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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

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Yamaha FG180

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Aug 15, 2010
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Yamaha Guitar FG-180 (Exceptionnelle)
by: Joel Biger

En 1971 , j'ai fais l'acquisition d'une guitare Yamaha FG-180 "Red Label". Très rapidement j'ai trouvé cette guitare excellente . L'ami avec qui je jouais en duo possédait le même modèle . J'ai joué sur la mienne de nombreuses heures chaque jours . Au bout d'une année , le son était devenu puissant et profond . Magnifique ! J'ai donné 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 préférée restait ma FG-180 . Elle avait pris une très belle couleur "miel" . Elle sonnait comme une "cathédrale" . Malgré son format "dreadnought" , cette guitare était excellente pour le Finger-Picking . J'ai continué à jouer sur ma FG-180 . Depuis 2005 , je possède une Yamaha LL-36 qui présente les mêmes caractéristiques "miraculeuses" que ma FG-180 . J'ai également 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 "cathédrales" 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

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Aug 15, 2010
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Submitted by: Joel Biger

Title

Comment
En 1971 , j'ai fais l'acquisition d'une guitare Yamaha FG-180 "Red Label". Très rapidement j'ai trouvé cette guitare excellente . L'ami avec qui je jouais en duo possédait le même modèle . J'ai joué sur la mienne de nombreuses heures chaque jours . Au bout d'une année , le son était devenu puissant et profond . Magnifique ! J'ai donné 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 préférée restait ma FG-180 . Elle avait pris une très belle couleur "miel" . Elle sonnait comme une "cathédrale" . Malgré son format "dreadnought" , cette guitare était excellente pour le Finger-Picking . J'ai continué à jouer sur ma FG-180 . Depuis 2005 , je possède une Yamaha LL-36 qui présente les mêmes caractéristiques "miraculeuses" que ma FG-180 . J'ai également 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 "cathédrales" 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

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Jul 19, 2010
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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
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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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