The Poor Man's Martin: Vintage 1969 Yamaha FG-150 Red Label

You don't NEED to spend a bazillion dollars to get great acoustic guitar tone, and here's proof. Reed demos a 1969 Yamaha FG-150 that contains some serious bang for the buck! And that sticker on the headstock screams 1969...
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[@iyorit1089]

Thank you for loving YAMAHA so much. At that time, YAMAHA was durable, inexpensive, and had a concept for the masses. Of course, export was also considered. In fact, from this period until around the 90s, all YAMAHA models were pointed out to have weak necks. Now, you can see it by looking at the neck of the LL model. YAMAHA is always evolving, and the engineers have pride and passion. I think you can see it in the development of the ARE TOP, the new FG series, and the unique pickup system. And finally, FG produced the high-end model FG-9 in collaboration with American engineers. We hope you will continue to support YAMAHA acoustics. Thank you! from🇯🇵🙇‍♂️

[@festushaggen2563]

I found a 1973 FG-160 a couple of years ago from a local seller and picked it up for a quick restoration and resell but after I was done getting it back in shape, I couldn't part with it. It has the most unique sound I've ever heard in an acoustic. I've parted with much more expensive guitars but this one is here to stay. I was already a big fan of Yamahas but these old FG's are really special. If you know then you know.

[@svbarr]

I worked in a Music Store in the 70's. We were a Fender, Gibson, Martin and Guild dealer.Those red label Yamaha's were floating around and were truly giant killers - particularly the dreadnaughts. They sold for 150-250 bucks back in the day.

[@romcals1701]

I own one Yamaha Fg 152B Orange Label Acoustic Guitar made in Japan and I love it!❤❤

[@iplaymytele]

I have a 1967, green label FG 150, That we purchased in 1967…! I am a professional musician and have plenty of guitars, but this one is my favorite and always will be …

[@JessicaNeidingHaverly]

I was given this guitar. It is pretty well loved from an elementary school music room. I have largely ignored it since it doesn't have a cut away. I'm realizing I need to give this some love.

[@reedj112]

That's great! When I started playing in middle school, a teacher in my school had an old Yamaha that belonged to the school. I would hang out after school play that guitar probably more than he liked. That kind of thing makes these old Yamahas important.

[@patmayer7222]

,,,,,,,my recently acquired 1970..red label Yamaha acoustic is incredible sounding guitar a small body,,with huge voice......it sat in a corner of a wood shop,full of dust,,,basically discarded,,,,...I traded some woodworking tools for it,brought it home,,,cleaned,restrung it,,(New martin strings)....and brought it back to life,,,,now,,,it is my son's favorite guitar,,,,,,....I have no idea it's worth,value,,,......it still is a great guitar,,even next to my '74'Applause studio acoustic................tnx,for this Yamaha vid.....Pat& family,,land o' lakes,wi.

[@mattweiss5035]

My 1969 red label FG 300 is coming tomorrow, and I’m so excited. For over 30 years, I have owned a tan label Taiwan, FG 340, and while it may not be the most coveted of these Yamaha FG series guitars, it’s pretty unbelievable for what it is.

[@steveinthethumb6441]

I too own a 44 year old FG 340 and it has an amazing tone. I will never part with it. 😉

[@patricklundquist9869]

Back in 1971, while in Vietnam, I bought an FG-150 from the PACEX Catalog (Pacific Exchange) for $75.00. There are some fond memories of sitting on a balcony in Can Tho playing that guitar. I had that guitar for decades and three sons learned to play on it before it wandered away. Yesterday I purchased a Yamaha red label Nippon Gakki FG-150 that is a real beater, dings, dents and scratches. Cost? $260. Looks like mine would have, if I still had it. I cleaned up 50 years worth of filth. The fingerboard was seriously cruddy and has fingernail gouges. I used Windex and paper towels. It took four soakings and scrubbing to get it clean. There is fret wear but no buzzing. It had 5 old wobbly Grover tuners and one Kluson style tuner, none of them were original open gear tuners. I had a spare set of like-new chrome Gotoh tuners sitting in a bag which solved that problem. When I cleaned all the dust that I could reach out of the inside I discovered that, just like with my higher-end Eastman guitar, Yamaha had varnished the interior. I replaced the 11’s with 12’s then slapped a strap on it and it plays just fine. Sounds just like yours. It has no serial number so no way to tell exact age.

