Hi - I'm Phil from the UK and I visited your fabulous shop in Bozeman Montana in 2004 and bought a J200 Custom Birds eye maple and a Les Paul plus the T-Shirts when I was on holiday in the US that year after an amazing tour of the Gibson Acoustic guitar factory in Bozeman ! Still my best holiday memories ever ! I have subscribed ever since and I watch all your videos even though I only reply now and then. just to say I still love looking at these reviews and hope to visit you in person again one day.. Cheers Phil
I still have and cherish my 1968 FG-300 red label Nippon Ghakki. Going to give it to my grandson when he visits again. I hope he keeps it because it is definitely a keeper!
Bought the FGX3 last year. Quality build and wonderful sound. This is the 4th Yamaha I've purchased. My favorite brand for acoustic guitars. Can't go wrong.
I bought an FS5 from Music Villa last fall and it is far and away the best acoustic I’ve ever owned. The FG/S3 is just a more gig oriented version of it and I’m sure it sounds just as lovely. Highly highly recommend these.
Yamaha guitars are great. I have the cheaper FG 830 with solid top and laminated back & sides. I end up playing it more than my fancy pants big-name dreadnaught. I'm not worried about humidity with it as much, and so I leave it out in my office and when the muse strikes, it's right there to play, with its big thumpy sound. You know what the photographers say to the question "what's the best camera?" Their answer is: "The one you have with you when you see that amazing shot." My Yamaha is 1/10th the price of my prized super-duper guitar and has the same value to me, because it's my musical partner every minute of every day.
I bought a Yamaha acoustic recently after drooling over expensive Tacs and Taylors. One of the best purchases I've made of a guitar in my life. Great value for money.
Just got mine today. It is better than my FG5. The setup was perfect. The best setup I've ever seen on an acoustic guitar. The strings were low. No fret buzz. Just perfection. The Chinese are knocking it out of the park with their guitars.
I have owned a number of Yamaha guitars. FS800, FG830, and other solid top and an LS16R all solid, all made in China. They were all great guitars. I sold them because I wanted ONLY American made. Well, the Yamaha is a great guitar, and yes my Martin and Gibsons sound better… maybe… Another great video. Thank you
Love this I get complete mental all the time on the sound rich full all wood I did install bone but saddle and graphite bridge pins, but even without it sounded great. Great workmanship Bad was setup was off string height to high, and my early unit had some hase in the back, I hard sine early units has the problem. Now fix. There's not a better buy IMHO for all solid and aged wood dreadnaught for well under a thousand ..sound is between the deep bass of Martin and treble of Taylor more balanced and mid focus with rich bass rich warm highs. .try the others first . Problem is yamaha acoustic all wood mud and high end versions are hard to find to demo in store and can take a year to get in some cases.
I have a Yamaha FG150 I purchased in 1973 for $125.00 Sitka Spruce top. Mahogany back,sides and neck. Rosewood fret board, bone nut and bridge. I let a guy borrow it at a gig we were both playing in 1975 and he said it looked played and sounded like a Martin.
I haven't checked on the price yet, but what a great sound. Maybe not quite as much bass as my martin d18, but still a great full sound. If I had the money and the room for it, I'd love to get one of these guitars.
I have one. Only change was putting horn pins in. The main structural difference between FG3 and FG5 is the Japanese 5 has bone nut and saddle. I will play it awhile first. Martins are of course are great guitars, but the bass is " the big muddy". Pronounced bass comes at a price. Yamaha (I also own a LL16D) is strong but also focused and balanced. The video doesn't capture how good the bass is if watching on a phone.
The red labels from yamaha are some of the best sounding guitars out there and your not paying thousands of dollars for a martin gibson or taylor. Yamaha is by far the best value in the acoustic game
mine arrived yesterday,put a bone saddle on it and it sounds even better,dropped the the action height just a bit too great guitar!... just added a tusq nut PO-1728-00, pretty much a drop in ..maybe slightly shorter but no fret buzz and sounds amazing
i got one a couple years ago for $700 USD (in australia). it's great, just an all round classy guitar. i put a bone nut and ebony pins in it but i don't think it needed any upgrades.
In this price range though, I would look at other All-Solid great options: Epiphone Masterbilt IBG Excellente, and the others, Recording King RD 318 /328 , Cort Gold D6 / D8. It's a tight competition in this area of price and each builder has different things to offer.
