Yamaha F335

This is a late 70s Yamaha FG-335. Spruce top, mahogany back and sides. Very plain guitar, shaped somewhat like a Martin D-28 but a little narrower, which I really like. The neck is also slightly smaller than my D-35 and much easier to play. Unlike most Yamahas, the action came relatively low.

I have a beautiful 1972 Martin D-35, and guess what? This guitar doesn't sound as good! Well, actually, it sounds as good to me in a different way. This guitar does have a beautiful, slightly treble-dominated sound that I love more every time I play it. It hangs on the wall in my office, and I play it during lunch are right after work. The sound is full and rich, but could use a little more bass. However, as I said before, I love the sound of this guitar. And if you like strong treble, you will love this guitar.

Flawless Yamaha finish (thick lacquer). Action is sweet and low.

Had this guitar in 82, took it around the world while I was in the Submarine service. It's been many hundreds+ feet below the ocean and thousands above in airplanes. It is rock solid, tough as nails.

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I've been playing since 1976 (is it 27 years already?). If this guitar was lost or stolen I would try to find another. It has a unique combination of beautiful sound and excellent ergonimics and fits me like a glove. I'd half to chase down the theif and do bad things, since this guitar is more of a family member than an "instrument". I love the shape and sound. I also love the fact that I can throw it in the guitar or take it on the plane without fear of ruining it. I wish it had more bass. I wish it was a Martin, since I am partial to American craftsmanship, but I give all credit to the folks at Yamaha for producing a wonderful guitar at an excellent price. Besides, you could buy 5 of these and still come out ahead. If you can find one, buy it. You won't be disappointed.

Built in '79, looks like a two-piece spruce top but I'm told it's a laminate. A basic low-end acoustic with high-end kudos.
20 fret neck with dot in-lays.
Basic Yamaha stock tuners.
I'm rating it a 9 for the simple fact that for a road warrior you don't need the frills...it's only eye candy.

The sound on this projects like no other. Highs, lows, mids, they are all there. I play all styles, from classical (with nylon strings) to intros for metal songs on stage, to blues. The guitar shines in all aspects.

The action is so sweet that lead playing (especially blues) comes as second nature without having to "think" the guitar. She plays like butter. It came from the factory like this.
The fit of this guitar is outstanding for the price. Mentioning the price shouldn't come into it... who cares what it costs. If it works, go with it.

I have been playing guitar for over 30 yrs, had this one for 25. I've owned many "pieces" in my years and this is my go-to acoustic.
She handles so well live that I have never brought a backup to a gig.
The hardware is as solid as the day I got her. (and she's seen some abuse)

no need.

Been playing for 32 yrs. I also have an '81 gibson flying "V", '80 Lado Solo 1 and a '82 Carvin V220.
The reason I was originally interested in this guitar was because it is a lefty, and I didn't want to change the strings and nut to suit my left-handedness. I had been having trouble finding lefties at the time so when the opportunity presented itself I couldn't refuse. In no way was I expecting to get this type of quality out of this guitar, it was just a spur of the moment thing... talk about luck!
If lost I would be shattered. No two guitars are the same and as good as these are I don't think I could replace her.

Basic dreadnaught guitar. No frills. Purchased new in 82. Yamaha says it is all laminate. It was my first "Real" guitar. I bought it after playing many instruments it was the easiest to play and had the best sound to a rookie.

I am a folksy player and it souds great around the campfire, in church and in my room. Notes are clear and true. The overall sound is rich and full.

The main reason that I bought it was because it was so easy to play. I later learned from friends that were semi-pros that the "action" was very low with absolutly no distortion even when played hard.

The finish is nice but little things were obvioulsy not a high priority. Like the binding is "feelable" and the fret ends are also not quite flush. Nothing that affects reality and things I never even noticed untill I campared it to a Taylor.

I Keep it in a hard case and take it everywhere. The finish looks new except where I have abused it. It never needs tuning. The set of the neck is as perfect as it was hen I bought it new 20 years ago.

Absolutly no reason for it.

After 20 years I now own a Taylor 12 string that I don't deserve. Every one I know that has played my Yamaha has compared it to much more expensive guitars. My Taylor is a custom Maple and I spent many years shopping. Mainly because even low end Taylors were no better sounding or playing than my Yamaha. I plan on keeping it forever. If for some reason I needed to replace it I fell it would take at least a 600 series Taylor to beat it.

This guitar is a no frills type of guitar. I have owned it since it was purchased new in 1980 by my grandmother as a gift to me and my sisters. The Tuners are OK but the B-string tuner does have some slipage. Original guitar did not come with any kind of sound reinforcement. I did install a hybrid system a few years ago (Crown Condenser Mic by the sound hold and a Fishman thin line tranducer in the bridge) It was a pricy system to install but worth it for it captures a lot of this guitars great tones. The model I have is just a standard dreadnought model. The plastic pegs that are in the bridge are kind of warn but still hold up.

