Yamaha FG-300

30 years playing....same as others on the pick guard. Everyone loves the sound and thin neck. Almost like playing an electric as far as finger action. Strings low to fret board. QUALITY guitar...played against martin d28 etc...those guys always would rather play my fg300...AWESOME guitar! Tuners faded long ago. replaced them. adj. bridge is nice.

30 years playing....same as others on the pick guard. Everyone loves the sound and thin neck. Almost like playing an electric as far as finger action. Strings low to fret board. QUALITY guitar...played against martin d28 etc...those guys always would rather play my fg300...AWESOME guitar!

My FG-300 was a recent gift from a friend in Colorado. He and I bought it together in 1973, new, in Denver. I loaned him the money to buy it (about $175, if I recall correctly). The guitar remained in Colorado up until Sep 2005 when he brought it here to Maine and gave it to me as a gift. The guitar survived all those years in a very dry climate without being humidifed and it is in excellent condition...no cracks or warpage. It even arrived at baggage claim in it's original chipboard case completely undamaged! I installed a new set of strings and was amazed to find that the tone is as good if not better than my 1999 D-28. The serial number is 00917322, and it says "made in Japan" on the back of the peghead.

I am a folk-style flat-picker and find it has excellent volume, much like my Mossman 12 string, and more volume than my D-28. It has a full volume, and better bass than my D-28, although the D-28 is a bit easier to play, perhaps because I'm more used to it.

The fit and finish, for a 32 year old guitar, are as good as new, with the exception of the pickguard, which has loosened a bit.

yes, yes , yes, & yes!

n/a

44 years. I have several banjos and guitars. It has sentimental value, as it was given to me as a gift.

This is a Red Label, but is not marked with the usual Nippon Gakki, which means made in Japan, but there is no other marking of where it was made. I have not been able to find an explanation of why it is missing the Nippon Gakki. However, most of the advice I have received indicates is was made in Japan because of the red label. The original owner purchased it in the early 70's.

The top is clearly solid spruce, as I can see the wood grain through the entire thickness. Maybe some of these have a laminated top, but not this one. All the other features are as described in previous reviews.

When I bought it the strings were very old and corroded, and it sounded so bad, I expected that new strings would bring it up to just OK or acceptable. Was I wrong! It compares with, or is better than, a good Martin D-28, and runs a respectable second to my HD-28 Adirondack from the custom shop. I feel like I hit the jackpot.

The E,A, and D strings are clear and powerful, and the G, B, and E are clear, and not overmatched by the strong bass.

I play a variety of music, and this guitar is perfect for much of it, including of course, bluegrass.

I am the third owner, so I have no idea how it was set up originally. However, the intonation is perfect (adjustable saddles)and the action is low up and down the neck, with no buzzing. It compares to the professional set ups on my two Martins.

This guitar has seen a lot of use with dings and scratches, etc. but close inpection shows excellent craftsmanship. The finish and fit on the inside was also perfect. The pickguard is in very good condition, with only minor scratches.

Even though this guitar is collectible, I don't think it has to be babied too much. The finish seems to be quite durable and the hardware is good, even after all these years. There is no evidence of anything ever being fixed or replaced. I was amazed that it was hard to detect any fret wear.

I have no experience with this.

I have been playing casually off and on, for 40 years. I have a total of 9 guitars, of many flavors, including a D-18, an HD-28 Adirondack from the custom shop. My only electric is a 91 American Standard Strat. I like guitars, but do not play that well.

I love how this guitar looks, plays, and sounds. I will never sell it. If lost or stolen, I would definitely look for another. I am always popping into guitar stores, and I try out a lot of the better instruments in the $1,500 to $3,000 range. This guitar beats most of the many I have tried.

I always knew cheaper Yamaha acoustics were excellent guitars,and just this month I bought the (red label) 300 off the e-bay.W/shipping $480.00 I would not sell for $1000.00 I reglued the pick guard,w/ fiddle glue,and put new Martin strings13-58.A devoted love began.I own a 1970 d-28,a j-45,a lgo,and a j-55 Gospel Gibson.Also a ce24 p r s,and a Japan made Tele,AND A GIBSON BLUES HAWK,also a Fender nashville b-bender.I'll sell any of the above but not the Yamaha !!

