Shocking Blind Test - Yamaha FG9 Rosewood VS Mahogany | Which One Is Best?

[@BulldoggerJK]

I played a couple of these at the store north of TAS. They are the real deal. A bunch of us would pick them if we were blindfolded. I thought they were better than every Martin in the store.

[@tom5216]

Stop getting hung up on Martin wonderful though they are. Yamaha have always produced top notch guitars that shine at whatever price range they are aimed at. If they want $4000 for a guitar you can bet it’s better than anything else at that price.

[@JackSheppard-fv6fc]

This isn't the first high priced Yamaha by any means. They have been building boutique quality guitar for decades. The LL 56, 46 & 36 are all hand made Yamahas built in Japan. Absolutely stunningly beautiful looking and sounding guitars. Ranging from $3,500 to $4,600. Approx.

[@hoangnguyennguyen1032]

That being said, higher end Yamahas can be a bit hard to come by, even harder to come by on the used market. I don't think they make that many of those.

[@trutututpiupiu]

There is no 46. But there are 26, 66 and 86.

[@gazpal]

​@hoangnguyennguyen1032 users don't really tend to re-sell their high end Yamaha guitars.

[@lhvent]

I have an FG830 and LL6M ARE that blow me away at their price point. Some of the L Series models made in Japan are some of the finest in the world.

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

I watched this demo with my studio headphones, and without the screen facing me, so I wasn’t biased in any way towards A or B. When listening to the recording, I could not tell when the guitars were swapped, and I tried to pick out differences. They both sound great, and I would pick a Yamaha over a Martin or Taylor ALL DAY LONG…in fact, I have already. 😂 I don’t want a status symbol; I want a fantastic instrument. I’m not a dread player, and never will be. I would love a folk size version of this one, although my eye is really on an LS-56, which I’ll probably never own. 🐰🇺🇸🎸🎶✌️

[@tom5216]

Try an LSTA. Fantastic sounding guitar with some fun effects thrown in for good measure. I have 2 L series, 1 AC3R and a nylon strung. All solid wood around the £1200 mark and they are the guitars I go to, not my 3 Taylors. The L series are amazing.

[@tedwasielewski9641]

I bought a FG 9 M because, to my ears, it was more balanced than the R version; lighter as well. Also I already own a '94 HD-28 . I will say that the build quality of the FG-9 is better than my Martin. I know it's hard to say that a 4K guitar is a bargain, but if you compare the FG-9's specs, and sound, with other similar guitars it is a good value.

[@danherrick2310]

I played an FG9 next to martins of the same cost. Not even close - yamaha blew them away. you'd have to spend $8,000 and up to get a Martin that Martin actually tried hard to make well, so i'd say a better yamaha for half the price is kind of a deal, right?

[@tedwasielewski9641]

Yes, that is the way I feel about newer Martins. Those that are older and certainly"vintage" Martins are another matter. They can be wonderful guitars. @@danherrick2310

[@jmsamborski]

I went with the FG9M over the R for the same reasons. And yeah, it destroys every other guitar out there (Martin or otherwise) unless you’re hitting 7-10k.

[@kurt8805]

As a long time guitar player who can usually easily hear the difference between mahagony and rosewood, I couldn't hear it here. Maybe barely in a rare strum but not in the flatpicking. Please do another comparison of these two guitars with simpler playing. I don't want to have to order both to determine which one I prefer.

[@neilanderson2374]

The only guitar brand I have bought that has never needed a setup out of the box is Yamaha. Awesome guitars and i've just bought an FG9R. It did take a week to open up, now it is heavenly

[@cugir321]

You must be the luckiest man in the world or not very picky! Can you capo all of them without a buzz in the world? I have 6 yamaha's...the only one that didn't need anything was a japanese made CPX15 egyptian....paid 1500.00 for it and it was worth every cent. Now that capo'd all the way up to 7 without a buzz...with a cheap kyser capo...japanese is not chinese made! I'll guess your FG9R was perfect....that makes sense. Tell me about the perfect chinese ones you bought.

[@gazpal]

​@cugir321 I've owned eight (still own four) and not needed to fret dress any of them. Six were made in China and had no issues

[@arniebaird7852]

A - has more even quality across the spectrum. B - produces slightly a brighter tone, (especially on the higher notes). Both sound great, especially when considering their price.

[@banjo1434]

These are glorious instruments. Yamaha are a class act, and that goes for the pianos, motorcycles hifi etc too. My 300 dollar fs820 still gets played every day. Great review. Thanks.😊

[@demolitionwilliams7419]

FG9 and a Boucher and I'll be satisfied... I think

[@rogerd9150]

I always think the same thing…but I always need one more. Oh well.