[@reedj112]

Great find! Establishing a date can be tough on them, especially without numbers, but it sure is fun to try to piece it all together based on the features. Enjoy that thing!

[@Brandon-vs3xi]

I've got a red label FG-150 that was given to me from the original owner (she bought it new when she was in high school late 60's/early 70's) It really is an amazing acoustic. Sounds fantastic, and it really does have a personality of it's own. Don't think I'd ever part with her.

[@jonnno243]

I have a red label nippon gakki FG140, and it sounds great. But, after that , I found and bought an FG 350W ,which I believe was made in Taiwan, and that guitar sounds fantastic.

[@solexxx8588]

I have a 1970 FG180 red label that sounds beautiful and has perfect action.

[@ericporterfield5531]

Reed. That room just needs a pine scented candle, a good bourbon, Hudson Bay blanket and my red label FG-180. Killer space.

[@reedj112]

We could add your FG-180 to the space...😉 There's always room for one more guitar, right?

[@karlburmeister1552]

A smart man is one who knows good quality simple things.

[@eddielenz3781]

Thank you for calling attention to the difference between the 3-ply construction vs a modern laminate construction. I didn't realize there was a difference. My brother saved/salvaged a 1970 FG-150 (Nippon Gaki red label) from a construction demolition. We cleaned it up, put new strings, and WOW! I was blown away buy the tone and the playability. So happy this guitar found new life and didn't get trashed that day!

[@ebglock]

I still have my FG150 from when I bought in 1969-1970.

[@professorronsprivateclassc2850]

Great video and some lovely flat picking, man! I am the original owner of a '72 FG150 red label. It was my first "real" guitar, and I've played it from coast to coast. I eventually got a Martin (D28), which I love, but my FG150 is still right out there, front and center, of my small guitar collection (the aforementioned guitars, a PRS a/e, an early 80s Fender Bullet S3, and a Fender American Telecaster). That FG150 still sounds and plays awesome. They are truly wonderful guitars.

[@micpep]

A couple of years ago, i've been give a mission to fing a used guitar for my wife's cosin. It was from her Grandma and she had a specific budget. I found an FG-331, OM size, not from Japan, with a 1/4 inch gap at 12th fret. It had a great sustain so bouth it 140$ canadian dollars, brought it to a luthier for 90 dollars he made it great! I had the chance to play on it for 2 weeks and totally felt in love. It was great all across its beaffy neck. Capo anywhere and it kept its great sound,sustain, projection. I told wife i'd find something else for the kid. She told me i already had guitars and was ok. You know what i did? . . . . I LISTENED TO HER! 😢😢😢

[@msinger5340]

😱

[@Mason_Wright]

That’s awesome! Great video, dude!

[@gettindrunker]

We have one at the old store we pick at on Sundays. Let me tell you, I walk in and I’m grabbing that red label. The thing sings and sounds like pure magic and will do it all night long. They are true masterpieces. Sounds better than over priced Taylor’s I’ve tried to like

[@jaymaulas]

I have Vintage 1969 Yamaha FG-150 Red Label and it sounds GREAT!

[@reedj112]

I bet it does!

[@ACOUSTIC_4LOVE]

I picked up a 12 year old Yamaha FG-700s. Its a Solid Topper. It’s the best Yamaha I have played hands down! This one truly rivals a D-18. Unbelievable guitar. I also have a 1968’ FG-110 that I picked up for $20 in antique mall years back. Had broken neck heel. Repaired it. It’s a killer axe. Another scarce Killer Yamaha is the rare Yamaha FG-295s made from 72’-76. Especially the 72/73’ early ones. A good picking friend bought one new in 73’ -It’s the only Acoustic he’s ever owned. Still has it.

