As you've said, there can be great Yamaha guitars from each era (with each label, made in different factories/countries). I have a '79/'80 all laminated, made in Taiwan FG I bought recently for $150 that is a phenomenal sounding guitar; it's a real keeper. The only thing I had done was to have the bridge removed and shaved (to lower the action instead of a neck reset). Put in a bone saddle and nut, and it is punchy, loud and full sounding with thick trebles. It's a tribute to how well Yamaha designed these laminated guitars.
P.S. I'm comparing this old Yammy to six Martins (Standard Series, two Custom Shops and one Authentic); a Taylor 614ce, a Larrivee C-03R and two other Yamaha's - a recent FG820 and an LL16. The old one sounds the best of the three Yamahas, and holds its own against all the others.
I love Yamaha guitars...have 4 now but gave my nylon string to a slack key guitarist in Hawaii when I left the islands. Great instruments. Highly recommend them.
I just acquired a 1964-67 g160 of a nice man in Ohio. It is in mint condition, and even the case. Looks like it’s has been hardly played. Paid $240 so not free of course. But it is the Nippon Gali plant sticker, white label, solid Japanese spruce, solid rosewood sides and back. I am in the process of changing the strings. Any guess if light classical (D’Addario pro rate light tension) will be okay? I am interested in making it easier for me to play, not necessarily tone and volume. I feel the old strings are at least normal or possibly hard tension strings. They feel stiff to me.
As you've said, there can be great Yamaha guitars from each era (with each label, made in different factories/countries). I have a '79/'80 all laminated, made in Taiwan FG I bought recently for $150 that is a phenomenal sounding guitar; it's a real keeper. The only thing I had done was to have the bridge removed and shaved (to lower the action instead of a neck reset). Put in a bone saddle and nut, and it is punchy, loud and full sounding with thick trebles. It's a tribute to how well Yamaha designed these laminated guitars.
P.S. I'm comparing this old Yammy to six Martins (Standard Series, two Custom Shops and one Authentic); a Taylor 614ce, a Larrivee C-03R and two other Yamaha's - a recent FG820 and an LL16. The old one sounds the best of the three Yamahas, and holds its own against all the others.
Ah the mock reset - we've all done it! Glad you have found a keeper.
@michaelmcinnis911 yes I agree, I had black label Yamaha FG 180,& it easily keeps up with my Martin, then I discovered the L series,WOW😮
@@DonaldRoycroft-sm3rp All good guitars!
I love Yamaha guitars...have 4 now but gave my nylon string to a slack key guitarist in Hawaii when I left the islands. Great instruments. Highly recommend them.
Indeed!
I just acquired a 1964-67 g160 of a nice man in Ohio. It is in mint condition, and even the case. Looks like it’s has been hardly played. Paid $240 so not free of course. But it is the Nippon Gali plant sticker, white label, solid Japanese spruce, solid rosewood sides and back. I am in the process of changing the strings. Any guess if light classical (D’Addario pro rate light tension) will be okay? I am interested in making it easier for me to play, not necessarily tone and volume. I feel the old strings are at least normal or possibly hard tension strings. They feel stiff to me.
G a k k I not Gali. Auto typing changes it.
Sounds like a nice project!
Yamaha makes a number of items (instruments, motorcycles, etc.) and all are high quality.... and the used guitars are really cheap!
Indeed they are!
Yamaha also have a consistently, ( quality control) that other's don't Always have 😊