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So. What to do when told another 4-6 weeks no guitar …..
Hahaha, I’m such an impulsive person. Bought a Vintage 1970. Red Label Nippon Gakki, Yamaha FG300. Yamaha’s equivalent to a Gibson Hummingbird. Sounds delicious.
History – The FG-300 was the top of the line non-hand built guitar of that era. It has a spruce plywood top, rosewood plywood back and sides, split fretboard inlays, a fancy engraved pick guard, and a saddle with individually adjustable saddles (for intonation) and the whole assembly is adjustable for height (action). The bridge pin holes are arranged in an arc, instead of the usual straight line, although the early 70’s models made in Japan (not for export, Tan rectangular label) have the pins in a straight line. The FG-300 is well known for its sweet tone and deep bass, making many question if it isn’t actually all solid wood.
It’s widely said that Yamaha made great laminated guitars on the 60’s & 70’s. Although that is actually not true. The top, back and sides are 3 ply plywood. But many people still question that they aren’t actually solid wood, because they don’t sound like plywood guitars, especially the earliest models. Most people think plywood is just an ugly way to say laminated, but they are constructed differently. Plywood is a wooden board consisting of 2 or more layers glued and pressed together with the direction of the grain alternating, typically 90 degrees. Laminate is a wooden board (in the case of guitars) consisting of 2 or more layers glued and pressed together with the direction of the grain in the same direction. That makes plywood stronger, it can’t crack because of the alternating layers.
The plywood of vintage Yamaha guitars were made differently than today’s plywood. The top has 3 layers, thin top and bottom plies and a thick mid ply (oriented perpendicular to the top and bottom plies), making it hard to tell that it isn’t solid wood. If you take a close look the sound hole with a jeweler’s loupe or magnifying glass you will see it. The back and sides are also 3 plies, with the inner ply being a different wood (filler). But the outer plies are both tone wood. You can tell the sides and back aren’t solid by looking at a grain pattern or a defect on the outside and looking for the same on the inside. The inside will be different, even though it looks like solid wood. It really is, but they were made with saw cut plies, and not today’s rotary peeled log plies. The grain of cut vs. peeled wood looks very different. Almost all commercially produced vintage Yamaha FG’s for export are plywood, and have a finish applied on the inside. This is because of the uncontrolled climate (temperature and humidity) on the ships carrying them to America. Many earlier solid wood Yamaha guitars cracked in shipping. Plywood pretty much guarantee that won’t happen. Also, the 100 series guitars were very lightly braced. The combination of all tone wood plies and very light bracing gives them the sonic appearance of a solid wood guitar.
I cant wait to give her a go. The pick guard is not original. The puckguards had a tendency to breakdown and disintegrate. Everything else is original. Talked guy down a bit due to small imperfection at top of neck by head stock.
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10 Replies
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More photos
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Original case in great shape
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Nice, that’ll fix it! I would do the same!
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This is the equivalent of the Gibson Hummingbird, but a hell of a lot less money. I don’t know why, but I really prefer larger guitars. I like dreadnoughts for their tonal quality, but my favorite is the OM size, and they have nice tone too
. I am so impulsive and have such an addictive personality. It comes on strong when I’m stressed. I need to start selling some that I really don’t play much.
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Excellent acquisition ! Love the history behind it.
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Thanks so much. I had photos ahead of going to see the guitar (private seller). I am a member of several guitar forums, and I sent everything to the Yamaha guru and asked his opinion on the guitar in general. The missing original pickguard (didn’t know of the slight imperfection at the top back of neck. I also asked about the neck and the slight (and yes, ever so slight belly. He said it looked good, and he’s never seen an FG300 that needed a neck reset. The slight belly is actually normal for something this old, and it rarely affects playability .
I negotiated down by a buck and a quarter, because of the small imperfection on the top of the neck, and not having the original pickguard. So, I got a really good deal.
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Can’t play guitar yet……..so, buy a guitar. I get it!!!! LOL Enjoy!
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looks like a keeper !
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Why not! And maybe your mind will tell your body to heal quicker now you have this beauty waiting for you…LOL! I have a Yamaha (student grade) and it is my travel guitar currently. My hubby laughed at me when I first got it for the TAC lessons, but he likes to tinker with it compare to the bigger guitars he owns. I like mine so may your new Yamaha bring you loads of happiness in the months ahead – a very nice find! Happy Holidays and here to a better New Year to you!
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Thanks Terri. Wishing to you and your family a happy holiday season and safe New Year.
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