[@patricwr]

I’m obsessed with MIJ guitars. I agree that 67-72 is a great window. I’d even narrow it down to 67-70. Never had a Yamaha fg- I have had a lot of Yamaha G series classicals, and imo the earlier the better. I have probably had about 14 MIJ guitars from 1967-1980- ironically the steel string acoustic I play now is a 1980 - Suzuki Three S W200. Thanks for the video! That’s a great sounding guitar and nice playing.

[@MrWestroofer]

I love that Hippy Sticker! Would be cool if someone recognized it someday and filled in some of the history on it. Would be awesome to see this thing played in a sweet Bluegrass jam! I had a really nice sounding 1969 FG-150 a couple years ago that believe it or not I snatched up for only $100. Kind of glad I sold it in my case. I think it went to the right new owner!😊

[@steveinthethumb6441]

Great tone on your vintage Yamaha. Yamaha’s are some of the finest guitars made in any of their models.

[@brianwall1349]

I bought my FG-150 Red Label for $79 in 1970 in BC Canada. It's a great guitar. The only difference between it and a new 000-18 is it will take the Martin a few years to catch up to the tone. I also have an unmarked pristine 1977 Martin HD-28 that is just to special to come out of its case and an indestructible Rainsong Carbon guitar that is absolutely amazing that just hangs out anywhere it wants ready to be played. Just love my little Yamaha. Of all my 6 guitars it would be the last one I ever sell. The rainsong comes next. I think the Martin should go to some bluegrass dude sometime.

[@terrysmith7441]

Select Wood and Fine Care of these instruments, in the past I owned 2 fg180 , s, the mrs screamed blue murder 125 or 150 a piece, all these years later I laugh at what 1 is worth, but oh they played true, never blown out , solid sound. Strings were so integral those bronze hard wired, as pure as country water.

[@PinetopJackson]

I love old Yamaha's! I have a 1969 FG-180 but man you play your '69 way better than I could dream 😆

[@reedj112]

Thanks for the kind words! I bet your 180 is a great guitar!

[@PinetopJackson]

@@reedj112 I'll share this video I made about it kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZi0o4CHgNRnsKc

[@FIGGY65]

@@reedj112 Hello Reed, and Happy New Year! If your finger board is original, of what species is it? It’s gorgeous! Great video, although I’m late😎. I appreciate your time, Best regards, Shawn

[@reedj112]

@@FIGGY65 I believe it's a rosewood board.

[@iyorit1089]

Thank you for loving YAMAHA so much. At that time, YAMAHA was durable, inexpensive, and had a concept for the masses. Of course, export was also considered. In fact, from this period until around the 90s, all YAMAHA models were pointed out to have weak necks. Now, you can see it by looking at the neck of the LL model. YAMAHA is always evolving, and the engineers have pride and passion. I think you can see it in the development of the ARE TOP, the new FG series, and the unique pickup system. And finally, FG produced the high-end model FG-9 in collaboration with American engineers. We hope you will continue to support YAMAHA acoustics. Thank you! from🇯🇵🙇‍♂️

[@stevebarkman2681]

I repair lots of these red labels here in NZ. Most need a 'wedge and dowel' neck reset, ( too risky getting in there with steam ) but once that's done, tidy up the frets and set them up, they punch way above their weight in dollars. Just wish I'd kept my 1970 FG 12 string. The very eary Taiwanese versions also have the light bracing, seek them out.

[@cameronwest7038]

what is a "wedge and dowel" reset, as opposed to the steam method. Which place on the guitar can a wedge be "leveraged"?

[@marcmayou1422]

YEP I HAVE ONE TOO! very nice sounding.

