I just bought a 1973 FG-160 recently from a local seller. Looks a lot like yours. By the serial number, it just turned 49 last month. I only bought it to clean it up and resell but fell in love with it and decided to keep it. I swear it has more character and tone than my other Yamaha and Taylor. It resonates and sustains like no other acoustic I’ve ever played. These are special guitars indeed and were built to last.
Hey, Pete... That's awesome! I totally agree, they are very special guitars! I'm really glad to hear that you decided to keep your 160. I'll be interested to know what your next FG purchase is.. because you know another is coming! 😃
I have four hanging on the wall beside my bed, and if I cough or sneeze, it sounds like the Bells of St. Mary's for about 15 seconds. And I have four hanging around my office chair, and same deal there. They are so rich, it makes me sick. I want to buy a new guitar, maybe a Martin D-28 or a Recording King RD-328, something like that - "respectable" - but everytime I get close, another FG gem pops up. I bought an FG-75-1 from a lady who met me at a beach parking lot for the hand off, and she pulled it out of the back of her car. Her husband bought it new 50 years ago, and his hands were too arthritic to play it anymore. The case was absolutely filthy, and so was the guitar inside. But I could tell the finish was in good shape, got it cleaned up and set up, and I swear it looks brand new. It's the "-1" so it has X-bracing and better tone. It's a smaller body than dreadnought, but bigger than parlor or O series. A bit trebley by nature, but still, crystalline and pure sound, with tone and sustain. Love it, and I have 2, both in equally great shape. Paid $100 for the one described.
I just found one at a local shop for 275 and I also have the exact same epiphone you did a video on. Both are before I saw your video so I’d say we have similar taste in guitars 😊
Just reclaimed my '74 FG-160 from my daughter that I bought brand new when I was in the Army....I loaned it to her for years but she never got serious about it....haven't played in decades but picking it up again now that I'm retired. You were spot on about the neck and my guitar "guy" did a tweak and lowered the action and now its a sweet piece.
poor mans Martin was the saying...nice guitars. I had one, in the 1970/80s couldnt believe how good they sounded. Today the new Yamaha woods custom " japan" made are awesome on par with Martin for a whole lot less.
My friend just picked one up for $50 at a garage sale, also a white label possibly the same year. Very cool acoustic guitar. Also, woah! at 3:53. I play the Amaj7->Dmaj7 progression all the time, exactly the same way. Sounds so nice :)
Hi there I just came across your video and I must say I fully agree with you because i have the exact same model made in japan in 1972. I bought it 2 years ago off a man in England, im Irish, he had it for years and was getting too old to play it and wanted it to go to a good home. Payed about 300 euro for it. As you say the old FG's are notorius for the neck pulling in them over time and the action gets very high, sometimes the neck is too far gone and it would need a neck reset, very expensive and a big job for a Luthier. The action on my 160 was a bit too high so sanded down the saddle and Bridge and got it down to about 3mm on the twelfth fret, which is not bad. There was also a lot of fret wear on the first 5 frets, so I replaced them myself too. Put a new set of strings on it and oh my God what a great sounding guitar. It really rings like a bell, its quite loud and trebly with bass also but it just cuts through, when you strum it hard it gets really loud too! Its dinged up and scratched and old lookig but I just don't care it sounds fantastic. I play in pub sessions here in Ireland and Ive seen Taylors, Martins, Epiphone masterbuilts etc. But seriously you can here the 160 over them all. They are a pleasure to play and i will never sell it. BTW the FG-300 from late 60's/70's are supposed to be the best and I would love to get my hands on one of them. Thankl you for the video and its nice to see Kim Basingers younger sister on youtube...
Hey! Sorry for the late reply! Your 160 sounds amazing! Ya know what I'd love to get my hands on, too is the FG 200! I rarely come across them, though. And thanks for the Kim compliment! 😊
My first guitar was an all laminated Yamaha with Rosewood back and sides. It was a great sounding guitar. I took it with me to Army Basic Training in 1970. I got it as a graduation present from high school by my parents. It would have been made in either 1969 or 1970. I don't remember what model it was though. Would you have any guess?
