Yamaha FG-180

How old is it? Damned if I know...But it was made in Japan a coon's age ago, that's for sure. This thing got given to me by an old roommate who decided that I needed his dad's old guitar.
Looks to have a laminated top and mahogany on the neck,sides, and back. It had those original, awful tuners on it when I got it. It now has Gotohs on it which make it much easier to tune, especially on the low strings.
Other than that, it has 6 strings, a nut, a saddle, and the frets aren't too worn (at least they weren't when I got it...)

"Wow, What a great sounding guitar!" When I let other people play it, they all say that same phrase.
New strings sound good with this thing, but once they mellow out after a week or so, the sound is AMAZING! I just had it in my hands and was marveling at the fact that it rings out full and rich when it's strummed. So many other guitars that I've tried don't even come close. For instance, my brother gave me his Ovation when he decided that playing guitar wasn't for him. I A/B'ed them and quickly put the Ovation in the closet. About the only ones that can hold a candle to it cost over $1000, and even then they're not better or worse, just voiced differently.
And the voicing IS different. It's not bassy, and it doesn't have a noticibly bright treble response either. It mostly stresses the low side of the midrange. How Yamaha managed to do that without making it bassy is beyond me, but it blends well with most other acoustic guitars without getting lost.
And all of this while playing 11's!
Next Step: putting in a pickup so it can be used live!

If you've read the reviews that came before this one, you're familiar with the problems associated with this model. My guitar was no different. The tuners sucked and the action was so high as to be unplayable beyond the 5th fret.
Now it has the aforementioned Gotoh tuners on it, some ebony endpins as well, and it had a truss rod adjustment that straigtened the neck out and lowered the action substantially. Now it's playable all the way up to the body.
I suppose that someday I'll put a proper bone nut & saddle on it, but it still sounds good the way it is.

Well, it's lasted this long, but then again that may not be saying much, as it had a lot of "closet time" before it came to me.
But I've had a couple of years to beat on it and the only thing that annoyed me was that its endpin kept falling out. I got that fixed a few years back, and it's been great since. I've used it in all kinds of weather, even in the dead of the Florida winters(?), and even then the only problem was that my fingers got too stiff to play it.
Other than that, the finish on the body isn't very glossy and looks a bit thin, but it's held up so far.

Never dealt with Yamaha. Wouldn't know.

I love this guitar. I hope it never gets busted, stolen or lost. This is the only one I've seen. I keep wondering how long this thing will last, how long before all I can do is reminisce about this guitar and how good it played, how wonderful it sounded, the compliments I got from my friends, etc. Seeing the other reviews helped alleviate that fear some, but have you ever tried finding one of these for sale, even on the Internet? In the words of Donnie Brasco, Fuhgeddaboudit! It's not exactly a Strat in terms of availability, folks.
But seriously, my only fear is that this positive review may make the guitar more desirable and cause the price to go up, thus making it even harder to find another one like it. And then what could I do???

I play in various country and bluegrass groups and occasionally gospel. I was in a pawn shop and picked this dreadnought body guitar up for $100.00, and once I adjusted the neck and put new strings on it I was really impressed. Yamaha says this guitar was only made in 1968 which makes me wonder what the ole boy was smoking that says he's had this instrument 37 years. The company claims that the top is solid spruce, and the back and sides are tigathis.

This guitar has great sound, the chords ring and the sound fills the room. I have a '64 Gibson Humingbird that sounds a little bassy compared to this Yamaha. I use 80/20 light strings and it sounds bright and great for country or bluegrass. Very playable, hope it lasts for long as I need it.

The action is fine up to about the 4th fret, then it is a little high.
The tuners are open back and poor quality, one has rocked over slightly, and several of them have knobs that vibrate. People say they don't hear the rattling tuner knobs, but I do. I have ordered some nice closed back tuners for it and I will be changing them out.

This instrument has had a rough life, as I said, it was in a pawn shop with the serial number scratched off. It has scratches and dings but it doesn't hurt the appearance too much. I have use this guitar in front of crowds of 400+, I am always praised on it's superior sound!
Bluegrass pickers even ask me what model of Yamaha it is and how old it is.

The company responded to my inquiries, but it was a little cold and unpersonal. They simply referred me to the guitar archives where I got the info I gave you earlier about the manufacture date and construction.

I have been playing 28 years, I have a '64 Gibson Hummingbird, a Yamaha FG-512 12-string, a Yamaha FG-75, a Peavey T-160, and 4 other cheap guitars. I wish I had seen the serial number scratched off at the pawn shop, I'm not wild about the fact that it was probably stolen at some point. I would not sell it, good guitar!!

serial number 1406138, Nippon Gakki red label, made in Japan. Solid spruce top, nato sides, back and neck. 20 frets. High gloss finish. I replaced the lousy tuners 26 years ago with Grovers. Neck is slim with standard frets that I have never had to replace.

