FGX5 unboxing and Follow up Review. Why I ended up returning it.

[@Rgdonaire_07]

I own one. I absolutely love mine. One year and counting, sounding better everyday and looking beautiful. I also had buzzing string problems and was fixed by the guitar tech before I took the guitar home. It’s been perfect ever since.

[@andreaschristo1204]

I've had my FSX5 for over a year now and it's an absolute piece of art. The action was a little high when I received it, but I had a pro check the setup and lower it with no issues. It's amazing.

[@YouTubeIsATerribleMedium]

How low did he go? I just did a pretty low setup and I'm wondering if it's gonna hold out. Feels more appropriate to have a low setup with the wider nut and thicker neck

[@johntroze11]

I was wondering, did you stay with the 12 gauge strings it came set up with? And did the tech have to adjust the truss rod?

[@michaelh8854]

I noticed this too. I played one in the shop and the action was super high

[@gazpal]

They come set up with the intention for fine tuning to the owner's preferences

[@jacobwillis4937]

I've had mine for a year now. It's a monster!

[@daggad02]

I have an FSX5. And at this point is is my daily picker. It is an excellent guitar, nice sound nice feel. I also had a problem with d-string buzzing on mine but the tech was able to fix it. Now it is great. In the shop after it came back from the adjustment I played it together with a Martin 000-18. Playabillity is very similar, but the Martin has that tone that I just love. I have a 99 D-18 that is just incredible. But the Martins feel more fragile and thin. The Yamaha is a super daily workhorse as I se it. Love it !

[@Tigerex966]

No manufacturer is perfect. I hope whatever you get from who ever is great. I have a fg3 early unit, had a bad setup out they box, as yamaha and others like to set it high, so the user or shop can set it up to taste without destroying the nut and saddle which would happen if to low, , I already priced in a good setup and bone nut and before I bought it. I'm not as meticulous as many, I just wanted good quality for its price range but most of all great sound and no electronics. The early units had some hazing fogging issues on the back wood meaning they. Were either rushed and not allowed to cure completely or in the hot and humid shipping it did not allowed the guitar to naturally cure. It was very very slight, and took like 6 months to get here, so I was ok with it and it has pretty much completely dissipated over the three years and the sound has opened up. I did add a bone saddle and graphtec bridge pins. A new pick guard and I keep it will cleaned and maintained. Fantastic value and quality at its price..

[@Kmn55650]

I lowered mine too. Every time I changed strings, I'd use a sanding block and gradually lowered it over a few months. Now it's where I like it. No issues. I've a lot of string combo's from 10-47 to 13-56, which I drop tuned to D# and sometimes D. No issues.

[@Timmy_Ramone]

I've had a negative experience with the FGX5. Like you, I ordered one online as it was during the pandemic. Every review I'd read was glowing and I've always been a fan of the cheaper FGs. On paper, the FGX5 seemed like my dream guitar. They were very thin on the ground in Australia at that time and I had to wait a long time for one to become available after ordering. Well, it arrived with a broken neck near the headstock. After many phone calls, sending photos and blame-shifting between the guitar shop, Yamaha and the courier, I was finally sent a replacement. This one had a couple of cosmetic things that drove me nuts. There was excess glue seepage at the neck joint and the famous Red Label inside had been applied crooked! The guitar itself underwhelmed me in terms of its projection and sound. I took it for a setup and the Luthier thought it was an OK guitar for the price but not outstanding value for money like their cheaper models. Anyway, totally demoralised I ended up trading it in at a local music shop. I must add that the music shop guy who is a fantastic guitar player loved it, so who knows?

[@BobsYoureuncle]

Don , I have always thought that it was a guven that if you attach Anything to the sound board .... or back material etc inside the guitar that it is going to interfere with sound waves , and the resonance of the sound board vibrations . I think you are spot on there . Maybe do a side by side in the store of a Fresh FG3 and FG5 .... The only problem is often the display models are different ages , and the strings have started to change from the acid on people's fingers .