Ooh! Take a look at your headstock. - maybe has 3 guitar logo? MThe 70’s ones usually have a logo with 3 tuning forks. I think yours is special - and you have cross-bracing. Many don’t. I have 2 Taylors, and I found you listening to the old FGs. Glad I did.
I just got two FGs - 1976 180-1 Black Label and a 1980 FG 331. Both were in bad shape but I cleaned them all up, put bone nut/saddle and ebony pins in them and wowzers!! They are both maxed out on neck - 3mm on 12th with .010 neck relief - and will need neck resets or bridge shaves - just wonderful tones and sounds…intonation on both good as well as are frets. I now use D’Addario XS light PBs after years of using Elixirs…also the 66-82 FGs actually use plywood’s which is completely different than laminates. Complicated but have a read on that aspect. In essence much better and comparable to real woods. Great review.
Thanks, James! And Thanks for all the great info! Your additions sound like they are amazing and will bring you years of joy. What made you change from Elixirs to D'Addario's?
@@cksongwriter8216 I subscribe to JP Cormier ‘s channel and he is a Mozart of acoustics in knowledge. He, like me, have always stuck by Elixir PB light guage however recently he (D’Addario sent him some sets for free I would assume) put some on a couple of his guitars and apparently sounded better and last as long. So therefore I gave them a try - although in Canada I buy from Strings and Beyond a family owned shop in US as they have good deals and fair prices - and found them better on my Yamaha FGX3 and other FGs..seem brighter and better sustain…my Yamaha LL16 it made that too bright so use Elixirs on that still..John Pearse PB lights on my RK7 000 Dirty 30s and Tokai. On my Martin DX1AE I use Elixir still. On my inspired by Gibsons Hummingbird and J200 use the D’Addario XS PB). They are pricey though and I did break a 1st string on tuning once which pissed me off…never had that happen with Elixirs in over 15 years…but they do sound and play great. If a bright guitar I would stick with Elixer and on a bassy guitar I would use D’Addario XS PB…be careful though they do make XT as well…XS are white package.
@@jamesmacdon9351 Thanks so much for the in depth info! I will have to experiment and see how they work for me. I will also check out JP's channel. Sounds like it will be well worth my time! Much appreciated! :)
New strings and it'll sound great! Mine is a 1972 ( tuning fork logo, no "Yamaha") I got for $200 at Columbus Music Go Round this year (2024). Yeah, yours sounds like 1974. watch *America - Tin Man (1975) | LIVE - RUclips* and all their other songs on that empty TV studio performance in iirc Denmark. Great show!
I have my dad's old FG-170 that he bought in Japan after Nam when he was in the navy. I have 2 seagulls and a solid wood breed love and the Yami has more character than the other 3, laminate or not the years have done her voice justice.
I actually just adjusted two, mine and one was a lefty of a friends but they weren't to badly out and both where in bow. also did some bridge work on mine and lowered the strings some but at some point I'm going to have to do a neck reset on mine.
Hi Caroline. I had another question. I really like your old 80s songs by your group Odd Fellows Rest. Do you happen to have the lyrics to the songs? I didn't see any in the description area. Have a great day.
There is one at my local music store I fell in love with . The neck is twisted . I asked them to take 50.00 off for but they wouldn't so I didn't get it. I'm thinking of going to get it. Is the twisted neck a real big deal???? The guitar sure was cool. Lots of play wear and tear on it. Someone loved the heck out if it
When you say twisted, do you mean it's bowed? It's hard to answer your question without seeing it but if it plays well and you love it, I'd say , go for it!
@@cksongwriter8216 the neck is uneven. The guy at the store said the neck is twisted. Lol I never heard of that before. It was such a cool guitar. Glad I found your video. I enjoy your music and guitar reviews
Thanks so much, Tyler. Over the years, and doing a lot of research, I have never been able to find a definitive year for this one. I will keep looking.
@@tylerlabine9360 Right.. This one is a tan label. I do have another 160 that is a black label, though, as well. My black label is a '76, also. Great guitar!