I play a lot of fingerpicking types of songs and this guitar is solid when it comes to sound. I used 13 guage acoutic guitar strings which bring out a warmth on all ends of the sound spectrum. The sound is rich and full. I have had many comments from people that this guitars sound rivals that of many higher end acoustics.

I run my hybrid system through a Fishman Acoustic Blender system. I normally do not use any effects for I like the natural sound of an acoustic. The hybrid system (mic & tranducer) really pick up the tones of this guitar.

Even playing high up on the neck the innotation is very good and well balanced.

The only gripes that I have is with a lot of fast strumming the sound can get muddy. And if you are into very low, alternate tunings this guitar does not perform well. I tried playing "The Wedding Song" by Paul Noel Stokey on this guitar where you have to tune your guitar down to the key of C and it's impossible to play. The sounds gets too muddy or fartish (if you will)

If this guitar should ever be stolen or burned in a fire, I would be the saddest man on the planet.

The string action from the factory was very high and made this guitar a little bit intimidating to play. When I had my hybrid system installed the fellow who did the work lowered the action for me. Even with a lower action the sound stil was not sacrificed and makes playing this guitar very easy. (even with my 13 guage acoustic strings)

I have had people comment that with the low action this guitar is very easy to play.

I have played this guitar live and in the studio and it has worked well for me. From all my playing the finish has worn a bit by the sound hole and I have had 3 fret jobs done on this guitar since I first got it back in 1980.

I'm a klutz and so far this guitar has survived me. One time I was taking it off and I was standing underneath a cieling fan. Yup you guessed it, this got caught in the blades but still survived.

Never had to deal with Yamaha's support for this instrument

I have been playing since I was in High School. This acoustic has been the only acoustic that I have owned. I have played others but I'm in love with this instrument.

I would love to get another one of these guitars. But you can only find them used.

its just a guitar no frills nothin

sounds better every day new or old strings take your pick it dosent matter .im from a family of guitarists in the south of ireland an it was the first guitar in the house so its been PLAYED an its been described in sound as ``COMMIN HOME``

bought it for 85 punts on the 6/6/86 (INSTRUMENT OF THE BEAST)so i dont know about new but after extensive surgery an the odd swing of a hammer shees tip top from stompin deep south blues an dirt kickin trad sesions to 10 years of clasical + jazz tutorials this out shines them all

ok its survived 4 male testosorone wealding learnears a motor bike crash all the airport security u could want -20 in poland +10000 in africa sand an water in australia an god knowes what went on behind my back

never needed in but id say theyed need to set up a support group for the oners if anything happened to these gems

ive had it scince iv been 16teen im now 32 its been my best frend my driveing force my comfort blanket if you want .i one over 30 guitars from electric to acoustic all mid to top range guitars an this is the one thats gotten all the wear this isthe one that i travel with i recorded all my stuff on i even lend her to a local studio where shees fondly knowen as ``d oul wan`` its my right arm

I bought the FG 335 in 1977 for #70 - my first guitar! Spruce top, mahogany back and rosewood fretboard as far as I am aware. Bog standard steel tuning pegs. All in all an above average entry level guitar in my view. At the time I never imagined I would still love the thing 25 years on!

I can't remember how the guitar sounded when I bought it. It was as much as I could do to learn a chord! However, 25 years on and it sounds rich and mellow to strum, especially so for jazz style rythmn playing. The top E & B strings sound a bit brittle toward the 12th fret, but that maybe as much to do with the very low action I use as anything else.

The action was a little high when I bought it and got worse as the years rolled on and I failed to get the thing set up properly. However, with an accumulation of knowledge over the years I have corrected the action, shaving down the bridge and the nut and adjusting the truss rod. These days it plays like an electric! Perfect intonation, very little fret buzz and a remarkably full sound given the low action and the extra light strings I use. Some of the frets are a bit worn but not so much as I need to change them.

The G tuning peg has had to be refitted on a number of occasions but apart from that and fret wear (to be expected after 25 years) very little deterioration has resulted. Testament to the finish is my accidental use of oven cleaner to polish the body some 15 years ago - I thought it was funiture polish! It still looks good.

This thing is rock solid. It was thrown around the room on a number of occasions during my late teens / early 20s but it's still in one piece and looks like an old master. I treat it with a bit more respect these days...

Have never had to approach Yamaha.

That this guitar is still my favourite acoustic after 25 years says it all. I've been through numerous electric guitars, my preference is for Tele's, and use a Tanglewood electro acoustic for gigs but I always return to the Yamaha when I'm writing songs or home recording or jamming with friends.

I recently bought a #600 Simon & Patrick Pro Mahogany in the mistaken view that my FG 335 was past it, but I took it back after a day when I realised the wood on the neck had shrunk exposing protruding frets at the side. I was happy for the excuse because the S&P sounded no better than my trusty FG335. You don't always get what you pay for.