[@vanhap]

many blue grass purest would agree with you, its why they don't do electronics as it degrades the guitars acoustic sonic performance. Similar to your mic'd vs line in comparison in the first part of your video. thx for sharing

[@tenniswilliam]

I have an FSX5 and i really like it. I also have a Martin D15M and D35. It is a different scale and very comfortable in comparison and mine is high quality build

[@fatdolsk7803]

I just got an open box FGX5. Im returning it, maybe it’s yours lol

[@petercummins1097]

I have the FS5. I returned it for a somewhat similar issue. My first copy had a significant hump in the top around the bridge. If you pull a straight edge down the neck face, it hit the bridge. So I would have either have had to reset the neck or reduce the saddle to nothing. My new copy is better but I wonder if the bracing is not sufficient to hold thr top flat. The new copy has a hump as well but not as bad. I've reduced the neck relief to almost nothing until I cand the saddle down.. this is a very different experience to my Yamaha LL16 and Parlour, both of which are perfect and super playable

[@musicandthewalk]

Hi Peter, thanks for sharing your experience. I found the same thing. I tried an LL16, FS3 and LSTA (which was awesome), all which had impeccable quality and playability.

[@Tigerex966]

Are they supposed to have a slight hump in the bridge area?

[@jmsamborski]

I have the FG9 and still want this cheap FG5 simply for the tonal sound of the shorter scale length.

[@arshadalam4990]

You are saying the problem but you never seen us the glue problem also you can record the buzzing problem which would be the satisfying video for everyone.

[@musicandthewalk]

I agree! I should have had taken some videos of the problem. Unfortunately I already returned it. For the glue joint though I saw that it was not an isolated problem. You can do a quick google search and will see that there quite a number out there with the same issue.

[@Wobbz9413]

@@musicandthewalk have never seen this aledged problem!

[@musicandthewalk]

@@Wobbz9413 Good for you Mark! I saw an fs3 as mentioned in the video that did not have issues. Check other user comments below who experienced similar things that I mentioned

[@carlmclaughlin4290]

I just ordered one ,hope i don't find these problems. Always thought Yamaha had good quality control.

[@musicandthewalk]

They sound awesome! But 2 out 3 had quality issues.

[@Wobbz9413]

Yamaha have awesome quality control. I have three, and would not hesitate to buy another. There are people who seem to have ulterior motives but I dont know, maybe there is some truth. I personally will continue to use and love Yamahas. I have an FG820. an LL16D and an LL16/12. Have owned an FGX720SCE in the past. All where fantastic guitars and much better than their price would indicate. I have many friends who have owned Yamaha guitars, and not one bad one. So I dont know.....

[@dionst.michael1482]

I got to say, I recently had some experience with Long & McQuade in St Eustache, Que and they were even willing to hold the one FG5 they just got in for me for a week just to make a decision on making a purchase. I’m still mulling it over but I see myself shopping there again real soon. Top notch sales people. Wonderful folks ❤

[@tony59able]

Great video which contrasts with all the hype about this guitar. I’m a Yamaha fan and always like to have one in my collection. I bought the FGX5 a couple of weeks ago . It’s had a pro set-up and does sound amazing but I was surprised at some of the flaws. Mine has the sanding problem and the finish fade in places and strong smell of glue plus some roughness on one of the braces. I could return it but as it sounds so good and I’ve kind of bonded with it already I’ll mull it over for another while.

[@MisterNiles]

An acoustic guitar that smells like glue? No!

[@lighthouse7i]

@@MisterNiles - My Martin doesn't smell like glue. It's smells like freshly cut wood.

[@mightymustache6949]

I've been doing so much research on what guitar should be my first high end acoustic. The FG5 is a really tempting price, but I feel more confident saving for a satin D18 is the way to go now.

[@barondavis5692]

I saw a review where the poster felt that older built F5’s, 4 years ago,” have less flaws than newer models. 😊

[@GavinAtkin]

I have a pre ARE LS16, which has a great balance and is generally a great guitar, but it does seem slightly quiet. So went out looking at other Yamaha models hoping to find something similar but louder. I tried out an FG3 and thought it lovely and warm, but not quite bright enough for my fingerstyle needs. Thinking the FG5 might be the answer, I asked to try one and the assistant brought an FGX5, as the store didn't have an FG5. As it turned out the FGX5 was quieter than the FG3, though whether that's due to the pickup, the guitar needing to be played in or some other factor, I don't know. Hopefully, I'll get to try the LS16M and the FG3 somewhere after Christmas.

