"Never before has folk music sounded so good..."

Yamaha FG-300

Yamaha FG-140 Nippon Gakki guitar

The dirty yellowed plastic tuning heads caught my eye. Then I noticed the deep yellow patina of the top and well I had to have it. I love its weathering.

Online one can find posters raving over Red Label Nippon Gakki Yamaha guitars. The argument goes, though it possesses a laminate spruce top, the red label FG somehow exhibit aging characteristics of solid top instruments. Ehow claims the early FGs are solid tops but I believe they are mistaken.

This FG-140 has the serial number 1291xxx. After placing a call to Yamaha's astoundingly accommodating customer service line, I was able to date the guitar circa 1969-70. The FG-140 model was made between 1968 and 1972.

I also found out FG-140 guitars were also made in Taiwan starting in November 1970. However, the made-in-Taiwan instruments can be distinguished by its serial number which would include the letter "T". On this example, the label is more pink than red.

The FG-140 was described by the Yamaha service staff as a "smallish, full-sized dreadnought". Other notable details are the open gear, three on a plate tuners.

At a webapge posted by Mark Searcy, the woods used are listed as follows:

• Top: Spruce
• Back/Sides: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood

And it sounds pretty all right to me.

To find out the age of your Yamaha "red label" wonder (notice, I've bought in), visit Yamaha's serial number app site.

If it doesn't pan out, try their customer service number: (714) 522-9000.

They will punch in the number and do their best to answer your questions. A fantastic brand building service. Don't forget to thank them profusely.