Yamaha FG-200 instant ZEPPELIN | The Legendary and CHEAP 1970s FG Guitars!

I'm playing an amzing 1972 Yamaha FG-200 Acoustic guitar (Tan label). It's actually all plywood, even the top, and it still sounds like a million bucks! These can still be had relatively cheap, so if see one, buy it!! Elliot Smith did much of his great work on a Yamaha FG-180.
Read more about vintage Yamaha FG guitars on this great web site:
yamahavintagefg.com/yamaha-fg...

[@what1864]

i was expecting it to sound like a full marshall stack , it didn't , but it did sound amazing ...

[@JohanSegeborn]

Hahaha! Everything is indeed relative 😀

[@CianRourke]

Yamaha - the people’s guitar, for buskers, song warriors, the salt of the earth Martin - for doctors, lawyers, businessmen, wall decoration

[@JohanSegeborn]

Hahaha! Unfortunately that’s proper true

[@cooltheengines]

That’s the way I feel about PRS guitars. Everybody looks at them on the wall and talks about how great they are, but then when it’s time to get down and make music, everybody grabs their Gibsons and fenders.

[@hansemannluchter643]

If it's good enough for Bert Jansch, it's good enough for everybody.

[@mrbuttons1243]

This was really fun. Don't be afraid to make non-amp videos. We will probably find it interesting also.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Glad to hear it! Yeah I hope so too

[@50Something]

Sounds amazing Johan!

[@screamengine]

I can't tell you how many people I've had ask me what Acoustic they should get and I've always said anything Yamaha, at any price point is good enough up to the pro level. Solid, no frills and they sit perfectly well in a mix.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Yeah great stuff

[@hansemannluchter643]

​@@JohanSegebornBert Jansch played a Yamaha LL11 . I had the fortune of seeing him half a dozen times back in the 1980's..

[@eddieholmes3236]

I can almost see you in a farmhouse in Wales Johan! And the coolest leg rest ever.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Hahaha! I had to assume a position that put the guitar properly relative to the mics 😂 Cheers Eddie!

[@jcoulter43]

I have a friend who has one of these. Rivals his expensive Taylor's in the tone department. Love the b-roll shots of the guitar and the scenery like you used to do. God bless and strum on 😎👍

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks my friend, glad you like the scenery! Rock on!

[@Pezzomusic]

I just bought FG-200 3 weeks ago. Amazing sound! The mics love it.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cool, glad to hear it!

[@alanst.4417]

Very unusual to see you with an acoustic, Johan. And you made this video very special with your artistic shots of the countryside and the guitar. And everything possible to get the best sound in the studio 😁

[@krachbumbang]

Beautiful Sound and playing!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Glad to hear!

[@jcwear89]

Sounds phenomenal!!!

[@MrSheymie]

This sounds very nice, and very harmonious when you are playing higher up on the neck too.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Yeah indeed that’s where many cheaper guitars fall short but this one shines!

[@murdock8068]

Glad to see the Yamaha FG get some love! I was given a late 60s FG-110 red label from my brothers friend. Had it for 10 years then it got stolen.. Recently bought another. 1968 red label FG-110. I had read they changed to laminate because they were warping on the ride over from Japan. The projection of this guitar is amazing. I put it up next to a 4000$ Collings acoustic guitar and mine was just as loud and as good a tone as you could imagine! Thanks Johan!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Yeah super loud and dynamic

[@badtonestudio]

I too love the b roll and scenery shots. I’m not hip on acoustics but you might convert me. Your guitar sounds great.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! I’m glad to hear that. Cheers

[@mitchellferre1652]

Beautiful little Medley @5:13 ! Thanks Johan 👍🏼 😊

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Mitchell! Great to hear that! Cheers

[@threecatclemmusic6560]

Had a Red Label Vintage FG. Might have been one like this. It was a pure joy to play and the sound was simply beautiful. Thanks for showcasing this and enjoy your playing as always❤

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, I’m glad to hear that! ❤️

[@samclements8246]

Legendary guitars! I have played some ABSURDLY nice ones over the years. Great video as always Johan. Your work and art is really appreciated!

[@hyperluminalreality1]

My only acoustic is a red label FG-180 I got free from a friend in damaged condition. It plays sweet now. I like it. Serves my acoustic needs just fine.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cool! FG180 red label is the most classic one to me!

[@mbach1187]

@@JohanSegeborn Why the most classic? Would you say the 180 has a similar sound to this one?

[@batman9592]

Yes, yes, yes! Tone is in the fingers of the man who places the mic correctly :D I like to play standing wit the guitar resting on a wooden sofa or table. Seems to amplify the sound and enhance the bass. Either that or rest my chin on the body. Really appreciate the return to nature footage etc too! Such a cool groove you got going there. Love the open tuning, it's working great.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, makes my day to hear that!