[@LegsON]

Undersaddle element steals 10-20% of the tone.

[@GavinAtkin]

@@LegsON It has no pickup. I had a bone nut installed and fitted a Tusq saddle. Issue resolved! More recently, I bought an ARE LL16M with an under-saddle pickup, and it's still louder. Otoh, I can't like that under-saddle pickup. Too much quack for me...

[@LegsON]

@@GavinAtkin Undersaddle elements tob tone. Just pull that thing out. The best pickup in my experience is Fishman rare earth mic blend. I had LR Baggs, Dimarzio, Fishman, none are as good and versatile.

[@GavinAtkin]

I bought an LL16M and had the under-saddle pickup removed by a local guitar shop, which also put in a Tusq saddle. The shop folks were quite surprised by the change. I'm now having the nut replaced. After that, all that's left will be an argument with myself about what strings to use!

[@LegsON]

@@GavinAtkin Replace the nut, give it proper pins, put on lightweight tuning machines.

[@fr3ak1shh]

I ordered in a FSX5 to Guitar Center after trying out an FSX3 they had in store. I'm picking it up this week! I'll do a thorough checkout there, and if it doesn't meet my high expectations, then I'll return it! Really hoping I'll love it though. Kind of a perfect guitar for me specs wise. And I loved the sound of the FSX3 even more than Martins and Taylors 2-3 times the price.

[@musicandthewalk]

Our story is quite similar, do let me know how you find your FSX5. I hope its good!

[@jarrendeleon1399]

I bought mine last Oct 2022..I will be arriving home this weekend and test it.

[@musicandthewalk]

Which one did you get?

[@dr.stevenpennym.d.3241]

Great video. It’s very hard to get a red label.

[@raymundo4638]

I prefer the FGX5 over my D18

[@MisterNiles]

I have friends with D-18s who have said the same about my FGX5. It's an amazing guitar. I also have an FG-441s I bought in the 90s, that a luthier at a boutique guitar shop talked me into buying. I went in with $1500 and left with almost $1200 and my favorite guitar. Yamaha should never be underestimated.

[@dionst.michael1482]

No you don’t

[@pikin2]

​@dionst.michael1482 I just played both at GC last week - IMO it did sound and play better than the d18. It also played better than the talylor 314 for me, too

[@mt-nv4jd]

That is very risky leaving the guitar laying halfway in the case. If the lid falls the latches will dig into the top of the guitar. Ask me how I know...

[@daveydoodle1916]

Sounds so much better miced,not sure how it would sound home?

[@tacov3410]

Did you notice any sand paper marks on the top of the guitar? Im told they sand down the gloss, but i would think if sanded properly, i shouldnt see the sanding marks .

[@96gaber]

Hi there. I just binge-watched every FGX5 video on KZbin because I'm seriously thinking about buying it. The majority of reviews claim that this guitar can compete with premium brands like Martin or Taylor, but at a much lower price point. I gotta say, I felt relieved to hear this as most people seem to agree that the FGX5 is a killer guitar. And with prices inevitably going up, it seems like now is the time to buy. I have a question for you, though. I'm not the type of person to return a guitar just because of a few aesthetic deformities. In fact, I'd even say I could use them to my advantage, like adding that extra something to make the guitar feel more personal. But, is there anything bigger that I'm missing in your video? Something that would stop me from enjoying the playing experience, or even worse, prevent me from playing altogether? I'd appreciate your honest answer because I just landed my first regular job, and 1600 euros is a pretty big investment for me. Thanks in advance for your reply, and peace out!

