There is magic in this old small Yamaha

[taabru45]

Unbelievable tone this thing has, its made in Taiwan, black label, model FG110-1....apparently very rare. I was showing my friends at the music store yesterday. They had a new D28 that was on sale somebody bought then changed their mind...$1500, ouch. but aside from the dead strings on my yammy, they sounded very similar, even a customer/musician said so, simply mind blowing. Looks like they only made them for a short while in 69-70. Its quickly becoming my go to guitar, I'm joining those who prefer the smaller more comfortable size....if you ever see a black label yamaha, check it out....this one is amazing. Steffan

 

[southernGuild]

Cant argue with a good A-B like that. Good to know. Sounds like a winner Tabbs......Glad she's yours!

 

[taabru45]

John, I had to take a bit off the rosewood bridge lower the saddle and tweek the truss rod. I got it just because....got it for about the cost of 3 sets of strings...but after cleaning the gunge off it and stringing it up......simply amazing..might be from 74-75 hard to tell...Steffan

 

[Ridgemont]

Glad to hear that your Yammy passed the test. I was given some very good advice when comparing guitars years ago. Play the two. If you can't tell the difference, buy the cheaper one. If you can, well, buy the one that sounds better.

BTW, that D28 is a good price. And, from what I have been told, will turn into a killer guitar once it opens up with some playing. Just remember, there is a reason why the D28 is the most famous guitar around.

 

[adorshki]

John, I had to take a bit off the rosewood bridge lower the saddle and tweek the truss rod. I got it just because....got it for about the cost of 3 sets of strings...but after cleaning the gunge off it and stringing it up......simply amazing..might be from 74-75 hard to tell...Steffan

Good to see ya checkin' in buddy!
I seem to recall hearing about Yamahas being real "hidden gems" those "back in the day".

 

[taabru45]

Hi Al, I'm told laminate guitars don't open up...ain't no way this started life with this much tone.

 

[adorshki]

Are you sure it's a laminate top?
I'm also thinkin', they were piano makers too, maybe they knew a trick or two?
:wink:

 

[taabru45]

Are you sure it's a laminate top?
I'm also thinkin', they were piano makers too, maybe they knew a trick or two?
:wink:

They only started solid tops around 75-76. It's lam and lightly braced but no belly at all.

 

[southernGuild]

Good to see ya checkin' in buddy!

Yep, That too!
....and yes indeed, Those early Yammis Ive met were pretty darn good guitars. They certainly stand their ground.

^^Good advice there too Ridge.

 

[gjmalcyon]

Unbelievable tone this thing has, its made in Taiwan, black label, model FG110-1....

My first guitar (see my sig., below) was a red label "Nippon Gakki" FG-110. It's responsible for my meeting my wife. Local "sound reinforcement" store almost wrecked it attempting to make a few repairs, and I put it away. Took it to Pete Brown, and after a replacement rosewood bridge and bone nut and saddle, it is now a beautiful-sounding guitar that I will never, ever part with.

Since I've spent so much time with it, its still the easiest guitar for me to play.

And it appears to have a solid top.

 

[kyguild]

I bought my FG-110 in 1972. All laminated, but it has definitely improved over the years. Mine is a red label, made in Japan. Generally speaking, if you can find any of the old red label Nippon Gakki guitars, snap them up. Maybe something special about the glue used in the top lamination, but the sound does improve with age on these gits..

KY

 

[gjmalcyon]

I bought my FG-110 in 1972. All laminated ... KY

I stand corrected - I just checked with a high-power flashlight and my clip-on magnifiers, and my FG-110 top is indeed laminated.

If you have one of these, I suggest replacing the original plastic nut and saddle with bone or some similar material. Made a big improvement in the sound of mine; getting rid of the nasally "quack" it had in the mid-range.

 

[taabru45]

I stand corrected - I just checked with a high-power flashlight and my clip-on magnifiers, and my FG-110 top is indeed laminated.

If you have one of these, I suggest replacing the original plastic nut and saddle with bone or some similar material. Made a big improvement in the sound of mine; getting rid of the nasally "quack" it had in the mid-range.

Another advantage of laminates, the wood is less susceptible to 'quacks'.

 

[gjmalcyon]

Another advantage of laminates, the wood is less susceptible to 'quacks'.

That's just wrong. And wack.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

Another advantage of laminates, the wood is less susceptible to 'quacks'.

:smile:

 

[adorshki]

Steffan, have you been out wabbit hunting with that Elmer Fudd character again?