Yamaha FG-420 6 string-guitar ser# 50528193 by: Ken
Hi Lynne: There is a multi ring formation around the sound hole of the guitar I asked you to settle a dispute about. There also is pearl inlay on the fingerboard.For some reason, I didn't think the rings were there. I dug out the guitar to double check and sure enough the rings are there. Once again thank you for your help. This guitar is in excellent condition and I will sell it for a reasonable price.
Hi Lynne: I want to thank you for your valuable response. It is valuable to me. My only concern is that you mentioned FG420A. The label on my guitar simply says model FG420, made in Taiwan.And of course, I included the serial number just in case it is helpful. Can you please comment.
ANSWER
It is the same guitar. The 420 and all of Yamaha's FG series gained the "A" suffix in 1989. The fact that yours has no "A" just means that it was made between 1985 and 1989.
That is probably why your has no multi-ring abalone rosette also. It was most likely added during the massive 1989 overhaul of the entire FG series. The Blue Book lists only those made from 1989 to 1994. Information on the FG 420 before 1989 is sparse.
From the Blue Book:
"Yamaha has also changed the series several times since the original red label guitars were introduced. We were unable to compile any information on the FG Series between approximately the mid-1970s and the late 1980s because there are no catalogs available for that time period."