[@musicandthewalk]

Hey thanks for your trusting me with the question. Here's my take, I would not suggest buying it just because people think it's on par with other more premium brands. I would still go and test it, and see if it tickles the heart ;). Having said that for me the tone on its own is different from the other brands you mentioned. To me its sounds like an in between Taylor and Martin leaning closer to Taylor. Playability is as good but has its own feel. I returned it not just because of the deformities in terms of cosmetics. I returned it since I think and tech in my shop thinks that there is really something wrong with the neck connection to the body. It was very playable, but the speculation was that problems might arise in the future due to that neck problem. If it did not have that neck problem and only had the 2 other problems, I mentioned I would not have returned it. Hope this helps.

[@96gaber]

@@musicandthewalk @Don Fernando Capili I was mostly asking because I actually tried it out in a nearby store and kinda fell for it. I agree that it's leaning closer to Taylor, but man oh man, it's got that extra something to it. Didn't have time to pay attention to such details though, hence, I just wanted to make sure... Anyways, thanks for the answer!

[@musicandthewalk]

@@96gaber Nice! Good luck

[@MisterNiles]

Did you buy it?@@96gaber

[@morganscott8535]

@@musicandthewalk so did you end up getting it? how do you like it? im considering one too.

[@iplaymytele]

At $1650.00 Bucks….! If this guitar had anything , ( I mean anything..!!! ) that I did not like about it I would return it also…! I have always had to work for my money , I have purchased cars for less than that…. If it was a $400 guitar, I would probably keep it after watching your video… I would probably dress the upper fret, where adjoins the body… But not at that price so like you, I would want it absolutely flawless …..! The Jeff Galey Channel

[@mg004033]

When buying a factory manufactured guitar no matter what brand you purchase you have to factor the 20% rule that going to be sub- standard. That’s why I don’t order factory made guitars online.

[@jackblack2321]

Mine developed a hairline crack after 1 yr

[@gateroadmusic]

You said the store " did a setup". That would mean that the store lowered the saddle, would it not, to meet an expectation that you may have given them concerning the guitar's action? I had Cross Guitars ( a renowned instrument luthier who works on my guitars ) do the set up on my FG5, and not one of the problems you mentioned were ever brought up by him. I looked closely at the neck as the video passed by, and did not see what you claim, and I'm one that just doesn't " take someone's word " on something without proof. I have watched numerous reviews on the Japan Red Label guitars, and nowhere in any of them have I seen someone exclaim about the hump past the neck joint. I have the FG5, and it is " flat as a flitter" past the neck joint. I've searched " Yamaha FGX5 problems ", and absolutely nothing comes up; much less what you are claiming. If I were you, finding all these faults with Yamaha; faults that literally cannot be found anywhere else, I would go with another brand. I would caution though; the same ratio problem would exist with any mass producer in the world ( Martin, Gibson, Taylor ), that ratio being that for every X amount of guitars produced, an X amount will have problems from production. I would suggest to you that if your demand for an acoustic guitar is perfection from your viewpoint that you hire a luthier to make a guitar that meets your expectations. Driftwood Guitars could do that for you, but you would be paying at least $10,000 to get that. If perfection is your demand, then this seems to be the route you should explore.

[@musicandthewalk]

Hey Larry, I noticed the low saddle during the unboxing. My local guitar shop did a free (complimentary) setup and changed the saddle because it was "not normal". I am not claiming that all Yamaha guitars have the problems that I encountered I am just sharing my personal experience. The problem with the neck was noticed and acknowledged by the two tech's who worked on it. I don't think searching about it and finding nothing of the same objectively concludes anything. And in that regard, you don't need to go far searching, there are some who have commented below who had "similar" issues. I was able to return the guitar and the store qualified it as "returned due to quality issues". This video is not meant to discredit Yamaha guitars it's just a sharing of my personal experience with the guitar I purchased. It may or may not be an isolated case.

[@GShockWatchFan.]

Nothing is perfect. You got a gad one. Even Gibson and Me artin has sone issues, they are quality control differences. You have very high standards, you need a custom boutique guitar to be hand made to specification and then adjusted for you.

[@zunif]

Not a fan of the FGX5. There are some videos on KZbin that made the guitar sound great and a lot of people were saying it held it's own against a Martin so I bought one. The only thing I liked was the pickup, it sounded natural unlike most pickups. As for the actual acoustic sound, I'm not a fan. In my opinion the treble sounds thin and tinny, there's not as much bass, and it doesn't project well almost as if the sound is compressed and focused. I'm better off with my Martin and Collings guitar.