[@auntjenifer7774]

I have an awesome old Yamaha FG 75 from 1969-1971 and it's a smaller body than yours but it's still reminds me something Neil Young would play. Your Yamaha sounds really pretty !

[@jeffallen3382]

My first guitar I ever got was an acoustic my uncle gave me for Christmas in 1980. I still have it but haven't played it in years sadly... Off hand I don't remember the brand but it was a Brazilian made guitar from some tree that is extinct now from what I remember reading about.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Yeah Brazilian Rosewood the Rolls Royce of woods

[@bobjoe7508]

What?! You’d got to be kidding me, a plywood acoustic! Well you certainly had me clicking on this as soon as I could. This sounds shockingly good

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks man, yeah it’s insane how they can achieve that sparkling tone hi f only plywood. Cheers

[@timetraveler8777]

Nice acoustic guitar sounds great, and great playing as usual

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! I’m glad to hear that! Cheers

[@george-st-george]

I have one and it's a vintage guitar now !!!!!! I love it !!!!

[@5150powder]

ok I read the first ten comments and nobody has said anything about it so I will. Johan the sound you have captured is incredible!! really a fantastic recording. love the detail and depth in the sound. I think the nicest acoustic guitar sound I've heard on KZbin. very special. thank you and keep it up. we are guitar and amp people. more acoustic will be welcomed im sure.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, makes my day to hear that! Cheers

[@darrellminx5459]

I remember these guitars. Every band I was in used to have one. Cheers from Hawaii Johan Aloha

[@JohanSegeborn]

Aloha Darrell! Cheers

[@ac81017]

Well that was a surprise, sounds amazing! Might have to keep my eyes open for one of these.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, glad you like it!

[@siegfriedwashburn3484]

Hi, Johan! I can't forget my Martin, which was stolen. But those Yamaha are great workhorses!) See you! S.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks man! Sorry to hear about your Martin! See you!

[@SkifflerRecordings]

Having owned various FGs 150,180,260,300 in the past I have to say my FG200 73 Japanese beats them all hands down, with my 72 Taiwan FG200 coming a close second. I got into them after watching John Martyn playing an FG180 on OGWT.

[@philipbard2333]

Your mic technique is tremendous.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks man! Glad to hear that!

[@Twobarpsi]

Sounds great Johan!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Glad to hear that! Cheers!

[@cliveclive54]

Gorgeous 😁🤘🙏

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Clive, great to hear that!

[@cheater281]

Your enthusiasm and that glorious acoustic guitar tone got me looking for a Yamaha fg. There’s a fg335 nearby… damn, I don’t really need another guitar. Keep up with the good work!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Hahaha! Thanks my friend, is it the sunburst 335?

[@cheater281]

@@JohanSegeborn it’s the natural finish

[@AlexCBrandon]

I went to buy the first acoustic I've bought since the mid 90s. I tested Martin, Yamaha, and Taylor. Pretty thoroughly. I chose a Taylor. To each their own! I'll never say Martin is overpriced for people that fall in love with 'em.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Yeah all great guitars.

[@loubydal7812]

I think as long as the top bracing is done well also plywood can be Ok, of course is not like a solid top generally with a bigger sound or more projection. If it's quality plywood it can make a nice guitar too, don't think of softer plywood used for cheap furniture. There's always the mastery of guitar makers and Yamaha really delivers. Great video, great playing and great guitar (too good for the money !) Thanks Johan

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Glad to hear it! Yeah I have understood that the bracing is super influential. Cheers

[@SCOTT-ki3ve]

Usually the challenge us to make an acoustic sound as "good as in the room". This is way better, that's the best acoustic sound I've ever heard

[@compucorder64]

Really nice, in the 90s, my first guitar teacher pointed me towards these, Yairis and Takamines when they were cheap. The new Yamaha FG/FS Red Labels are ace too. Proper pro guitars for around 1k. A little above that, there's Furch, then the USA Guilds. Below that, the all solid but made in Asia Guilds (Westerley Collection). And they are damn good too. I think Eastman are also very good too, but rarer in Europe. And cheaper again around 300-400 the all solid Recording Kings, fill the gap that used to be served by guitars like Blueridge. All that said, I am still kicking myself a bit for not buying a Martin D-18 or D-28 back when they were not so very expensive.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Yeah Yairis are indeed killer guitars too

[@cliftongardner4367]

My dad has an 80s all-laminate FG that’s probably bordering on worthless on the market, but in drop D, an open D chord will rattle your teeth with its bass response. Sure, the deep V neck and high action after decades of tension makes you work for it, but you can’t tell me it sounds worse than a brand new Martin dread. Kids, the secret sauce to making your acoustic sound great is to play it for 40+ years. Regardless of what it’s constructed from. Great vid!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Yeah I’m a firm believer in that the use/vibrations of many years really benefits the guitar. Some builders shake their guitars on a bench to emulate use. Cheers

[@SuperGaryBurns]

Bron Yr Gothenburg !

