the front selctor which switches between off, out of phase and on.[12] The guitar also features individual volume controls and a master tone control.[11]
Besides Van Leeuwen himself other guitarists such as former Nine Inch Nails guitarist Aaron North,[13] Velvet Revolvers Dave Kushner,[14] fellow Yamaha endorseer Wes Borland[15] as well as band mate Josh Homme[16] have also been known to play the SA503 TVL.
The Yamaha ATT LTDII is the current signature bass of Billy Sheehan, known for his work with Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr Big, and Niacin. The ATT LTDII features an alder body with a 21 fret maple neck with Hip Shot detuners. The bass is fitted with two DiMarzio pickups each with their own outputs.[17] Unlike othe basses in the BB-series Sheenans signature model does not feature a neck through design since he prefers bolt-on necks.[18] However for a more durable joint between the neck and body a special joint with aluminium reinforcements was designed. On the latest edition of the Attitude II, however, the aluminium piece was replaced with a large portion of the neck being added and extended and being bolted on from the front under the neck pick-up.[18]
The Yamaha BB3000MA is the signature bass for former Van Halen and current Chickenfoot bassist Michael Anthony. The BB3000MA is based on Yamahas neck through BB-series with a more streamlined neck and a body with deeper cutaways.[19] The bass is equipped with one Alnico Split singlecoil, one Alnico V Soapbar single coil pickup and Hip Shot detuners.[19]
The Yamaha BBNE2 is the signature bass for jazz, rock and rhythm and blues bassist Nathan East, known for his work with Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Stevie Wonder. The five stringed BBNE2 is based around a double cutaway maple and alder body designed by East with a 24 fret maple and mahogny neck.[20] The bass is fitted with two stacked Alnico humbuckers and a bridge with individual saddles for better intonation.[20] The pickups are controlled by several controls including an equalizer to give the instrument more versatility.[20]
The Yamaha RBX6JM is the first signature model of John Myung, the bassist of Dream Theater.
The Yamaha RBX6JM2 is the second signature model of John Myung, the bassist of Dream Theater.
The Yamaha TRB JP2 is the signature bass of John Patitucci, known for his work with Chick Corea, B.B. King and many other artists. This 6-string bass features a double cutaway body made out of maple, ash and alder which allows for access of all 26 frets of the maple neck.[21][22] The neck's ebony fretboard also features custom mother of pearl and abalone inlays and pearl and gold tuners.[21][22] The TRB JP2 is fitted with two double-coil Alnico V humbucking pickups controlled by a 5-knob control layout including an active 3-band EQ.[21][22]