I had that same guitar sometime in the late 80's and sold it for 100 bucks to help pay for a Gibson that was 500. It was a good guitar. I always kind of missed it. Does it sound better better your FG300? Seems like it but hard to tell in videos sometimes.
Honestly, I'd really have to put some new strings on this one and then compare. All the FG's sound great to me. Just off the top of my head though, I'd think that maybe the 300 may sound slightly better, but we'll have to see. :)
@@randykirby2866 Thanks, so much, Randy! I truly appreciate that! Yeah, that 300, when I bought it, had been sitting in someone's closet for 20 years. If I remember correctly, it had belonged to this person's grandpa. I believe he had bought it new in '69. It was certainly a good find! :)
I’m not sure it’s that the neck bends, my understanding is that the soundboard ‘bellies’ tilting the bridge forward but Yamahas are really difficult to get the neck off to carry out a neck reset, I think on account of the type of glue used in the factory.
People think laminate sides and back mean "cheap", but not the way the Japanese made these guitars then and why. It wasn't scrimping. They were high quality laminates, and explored because the solid wood guitars they were importing to the US were splitting en route (on ships) because of humidity, I suppose. It's hard to find a good one where the action isn't high, though, just because of age. The necks bow upward yielding to the tension of the strings, and so the cheap fix is to sand the bridge down and then maybe the saddle too, to bring things lower, but obviously there are limits. I've got a couple of reputable luthiers in my town, and the snootiest don't want to touch a neck reset for less than $600 - not saying that's too high. But they say, don't do it bc you'll never get your value out of it then. My view is, I'll never get my value of it anyway, and I'll be dead before a $2K Plus guitar is worth it to me (I'm old), so yeah, if I want I neck reset, I'll do it. I'm the Guardian of Broken Toys, and to me, these wonderful instruments are worth time and a little jingaling. That wood, that tone, that half-century old craftsmanship, it's worth it. We live in a throwaway culture. It sucks. (I typed this halfway through your video, but see on further viewing you know it all already because OF COURSE you do!! LOL, sorry for the "mansplaining." Not intended as such. XD
No problem at all, Ray! I appreciate your input! Yeah, my tech won't touch a neck reset on a vintage Yamaha.. too risky. But even with imperfect necks they are still amazing! :D
Hi, if it sounds that good with dead strings its a great guitar, show a video with new strings and jam with it to really show it off, i have a F 310 and i hate it i bought it when i did not know anything when i first started, its nothing like yours, enjoy it.oh, now i have the FG800 and it sounds very nice solid top brazing inside i love it, cheers
thanks....i play a tiny Martin a lot in my Kitchen...it is laminate too...which is actually good..cause ..it is more stabil..less..aflicted by heat/cold...sounds great so who cares...thanks for the review.. :) on this..i missed a Yamaha recently..i wanted to get...nice Guitar *
@@cksongwriter8216 No I traded it for a Yamaha 12 string 5 years later. I wish I still had it. It had the sweetest tone of any of the many guitars I've owned.
@@unclecharles3617 Aww, I'm sorry to hear that! Hindsight is 20/202, right!? I hocked a guitar back in the early 90's that I had since the 70's. It was a Yamaha Classical guitar. A regret I still have.
Every time I get the hots for a new guitar, I think - "But there could be another old FG out there that needs a little love!" I've got....eh....(COUGHSIXCOUGH)....now. Then I find the next FG. But I DID buy a new FG-830, and it's a gem.
Hey, Ray! I completely understand! haha! I have 6, also.. great minds think alike! Glad to hear you love the 830. I have looked at that one many times but never pulled the trigger. I'll have to check it out again! :D
Check inside the body of the guitar for a VIN. First digit will be the year of manufacturing. Second 2 digits are the month. It’s either a 74 or 75 because those are the only years this guitar was made with both the logo and the word Yamaha on the head stock. Past those years it would be one or the other. That’s my understanding anyway.
