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-   -   Yamaha fg150 (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86015)

Alathea 09-10-2006 03:27 PM

Yamaha fg150
 
What is the allure of these? They seem to have somewhat of a following. I have a friend whos father is off to Winfield and asked if I was coming this year. I said no- I have no guitar right now and I don't have the time off to take from work. Our conversation turned to the old Yamaha that he has bumping around the house. Im not familiar with Yamahas other than their status now as 'that guitar that you see in the starter set box'. What can anyone tell me about this instrument?

freestyle 09-10-2006 04:57 PM

My first guitar was a Yamaha. The neck eventually wearped, but I took it to a luthier friend of mine and he straightened it right out. They are not expensive guitars, for the most part, but are great beguinner guitars, and beaters. Perfect for taking to an outdoors jam.

Alathea 09-10-2006 05:48 PM

The guitar im referring to is an original, approximately 35 years old, supposedly solid wood all around, not a newer remake or a bargain box starter kit. Apparently from the heyday of Yamaha instruments, from what I can gather.

bobbyg67 09-10-2006 06:44 PM

the ones you're referring to are the red label, nippon gakki, fg models, made in japan, in the late 60's and early 70's. i got into chasing them down for a while. started with a fg-75, that kind of fell into my lap,which is sort of a parlor size, then an fg-110,a little bigger, then an fg-140, and an fg 180, which are dreds. the fg-180 is one of the more sought after dreds. they all sounded very nice. i would recommend any of them, which are structurally sound, as nice inexpensive guitars. anyone looking for the proverbial beater should check them out. i was pleasantly surprised by all of them except the fg-75. it was too small for me. the special ingredient is the nippon gakki label, which is supposed to be the better guitar, but many made in taiwan are just as good, imo. the nippon gakkis aways bring more money though. here are some pictures of the ones i had recently. they are in the same order of the description. all of these guitars were either 70 or 71 models.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...robbie1474.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...robbie1784.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...robbie1685.jpg

schizorage 09-10-2006 06:55 PM

My grandpa has a late 60s FG-75 (red label, nippon gakki) and he won't let me buy him a Gibson, since he likes his Yammy so much...

they're durable, good sounding, inexpensive guitars... from what I can tell they're the best balance of those 3 factors around at this time... especially since they're older and can be had for less than a comparably furnished new guitar...

Alathea 09-10-2006 07:00 PM

Thanks for the information!

CAS

bobbyg67 09-11-2006 07:28 AM

one other thing i discovered about the yamaha dreds is, the lower bout measures 16 1/4", while most standard dreds measure 16". i believe that has something to do with their nice volume. i've disvoverd little things can make a big difference in a guitar. i discovered it when it wouldn't fit in a dred case ,so i measured it.

Freeman 09-13-2006 02:56 AM

My T314 is my camping git because it is replaceable. My FG-150 has been a dear friend since 1969 and is irreplaceable. Sounds better too

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...lor-Yamaha.jpg

Remember, like any old git, condition is everything. It would be a shame to have to put 3 bills into a neck reset on a guitar that you bought for one.

RCS 04-01-2013 04:41 PM

Yamaha FG-150 Red Label
 
I have a Yamaha FG-150 Red Label that I bought in 1972 (I also have a FG-420-12 that's about a year younger) and at 40 years old I still love it. What is somewhat unique about the FG-150, is that the neck is a little smaller (narrower) than most standard necks which is fantastic and easier to play for those with smaller hands (shorter fingers). That was why I bought it back then. You can also get a nice Setup to lower the Action a bit without any buzz, which also helps in ease of play; particularly if you like to Finger Pick like me. About a year ago, I had a LR Baggs Anthem installed on it (kind of a combination of Saddle Transducer and Internal Mic to balance/enhance the high/low (Treb/Bass) freqs) to electrify it; and, I think its fair to say it competes rather well with Taylors now. Beautiful sound. I use an Acoustic AG60 Amplifier. You can play it either way with great sound: just acoustic or electric acoustic. If you can find one in good shape, since they were made from 1966-1972, I think you will be happy with it.


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