Yamaha FG Series - Nippon Gakki Resource

The Folk Guitar (FG) series made by Yamaha in the late 60s and 70s were extremely fine guitars modeled after Martin flatops. If you can get your hands on one of these, they are of very good value, especially the "red labels" made in Nippon Gakki, Japan, prior to moving production to Tiawan.   The tone of most of the ones I have played is exceptional for the dollar.  Challenges can include finding ones with good necks (they were lightly built which probably accounts for the nice tone).  Also,  the frets are usually small and nut width a little narrower than modern day standards.  In my quest for information, I had difficulty finding a good Yamaha resource, so I put this bit of information together focused on the FG Series that were made in the Nippon Gakki facilities. 


REFERENCE AUDIO - YOUTUBE

Stones in My Passway - 1969 Yamaha FG-150
Blind Willies Lament - 1969 Yamaha FG-230
Hochatown - 1970 Yamaha FG-75


FG SERIES MODEL GUIDE