I have the money to buy a d28 fg-160 and a Japanese takamine the d28 is on the backburner I can afford a d28 these old Japanese guitars once you string them up and play them and reactivate them they're just so awesome way different
As an fyi, the Republic of China would probably be upset to hear that it doesn't exist anymore... The government of the People's Republic of China would be very happy to hear that declaimed, however. We North Americans have certain shortcomings in our understanding of the world, hopefully that will improve.
Thanks! I may have not been clear with my words. As far as I know, and I could be wrong, but nothing made in Taiwan is labeled The Republic of China, anymore.
there is a way to bring the top back to where it was.. you need to make a insulated chamber in the body cavity, then wire in a heat lamp, a smaller one not the large bulb, your goal is to heat up the wood behind the bridge and the bracing almost to the sides , cover sound hole, place guitar inside a good solid case, then you need to gradually add shims to the top tight where its bulging to push the top back down while its heating up, oh to 165 degrees or so? I use 3 stacks of casino chips and add a chip each time, I cover the top and then have a piece of wood to put the ships on, a piece of 1/8th inch plywood its flexible and will form to the top, then I put a chamois under the plywood, then stack chips till the lid when closed puts pressure on the top, add chips each time or every half hour till its back where you wan tit, then with the lid closed on your shims, unplug the heat source and llet completely cool, the wood should stay, if not you can heat to depress slightly so with tension its perfect.. WORKS
I have the exact same guitar FG160 L Republic of China Made in Taiwan I believe it's 1975 if Taiwan is above China on the model sticker it's 1974 not sure though
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
I just bought a 1973 FG-160 recently from a local seller. Looks a lot like yours. By the serial number, it just turned 49 last month. I only bought it to clean it up and resell but fell in love with it and decided to keep it. I swear it has more character and tone than my other Yamaha and Taylor. It resonates and sustains like no other acoustic I’ve ever played. These are special guitars indeed and were built to last.
Hey, Pete... That's awesome! I totally agree, they are very special guitars! I'm really glad to hear that you decided to keep your 160. I'll be interested to know what your next FG purchase is.. because you know another is coming! 😃
@@cksongwriter8216 Guilty. I've already been looking around at red label Nippon Gakki FG-180's. Definitely see one of those in my future.
@@festushaggen2563 You will love the 180! I have one that I need to do a video on. It's a winner! 😀
I have four hanging on the wall beside my bed, and if I cough or sneeze, it sounds like the Bells of St. Mary's for about 15 seconds. And I have four hanging around my office chair, and same deal there. They are so rich, it makes me sick. I want to buy a new guitar, maybe a Martin D-28 or a Recording King RD-328, something like that - "respectable" - but everytime I get close, another FG gem pops up. I bought an FG-75-1 from a lady who met me at a beach parking lot for the hand off, and she pulled it out of the back of her car. Her husband bought it new 50 years ago, and his hands were too arthritic to play it anymore. The case was absolutely filthy, and so was the guitar inside. But I could tell the finish was in good shape, got it cleaned up and set up, and I swear it looks brand new. It's the "-1" so it has X-bracing and better tone. It's a smaller body than dreadnought, but bigger than parlor or O series. A bit trebley by nature, but still, crystalline and pure sound, with tone and sustain. Love it, and I have 2, both in equally great shape. Paid $100 for the one described.
@@truthray2885 Sounds like a beauty! It's so cool when get a little gem like that! And the Bells of St Mary's.. I feel your pain! LOL!
I just found one at a local shop for 275 and I also have the exact same epiphone you did a video on. Both are before I saw your video so I’d say we have similar taste in guitars 😊
Sure sounds like it! Those Yamaha FGs and some of the Epiphones are amazing!
Just reclaimed my '74 FG-160 from my daughter that I bought brand new when I was in the Army....I loaned it to her for years but she never got serious about it....haven't played in decades but picking it up again now that I'm retired. You were spot on about the neck and my guitar "guy" did a tweak and lowered the action and now its a sweet piece.
Hey dreanof! That's great! Glad you got it back and are getting back into playing! Lowered action on the 160... Sweet, indeed!! 😃
Just bought an FG 330 early 80s. Nothing beats Yamaha imo
Owned a LL16 for years and it’s my main axe
Totally agree!!