I'm still a beginner looking to possibly upgrade to a nicer guitar soon. Would you add Eastman E1D and E2D to that list? Also Alvarez MD60BG Masterworks?
@@observingyt6159 Yes, sure those are nice options also. Depends what you're looking for. But for sure there are many options out there. The Cort Gold has a few great advantages I didn't see on the other options: 1.Neck - walnut Reinforcement - will insure no need for a neck reset as most acoustics need in time. 2. Torrified Mastergrade tops - vintage sound out of the box. 3. Finish very balanced UV finish, not too thick not too thin, just right for a great resonance + great durability.
@@77guitarts22 I do like the cort but I think I'd prefer something with more simple styling. I'm also on the fence about getting an aged top just because I think the idea of having the guitar age with me is cool.
I have a 000-15m street master I bought used and I love but am wanting a dread now. I tried a d15e at my guitar center and I tried to like it but I didnt. this Yamaha has that tone I'm looking for and cost much less. I feel as though the Yamaha is the players guitar imo. to get that tone in a Martin it's gonna come at a huge expense. more less an heirloom at that point.
Today I was looking at a lot of "best of 2022" under 1k 1.5k and 2k. and I was surprised I didn't see many Yamaha's on those lists which left me wondering if it was a brand issue.
@@itsthatsimple7237 I suspect it's a "we get money under the table to hype certain guitars" issue, probably mixed with a "don't really know what they're talking about" issue. Those Taylor guitars are nowhere close to the best at their price range; they're not even in the discussion.
Honestly, these "best of year X under moderate price Y" lists should be almost entirely composed of Yamahas and Eastmans....to such an extent that it's hard to think of any exceptions. That Taylor 210ce cited above (which goes for $1,099 now) isn't even all solid wood, it has laminated back and sides. A comparably priced Eastman would be the all-solid handmade E8D, which utterly blows the doors off of the plywood Taylor.
Had a FG5 for awhile. Really good guitar, if a little quiet played fingerstyle. I have to admit, I'm not too keen at throwing any more money towards China.
@@MrTuberguber what’s wrong with Chinese military force? They hasn’t initiated a sing war or something close in decades. So you would rather sponsor the US army that actually kills civilians?
Hi - I'm Phil from the UK and I visited your fabulous shop in Bozeman Montana in 2004 and bought a J200 Custom Birds eye maple and a Les Paul plus the T-Shirts when I was on holiday in the US that year after an amazing tour of the Gibson Acoustic guitar factory in Bozeman ! Still my best holiday memories ever ! I have subscribed ever since and I watch all your videos even though I only reply now and then. just to say I still love looking at these reviews and hope to visit you in person again one day.. Cheers Phil
That's a great story..... thank you for commenting!
Yamaha is like the Toyota of guitars. Reliable and great value for the money. 👌
I still have and cherish my 1968 FG-300 red label Nippon Ghakki. Going to give it to my grandson when he visits again. I hope he keeps it because it is definitely a keeper!
I paid just under $1k last year for my (used 2020) FG5. It's an awesome guitar and an unbelievable value.
Agh what a deal. I wish I had purchased one when it was sub 1k
The Yamaha red labels are impressive!
I play a Yamaha LL16L. My go
To acoustic since years. Great instrument. Bargain.
I like the low tension short scale and 1.75 nut width. Very comfortable and warm. Reminds me of a 000-18 with added bass.
Bought the FGX3 last year. Quality build and wonderful sound. This is the 4th Yamaha I've purchased. My favorite brand for acoustic guitars. Can't go wrong.
Really liked "very present low end" comment. Great sounding dreadnought for the $$. Thanks Quinton and Paul.
I bought an FS5 from Music Villa last fall and it is far and away the best acoustic I’ve ever owned. The FG/S3 is just a more gig oriented version of it and I’m sure it sounds just as lovely. Highly highly recommend these.
Yamaha guitars are great. I have the cheaper FG 830 with solid top and laminated back & sides. I end up playing it more than my fancy pants big-name dreadnaught. I'm not worried about humidity with it as much, and so I leave it out in my office and when the muse strikes, it's right there to play, with its big thumpy sound. You know what the photographers say to the question "what's the best camera?" Their answer is: "The one you have with you when you see that amazing shot." My Yamaha is 1/10th the price of my prized super-duper guitar and has the same value to me, because it's my musical partner every minute of every day.
