Yamaha FG180

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Yamaha FG180

by Peter Smith
(UK)

FG-180 Peter Smith

Red label inside body with the words "YAMAHA GUITAR" and "FG-180"

"Made in Taiwan" on the back of the back of the headstock.

Serial number printed inside the body on the inside heel of the neck: T0184625

Could you give me a valuation and any interesting background info on this guitar please and, if you know how second hand prices compare in the UK where I live, that would be appreciated, although not expected.

Thanks for your help, I have made a 2 dollar donation through paypal.

Peter

ANSWER

Hi, Peter--

Pretty guitar--thanks for the pics!

Here is the Blue Book general info:

FG-180
- dreadnought-style body, select spruce top, mahogany back and sides, round soundhole with multi-ring rosette, multi-ply body binding, mahogany neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, three-per-side nickel-plated tuners, rosewood bridge, black pickguard, available in Natural finish, mfg. 1969-1971.

The pricing info:

Excellent $250 - 300
Average $135 - 175

The FG-140, FG-180, and the FG-300 were the original six-string jumbo guitars introduced in 1969.

I don't know why the Blue Book value is so low. Owners of these guitars swear by them, but apparently, according to the Blue Book, they are not in great demand as collectors items.

There is an interesting discussion about these guitars here: Harmony Central

As you can tell from the discussion, some owners have paid quite a bit more than the Blue Book price.

I am sorry, but I have no access to specific prices in the UK.

Lynne

Comments for
Yamaha FG180

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Dec 26, 2011
Rating

good guitar
by: len

l have bought my new in around 69 and it has the red tag and made in japan and like they say you play in a party and they cant bury you.

Dec 13, 2011
Rating

Yamaha FG-180-1
by: Rick

For about a year I have had a few extra bucks in my pocket and I have played every vintage guitar I could find under $500. There sure is a mishmash of Kays, Epis, Framus, and on and on. I had mostly resolved it to myself that it may just not be possible to get the vintage/sound that my ear wants to hear in a older guitar. Well along came a posting for a Yamaha 1976 FG180-1. I was not realy charged but the seller was local and a semi-pro blues man so I went to have a look and play a bit. WOW WOW WOW simply amazing!!!!! all original few if any marks and the sound and sustain....I could go on and on...so dont discount the 180-1. The seller also had the Red Label early version..same strings etc. and I tell you the -1 sounded better.....so the FG180-1 is now mine.

Sep 27, 2011
Rating

NIPPON GAKKI VS TAIWAN MADE
by: Manny

I have both Red Label FG180. The Nippon Gakki one has a lighter shade of yellow spruce top that has a nice patina to it. The two Taiwan made FG180's that I own has a darker shade spruce top,and I've always wondered why they are different. I always thought that the ones that were made in Taiwan in the early years used the same wood that the Nippon Gakki used because they were shipped from Japan and because they had a lot in stock and saved a lot of money in the process. And they were not really expensive wood and that is why they were brought to the Taiwan factory for the first production in the early years. About the sound. My Nippon Gakki FG180 has a beautiful bright sound and it is very sweet. It's not as bright as the D18,at least mine is not. But the two Taiwan made FG's that I have is exceptional. I love its looks,it's darker,more like honey-color spruce top. And the sound is just amazing. I actually prefer these two guitars over the one that is made in Japan. I believe the Taiwanese factory workers was trying to show the Japanese executives from Yamaha Japan that they can also build quality guitars given the right equipment and materials. These Taiwan made FG180's,and most of the ones that came out of that factory in the early 70's,were quality made acoustic guitars. I also own a Taiwan made FG160,early 70's, that is a gem. Very rich sound,and it just rings after you strum it. It actually sounds better than my 1972 Martin D28,which, by the way, I sold because it didn't really grab me or talk to me sound-wise. I also have a lawsuit 1978 Takamine F340 that is just as good as my D28. Actually, a little bit better than my D28 and that is why I still have it. But I keep going back to my FG180's when I want to play. These guitars will just get better with age,and they're already 40+ or almost 40 yrs old.I believe their sound has not reached its peak yet. I play mine everyday and I've heard people say that you have to play these instruments on a regular basis to get their sound to mature,that the vibration does something to the wood and its sound. I don't know if that is true,but it kind of makes sense. This I know:I will never part with my FG's. No way.