Normally, I skip the chat to the guitar playing section, but those eyes kept me glued in place😁
Aww, thank you so much! That's very sweet of you to say! :)
poor mans Martin was the saying...nice guitars. I had one, in the 1970/80s couldnt believe how good they sounded. Today the new Yamaha woods custom " japan" made are awesome on par with Martin for a whole lot less.
J’ai la chance posséder une Martin d16 gt et c’est assez extraordinaire, j’adore les yamaha ( j’en possède ) mais Martin c’est tout de même fabuleux
My friend just picked one up for $50 at a garage sale, also a white label possibly the same year. Very cool acoustic guitar. Also, woah! at 3:53. I play the Amaj7->Dmaj7 progression all the time, exactly the same way. Sounds so nice :)
Hey, aad! Wow, 50 bucks is a serious steal!! Congrats to your friend! And yeah, Major7th's are purely magical! Thanks so much for stopping by! :D
Hi there I just came across your video and I must say I fully agree with you because i have the exact same model made in japan in 1972.
I bought it 2 years ago off a man in England, im Irish, he had it for years and was getting too old to play it and wanted it to go to a good home. Payed about 300 euro for it.
As you say the old FG's are notorius for the neck pulling in them over time and the action gets very high, sometimes the neck is too far gone and it would need a neck reset, very expensive and a big job for a Luthier. The action on my 160 was a bit too high so sanded down the saddle and Bridge and got it down to about 3mm on the twelfth fret, which is not bad. There was also a lot of fret wear on the first 5 frets, so I replaced them myself too. Put a new set of strings on it and oh my God what a great sounding guitar. It really rings like a bell, its quite loud and trebly with bass also
but it just cuts through, when you strum it hard it gets really loud too! Its dinged up and scratched and old lookig but I just don't care it sounds fantastic.
I play in pub sessions here in Ireland and Ive seen Taylors, Martins, Epiphone masterbuilts etc. But seriously you can here the 160 over them all. They are a pleasure to play
and i will never sell it. BTW the FG-300 from late 60's/70's are supposed to be the best and I would love to get my hands on one of them. Thankl you for the video and its nice
to see Kim Basingers younger sister on youtube...
Hey! Sorry for the late reply! Your 160 sounds amazing! Ya know what I'd love to get my hands on, too is the FG 200! I rarely come across them, though. And thanks for the Kim compliment! 😊
My first guitar was an all laminated Yamaha with Rosewood back and sides.
It was a great sounding guitar.
I took it with me to Army Basic Training in 1970.
I got it as a graduation present from high school by my parents.
It would have been made in either 1969 or 1970.
I don't remember what model it was though.
Would you have any guess?
I'm sure it was an FG, but which one, I don't know.
No doubt it sounds excellent for an All-lamimate construction guitar and you are very lucky! I have yet to find my vintage Yamaha.
Hey, Eric! Thanks! And there are plenty of great, vintage Yamahas out there. I know you'll a find a beauty! :)
Ooh! Take a look at your headstock.
- maybe has 3 guitar logo?
MThe 70’s ones usually have a logo with 3 tuning forks.
I think yours is special - and you have cross-bracing. Many don’t.
I have 2 Taylors, and I found you listening to the old FGs. Glad I did.
Hey! Thank you! Yes, the vintage FGs are simply amazing!
I just got two FGs - 1976 180-1 Black Label and a 1980 FG 331. Both were in bad shape but I cleaned them all up, put bone nut/saddle and ebony pins in them and wowzers!! They are both maxed out on neck - 3mm on 12th with .010 neck relief - and will need neck resets or bridge shaves - just wonderful tones and sounds…intonation on both good as well as are frets. I now use D’Addario XS light PBs after years of using Elixirs…also the 66-82 FGs actually use plywood’s which is completely different than laminates. Complicated but have a read on that aspect. In essence much better and comparable to real woods. Great review.
Thanks, James! And Thanks for all the great info! Your additions sound like they are amazing and will bring you years of joy. What made you change from Elixirs to D'Addario's?