Not mentioned in the video but also a bit shorter scale at 25”. Beautiful guitar!
This is important spec most people overlook. It really makes this guitar closer to a Gibson slope shoulder scale.
The intonation sounds excellent for sure.
I bought a Yamaha acoustic recently after drooling over expensive Tacs and Taylors. One of the best purchases I've made of a guitar in my life. Great value for money.
That really is an impressive sounding guitar for that price. Really liked it.
Just picked up a FG3. WOW!
How's the action of the fg3? Also how's the sounds and the base? Planning to het one.
Yamaha is a great company, very consistent in their products, and I've got an FG and another older DWX-8 that sound great for the price.
Amazing look and sound. I have the FG830 and not in the same league and yet a great guitar. Plays and sounds so good.
I own the fg830 too and it's incredible especially for the price. I'm just about to buy an fg3. I cannot wait
Just got mine today. It is better than my FG5. The setup was perfect. The best setup I've ever seen on an acoustic guitar. The strings were low. No fret buzz. Just perfection. The Chinese are knocking it out of the park with their guitars.
I have a FG3 ... its amazing. I have 2 other Yamahas too, but the FG3 is lovely
I had a luthier replace the saddle to bone, I added horn pins and swapped the 80/20s to PB 12s. Deep, warm tones with sustain forever.
I have owned a number of Yamaha guitars. FS800, FG830, and other solid top and an LS16R all solid, all made in China. They were all great guitars. I sold them because I wanted ONLY American made. Well, the Yamaha is a great guitar, and yes my Martin and Gibsons sound better… maybe…
Another great video. Thank you
You guys are top shelf. Really enjoy all your comparisons and evaluations. What about an FG3 versus FG5?
we did it here (with pickups): ruclips.net/video/hRuEVEMZvpA/видео.html
@@TheAcousticLetter Thanks, guys - sorry I missed that.
Love this I get complete mental all the time on the sound rich full all wood I did install bone but saddle and graphite bridge pins, but even without it sounded great.
Great workmanship
Bad was setup was off string height to high, and my early unit had some hase in the back, I hard sine early units has the problem. Now fix.
There's not a better buy IMHO for all solid and aged wood dreadnaught for well under a thousand ..sound is between the deep bass of Martin and treble of Taylor more balanced and mid focus with rich bass rich warm highs.
.try the others first .
Problem is yamaha acoustic all wood mud and high end versions are hard to find to demo in store and can take a year to get in some cases.
Yamaha makes the best affordable guitars in the world. I have the fg700s, sounds incredible for the price.
What kind of neck joint do these new Red Label guitars have?
I have a Yamaha FG150 I purchased in 1973 for $125.00 Sitka Spruce top. Mahogany back,sides and neck. Rosewood fret board, bone nut and bridge. I let a guy borrow it at a gig we were both playing in 1975 and he said it looked played and sounded like a Martin.
I recently bought the FGX5. That guitar will hold its own with any guitar. I would gladly own the FG3
I haven't checked on the price yet, but what a great sound. Maybe not quite as much bass as my martin d18, but still a great full sound. If I had the money and the room for it, I'd love to get one of these guitars.
I have one. Only change was putting horn pins in. The main structural difference between FG3 and FG5 is the Japanese 5 has bone nut and saddle. I will play it awhile first.
Martins are of course are great guitars, but the bass is " the big muddy". Pronounced bass comes at a price. Yamaha (I also own a LL16D) is strong but also focused and balanced. The video doesn't capture how good the bass is if watching on a phone.
I have the fgx3 it’s a beast!!!
The red labels from yamaha are some of the best sounding guitars out there and your not paying thousands of dollars for a martin gibson or taylor. Yamaha is by far the best value in the acoustic game
This guitar is a beast. I mean that in a good way.
mine arrived yesterday,put a bone saddle on it and it sounds even better,dropped the the action height just a bit too
great guitar!... just added a tusq nut
PO-1728-00, pretty much a drop in ..maybe slightly shorter but no fret buzz and sounds amazing
Thank you so much for that info! What saddle did you go with?
Is that FG3 available in left handed?
FG3 or LL16M?
I have fg251b this a good sound.
WHAT STRINGS ARE ON THAT FG3 RED LABEL, IM ASKING CAUSE IM GETTING ONE
Legend 🎸♥️
Which one is better Yamaha FG3 or Yamaha LL16 ?
