For most of us, buying a guitar is a simple yet exciting experience. For an artist the process is slightly different.
Most artists require exacting specifications in playability, features and looks.
Yamaha Guitar Development, also known as YGD, is located in Hollywood, California, and oversees all of the custom guitar design work for artists as well as guitar product development in the United States. In fact, Yamaha's first American signature model was designed at YGD for bass legend Billy Sheehan. Ty Tabor, Frank Gambale, Mike Stern, John Patitucci, John Myung, Nathan East, and Michael Anthony to name a few. From humble beginnings in 1989, YGD has evolved into a guitar design tour de force, creating fabulous custom guitars that could easily be considered works of art as well as instruments. Done well, custom guitar designing and building truly reflects the musical and individual persona of the artist.