[@tonyjohnson3063]

I first strummd a acoustic on a back porch when I was 5. It was destined. I had a this same guitar for 15 years growing up. I wish I would of never gave it away. My old washburn is pretty nice, but doesn't sound like the nippon gakki

[@kevin6385]

I just picked up a 1970 FG-150. I can tell by SN. Getting it refretted. Got a great deal paid $300 Cdn. Had to buy it!

[@reedj112]

Score!

[@hamishbell209]

Hi there, great vid. I have an FG150F, Nippon Gakki with a black label inside. It has the tuning fork symbol on the headstock not the word YAMAHA. Any idea what year this might be. And I absolutely love it...

[@marcmayou1422]

I own a RED label FG-150 NIPPON GAKKI Sweet sound for sure.

[@peacefultimes11]

Great video, thanks for your review. I just picked one up at the local flea market for $55 with beat up original case and a gig bag for free. Dinged a bit but will do a set-up, some fret work and replace with a bone nut and saddle. Seems like it may need just light strings.

[@reedj112]

Can't go wrong at that price!

[@StevieZero]

Just found an fg152 orange label 1971

[@richardgcann]

The problem now is that those selling them have realized that they are becoming sought after and have raised the asking prices to an unrealistic level.

[@12babyapes59]

Get the L series from yamaha

[@Ggguillaume]

What si the good price for this guitar today? There si a guitar near me at 600€

[@andrewroberts508]

No kidding. My local Sam Ash has one for $675, the bridge is starting to split between the pins 😒

[@averagejoe7333]

I daw one for $2100 US

[@randycousineau9274]

My Fg180 is a great acoustic. I’ve had HDL and over priced T’s. Fg guitars stand the test of time.

[@rogerd9150]

Sounds amazing. I just found one for sale from '71 or '72 but although the guitar looks exactly the same, the red label does not say Nippon Gakki at the bottom. So I should steer away from it?

[@reedj112]

I would definitely check it out! It could still be a great playing and sounding guitar, and if the price is right, you can't go wrong!

[@Boris_Ernst]

Hey Reed, great video dude! I loved my FG 110, unfortunately sold it bc I was in need of money. But now I'm in the market for a new one again. What do you think is an appropriate price for a players grade FG 150? all the best Jako

[@reedj112]

Hey, Jako! So much of this depends on where you are located. I think if you can wait a bit and search out the right guitar, you should be able to get into one sub-500, which is a fair bit less than the new "Red Labels" Yamaha is producing. I know they're pretty different from the old ones, so it's not a true comparison, but I still think an old Red Label is one of the best options in terms of bang for your buck!

[@lookforbriansjazz7832]

Thanks for sharing. Fantastic info! What strings are you playing here?

[@reedj112]

I think those were Elixir Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb lights. I prefer mediums on most acoustic guitars, but on a smaller-bodied guitar like this, I'll often use lights.

[@edwardscarino]

Where did you get that headstock decal man? Love it

[@reedj112]

It was on there when I got it!

[@joepfeiffermusic]

I just snagged a well-kept 1972 FG-150 for $300. Sweeet.

[@reedj112]

Nice!

[@msinger5340]

Great demo, fine playing! What is the song? What strings are you using? The guitar sound fantastic! Well done sir.

[@reedj112]

Thank you! The song was just something I made up to demo the guitar. I think those strings were Elixir Phosphor Bronze Nanowebs in light guage. They sound good to me and last a long time without feeling weird like some other coated strings. Thanks for watching!

[@Constantstate]

The Nippon Gakki (Japan) models are great for sure, but note that the Taiwan (1970-1972) made red labels are virtually indistinguishable in tone and build quality from their Japanese counterparts and should not be overlooked. I have a 66 green label and a 72 red label (taiwan) to compare and have had a dozen others in the past for reference.

[@gillesserrigny6324]

What kind of strings and gauge use you on these vintage Yamaha ?

[@reedj112]

Right now it has light gague Elixir Nanowebs. 12-53.