I NEED THIS INFO TOO. I'm so close to meeting a decision
i got one a couple years ago for $700 USD (in australia). it's great, just an all round classy guitar. i put a bone nut and ebony pins in it but i don't think it needed any upgrades.
In this price range though, I would look at other All-Solid great options: Epiphone Masterbilt IBG Excellente, and the others, Recording King RD 318 /328 , Cort Gold D6 / D8. It's a tight competition in this area of price and each builder has different things to offer.
FG _is_ all solid. But the option you listed are great for the money, too.
@@Joe_Montfort yes I know, this FG3 and 5 is indeed. I meant other All-Solid options. The regular FGs are only Solid Top and still sounds great.
I'm still a beginner looking to possibly upgrade to a nicer guitar soon. Would you add Eastman E1D and E2D to that list? Also Alvarez MD60BG Masterworks?
@@observingyt6159 Yes, sure those are nice options also. Depends what you're looking for. But for sure there are many options out there. The Cort Gold has a few great advantages I didn't see on the other options: 1.Neck - walnut Reinforcement - will insure no need for a neck reset as most acoustics need in time. 2. Torrified Mastergrade tops - vintage sound out of the box. 3. Finish very balanced UV finish, not too thick not too thin, just right for a great resonance + great durability.
@@77guitarts22 I do like the cort but I think I'd prefer something with more simple styling. I'm also on the fence about getting an aged top just because I think the idea of having the guitar age with me is cool.
Amazing guitar
I have a 000-15m street master I bought used and I love but am wanting a dread now. I tried a d15e at my guitar center and I tried to like it but I didnt. this Yamaha has that tone I'm looking for and cost much less. I feel as though the Yamaha is the players guitar imo. to get that tone in a Martin it's gonna come at a huge expense. more less an heirloom at that point.
I play´d this one and man it sounds great
The Taylor 210ce was just named the 2022 Best Acoustic guitar under $1000 by Guitar Player magazine. Last year, they chose the Taylor Academy 10e.
Today I was looking at a lot of "best of 2022" under 1k 1.5k and 2k. and I was surprised I didn't see many Yamaha's on those lists which left me wondering if it was a brand issue.
@@itsthatsimple7237 I suspect it's a "we get money under the table to hype certain guitars" issue, probably mixed with a "don't really know what they're talking about" issue. Those Taylor guitars are nowhere close to the best at their price range; they're not even in the discussion.
Honestly, these "best of year X under moderate price Y" lists should be almost entirely composed of Yamahas and Eastmans....to such an extent that it's hard to think of any exceptions. That Taylor 210ce cited above (which goes for $1,099 now) isn't even all solid wood, it has laminated back and sides. A comparably priced Eastman would be the all-solid handmade E8D, which utterly blows the doors off of the plywood Taylor.
my FG5 is a bomber, only Martin Dss17 can level with it. I compared it with everything (Guild, Martin, Gibson)
Very nice 👌
Had a FG5 for awhile. Really good guitar, if a little quiet played fingerstyle. I have to admit, I'm not too keen at throwing any more money towards China.
These sound great! And the market is flooded, you can probably find a great used one for 300 bucks.
Wish I had a $1000, in Canada it's about $1500
Some unfinished guitars can sound too open. Like this one. Mush of sound.
This IS made in Japan, I own one-p
American folks should play an American made instruments
china. nope.
support your neighbors.
Sorry. Made in China is a non-starter for me. If I lose in that decision, so be it.
whats wrong with China?? they make excellent intruments! its no Martin but a really fantastic guitar
@@soofitnsexy really? what's wrong with China? really? granted I'm not talking guitars...but...I DO have a conscience.
@@edfulginiti8798 that made zero sense
@@soofitnsexy ok
@@edfulginiti8798 are you saying you don’t use a single product from China? Because that’s essentially impossible. China are great at making things.
You can play 60's peace songs while supporting the Chinese war machine. How nice.
What war?
@@arnoldlee5116 It says war machine. Meaning military force ect..
@@MrTuberguber what’s wrong with Chinese military force? They hasn’t initiated a sing war or something close in decades. So you would rather sponsor the US army that actually kills civilians?
Lol😂 You can sing those same songs while you’re shopping at Walmart too…… tell me you don’t shop at Walmart, and I’ll just call you a liar now.
Made in China. I stopped watching at that point…
these guys are such bone heads