I have an FG335SB that I purchased used in the mid-80s. It has a beautiful blue-green finish that has deepened over the years. The purfling has aged from white to a nice ivory. It has what looks like abalone fretboard inlays (5th, 7th, 9th, double at octave, 15th) and side fret markers. The pins have black dots and are probably not original. I built a custom bridge and nut to replace the original. One of the tuners was lost over the years and has been replaced with a generic type tuner. It has a fat neck that I don't care for but has probably helped to keep this guitar solid.

I use it for bluegrass, finger picking, and rhythm. It responds particularly well to the finger picking, and with the low action, it's great for acoustic leads. It doesn't sound quite as well for slide or rhythm. It lacks a little on the high end, but this is probably because of the strings (bronze medium). All in all, it has a good, rich sound that is surprising.

I bought this guitar used, and the only problem at that time was a worn fretboard. It had no other flaws as far as I can recall. The action was medium when I bought the guitar, but I built a very low nut and bridge from hard maple, and now the action is terrific with no buzz.

This guitar is extremely dependable. The finish has held up remarkably well, considering how many times my children have played with it and banged it around. Over the years, one of the tuners came loose and disappeared while in storage. Other than that, the hardware is very solid. This guitar has been through a lot in the last fifteen years, and I am amazed at how well it has held up. It's one of the best built guitars I've seen.

I have been playing since 1973. In 1987, after my Ibanez "Dove copy" was destroyed in an accident, I needed another guitar quickly. I went to a nearby music shop intending to buy a brand new high-end guitar, but couldn't find anything as visually appealing as my Ibanez was. As I was about to leave, I saw this one in the "used" section and immediately chose it just because of it's color. The shop owner told me that I would never regret buying this one, and he was right.

One of the things I like best is how I can put it down and pick it up a few days later and play it without any tuning or adjustments. I also love the custom low action; other people have told me it plays like an electric. I wish it had an adjustable bridge and a little more inlay, but I really have no complaints. If something happened to it, I wouldn't try to replace it, as I don't think I could ever find another one.

excellent basic guitar, tuners are good, almost never goes out of tune. Fat neck which I like.

Love the sound. bought a Taylor 310 alittle while ago and i fine myself playing this more. I constantly get comments on how well it sounds and people always want to try it out. I bought this new back in 1978 and stopped playing for a while took it out of the case years later and sounded better than ever. wouldnt get rid of this guitar for any amount.

basicly well built, nice binding and fret work guitar still looks like new. I did shave the bridge a little and with silk and steel
lights it plays like an electric.

this guitar will withstand anything. built like a tank.

never needed it

Ive been playing on and off for about 24 years, I will give up my Taylor before this one. Again the neck is thick,but thats what I like If you can find one of these I would.

I bought my 335 in 1979 new for $180. It was my first real guitar and has been a faithful companion over the years... outlasting dogs and wives.

I fingerpick and strum to accompany my folk singing and my 335 has done nothing but sound sweeter and more rich as the years have gone by.I started out using silk and steel for ten years but have been using extra light bronze wound sets since... A wide range of expression comes out of this box.

The action was better than the Sears acoustic I had when I aquired this guitar. The neck reset done 12 years made it great. The grain in the top has always had its own character.

Other guitars have come and gone but my Yammerhammer will always be a part of ME!!

I have been playing since 1978... An old 12 string that was a factory second from martin in 1980, a Goya mandolin, a 3 year old Martin Backpacker,and a Backpacker mandolin bought last year... If my FG-335 were lost, stolen, or destroyed I would be crushed as it has been at the heart of my life all these years.

Mine is a late 70's model, Taiwanese made FG 335. I've been playing her for about a year and a half now. It's got a great relatively-beefy V-neck and smaller frets. Rosewood fretboard, mohogany neck, back, and sides. The tuners work fine.

The sound is great, period. The highs are crisp and there's plenty of bass and mids. People have complained that the highs are a little "harsh" or "brittle," but that is probably the strings that they're using. I use her for slide playing, fingerpicking, strumming--you name it. This guitar handles all of these tasks with ease.

A very good professional musician friend of mine uses two FG 335's from the same era and swears by them. The only guitar that he liked better than these was a $3500 Martin. I've heard that foreign guitars of this time period ended up using better woods than many American companys. With this kind of sound, I don't doubt it.

I got the guitar used on eBay so I can't rate the original action, set up, etc. The finish has faded to a beautiful honey color, and she is still a gorgeous guitar.

This guitar definitely will withstand live playing. My friend has been using his for 15 years of so. The tuners hold tune well. My only complaint is the cheap plastic bridge pins, but those can be replaced for less than $10.

I've been playing for over 4 years now, but I definitely know my shit because my ears are very picky. I'm looking for another one so I can set it up for slide playing exclusively. The guitar is definitely worth the price, considering a new $200-$300 guitar would not even approach the aged tone that these babies have.