Aug 20, 2011
Rating

My first good accoustic
by: Droydx

I bought my 1970 FG180 in 1971 for $100.00. I wanted a Martin D28 at the time, but they cost almost $500.00 back then.I have now handed it down to my daughter, my main acoustic is now a 1966 J50 Gibson. I can say that the Yamaha has a very nice midrange, that is noticeable when playing with other guitars...It doesn't have the bottom end or high end clarity of a Martin D28, however. My neck is straight, but many truss rods were screwed up by younger owners. The spruce top has aged wonderfully, and my daughter has it on one condition, that it never be sold.

Other than changing out the horrible open gear stock tuners for grovers back in about 1979, it hasn't needed any repairs.

Jun 17, 2011
Rating

Yamaha FG180
by: Pete Olsen

I played a borrowed one of these at a folk club in 1971 and had to have one. By the time I got mine, they were coming in from Taiwan rather than Japan, and the price had gone up quite a lot, from #48 to #65 if I remember. All I have done to mine is shaved the bridge and nipped the truss rod up a little. I use Rotosound 10s on it and am thinking about fitting a pickup. Needless to say, the old girl looks a bit lived-in now, a few scratches and capo marks, but overall still looks the business and sounds great. Just saw one on E-bay for $325US in a much poorer shape than mine, but it was Japanese which I understand was better made. I thought the soundboard was laminated, but I'm pleased to see from this site that it's solid spruce, quite rare in a low-price guitar these days. I'll prbably be buried with the thing.

Apr 21, 2011
Rating

Yamaha FG180
by: Alex

Have got the very first Yamaha FG180 to come into Scotland,Got it in Glasgow from The Sales Rep,it was his sample guitar,It was about 1969-70 cant remember exactly.It has been out at sea in a force 8,to the top of Mountains,played by the rich & famous and on record tracks,I have been asked to swopped it for Expensive Gibson Humming Bird and a vintage Baby Martin and the likes,Like one of your writers the sound men just love it, 16 secs of sustain after you pluck it,
"A sound board made in heaven and a finger board to match" Wouldnt part with it for the world " Blue Book get your facts right just because it aint as pretty as those fancy inlayed jobs.

Nov 10, 2010
Rating

Solid!
by: Anonymous

Dan, if you have an FG180, it has a solid mahogany back and sides and a solid spruce top. No press board there.

Sep 07, 2010
Rating

Blue Book bah... we need a musicians book...
by: chaosdsm

Many guitar collectors are also guitar players... the problem with blue book is it looks only at collectability, and ignores playability. I know plenty of guitar collectors who are very displeased with blue book because of this.

It will take 25-30 years before the FG-180's reach a decent blue book price range, because that's when the players of today will be looking at collecting the pieces that they loved when they were playing... It's just one of the reasons I'm not going to sell or play my FG-180 Nippon Gakki anytime soon. Unfortunately, it's not in great shape, cracked bridge piece, pickgard is about to fall off, but it's still playable, nice low action without any buzzing, & still has a warm & rich sound to it. I just bought a brand new accoustic to be my daily player so I don't have to put anymore wear on the Yamaha.

Aug 15, 2010
Rating

Yamaha Guitar FG-180 (Exceptionnelle)
by: Joel Biger

En 1971 , j'ai fais l'acquisition d'une guitare Yamaha FG-180 "Red Label". TrÃ¨s rapidement j'ai trouvÃ© cette guitare excellente . L'ami avec qui je jouais en duo possÃ©dait le mÃªme modÃ¨le . J'ai jouÃ© sur la mienne de nombreuses heures chaque jours . Au bout d'une annÃ©e , le son Ã©tait devenu puissant et profond . Magnifique ! J'ai donnÃ© beaucoup de concerts avec cette guitare . Puis , en 1976 , j'ai fais l'acquisition d'une guitare Yamaha FG-2000 ! Puis , en 1977 , une Martin D-28 . Et pourtant , ma guitare prÃ©fÃ©rÃ©e restait ma FG-180 . Elle avait pris une trÃ¨s belle couleur "miel" . Elle sonnait comme une "cathÃ©drale" . MalgrÃ© son format "dreadnought" , cette guitare Ã©tait excellente pour le Finger-Picking . J'ai continuÃ© Ã jouer sur ma FG-180 . Depuis 2005 , je possÃ¨de une Yamaha LL-36 qui prÃ©sente les mÃªmes caractÃ©ristiques "miraculeuses" que ma FG-180 . J'ai Ã©galement une LS-16 qui est toute aussi magique . Il est dommage que je ne puisse pas vivre aussi longtemps que vivront mes nouvelles Yamaha ! Je suis triste d'imaginer que ces guitares sonneront comme des "cathÃ©drales" dans les mains de quelqu'un d'autre ... Mais , je compte bien encore en profiter longtemps .
__________________________________________________

