(SOLD) Yamaha FG-300J Dreadnought Acoustic Japan 1975
Yamaha FG-300J, made in Japan 1975, natural gloss finish. This is a lovely vintage dreadnought and a great example of the long running 'Folk Guitar', or FG series. In the soundhole a black label and a five digit serial, denoting this to be a 1975 Japan-made guitar offered exclusively to the local market, as most of the FG series was moved to Taiwan in 1971. The '300' in the model name denoted the original price of around ¥30000, which was quite a lot of cash almost fifty years ago. It's a classic dreadnought body, made from spruce and rosewood. It's a laminate body, but these vintage three-ply laminates are a totally different animal to a modern five or six ply example; the quality of both timber and workmanship is very high. The neck is a moderate round shape, straight and stable and comfy in the hands. The 70s era headstock and logo, chunky Yam-branded tuners and bound fretboard are cool little aesthetic touches; it certainly has a quirky charm. The sound: it's big. There's heaps of tuneful, warm low end, with a complex midrange that lends depth and nuance to chords and a tight and tidy top end typical of a good Yamaha acoustic. These enjoy a cult following amongst enthusiasts, so join a cool little club and relish the company of a lovely ol' strummer.
Model: Yamaha FG-300J
Made: Japan, 1975 (serial 50527)
Finish: natural, gloss poly
Body: dreadnought style shape; spruce top, rosewood back and sides, rosewood bridge
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fingerboard, dovetail joint, 25.5" scale, 15" radius
Weight: 2.255kg
Pickup: none
Mods: none
Case: basic non-original vintage hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end, bottom edge and front near the truss cover, as well as a little bit of clouding in the finish on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has widespread minor scuffs around the whole body, most notably near the neck joint, around the middle of the body and along the back edge. The sides have some dimples on both shoulders, some scuffs and dimples in the elbow area and some scuffs in the bottom corner. The front has some dimples near the bridge, in the elbow area and along the back edge, as well as some standard play wear on the guard and shoulders. Overall: very good condition (8/10).
Playing condition notes: action is moderately low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. The frets look have some normal wear but are in good shape, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 12/54 Moonshiners strings.