Yamaha FG-200
 

Anyone know anything about these? There's one for sale in the local classified for $75. I know it's an older, likely 1970's all laminate vintage. No real info about it given. Just a pic and the price. It's close enough that I don't want to ask questions and give the impression of being really interested. Thus possibly ruining the opportunity to haggle for an even lower price. But want to learn all I can about this model before I go to look at it. I know all the structural things to check for. Neck angle, dished or bowed top, bridge problems etc. What I'm most interested in finding out is if this is one of the much vaunted "Red Label" models that reportedly have a superior build and tone. If not, I probably won't bother.

75 is a good price if it doesn't need anything. But these usually need resets.
I've never seen a red label 200. I had a 200 a few years ago. Super loud and woody. They are great guitars for being all laminate. Had a nice rumble tone.
I've only seen black, tan and green labels for these. Mine was an early 70's model.

I can attest to what a great guitar the FG200 is. I own a 1972 FG200 that I bought new in 1972 when I was 16. Mine has the tan label and is made in Japan. Later models were built in Taiwan. They are all laminate construction. I actually preferred the tone of my FG200 to the red label FG180 model I compared it to. I had a good friend at the time who had a Martin D18 ( which is what I wanted, but could not afford at the age of 16), and he was amazed at the tone of my Yammie. I have never had any neck or bridge problems whatsoever, and I have played the snot out of it. I play my Larrivees and Goodall more these days, but whenever I pick up the FG200 and hear the that soulful rumble it puts a smile on my face.
If you can get it for $75 just do it.
http://i614.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps238a7896.jpg

I forgot to add earlier that the nut spacing is cramped on these guitars. I remember I made a new nut with wider string spacing.
It's doable.

I have one ... but beware ... they have extremely thick necks. Mine sounds nice ... but does need a neck reset.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

I bought one new in early 1974, and kept it until 4 years ago. I gave it to a grandson, so I still see it and doodle with it every now and then. It had a great loud deep rumbling tone and impressed several friends who owned Martin models. Mine was in perfect shape (no scratches, chips) when I passed it on. I only made two slight adjustments to the neck in all those years, and it is not yet in need of a reset. I have been switching all my guitars to ones with 1 3/4" nuts, and the FG 200 was only 1 11/16". I see them for sale from about $100 up to $300, but have no idea what they actually may have sold for. While I gave mine to a grandson, I would never have sold it for less than $225, about what I paid for it new. If you find a good one, consider buying.