In 1971, I made the purchase of a Yamaha Guitar FG-180 "Red Label". Very quickly I found this excellent guitar. The friend with whom I played as a duo had the same model. I played on mine for many hours each day. After one year, the sound had become powerful and profound. Wonderful! I gave many concerts with this guitar. Then in 1976 I made the purchase of a Yamaha Guitar FG-2000! Then, in 1977, a Martin D-28. And yet, my favorite guitar remained my FG-180. She had a beautiful color "honey". It sounded like a "cathedral". Despite its size "Dreadnought", this guitar was great for finger-picking. I continued to play on my FG-180. Since 2005, I have a Yamaha LL-36 has the same characteristics "miraculous" that my FG-180. I also have a LS-16 which is just as magical. It is a pity that I can not live as long as live my new Yamaha! I am sad to imagine that these guitars sound like the "cathedrals" in the hands of someone else ... But I intend to still take a long time.

_____

Hi, Joel--

What a moving testimonial to these guitars. Thank you!

Lynne

Jul 19, 2010
Rating

Yamaha fg180
by: Jackie

Im just learning to play the guitar and my grandma gave me this guitar to learn on, and keep, I was doing some research on it and found as previous comments stated that some people are willing to pay quite a price for this guitar while you could find others dumping it in tomorrows trash. My guitar has a few dings in it no doubt from her numerous children, but even in perfect condition I don't think the Yamaha FG180 is a very 'attractive guitar' I think the orange'ish color is horrible i like either dark or pale guitars this kinda just looks like its sat in the back of someones closet for too long . I like the sides and back though the dark mahogany color is one of the few upsides to this guitar . and its definitely durable - My grandma played in college (like 20.30 years ago)and has never replaced the strings and with a little minor tuning, it still sounded decent.

Apr 11, 2010
Rating

FG - 180
by: Wayne

I have owned an Fg 180 for forty years and I can honestly say I play it more than my D28 Martin. Excellent sound and everyone wants to play it when we get together on the weekends. I would never sell it as my grandson really loves it, Wayne

Dec 13, 2009
Rating

bob b.
by: Anonymous

i have one of these fg180 models that i purchased new and loved and enjoyed for many years and am constantly getting comments on how good it sounds.
i do have to say the action is kinda high and i have modified the action about all i can, but it is a great gitar and i would never want to part with it, but am curious as to what it should actually be worth.

Nov 04, 2009
Rating

fg180s
by: david

Peter, I have the exact same guitar. Got it from a second-hand shop in 1975. Red Label, but also Taiwan made, not NikonGakki. For a guitarist rather than a collector that doesn't matter, because they are fantastic.

The point is, the FG 180 was in a different class to all the other Yamaha FGs. They didn't make them for long. I paid 10 pounds for mine (in part exchange with a useless, unplayable 12 string that cost 20 pounds at the time).

They tend to have a high action, but a couple of years ago I got mine -- which had got rather worn down on the neck -- done up by a guitar workshop for 200 euro, and they reckoned I had a bargain. It's now absolutely fantastic. Wouldn't part with it for all the money in the world. You shouldn't sell yours for anything under 400 pounds. And that's almost cheap.

Jul 16, 2009
Rating

Yamaha FG 180
by: Dan Rowland

I know why the Blue Book is low on these guitars...those
people that write & depend on the Blue Book are collectors,
not players.
I used to use one of these FG180s in Nashville as a rhythm
guitar...engineers were amazed by them. They have a
fast response with a quick delay....exactly what sound
people like. They are proof that laminate instruments
don't necessarily sound bad. The intonation was perfect
as well.
If I was still doing sessions every day I'd use this guitar
or something very close.
Dan

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