[@firecrackerheart]

damn. this recording is really telling. these guitars are KILLER.

[@banjo1434]

Would be interesting to compare these with the aged mahogany Yairis at a similar price point. Another guitar line that compete favourably with more expensive boutique guitars.

[@rzh3443]

Both sounded great, but I guessed B was the Rosewood model. Balanced sound , not a Martin clone. Although priced at $4k , I suspect the build quality is excellent so a lifetime purchase!

[@gam1471]

Here in the UK the FG9 can be bought for £2911 Sterling (USA $3678). That's almost the same as a new standard Martin D-18 or D-28 at £2,999 (USA $3790). Yamaha's official UK website recommends a selling price of £4253 (USA $ 5370). However good the Yamaha is, I can only see these selling at a good discount. The Martin will undoubtedly hold its secondhand perception and price better.

[@neilanderson2374]

That is a good point. I picked the fg9r up for £2700 in a bf deal. Time will tell on resale, but I’m not selling this. You’d have to buy a d28 authentic to get a similar experience which is twice the price and take the risk on Martin QC

[@CrazyHenkie777]

I don't think many people would want to sell their FG9

[@dalesearcy5734]

Bob Taylor has been quoted as saying that the back and sides materials don't affect the sound of a guitar. These guitars sound so close to each other that strings and picks will be as much a factor in their sound as will be the build materials. I would have to play them myself to be able to pick which one I like best. That would be a very fun time.

[@texhaines9957]

Question on setup: how is the setup for light (0.012) strings for finger style, light strumming playing and singing?

[@AcousticShoppe]

They can totally suit that setup!

[@AlexA99423]

Not to be a history stickler, but if Jeremy were truly a follower of Ned Ludd, he'd have smashed that guitar,😮 Seriously, those both sound great, and look distinctive, especially the elegant fret markers. 👍

[@darrellskinner5263]

So many builders bringing it. Yamaha already has the high end LL custom shop line but the FG9s are aimed squarely at Martin. That being said, pick up a D-18 or D-28 these days and you’ll likely be impressed. Where Yamaha will excel is in build quality, consistency and value. I also expect to see some real pickers to become ambassadors for these.

[@phanhuyduc2395]

Martin built quality is much worse than Yamaha nowadays😢

[@dxcman1]

Yamaha's are amazing. The Red labels and the LL series are fantastic. I played the Mahogany one at my local shop. I'd love to get it but the wife would beat me with it if I got a 4k guitar.

[@phanhuyduc2395]

Wife always our biggest obstacle between us and another great guitars. It is very funny because they also have a wardrobe full of bags and fancy shoes 😅😅

[@johnny_geo]

my biggest fear is that when I die, my wife will sell my guitars for the prices I told her I paid for them!

[@dxcman1]

This made me laugh@@johnny_geo

[@JR-lx8nn]

Nice demo, but I could hear the difference between them - although they both sound good. Thanks for the video. JR

[@robertcovell2787]

They are so close it's very difficult to tell the difference, but I felt that "B" mahogany sounded a bit warmer with a touch more mid range. Maybe I'm full of it but I liked "B". Martin has always been my go to favorite but I happened upon a Canadian guitar, Simon&Patrick Woodland Cedar that I liked so much I bought it. These Yamaha's, although better (brighter, articulate) reminded me of the Canadian offering.

[@StevenMooney-f4y]

Great demonstration, I prefer the Rosewood, but I will also say they both sound great.

[@championhairpuller]

I liked B's low end even though I'm normally a mahogany guy.

[@johnqualls5990]

Interesting how mahogany and rosewood changes the high and low ends. It’s a slight difference., but it’s there. Can’t wait to to try them out!

[@rafalmarkiewicz6313]

Looks like a great guitar but for the price you can get eg. Bourgeois D Vintage/TS Touchstone and Eastman E6OM-TC, which would you prefer?

[@AcousticShoppe]

John prefers the FG9, they are absolutely incredible and worth the price. All are fantastic in their own way and have their own unique voice but the FG9 really does go all out.

[@MelodyMaker]

Truss rod adjustment at headstock...with little screws attaching the cover plate, you are putting the guitar on a bench in order to make the adjustment in contrast to easily making the adjustment on your lap if at the sound hole. Additionally, impatient guitarists may use the incorrect tool at headstock therefore potentially stripping the screw head. Some adjustment covers now may come without screws though and rely on a friction slide. Headstock adjustment choice may have to do with accommodating for every potential pick up installation configuration.

