Yamaha FG-110

by Samantha Katz
(NY)

I recently went to the guitar store to get my strings changed, and the employee informed me that my guitar is vintage, which is something I never knew. It's a Yamaha FG-110, it has the red label inside that says Nippon Gakki. The serial number is 20317134, and it is located in the sound hole right beneath the neck. I'm not sure if I have the original case, how would I go about finding that out? The case seems old enough to be the original. Sound quality is very good. The guitar has minor scratches and dents that are barely noticeable, and there is also a slightly more visible scratch about that is about 7.5 inches in length on the front of the body. There is a small chip in the top left corner of the headstock. On the upper right side of the body there is a spot 1 inch long and 1/2 cm wide where the finish has a scratched-off appearance. The finish on the outer right rim of the sound hole is also a little scratched-off. Overall, I would say the guitar is in good condition, but that is not an experts opinion.

ANSWER

Hi, Samantha--

The FG series has been surrounded by a lot of controversy as to value. Owners swear by them and the Blue Book values on them are very low.

Here is the Blue Book general info:

FG-110
- folk-style body, spruce top, maple or katsura back and sides, round soundhole with multi-ring rosette, black body binding, nato neck, 14/20-fret bubinga fingerboard with dot inlays, three-per-side nickel-plated tuners with plastic buttons, rosewood bridge, black or tortoise pickguard, available in Natural finish, 25 in. scale, mfg. 1969-1973.

The pricing info:

Excellent $150 - 200
Average $95 - 120

I am sure that your guitar is worth much more to you and really, that is all that matters.

Lynne