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cheers my friend 😁

[@i.m.22]

Hi Johann. Could you plz do a video where you compare small tube combos (5W) to each other? Like: Marshall Class 5c vs Bugera V5 vs Harley Benton Tube 5 etc.... That would be very cool I think. Take care!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Hi! Thanks That’s a great idea!

[@BcBaxley]

Check out the Taylor GS Mini / Parlor Guitars...They are stupid cheap, and amazing sounding 😎🍻🤘

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cool, I will! Cheers

[@AmpliFIRE]

I've owned a few of these over the years and they can't be beat for the money. They are comparable to Martin's of the same era. which are very much hit or miss (usually miss lol). However, they are much different than any modern era USA made Martin. Whoever said Martin's are for Doctor's or Lawyer's, they need to tell that to Neil Young, Johnny Cash, Elvis etc. etc. etc. There are much higher end acoustics that I would consider more aimed at doctors and lawyers (Santa Cruz, Collings, Bourgeios, pre-war etc.).

[@i.m.22]

Had a black Label FG180, best non solid wood guitar I ever played.

[@middle_pickup]

Hey, Johan! Have you ever tested a 4x12 loaded two speakers to get a more open back sound? I heard that Clapton did this on his touring rig back in the day. I wondered if micing the open holes sounds different from micing the open back side of a cab, or if it's basically the same. Seems like a cool video idea! Cheers!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, I have done something similar earlier but it’s a great idea to compare it to regular open backs. Cheers

[@the_nondrive_side]

damn... just as it stopped.. I use electric strings on my guitars.. the f310 I had UST piezo and a dual rail humbucker.. flatwound chromes and the exl110w wound 3rd electrics work with magnetic pickups.. obviously. they sound better too.. less off tone harmonics.. my 90s epiphone got the same build as my Yamaha. elliott smith played red label 800 I record in a small room close so I get the warmth. actually you might like my tone lots..

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cool! I have to try electric strings on it too!

[@the_nondrive_side]

@@JohanSegeborn I have 115w on right now because I'm poor.. usually Chromes.. flatwounds work best with piezoelectric pickups.

[@TempoDrift1480]

Im a Yamaha guy myself.

[@danmist]

They also built red label ones in Taiwan. I know because I have one.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Interesting! Is that the ones with the logo rather than the name on the headstock?

[@danmist]

@@JohanSegeborn No, it says Yamaha on there.

[@bobfellows6974]

The red label FG’s that say “NIPPON GAKKI” on the label were made in Japan. The red label FG’s that don’t say that were made in Taiwan. I have some of each & they all sound good!

[@darkthingswithmarkdavis4497]

Plywood acoustics get a bad rep when there many that are amazing.

[@richfiryn]

What tuning is that here? Sounds cool!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! It’s Open C, Open G and DADGAD

[@jaysonlavie603]

Sounds great but for ~$200 more could get a new Eastman e1-d which is all solid wood and a total bazooka.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Interesting! I have to try that one. Maybe we can AB test them

[@DonaldMerrit]

I am 65 now, back when I was 14 I had a Yamaha FG 150. Someone? scratched F#$k you on the back of it, then it was stolen. Glad it wasn't a Martin

[@JohanSegeborn]

That seems like a terrible fate

[@machineryman7197]

Here we go, say goodbye to the good prices of old Yamahas 😡 lol

[@BigTrouble324]

No Marshall??? Are you sure that's legal?

[@JohanSegeborn]

Hahaha! Yeah I’m kind of type cast by now 😂

[@wbertie2604]

An old Vox acoustic would be more Led Zep, surely?

[@JohanSegeborn]

Yeah he used a Vox on Ramble on. Haven’t tried one myself though

[@wbertie2604]

​@@JohanSegeborn they are functionally equivalent to EKO of the same period. I have mine. Three, in fact. They tend to self-destruct due to shrinkage of the very thick lacquer used, though. One of mine is now unusable because of this and the logo has cracked off another which I should fix soon.

[@wbertie2604]

​@@JohanSegeborn the Yamahas are classics, though, and quite a few artists of the 70s used them, especially live.

[@DMSProduktions]

JANGLY!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cheers DMS!

[@thesunman108]

This thing sound uuuuuuuuge

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cheers! 😀

[@jcwear89]

Sounds phenomenal!!!