I use it strickly for finger picking as it's so loud and brassy with a flat pick you can't sing over it. It sounds better than any guitar I have ever played. Sorry C.F.M. and Olsen. I has incredible sustain for an acoustic. I have been running heavy gage string on it for 26 years and it has no belly bow.

the strings where way too high until last year when I had the action lowed to something that a human can play. the bookmatch is good and othe back is so tight you have to get a magnifying glass to see the seam. The only flaws are the road wear of 32 years of playing.

this model Yamaha has something of a reputation in the music world as being one of the finest guitar built. Many professional musicians own one. I was surprised. (they all had the action lowered..it's the inside joke.) I have always depended on this guitar. It's the best. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

n/a

I've been playing 45 years. I also own a Terada 12 string. If I lost this ax it would kill me. If I could add anything to this review, it would be , if you get the chance to snag one of these, DO IT. lowere the action, and make everybody drool around you.

I bought this guitar in the mid 70's. It is made in Taiwan. The top Solid spruce, the sides and back are Mahogany, with a V shaped inlay (Spruce) down the center of the back. I have never seen another FG 180 like this one. I bought it because it reminded me of a Martin that I could not afford at the time. The neck is a little thicker than I like and the action is a little high. But it plays really nicely once you get used to it.

It has mellowed over the years. With new strings, it really has a nice sharp ring to it. The sound carries very well. Once the strings have been played it really mellows out. Compared to a Taylor, it has a somewhat softer tone, but overall is a really nice sounding instrument.

As mentioned earlier, the inlay on the back is really unique. Overall, the guitar is well made. The chrome tuners are yamaha. Holds tune really well.

I have had this guitar since I was a junior in high school. (a long time) It has literally been from coast to coast. The drastic changes in the environment have not affected this guitar. Any flaws with this guitar were induced by the ignorant owner (me). It is by far the best guitar for the money that I have ever owned or played.

I can't say that I have ever needed any support from the company.

I have been playing since the early 70's. This is a guitar that I will pass on to my sons. I can't place a value on it because I would never sell it. It can't be replaced. Excellent guitar.

Made in Japan. It's your basic dreadnaught with solid spruce top,mahogany sides and rosewood finger board. Tuners o.k. Thinish neck with o.k. action. I bought this guitar new in 1971.

I play folk/folk-rock/bluegrass/celtic stuff and this guitar has served me well. It's pretty loud with 'medium' strings and comes through well when playing with fiddles and banjos.

Factory set-up/fit and finish were decent. The guitar looked nice when I first bought it. Good finish and quite durable. tuners a little loose as I recall. I put some decent tuners on after a few years.

I have been pretty hard on this guitar. I am a fairly heavy handed player but I have also done many of the guitar no-no's i.e. leaving the guitar in the car on a hot day, dropping the instrument etc. and this guitar has always played well and has always been reliable.

Never dealt with the company. Had the frets replaced once (they are ready again) with no trouble. After moving from L.A. to Wiscosin the bridge came off probably due to temp and humidity changes. It came off clean and glued right back on with no hassle.

I own a few guitars, electrics and acoustics as well as a couple of mandolins. Without a doubt this is my favourite axe for nostalgic reasons ( it's been a good friend over the years ) but also because it's a darn good instrument.

This guitar is a 1965 model made in Japan. Has a nice narrow neck that is comfortable in the hand. Solid top. Dread style. I have had the original tuners replaced with a identical 2nd hand set. Still sloppy to tune but holds tuning well. When I bought it from a professional musician the fret board had deep holes in it around the open chords areas from years of incessant wear. The fret wires were heavily worn down and sometimes when I tried to fret a chord it would play another. Had a high action. I took it to a brilliant luthier who resurfaced the fret board, replaced the worn wire and lowered the saddle to produce a nicely lowered action. It is a rough and ready instrument but I love it. The top has a fair bit of pick damage which had exposed the bare wood. I have covered the damage with polyurethane with no discernible cost to tone etc. A previous owner had also carved his name into the headstock where the Yamaha logo was.
I have managed to get rid of that by sanding and filling and putting a replacement logo on it! Not that pretty but look below:

This is a party axe par excellence. It plays loud and true. Has a good rich tone that everyone can get into on drunken singalongs. I also own a new Gibson Hummingbird that I wouldnt dream of taking to a party, and this guitar while not as sweet certainly compares pretty well when cost is taken into account. We (mates as well) can thrash this guitar mercilessly and it does the business over and over again without needing to be tuned too often. Everyone comments on the nice neck. It's not pretty but it's good.

Apart from the heavy wear the guitar is in reasonable condition. The action is nice and pretty easy to play. Barre chords are a little harder but okay. The narrow neck is not as roomy for my big hands as my Gibson but suits most. I would have to say that the FG180 is a VERY well made guitar. It is tough and durable. Made on high industry standard lines so many years ago. My luthier commented that they were one of the better lower cost guitars ever made. My son has a modern acoustic/electric and he is envious of this guitar.

As said above (and by other owners) these guitars are tough but good. I would commend this instrument to any learner or intermediate player who likes to party. They are getting hard to find like most things that are good but inexpensive. I suspect that it will be twanging away at some party long after I have gone. A 37yr old guitar that has opened up beautifully over the years and stood up to extremely hard use exceptionally well. What a find!!!!

