Vintage Yamaha FG180

[@DrewsGuitarShop]

This particular guitar has been sold

[@cajosempronio509]

I WANED TO KNOW IF THE GUITAR HAS a solid top or not . i have a japanese fd 180 nikkay gakki but if i look it looks ki it is compressd wood... pfff thanks for any answer

[@michaelhockin1984]

I have two old FG 180's . The first, a '71 from Taiwan, was given to me with nylon strings and an old metal tailpiece to hold the strings. After sitting in my closet for a couple years, I brought it out to see what it would sound like. Action was high and not really playable. Maybe 3/16" at the 12th fret. Still, it sounded really good. So I bought some nut files from StewMac and started to see how low I could get the strings. Shaved the bottom of the saddle a lot, almost down to the top of the bridge. Adjusted the neck rod and nut. That got the big E to 3/32" at the 12th fret but the angle coming from out of the pin holes was almost flat and there was buzz coming from the bridge area. So I "ramped" the slots coming out of the pin holes to get a decent angle to the saddle. Now it plays well and sounds fantastic. I compared it, side by side, to a nice Martin HD 35 and it was very close in sound. I love its tone. That rich Mahogany/spruce sound . The second, a '67 NIppon Gakki made in Japan, I bought so I could practice doing a homemade neck reset. I paid $50 for the guitar including a mint aftermarket Chinese hard case. The top was quite warped in different directions. Didn't look promising but, after inspection with a small mirror, I found two loose braces. One was one of the X braces that was not only loosened but broken where the the X braces crossed. I think these two braces are why the top was so warped but I re-glued them with clamps as they were. Then I gave the guitar the same treatment i gave the '71. Same result structurally but the sound is even better. No neck reset. More volume and super sweet tone. It is now my personal favorite guitar of all time. I love it.

[@jeffchard9563]

Cool vid, i have an old FG180 i picked up at a thrift store I've been trying to bring back to life as best i can.

[@lorenzoparedes2306]

I thought I should let you know that when you started the first picking and strumming, I thought to myself: This would be a good guitar for Gordon Lightfoot's music, and then you started to sing If You Could Read My Mind. This also illustrates why a serious guitarist should own different instruments from different makers and different designs and eras. As much as I love my Gibson Hummingbird and my Martin D1, there are tunes which only a well made OM will make them shine.

[@terrysmith-z4l]

I had owned 2,,, 180s the first one for 125 bucks, my wife at the time she screamed the roof down, the second I was long divorced. Some of my best playing on this beautiful guitar.

[@marcmayou1422]

I have a FG 150- red label still sounds great.

[@DrewsGuitarShop]

They are solid guitars.

[@bostonbesteats364]

Thanks for the lovely guitar Drew! Dates to June 1970.

[@domdimensions9219]

Nice guitar! I think if people use lighter guage strings on their guitar, and also always remember to tune it down if in storage or if not playing for a while, that might help to not need a neck reset so soon in the future. Sort of like a type of preventative maintenance. And also I think if people use heavier strings on their guitars they might be more likely to have problems in the future, as they have a lot more tension. Would you agree?

[@paulmoody9496]

Thinking about getting one and this was a great video to find. Thanks brother!

[@zattan2002]

Useful video about the FG180, thanks.

[@stevengudino4759]

Awesome video! I have a FG-180 of my own that needs setup, do you work on these guitar still?

[@Drummertist]

Man’s Road by America. Great song

[@buggzo]

I got mine for $25 and it came with some cheap electronics installed that I haven't gotten to work yet. Great guitar. I've picked up a ton of higher end stuff that just doesn't play as well or sound as good. But I have a question about the neck contour. The v shape is great for my playing style but I struggle around that first fret area. Is there anything I can do for that while also keeping the V contour throughout the rest of the neck?

[@grantmartin6094]

I just got one that has “Nippon Gakki” on the sticker inside. Mainly after watching this video! Found it dirt cheap locally. Any way to know how to date them?

[@jewnersey7413]

I think if you look inside the sound hole up towards the neck there’s some numbers there. The last ones will show year

[@TheGravygun]

Fine job, Sir.

[@4jrbirdman]

great sounding guitar!

[@dantedanis]

I found one in storage and was trying to sell it for $100 at yard sale until someone told me all about it then when I searched on eBay it was $800 😮 I kept it

[@DrewsGuitarShop]

It depends on the condition, but yeah, they aren't worth nothing.

[@dantedanis]

@@DrewsGuitarShop i put it on marketplace for $400 until some good guy came and told me his father’s story with this guitar. He played with it and wanted to put $200 down and bring rest to come pick it up later, but I told him take for $200. It made me feel great 😊

[@ericporterfield5531]

It’s a 70’s. Early 60’s we’re green label and late 60’s had a different truss cover. More bell shaped. My guess is ‘71.

[@ethanrobinson5536]

I am in the market for one now. In the UK they cost around £400 - £900 dependent on condition. I’m really wanting one however it it worth it? Some say it’s not worth the reset and they’re getting too old in age. I’m buying it to keep all my playing days.

[@korbinbaird]

How do you think the new FGX5 compares to the FG-180?

[@DrewsGuitarShop]

I have not been able to put both directly side by side

[@medweb8690]

I want to buy this guitar but am uncertain that the link goes to this exact guitar.

[@DrewsGuitarShop]

Reverb has a black bar that shows up under the search bar that says "this listing has sold" if the guitar has sold. This guitar sold shortly after I posted this video 8 months ago unfortunately.

[@TheGravygun]

What size and brand of string are you running on that beautiful Yamaha?

[@DrewsGuitarShop]

D'adderio ej-16 most likely.

[@TheGravygun]

@@DrewsGuitarShop Thank you Sir.