They can be great guitars, most are quite good and to me the very best choice for travel guitar. Fretwear is a minor concern but make sure the truss rod works, I've seen ones where it's been stripped or broken, probably because someone tried to fix what needed an neck reset by tightening. I know in the old days a lot of bluegrassers that could afford a second Martin used them as their backup guitar. After my research online I thought I’d end up with a Martin. He stills owns and plays it regularly, though he now plays Lowdens during performances and recording. I also like the Taylor 322E, but that is a lot more expensive, and tbh, still not as good as the Yamahas. Martin and the other guitar brands I mentioned need to take a lesson from Yamaha. It helped me get into playing more acoustic. It was in very good condition. Registered Member. It may not be obvious that there were subtle changes made between about 6 months and nearly 3 years after the Red label FG’s became available in the beginning of 1967. But the modern incarnations add up-to-date features like a new scalloped bracing pattern, Yamaha’s “Atmosfeel” pickup and preamp system, and tonewoods “aged” through the company’s pressure-, humidity-, and temperature-treating process. I don't own either brands, but lately I've been going into stores trying different guitars to see what I might get next, and the Yamaha FG3/FGX3 blew me away. There's been a bunch of these threads about Yamaha red labels and laminates vs solid etc. Can anyone speak to their experiences with the new Yamaha Red Label guitars? It’s a great guitar. Well made guitars. The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum > Guitars > The Guitar Critic's Corner > New Yamaha FG5. They are making a STATEMENT to the World. Some are obvious, some are not. 3,078 756 3. The fit and finish are perfect. Buena Park, CA (April 26, 2019) -- Yamaha today launched the FG Red Label series of acoustic guitars, blending the vintage, handcrafted design of iconic early Yamaha instruments with the company’s cutting-edge technological innovation in wood conditioning and true-to-life sound reproduction.. If that's not a selling point for one of these guitars, I don't know what is! The FGX5 should be equally impressive. For me, the best Martin in the same price range is the 000-15m, but the Yamaha is just flat out better. In re-reading his e-mail, I realized that he had noted that his guitar does not have a red label, but a "yellowish one". Golden Nehru Jacket Award, Friends of The Gopher Society, http://cgi.ebay.com/71-Ya...ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem, http://www.acousticguitar...s/showthread.php?t=145187. Am I losing / missing out on anything by not getting a Martin? I own a Yamaha FS5 Red Label for about 3 months or so now. Registered User : Join Date: Dec 2016. Welcome to r/guitar, a community devoted to the exchange of guitar related information and entertainment. I thought I would get a Larrivee L-03 in the future, but I didn't like the feel and sound last time I played one. Back then I played hard enough and long enough to bust strings during a gig, and so need a backup, so I got my first FG-180 Yamaha. I've been obsessing over how amazing those Yamahas I've tried have sounded and felt. Has anyone ever seen that beast or is it a figment of my memory? Share with: Link: Copy link. The so called lawsuit takamines weren't too bad either. I more than likely am wrong, but I have a vague memory that at one point maybe in the sixties, the FG-180 had a solid top. Watch this one and see what happens: Back in the early '70s in Louisville, I played lots of long solo nights. Wow, Frank thanks for that link! I've had 2 Red Label FG180s and 4 Gold label ones ('70s period). The change to the common label happened in June/July 1967. I had a red label FG-180 30 years ago, based [as Dave notes] on its "poor-man's Martin" reputation. The Yamaha Red Label FG-180 is the only one that I know of that is particularly sought after. Sounds like you may have found one of the luck few 45 year old red label Yamaha's that still doesn't need a … it was said back in the '70s but I never saw one and haven't still, there were Yams that were solid from then but carried a 700 series red label (I think), played one about 3 years ago in a pawn shop, wanted $1200 for it as I remember, was good but not that good, certainly did look great however, Kerry, This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our, Queen Annes Revenge, loyal sea dog, grog. He graciously gave me all the details of his guitar, including its purchase price, where and when he bought it and how it has faired over the years. There's an interesting thread over at the AGF right now with a Yamaha guitars timeline. What should I look for and how much are these worth? I realized that I enjoy a more mellow, warm sound that the mahogany back and sides provide. The fg180, a hot item worth a lot these days, is a solid copy of a Martin D-18, with a terrific sound. Prices should be between $100 and $300 depending on model. Yamaha’s Red Label guitars were introduced to America in 1968, but the line itself goes back to October 1966. SalFromChatham. 24 posts 1; 2; Next; New Yamaha FG5 New Yamaha FG5. I should have stayed in and won the thing, but I was out of town when the bidding was concluded and had set my max bid too low. What we have in the test area today is a from the reissued Red Label range, a Japanese-built FG5. These were well-constructed, great-sounding guitars from Japan that were made in the classic tradition of steel-string, flat-top guitar design and tone, with their own innovative tweaks. One of the dumbest things I've ever done was part with my FG-180. 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