@@cksongwriter8216 I subscribe to JP Cormier ‘s channel and he is a Mozart of acoustics in knowledge. He, like me, have always stuck by Elixir PB light guage however recently he (D’Addario sent him some sets for free I would assume) put some on a couple of his guitars and apparently sounded better and last as long. So therefore I gave them a try - although in Canada I buy from Strings and Beyond a family owned shop in US as they have good deals and fair prices - and found them better on my Yamaha FGX3 and other FGs..seem brighter and better sustain…my Yamaha LL16 it made that too bright so use Elixirs on that still..John Pearse PB lights on my RK7 000 Dirty 30s and Tokai. On my Martin DX1AE I use Elixir still. On my inspired by Gibsons Hummingbird and J200 use the D’Addario XS PB). They are pricey though and I did break a 1st string on tuning once which pissed me off…never had that happen with Elixirs in over 15 years…but they do sound and play great. If a bright guitar I would stick with Elixer and on a bassy guitar I would use D’Addario XS PB…be careful though they do make XT as well…XS are white package.
@@jamesmacdon9351 Thanks so much for the in depth info! I will have to experiment and see how they work for me. I will also check out JP's channel. Sounds like it will be well worth my time! Much appreciated! :)
@@jamesmacdon9351 JP is gaga about Yamahas too! Respect!
New strings and it'll sound great! Mine is a 1972 ( tuning fork logo, no "Yamaha") I got for $200 at Columbus Music Go Round this year (2024). Yeah, yours sounds like 1974. watch *America - Tin Man (1975) | LIVE - RUclips* and all their other songs on that empty TV studio performance in iirc Denmark. Great show!
Wow, what a steal!! Thanks!
I have my dad's old FG-170 that he bought in Japan after Nam when he was in the navy. I have 2 seagulls and a solid wood breed love and the Yami has more character than the other 3, laminate or not the years have done her voice justice.
Yes, time does wonders for an FG!
I did a vid on a black label FG160. Great guitar. An absolute canon!
Agreed! Amazing guitars! I'll have to check out your video! Thanks!
Picked up one at the pawn shop the other day for $80.... fantastic guitar.
What a steal!
I've owned 3 all red labels bought a 160 new that was stolen I have since found a 75 and 140 that I play every day amazing guitars
Can't beat the FGs!!
Caroline...what happened to your other songs? Did you have another RUclips channel? I was looking for Made In America. Thanks girl.
Wow, Made in America?? Now, there's a throwback! haha! I think that's on my ckrieger36 channel. It's still up but I haven't used it in years.
@@cksongwriter8216
Thanks girl! You were correct. The older songs are on the other channel.
@@TracyTodd2199 You bet! Anytime!
There’s a difference in that one is a jumbo (China) and the other is a dreadnaut.
Lovely!
Yes! Thank you!
I actually just adjusted two, mine and one was a lefty of a friends but they weren't to badly out and both where in bow. also did some bridge work on mine and lowered the strings some but at some point I'm going to have to do a neck reset on mine.
Hey, Johnny.. I apologize, I am just seeing your comment. Did you do that neck reset?
The Yamaha FG160 was made between 1972 - 1974.
Hey! Thanks for the info! Always appreciate learning something new!
@cksongwriter8216 try tuning that Yamaha down a full step. You'll get a much sweeter sound.
DGCFAD
All the chord fingerings are the same.
@@RRStout Thanks!
Hi Caroline. I had another question. I really like your old 80s songs by your group Odd Fellows Rest.
Do you happen to have the lyrics to the songs? I didn't see any in the description area.
Have a great day.
Hey, Tracy! I'm currently in the hospital but would be happy to help you out when I can. Are you looking for any specific song?
@@cksongwriter8216
Hey Caroline. The song is called "Love Always".
Hope you feel better.
There is one at my local music store I fell in love with . The neck is twisted . I asked them to take 50.00 off for but they wouldn't so I didn't get it. I'm thinking of going to get it. Is the twisted neck a real big deal???? The guitar sure was cool. Lots of play wear and tear on it. Someone loved the heck out if it
When you say twisted, do you mean it's bowed? It's hard to answer your question without seeing it but if it plays well and you love it, I'd say , go for it!