[@G_Demolished]

I’ve had quite a few people thinking their FGX5 is better than a D18 until we’re sitting across from each other. That’s not dogging in it any way either. It’s great for the money, and a nice option for a stage guitar, considering I’m not putting any electronics in the Martin. But it’s definitely not a D18.

[@michaelh8854]

you didnt show any of the problems in the video!

[@christianwilliams1136]

The difference between the fg3 and fg5 is the nut and saddle. One is plastic and one is bone, these make a lot of difference in the tone. Bone seems to muffle the tone up and hides the trebles, and plastic makes the treble shine and makes them pop out and for me I like that sound better than a muffled sound that bone, and plastic for me makes the guitar more resonant.

[@lighthouse7i]

Another difference is the FG3 is made in China, while the FG5 is made in Japan.

[@ramspencer5492]

The FG3 version is made in Indonesia, Rather than China.... Not that that's better or worse. In theory I should really like the series.... Satin finish should help the tone more, etc.... For some reason the ones I've seen somehow don't sound super pretty.... I have a lot of great characteristics but there's like a chime missing... Not a rosewood chime ... That old school mahogany chime... That time that's just enough to still be pretty yet sit behind the vocals well. I think the I might not find that model balanced.... Like too many low mids... That might be my main problem with it. And the OOO style one didn't really resonate enough for me. I haven't actually seen a Japanese made version in person.... I'm a big fan of Yamaha. It's not that I don't like their sensibilities usually. I think I like the L series better

[@cooloutac]

did you have to pay to return it? And you are saying you had to do frework on the FG3? wow.

[@GianoOudeis72]

Arrivata ieri anche a me è stamattina ho visto molti difetti sul back e sulle fasce difetti di verniciatura sembrano impronte rilasciate sulla vernice. So che la produzione Giapponese è molto pignola e non mette in vendita se lo strumento non è perfettamente funzionante e senza difetti e di questo mi sono fidato ma evidentemente ho sbagliato. Sta volta non sono stati molto attenti. La colpa è anche di questi siti che vendono on line e non controllano prima di spedire; questo è molto grave perchè qui si parla di molti soldi e ci dovrebbe essere più professionalità in questo. La chitarra mi piace e mi piacerebbe mi fosse sostituita con un controllo qualità più accurato prima di spedire.

[@musicandthewalk]

Thanks for your comments. Translated in english: It arrived yesterday to me too and this morning I saw many defects on the back and on the bands. Paint defects look like fingerprints left on the paint. I know that the Japanese production is very fussy and does not sell if the instrument is not fully functional and without defects and I trusted this but evidently I was wrong. This time they weren't very careful. The fault is also of these sites that sell online and do not check before sending; this is very serious because here we are talking about a lot of money and there should be more professionalism in this. I like the guitar and would like it replaced for a more thorough quality control before shipping.

[@Shovel-om7kn]

How come no pictures of these horrible discrepancies you just couldn’t live with? I call BS.

[@SteveEdinger]

fgx3 are made in china... the fgx5 is made in japan. The 5's are supposed to be better quality... and no, the electronics do not affect the tone in these models

[@musicandthewalk]

I had the same conjecture. But found it different on the products I have encountered. Like I said though it might be a one off thing. I had played other yamaha's (electric) that are top notch in quality.

[@JeffreyGrebe]

I think you will never find a guitar that you will like. Good luck to the salesman that must deal with you.

[@nomandad2000]

Lol

[@gilbertosandino8324]

Tu Drums tampoco está muy bien, devuélvelo 😂

[@ivanbravo347]

Fake review. The guitar is $1k. Don’t even know the price.

[@lighthouse7i]

There is not a new Yamaha FGX5 anywhere for $1k. If so, who is selling?

[@G_Demolished]

Current MAP pricing on that model is $1649 USD. You can’t even get a decent used one for $1k.

[@multipipi1234]

You had a duffer. Mine is brilliant.