[@gillesserrigny6324]

@@reedj112👍

[@gillesserrigny6324]

A guy on KZbin advices, if you have some problem with the neck, of shaving down the bridge. What do you think about that.?

[@reedj112]

I would always trust the advice of an expert luthier with the guitar in his hands over what someone says on the internet (like me!🤣). But based on the precious little info I have of the situation, it sounds like that guitar might need a neck reset. I doubt the bridge being too thick is the issue with the guitar, so shaving it down would be a indirect way of addressing another problem. It would be better to address that problem and leave the bridge alone. Again, get the guitar in the hands of a skilled luthier!

[@gillesserrigny6324]

@@reedj112 Thanks for your philosophy and advice 👍. The eye of a good luthier is primordial.

[@cameronwest7038]

@@gillesserrigny6324 Many people shave the bridge (including me) to keep the neck reset at bay. It's a pretty standard "cheap" temporary fix, but you can only shave it so much before it starts to affect tone. ---- anecdote: I remember looking at a former musician's FG-75 in NZ which had the bridge shaved already, but unfortunately, the neck angle had degraded further, and it needed a neck reset, so I passed it up.

[@daw162]

It depends on how much room. It can defer a neck reset. but if you're going to keep the guitar for the long term, I'd shave the saddle once and do the neck and back and forth. The whole neck angle, bridge, saddle combination isn't complicated or overly precise - guitars have a lot of latitude in how you faff with each....as long as they intonate properly. If they don't intonate, nothing will make them sound good.

[@gibsonlg2453]

Fg 150 Red with solid top wood?

[@reedj112]

No, it's laminated.

[@martifingers]

Great intro to the whole FG series. The sound was fantastic- the best I've heard from an FG 150. For those unfamiliar with these guitars, it is worth watching this classic performance from one of Ireland's finest musicians:kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXOqnJuGrZplb8k. The guitar would have been relatively new at this time but already had evidence of being well played! Paul stills plays one today apparently.

[@raindogred]

I got a 1967 yamaha nylon string porch guitar. it never comes in the house. pretty beat up, so worthless but i probably play that old thing more than all the other 20 or so guitars i own. I got a nice early 70s Ibanez Humingbird copy, and a kasuga which is a '69 I think, but not much info on them...mij is the way to go

[@marcmayou1422]

how do you know what year it was made?

[@reedj112]

There are some solid resources online that, when corroborated with other sources, can be telling. With a guitar void of serial numbers or the like, you're mainly dating by features because those often changed with the times.

[@marcmayou1422]

I bought from brother in law in 1989. Maybe he knows. Thanks@@reedj112

[@marcmayou1422]

I just put on a new set of strings, Still sounds lovely to me.@@reedj112

[@christianvidigalmiranda4229]

no guitar ages as well as Yamaha's

[@oinkooink]

Dropped D. Everyone does dropped D.

[@daw162]

makes guitars sound bigger than they sound, of course.

[@oinkooink]

@@daw162 Of course

[@reedj112]

@David W It has nothing to do with making them sound bigger for me. I'll often play in drop D or drop the A to G to have one of the lower strings drone so I can play melodic things on the higher strings. When you're flatpicking solo, it's about the only way you can accompany yourself, and I'm definitely more of a flatpicker than a fingerpicker.

[@anthonylane9547]

I call them sleeping Giants of sound.

[@reedj112]

That's a highly appropriate nickname!

[@dirkjanklijn9949]

Sorry, but I've played a shitload of good guitars and Martin and Gibson have the name and are great guitars but there's a lot of great guitars out there for a fraction of the price of a Martin or a Gibson, Yamaha's are one of them, just use your hands and ears and you'll find that you don't have to spend thousends of euro's or dollars to buy a lifelong companion.

[@nicogorter4393]

Hoe waar Dirkjan. Ik heb een fikse 180 nippen gakki, dreadnought, moet een geweldige sound en veel sustain