I play mostly porch music and cookouts,senior dances,country and popular classics.Love the sweet and clean sounds,(w/new strings)

Suits me totally,in all the above..

Yes,Yes Yes Yes Yes

no,no,no,no

Playing for 40 years.
If it were stolen or lost I'd try for another.
Love everything,even the loose pickguard!Fav feature Intonation ease.
Maybe a good fishman p/u ! Maybe a soft leather Strap. Thats it!!

i just want to say that whatever about the back and sides the top of the fg 300 is solid spruce. what some people are describing as laminate signs in the soundhole are in fact woodgrain.

My Yamaha FG-300 red label was given to me by a friend, in the early 80's It appears to have a solid top and sides, with a laminated back. It is a mahogany guitar, but the inside of the back appears to be rosewood. The neck is mahogany with a rosewood fretboard. Its a beautifully playing guitar, put a new set of martin marquis lights on and wow! Mine has had the same old pick guard problems, and I have adjusted the truss rod once. There is a dent in the back of the lower neck and a crack in the heel of the neck that needs to be repaired.that's the only reason I'm looking for a replacement guitar, just so I,ll get the yamaha fixed. It seems to be a very durable instrument, with plenty of backbone to stand up with the more popular brand guitars.

I acquired this guitar in 1973, and it was a year or two old then.
It has a red label under varnish that says YAMAHA GUITAR / FG-300 / NIPPON GAKKI. The serial number 1223282 is lightly stamped in ink on the reinforcement block which anchors the neck rod. The top laminations are visible in the soundhole. The back is a beautiful, dark wood, split so that it is symmetrical about a three piece inlay that runs from top to bottom. The back is laminated, as the inside grain pattern is different, and not symmetrical. The sides appear to be the same dark wood as the back, and they have also been split so that the grain pattern is the same on both sides. I would guess they are also laminated. My flowery, engraved pickguard never fell off, but it came loose little by little. I used to be able to get a good percussive slap out of it until I finally glued it down about 5 years ago. I have huge hands, but somehow I love the thin neck. It has twenty frets, but I never use the last seven as they are on top of the body. I have found the covered Yamaha tuners to have really nice action, and they still work fine. This guitar holds its tune incredibly well. No pickups. The Tune-O-Matic bridge is unique, although I have never needed to adjust it.
I have the original hardcase, but a piece of rope replaced the handle, which fell off in 1973.

I learned finger picking back in the 60's, by listening to Peter Paul & Mary, Simon & Garfunkel, etc. In the 70's I found myself doing a lot of songleading, and needed a little more acoustic volume, so I developed my own style where I hold a flat pick with my thumb and first finger, then wear finger picks on the next two fingers. I love the sound and feel of this guitar, and have never played a Martin or Gibson that I would trade it for. (I'll admit I once played a jumbo Guild that was nicer, but no trade was offered.)

Other than the pickguard coming loose, this is one honey of a guitar.

I have played this guitar live for 33 years, and it is nearly like new.
The first three frets and the fretboard show slight wear. The finish is still nice, though I rarely clean or polish it. The top has darkened to a beautiful gold color

N/A

In 1972, I was living in Ames, Iowa. I was into bicycle racing, and had ambitions to enter the Race Across America. After blowing out my knees, I was sitting at home lamenting my situation when a knock came upon my door. A guy said, "I heard you couldn't ride anymore, and wondered if you wanted to trade your bike for my guitar?" I said, "no." He said, "You haven't even seen it. Let me show it to you." He brought it in, and when he opened the case, I was stunned at its beauty. As soon as I picked it up and played it, I wanted it. We traded straight across. I have never regretted it. I'll bet he doesn't have my bike anymore.

According to Yamaha My Red Label FG300 was made on November 30 1971. (the serial number is located on the brace that runs across the top directly above the sound hole, and Yamaha has a serial number search on thier web site.)The instrument was Purchased new by my Mother in 1972. This is the guitar I learned to play on, and I inherited it from her when she died.
I'll skip a long description as there are plenty of them already here. I really love the bridge though.

