| Author |
Message |
Cheeseboy
Username: Cheeseboy
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Friday, October 07, 2005 - 6:46 pm: | |
I've heard a lot lately about the early 70's red label Yamaha acoustics (e.g. FG-110, FG-180 etc) being superb sounding instruments. How do they compare to Ibanez guitars of this period? A lot of people are getting really excited about them and the prices on ebay are still pretty cheap.
Anyone played both? |
Meranti
Username: Meranti
Registered: 07-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 5:25 am: | |
IMHO the Yamaha FG series from the early 70s are totally different to Ibanez in that they are original designs while Ibanez were copies of established designs.
I have played both and I prefer the Yamaha FG series. I like it because it has a very clear response and brillant trebles. The minus of these guitars are (1) the neck is slightly narrower (I have a FG-140) and (2) I can only string it with light gauge strings as the neck appears not to be able to take medium gauge. My brother has the same model and we both have the same problem. The top is very thin and although the FG-140 has a laminated top it has a very nice tone. When strummed, it has that glassy kind of tone.
I remember reading an interview with Jimmy Page in the 70s where I remembered him raving that if you can find one of these good Yamaha acoustics it will sound as good as a Martin!
I have also compared it to a Martin and all I can say is that the tone is different but will not make me stop playing the Yamaha.
In Japan there is a special publication on the FG series or maybe more specific the FG-160 (if my memory serves me well). There is quite a following in Japan for this series of guitars.
In summary, the FG series are great guitars.
Regards,
Meranti |
Bluesmeister
Username: Bluesmeister
Registered: 05-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 9:44 pm: | |
I have a Yamaha FG-300, I think it's a 1972 or '73 model, I've had it since new, I bought it in the UK in Manchester. If you search for this particular model you will see that it has a fully adjustable bridge for height and individual string intonation.
Mine is really badly dinged from years of careless handling, but with a new set of phosphor-bronze strings she sings.
Mine's a red-label Nippon-Gakki, and suffers the lifting scratch-plate that seems to plague this particular model. Luckily for me the scratch-plate hasn't shrunk, which is another thing they tend to suffer from. |
Sibly
Username: Sibly
Registered: 05-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 7:17 am: | |
I've missed out on several concords and ibanezes over the past month or so, but recently picked up a '76 Yamaha FG-156-1 that is the best sounding acoustic i have ever heard/played. It's later than the Nippon era, Taiwan, but is superb. I've never played an early Ibanez to compare, but it smacks my '86 FG420 into obscurity. |
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