Yamaha FG-160 Review

[@jerrywillis8617]

I have a 1976 yamaha fg 160-1. Bought it new in May of 1976. Excellent condition. Plays and sounds wonderful. Gave a one hundred sixty dollars for it. Love the deep sound.

[@tylerlabine9360]

bought a 76black label 4 years ago for 200

[@zakry3323]

I think they're very nicely made with a big deep sound- really impressive for an all-laminate guitar. I'd caution folks who are considering one to check out the action- if it needs a neck reset that's going to cost around $300- which is really about the upper end of what an FG-160 is worth in the first place.

[@jonhumble7199]

I have had an FG-160 tan label from Taiwan for over 40 years. There is no doubt there is something special about them.

[@StopFear]

I own this exact model ofguitar. Same weird open top tuners and the black label. Mine says Republic of China made in Taiwan. I got one in 2020 online for $170 at auction and I am so glad I got it. It had old rusty strings. They sounded alright actualy, but I put on it Earthtones Rock and Blues Ernie Ball strings. They sound great. It just immediately impresses with its powerful resonating sound which none of my under $300 guitars have. Mine must have been used a lot as it has small wear and tear but everything very minor so the owner must have taken care of it. They are made in the early or mid 1970s. If you own one guitar like this I highly recommend some of the lower sounding open D tunings. Especially the one with CACGCE tuning (called Open C6 tuning). It is used in Led Zeppelin song Friends, for example. The lower strings make this guitar resonate so nicely.

[@truthray2885]

I'm 64 and a beginner, but hooked. I played the tenor sax years ago. My brother, whom I love, is 67 and DEEP into the rock and roll scene as a venue booker for 40 years. He sees bands on their way UP, and on their way DOWN. He's had guitars for 52 years, and for 25 of 'em, has been into and owned VERY fine guitars, the usual makes - Martin, Gibson, Collins, Eastman, Bourgois, Santa Cruz. He claims to not know much about makes like Yamaha, though he grants they make high quality instruments at whatever price point. He's just never had any. I now have EIGHT!!! LOL I tell him I'm happy with them because I'll be dead long before I'll get good, but I've seen the true artists that play them, and the great Yamaha guitars they play. He's got the line up of the greatest American guitars made - they've all passed through his place. He knows and counts among his friends great guitar players. But between us, I haven't seen or heard anything that counters my attachment to these old Yamahas. I think they're something truly special, on a whole bunch of levels. And quality and nostalgia too are at the top. I like the fact that as I and the Yamahas I love are getting old, we've found each other. I feel a bit of a missionary's zeal in cleaning them up and bringing them back to life. I can hear the life still in them.

[@oscargutierrez4770]

Wow! Guitar sounds amazing and your chops sound even better! Blessings from Texas.

[@bhubb198]

Just got one handed down to me. Didnt think much of it till I started playing it. Real joy to play. Great for just picking up and playing in the living room.

[@michaelhutchens4243]

Nice, sounds like a few bluegrass licks coming through

[@tonywalters9436]

I have the tan color Fg 160 Yamaha it was made back in 1973. My old guitar has a great rich deep sound but,, I’m only can play it for 20 minutes for it burns my fingers and I have been playing my Gibson J45. For the last 21 years. The point I’m making is the Yamaha FG 160 probably needs some adjustment Because I really would like to play it longer than 20 minutes out with the band

[@emlyngriffith5846]

I bought mine new for £55 in 1974 in Birmingham UK….it’s been played every day and for the last 19 years has been with me up a Spanish mountain…..a great guitar which has given me years of enjoyment. Money well spent 👍🍷

[@michaellombard894]

Hi Rick- Just checked my Yama FG160, researched the s/n and found it was made in July 1976. We've had it since new! It is really nice to see your review of this piece! I'll definitely hang on to this! Thanks again.🎸

[@Gerrycolussi]

Very nice tone overall, strong bass also. Nice presentation!

[@biggylow8663]

I just bought a Fg-130, made in 1972. Its amazing!

[@festushaggen2563]

I bought a 1973 FG-160 tan label last year from a local seller to restore and resell. After I cleaned it and had it set up, I decided to keep it. I fell in love with the sound so much that I didn’t want to part with it. It has such a unique tone and resonates like crazy. By the serial number, it’ll turn 50 years old next week and it still looks and plays fantastic. Glad I found it. It’s a keeper for sure.

[@dreanof]

I have a 74 FG-160 that I bought new. Superb sound. A few pick marks on top where my step father whacked on it at a campout, otherwise completely original. In the shop now to get the neck straightened

[@maryfd536]

I have this same guitar, FG-160-1 black label, made in Taiwan and it sounds just like yours! Thanks for the review

[@robertarief8315]

My all original 1974 FG-160 with tan label says Nippon Gakki, Hamamatsu, Japan and uncommon 5 digit serial number. Has good full bass and plenty of mids. Needed no repairs when I got it recently. I had to choose between this FG-160 Jumbo for less than $200 from a private seller and 1970 FG-110 OM style priced at $795 from a dealer.

[@genghis_connie]

Gorgeous! I would have liked to hear it strummed. I’m looking for something I can open tune and kind of play it hard. I have a ‘92 Taylor 812ce and a ‘96 (?) Martin DM-1 The Taylor Is so bright,and the Martin is kindOf deep. I have the opportunity to buy one of these, but I’m afraid it sounds too much like the Taylor.

[@jaydevice333]

I bought one for 60 dollars.. I've been paying it for about 10 years, sill my main guitar.

[@eoinodunlaing4391]

I've just taken a chance and bought one blind on Ebay for £60-If it sounds anything like yours I'll be delighted.

[@JohnnyBarrett-it2uz]

Beautiful I had one loved it

[@Michael-q3m3v]

My great uncle was a great player and just all around guy. He left this Yamaha FG 160. Not sure of age. To my grandmother. She passed a year ago. I just pulled it out. Going to learn to play. Any suggestions

[@minecraftslimynoah6605]

I still have mine from 12 years old… I’m 59 now!

[@keithclark486]

I still have mine from 1973 and I'm 61 almost 62. I haven't played it since the cat peed in the sound hole 15 years ago ' Best I can remember it sounded pretty good but the neck was too fat , I've tried everything to get the smell out Nothing helps , I guess it soaked into the wood I tried to sell it a couple times ' told them it was a special type of wood to smell like that.

[@wolfstalesm.chapman1640]

@@keithclark486 what an intriguing Story :)

[@truthray2885]

@@keithclark486 I trust the cat met a quick but merciful end.

[@keithclark486]

@@truthray2885 He ran away from home and never came back ' the neighbors cat was in heat is the reason I think he did it. I think he got in a cat fight and got killed or was afraid to come home.

[@lucascruzguitar]

Nice box!!

[@thomasmcdonald9595]

Just picked one up for $250, little bit of marks but think I got a good deal for a 50 yr old guitar!

[@truthray2885]

Rick, is that a "160" or a "160-1"? Because I think the "160-1" has X-bracing, which I believe is to be preferred. I have a "160-1" and a "160". Both are a pure dream, but the label in my "160-1" looks just like the label in your guitar, tho' I can't make yours out clearly enough to see a "-1" tacked onto the end there, smaller than the other numbers.