What can I say? I've played many acoustic guitars over the years, and this one can hold it's own with any of them. no buzzes, or muted sound despite some serious fret wear. It does Have a bit of a discrepancy between the volume of the srtings I think is caused by loose brace near the bridge, that I need to get repaired.

This guitar was very well made for it's price range. The action is fairly light, and low, It is easily the best feeling acoustic I have played.

It's 32 years old now, And is showing some wear. The pickguard is a little loose, and there are many minor dings and scratches. Once I get the Brace reglued I would take it anywhere with no worries.

Got good info on it from the web site, that's about it.

I've been playing off and on for about fifteen years, this guitar has always been there, and hopefully always will. Words cannot describe how I would feel if it were lost or destroyed. I plan on passing it on to my daughter, if she takes an interest in guitar.

I bought my FG 300 in the early 70's, in France.
It was made in Japan like all FG300 mentionned in this page.
I really think it has a solid top ; but difficult to check.
It is very easy to play

I really love its sound. G, B and E are just crystal clear, warm, soft and bright. They also can be pretty hard, depending on your attack.
E, A and D very much depend on the kind of strings you put. With new, Martin light gauge, they are just fantastic. Powerfull and very clear.
I cannot compare with very expensive guitars as I have never plaid such instruments, but I can swear that I never met such a good one and all friends are impressed by the fantastic sound it produces.
I would love to hear what Doc Watson could get out of it !

Excellent fit and finish

My guitar is now a more than 30 year old lady ! It is still in perfect conditions ! Nothing has been changed or replaced. It is just like it was when I bought it.

Not applicable

I have been playing guitar for now 37 years. But I am far from beeing an expert. I play folksong (Doc Watson, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Judy Colins, Pete Seeger are some of my favorits). If I would loose this guitar, I would loose a part of my life ! I would probably try to find a similar one ; but it probably wouldn't be as good as mine which is just brand new ! It would also be a different instrument, not mine, a foreigner...

I bought my FG300 (Red Label) in Dorset UK in 1970 using the money from selling my Lambretta. The guy who bought the Lambretta crashed it straight away. I still mourn that scooter.

I was seventeen and used the guitar for playing in folk clubs, pubs and at university. Features are as dexcribed by other contributors. It has worn well and the pickguard has not fallen off. The machine heads and action are still excellent. Best features are its resilliance and great sound - I still get excited by the classy looking pickguard too.

Th guitar still sounds as good as ever. My son (now 17) borrowed the guitar and discovered a talent far greater than mine. He now writes and gigs with a band and owns four guitars (including a Santana PRS second edition and a Simon and Patrick twelve string. We recently played every twelve string in Birmingham (UK) before choosing the S&P which sounds better than anything at any price. But, my lad still uses the FG300 in his recordings. I would let him use it on stage if he asked, but he hasn't yet - don't encourage him please. For my fiftieth birthday he bought me a new set of strings and set it up beautifully. I think that was its first new full set ever - shame on me.

I am a lifelong Richard Thompson follower and try to play his stuff. I am poor.

Action is low and precise, never have I needed to adjust it. Its a big guitar for a big person but the neck is thin enough for the hands of a true artiste, and me. I have thumbs that do not bend very much and have to bar most chords, the thin neck helps.
The finish has held up well over thirty three years.

It has had a modest beating, in and out of cars and fallen over a few times. It has risen to the abuse well. I have just stopped to stroke it.

I believe the warranty has expired now. I never had contact with Yamaha. Someone at work was playing an FG350 and waxing lyrical. I concurred but was thinking how much better is my guitar.

If it is lost or stolen - end of the world, but I would have a look at a Simon and Patrick six string.
It has been a lifelong companion and my lack of talent must have been a disappointment for it. However, although it is a mere object its importance is immense, mainly because my son discovered his musical talent through it. As Jools Holland replied when asked whether he has encouraged his kids to learn an instrument "No, music will find you." Through my FG300 music found my son.