@@cksongwriter8216 the neck is uneven. The guy at the store said the neck is twisted. Lol I never heard of that before. It was such a cool guitar. Glad I found your video. I enjoy your music and guitar reviews
Balanced and the 2nd and 3rd sting don't jump out, a good thing😁
Yeah, great instrument!
the year is encoded in the serial number on these. i have a 76 black label
Thanks so much, Tyler. Over the years, and doing a lot of research, I have never been able to find a definitive year for this one. I will keep looking.
@@cksongwriter8216 I'm busy ATM but I'll try to hunt down the forum I learned it from later today and post link
mine is 25th guitar made on 1-13-76 at taiwan kaohsiung factory but different labels have different systems and locations. i have black label
@@tylerlabine9360 Right.. This one is a tan label. I do have another 160 that is a black label, though, as well. My black label is a '76, also. Great guitar!
I had that same guitar sometime in the late 80's and sold it for 100 bucks to help pay for a Gibson that was 500. It was a good guitar. I always kind of missed it. Does it sound better better your FG300? Seems like it but hard to tell in videos sometimes.
Honestly, I'd really have to put some new strings on this one and then compare. All the FG's sound great to me. Just off the top of my head though, I'd think that maybe the 300 may sound slightly better, but we'll have to see. :)
@@cksongwriter8216 That 300 is stunning. I had never seen one til you showed it. I enjoy your videos and looking forward to your new music.
@@randykirby2866 Thanks, so much, Randy! I truly appreciate that! Yeah, that 300, when I bought it, had been sitting in someone's closet for 20 years. If I remember correctly, it had belonged to this person's grandpa. I believe he had bought it new in '69. It was certainly a good find! :)
I’m not sure it’s that the neck bends, my understanding is that the soundboard ‘bellies’ tilting the bridge forward but Yamahas are really difficult to get the neck off to carry out a neck reset, I think on account of the type of glue used in the factory.
Yes, that's exactly right.. it's the glue used. That's what my tech told me. Now that you mention it!
People think laminate sides and back mean "cheap", but not the way the Japanese made these guitars then and why. It wasn't scrimping. They were high quality laminates, and explored because the solid wood guitars they were importing to the US were splitting en route (on ships) because of humidity, I suppose. It's hard to find a good one where the action isn't high, though, just because of age. The necks bow upward yielding to the tension of the strings, and so the cheap fix is to sand the bridge down and then maybe the saddle too, to bring things lower, but obviously there are limits. I've got a couple of reputable luthiers in my town, and the snootiest don't want to touch a neck reset for less than $600 - not saying that's too high. But they say, don't do it bc you'll never get your value out of it then. My view is, I'll never get my value of it anyway, and I'll be dead before a $2K Plus guitar is worth it to me (I'm old), so yeah, if I want I neck reset, I'll do it. I'm the Guardian of Broken Toys, and to me, these wonderful instruments are worth time and a little jingaling. That wood, that tone, that half-century old craftsmanship, it's worth it. We live in a throwaway culture. It sucks. (I typed this halfway through your video, but see on further viewing you know it all already because OF COURSE you do!! LOL, sorry for the "mansplaining." Not intended as such. XD
No problem at all, Ray! I appreciate your input! Yeah, my tech won't touch a neck reset on a vintage Yamaha.. too risky. But even with imperfect necks they are still amazing! :D
Hi, if it sounds that good with dead strings its a great guitar, show a video with new strings and jam with it to really show it off, i have a F 310 and i hate it i bought it when i did not know anything when i first started, its nothing like yours, enjoy it.oh, now i have the FG800 and it sounds very nice solid top brazing inside i love it, cheers
I'd love to that 800!
thanks....i play a tiny Martin a lot in my Kitchen...it is laminate too...which is actually good..cause ..it is more stabil..less..aflicted by heat/cold...sounds great so who cares...thanks for the review.. :) on this..i missed a Yamaha recently..i wanted to get...nice Guitar *
Sorry to hear you missed it! Maybe you'll be able to grab the next one! 😊And yes, some laminates are amazing!! 😃
FG 160 was my first guitar. I worked on a farm for $2.10 per hour and saved my first 2 paychecks to buy it.