[@banjo1434]

Yamaha have done this for decades, though my current fs820 has it in the usual place. I can't say it bothered me when I had to adjust at the headstock. It's not something I've had to do very often. And the cover plates are quite attractive.

[@mikegossett2289]

I wish yamaha would lean more into the other markets they cover. You can find 700/800 series all day (fabulous guitars for ~$200) but anything else is fairly rare ime. I took a leap of faith and recently purchased an ac3m online and man its amazing how nice it is for under a grand. Having the higher end stuff more readily available would really help people get over the belief that yamaha only does great beginner guitars.

[@Garspawnish]

Rosewood my vote. Yamahas are the best guitars for the money, from the inexpensive to the top ends, imo. Have a 41 year old FG 335ii that sounds better than a new $5k Martin.

[@tadge74]

Looking forward ro reviews of more affordable Yamahas which punch above their price

[@lhvent]

My Yamaha FG830 is a great sounding guitar and sounds amazing. Also, my LL6M ARE is a great guitar. The FG9 is a masterpiece.

[@tadge74]

@@lhvent I've just ordered a LS6👍

[@lhvent]

​@@tadge74fantastic

[@AcousticShoppe]

On the way!

[@guitarpt62]

Can you do a review of the Yamaha AC 1/3/5 R vs M guitars? Also do you have any videos on the mics that you use? Love the show and Jerry, I’d love to play guitar as well as you. Thanks!

[@RSNflatpickn]

Well that's interesting the rosewood was way louder and maybe set up is involved a little sounded like the mahogany was little to low for you john

[@GG-Anaximander]

Mahogany all day everyday. I've always felt rosewood guitars have too much overtone and they sound flawed, but I understand some people prefer the overtone.

[@davidedie1518]

I was a B guy. Loved the sound of both, but B stood out the most to me. Guess I am just a Rosewood guy.

[@demolitionwilliams7419]

I want one sooooo badly

[@topwater22]

is it weird that I thought the rosewood sounded warmer/woodier than the mahogany?

[@texhaines9957]

John & Jeremy, is Gibson not in your vocabulary? What is the neck profile like? Nut? Thanks

[@AcousticShoppe]

They have a smaller neck profiles than most other companies and it is an 1 3/4" nut.

[@markrobinson891]

They obviously want to announce to the world that this is a Yamaha at first glance but I think it would look much classier if they put that neat little FG logo on the top of the peg head. I have a hard time getting past the piano look to that peg head.

[@firecrackerheart]

(also, fantastic review, gents-thanks again)

[@donreed417]

The hog has a more focused projection

[@joepayne7843]

I can't believe it, but I think the rosewood sounds better.

[@entemen]

For a retailer who carries Eastman, a bias against Yamaha, and so late in seeing how good their top end acoustics are is strange. FG9s are made in Japan so the value for now and the future is there.

[@fedexnman]

Yeah I couldn't tell the difference. Man.

[@RJ-vb7gh]

The problem Yamaha has with building a really high end guitar is that most of their cheaper guitars already punch so far above their weight class. I literally know people who bought their first "entry level" Yamaha over 40 years ago who still play it and love it. On the other hand a $4000.00 guitar is somewhat of an investment... As to that element, the jury is still out. In 10 or 20 years people are either going to be really happy or really sad they bought an FG9.

[@michaeladams2644]

Rosewood sounds a bit sharper , but........

[@abates226]

I would love to see you guys do a comparison between one of the fg9s and an ll56. Yamaha isn’t stepping up their capability with this guitar as much as they are entering a narrow ‘niche’ market among guitars. Are you aware of some of the single-bench guitars? Like the LL56?

[@LifeWideOpen780]

Yes I agree ll56 vs fg9

[@darrellskinner5263]

I’ve never heard an LL56 in person, but what I hear in review videos is akin to the guitar version of a grand piano. I’d expect the FG9 to lean more towards a traditional Martin sound without trying to copy it.

[@AcousticShoppe]

We are aware and have some awesome comparisons planned in the future - stay tuned!