Yamaha today probably are not the same outfit they were when this was made. They should embrace these veteran guitars as shining examples of quality. They have probably forgotten all about them.

I own three. This, the Gibson and a cheap classical. I am very careful with the Gibson which I love. The classical provides me with variety of experience and practice. But when I want to throw a guitar in the car and go somewhere this is the one. I have a soft padded bag for it and I can toss it in the back of my 4WD without worrying about it and it never lets me down. I am always on the lookout for another one and if I lost this one I would be very disappointed. It plays soft on the hands but sounds REAL GOOD. If I need to replace the tuners again I will get new ones. If you see one of these around - BUY IT!!

I bought this guitar used from a guy who said he purchased it in the early 70's from a pawn shop in Hollywood. I paid 175.00 US dollars for it. Orange label inside says Yamaha Guitar FG-180. I have no idea where it was made. It doesn't say. The headstock says YAMAHA across the top and then has the silver and black yamaha plaque screwed in. I think it's Mahogany. The neck is thin. The action is a little high but i also tend to press really hard thus turning my fingers black. this doesn't happen to anyone else who plays my guitar. sounds and plays amazingly well from the moment i picked it up i knew it was mine and it has been doing a good job of writing songs for me.

oops. here's the part about sound. ok as i said before. it sounds excellent. nice tones. it's acoustic so i don't get any feedback but who needs feedback when you have this baby in a case on your back?

the action is a little high and i keep meaning to bring it in to get a good set up since i bought it used and the person i bought it from hadn't played it in 6 years. It's shiny. no nicks or scratches.

like i said i bought it from a guy who bought it 30 years ago. nothing is worn at all. i think this guitar will be here after everything else is gone. i did use this guitar to play an open mic night once.it's still here...

did deal with yamaha

i started playing in 1988. i own 2 silvertone electric guitars and an airline dan electro style electric guitar. i also have an epiphone acoustic guitar that doesn't say in tune for very long. as far as this yamaha goes...if it were lost or stolen i would definitely buy anothere one although i don't know if i'd find it this cheap. they had one at the trading musician in seattle for $600.00.

ALL I CAN SAY ABOUT THIS GUITAR (WHICH HAPPENS TO BE MY MOTHER'S) IS THAT THE SOUND IS ALMOST TOO GREAT, LIKE'S TO EVESDROP, AND HAS A MAJOR SICK SENSE OF HUMOR...
VERY HOT!!! (ALSO IN A GUILDED CASE)
BEAUTIFUL ROSEWOOD, GREAT PICK GUARD, NOT CUT OUT -
DOESN'T LIKE TO BE LEFT ALONE.

DID NOT LIKE THE MUSIC STYLE I FIRST PLAYED, I SUPPOSE
VERY SENSITIVE (EXTREMELY)
LIKES WORSHIP SONGS AND ORIGINALS
DOESN'T LIKE POP SONGS (WORDS?) OR WAR

THESE QUESTIONS ARE N/A

I WOULD SAY THIS GUITAR LOVES IN ALL RACES

INITIALLY NO...WARRANTS? DO NOT HAVE ANY CLUE (MAYBE AN IDEA THOUGH)

NO MORE FURTHER QUESTIONS

Made in Japan. Im not sure what year it was made. 20 frets, laminated top. rosewood fretboard, maple body(i think). It has a natural finish with a coat of laquer. no cutaway. it has non-locking tuners, jumbo frets. it has a jumbo size body too. it was given to me by my father about a year ago, he gave me a guild case with it. nothing glamourus on this guitar, but why should there be?

sounds great. it has a very nice tone.

nice fit. its a beautiful guitar.

its tough, but its got this one dent in it that really bugs me, but thats my fault.

its great, thats all i have to say.

Jumbo guitar. Solid top(unsure of wood). Worth a 7 just for this given that it only cost me 35 quid. Rosewood finger board.

I'm a predominantly a plectrum player and boy can this guitar bang out the volume, especially with a reasonably chunky set of strings. It's not just loud, though - it has a fantastic, mellow gold sound that even make make my occasional forays into finger picking a real pleasure sonically speaking.

There's no getting away from it - this guitar is hard to play. It has a high action and barre chords are a real challenge past the fourth fret (this is partly my fault as I don't compromise the sound by putting extra light guauge strings on it). I give bonus points for the sound board - the finish must have been good as it looks even better now then when I bought it. Plectrum scratches and other dents only improve it.

I've never gigged this guitar but it has survived many parties, walks home in the rain, house moves etc. It even fell into a river once during a drunken punting trip in Cambridge. Have to knock off two points, however, because the machine heads have not stood the test of time. Also, the top is coming away a little from the body but it's been like that for ten years and it hasn't got any worse. Practically indestructible.

Never had to deal with Yamaha.

I've had this guitar since just after I started playing in 1987 and from that perspective it is irreplaceable. The sound is awesome but it's hard work producing it! I've played many other guitars over the years from Marlins to Martins. The FG-180 is one of the hardest guitars to play but it competes with the most expensive guitars on sound. It's a great party guitar. And if you buy one to go backpacking or whatever, don't condescend it with a 'disposable' tag because it's a real survivor.