That's a great story! it's a really nice guitar. Do you still have it? I hope so! :)
@@cksongwriter8216 No I traded it for a Yamaha 12 string 5 years later. I wish I still had it. It had the sweetest tone of any of the many guitars I've owned.
@@unclecharles3617 Aww, I'm sorry to hear that! Hindsight is 20/202, right!? I hocked a guitar back in the early 90's that I had since the 70's. It was a Yamaha Classical guitar. A regret I still have.
Every time I get the hots for a new guitar, I think - "But there could be another old FG out there that needs a little love!" I've got....eh....(COUGHSIXCOUGH)....now. Then I find the next FG. But I DID buy a new FG-830, and it's a gem.
Hey, Ray! I completely understand! haha! I have 6, also.. great minds think alike! Glad to hear you love the 830. I have looked at that one many times but never pulled the trigger. I'll have to check it out again! :D
sounds good to me..
Thanks, so much!
This is good old yamaha, i by one to day fg160 made in China 🎉
Can't beat it!
Check inside the body of the guitar for a VIN. First digit will be the year of manufacturing. Second 2 digits are the month. It’s either a 74 or 75 because those are the only years this guitar was made with both the logo and the word Yamaha on the head stock. Past those years it would be one or the other. That’s my understanding anyway.
Thanks for the info, James! I will definitely check it out to see if I can find a definitive answer. 😀
I have the money to buy a d28 fg-160 and a Japanese takamine the d28 is on the backburner I can afford a d28 these old Japanese guitars once you string them up and play them and reactivate them they're just so awesome way different
As an fyi, the Republic of China would probably be upset to hear that it doesn't exist anymore... The government of the People's Republic of China would be very happy to hear that declaimed, however. We North Americans have certain shortcomings in our understanding of the world, hopefully that will improve.
Thanks! I may have not been clear with my words. As far as I know, and I could be wrong, but nothing made in Taiwan is labeled The Republic of China, anymore.
@@cksongwriter8216 Just an fyi. Thanks for the helpful review. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan
there is a way to bring the top back to where it was.. you need to make a insulated chamber in the body cavity, then wire in a heat lamp, a smaller one not the large bulb, your goal is to heat up the wood behind the bridge and the bracing almost to the sides , cover sound hole, place guitar inside a good solid case, then you need to gradually add shims to the top tight where its bulging to push the top back down while its heating up, oh to 165 degrees or so? I use 3 stacks of casino chips and add a chip each time, I cover the top and then have a piece of wood to put the ships on, a piece of 1/8th inch plywood its flexible and will form to the top, then I put a chamois under the plywood, then stack chips till the lid when closed puts pressure on the top, add chips each time or every half hour till its back where you wan tit, then with the lid closed on your shims, unplug the heat source and llet completely cool, the wood should stay, if not you can heat to depress slightly so with tension its perfect.. WORKS
Thanks so much for the great advice, Dean! Seems like a little too much for my brain but glad to have it in my hip pocket! Thanks! 😀
Just got one for $250, few marks on it but think I got a good deal, mines a black label so I think it’s 1974
You got a winner!!
You are a real pretty girl 🙂
Thank you, very much!
@@cksongwriter8216 You siren! XD XD Not kidding!!
@@truthray2885 Well, thank you, Ray! You're too kind!
I have the exact same guitar FG160 L Republic of China
Made in Taiwan
I believe it's 1975 if Taiwan is above China on the model sticker it's 1974 not sure though
Thanks for the info!!
Dolly Parton has a look alike
Aww, thank you!
It’s a made in Taiwan good guitar.
but not as good as the ones made in Japan until 1970 production switched to Taiwan
I agree... The made in Japan guitars rock! The 70's Taiwan are darn good, though, in my opinion. :)
Dig
Thank you, very much!