[@sambow4u]

And if you'll Notice in your travels ,,, " THE" Most high end Piano's , that you'll see world famous Pianist Playing ??? Yamaha ! Their Sound systems , World Class Instruments , you'll see are Yamaha's ! I Just Bought a HD-35,,, and I had to reset the neck,,, twice,,, The tuners are Chrome Grover 300 series , 18:1 ,,Of course it's Rosewood & Sitka and the biggest reason I bought it ? It was " Ambertone" finished , which is sorta abnormal, But the Rosewood was Highly figured, which is extremely Rare in a mass produced Guitar , especially from Martin ! when I registered it with Martin , I was actually looking for them to say ,,, " There's been a Mistake , Can we buy that Guitar back from you ",, And I bought it , Martin Case , full warranty, out the door for $2950.00 ! It plays and sounds amazing , But I also have a Blueridge 160A that a stand toe to Toe with it ! I Bought a Recording King - 328 , that sounds OMG ! But a Yamaha is a Mass Produced , Money Making Music Box ! And as far as it's Origin,,, when people Here " Over sea's" , They automatically Think of JUNK from CHINA ! But Japan is World renowned for their Precise , Flawless wood working skills and hand cut Joints !

[@cugir321]

I bought an LL-16 Yamaha....absolutely terrible neck....fingerboard had to be pleked to get it to play. Couldn't level it properly with the factory made humps and twists. I got more in the refret then the guitar.

[@anthonylane9547]

You should have taken it back to the shop you bought it from. This doesnt sound like Yamahas standard.

[@HeliBenj]

Mine is a cannon and perfectly setup from factory. Played it in the store against Martins and Taylor and fell in love immediately. Monster guitar! Sorry you got a lemon, doesn’t seem to happen too often.

[@HeliBenj]

@@cugir321 You know just yesterday I went to play a 20 years old LS6 a guy nearby was selling expecting to fall in love and I was so underwhelmed... felt tight, didn't resonate at all, didn't sustain...Today I went to test FG5 and FS5 in a store with my LL16 and comforted me that my LL16 is indeed an exceptional guitar. Good guitars the red label, just not my thing I guess. I feel sorry for all the people who don't have an opportunity to actually test drive guitars and buy sight unseen on internet. You can get good guitars but also very meh ones and maybe don't have anything to compare to... Lesson learnt for me, for acoustics it will be brick and mortar always

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

​@@HeliBenj How old were the strings' had he played much or mostly kept in the case?

[@maryjane6155]

There's a reason Rosewood is known as thew King (Though Brazilian is no longer available commercially) and it's evident in the A-B comparison here. The full bodies tone, whilst maintaining more than enough brightness.

[@LifeWideOpen780]

Japanese built is better than usa built. Change my mind

[@jasondonovan-oo3dx]

Id take off that pickguard 1st thing~ Ugly~ and put on a standard shaped pick guard

[@Patriot-American]

Guitar A ... 👍

[@dhwjohnston7212]

talk talk talk. sheesh

[@BobsYoureuncle]

John ..... why do you gotta be such a tough guy ! It's getting tiring you making jokes at Jers expense all the time. Compromising someone who is either under you , equal to or over you at work is just Not Cool !

[@patricwr]

No duh, yamaha is the premier musical instrument company

[@leerothman7570]

Reality check. After being a guitarist for 60 years and having owned 7 of the top Martins and a couple Taylors and Gibsons along the way, the likes of the FG 5 and 9 and LL series kick those otherwise highly respected brands to the curb. In both manufacture quality and consistency Yamaha has passed them by. Sorry but you'll have to park your egos and get real.

[@PhukYoutube-zs4xw]

Same experience. Couldn’t agree more. I’m a full convert. That’s why I’m here in the first place after purchasing an FG5X that I can’t put down! I think I might need me a new FG9 rosewood Yamaha. My Dad gigged with the same red label for over 40 years :)

[@SeaDrive300]

There are two, so it's "Which one is better?", not "Which one is best?" C'mon guys, yer makin' us gee-tar players look like mo-rons! 😉

[@gam1471]

I'm wondering why the test is 'shocking' - surprising maybe, but not shocking!

[@davidlawson5177]

You guys talk yo much and talk over each other...otherwise good reviews

[@markrobinson891]

How many times can you say “boutique”? Describing tone is kind of subjective. Bright, warm, woody, bass heavy might make more sense than modern, vintage, traditional. When Taylor introduced the round shoulder “Grand Pacific” dreadnaught and discontinued the traditional dread they said it “brought back a vintage traditional tone”. Certainly not to my ear. Taste is subjective. Tone comes from behind the guitar. It always come down to; the player will always get more out of any guitar than the builder.

[@shamansrealm]

Where have you been? This Martin/Gibson/Taylor snobbery must stop. Yes they sold guitars that was similar to a Martin and I am freaking tired of this crap. I am unsubscribing because it shouldn't cost the down payment on a house to play music.

[@starfighter2952]

$4000 for a yamaha? No freaking way. When buying a guitar you have to way your options. As in what your spending can buy in other brands.