Yamaha FG-300

My FG-300 was purchased in Battle Creek, Mi. in 1976 for $300. I'm told it is modeled similar to the Gibson Hummingbird acoustics. Very distinctive pick guard. The wood has aged very nicely. You can check out the rest of the reviews to find out the body and neck woods used. I just recently replaced the original tuners with Pings because my son broke one of them a couple of years ago. It has an adjustable bridge which I have never touched.

I still consider myself a novice...much more so when I purchased the instrument. To put it simply, I have always loved the rich sound. I play a lot of Eagles, Jackson Browne etc. and it sounds great.

I am amazed at how playable this guitar is. It has a thin neck and the string action is very close. I have never had to have the guitar serviced. The neck is straight and true.

The only thing I can say is that I have owned this guitar for 27 years. There have been many years of it simply being kept in a closet or dragged around from home to home and It is still in near mint condition.

I was little more than a beginner when I bought this guitar and over the years have not committed to getting better. This past Christmas season, I put some new strings, played a little and kind of rediscovered what a great guitar this is. I play every day for at least an hour and in just a couple of months have improved noticably. Not only is this a wonderful sounding guitar that is easy to play, it is also about as pretty an instrument as I've seen around. The pick guard may be seen by some as gaudy but I just think it enhances the appearance. I would be very upset to lose this guitar not only for the sound and looks but also for the sentimental value. As a side note, I have watched e-bay for auctions of Yamaha FG-300s and have seen them sell for nearly $700. It appears that there are more than a few people who appreciate this instrument.

I bought mine new somewhere in Wyoming in 1975, and it's evolved over the years:
~replaced the tuners with Grovers in about 1980;
~after the pickguard fell off for the 3rd time, I made my own out of suede leather and glued it on. It changed the sound subtly but nicely and gets lots of comments;
~had a Hot Dot pickup installed in the bridge when I bought it - totally discrete as it plugs in thru the tail strap pin. No controls, but a clean acoustic sound, amplified.
~the biggest one is that I had the adjustable bridge removed. Because of the height of it, it was exerting too much pressure on the top and actually cracked a support rib, causing the top to bulge alarmingly and destroying the action. Replaced it with a plain piece of bone set in rosewood in '89 and it's been smooth sailing ever since.

It's just fine for everything I play. Mostly folk-rock, a little finger-picking, occasional backup for rock'n'roll.

Real clean, full sound plugged or unplugged. I've had it through lots of amps - liked the options with a Peavy best. I usually run Martin Marqees. With light strings it's a little soft in the high end, but it's so much fun to play!

It's very well made - matched wood and clean inlays. It's hard to say if the cracked rib/bridge problem was a flaw or just over-use. It was a hassle, thus the lower score, but once fixed it's been solid.

I haven't giged a lot, but she's a tough old girl! What's left of the original hardware still shows no signs of problems. There are some belt buckle scratches and lots of small dings, but nothing thru the varnish. Everything's solid and I'd pull it out for any occasion without hesitation. Both the color and sound have mellowed beautifully thru the years.

Never had to deal w/ Yamaha. Either did the work myself or had a professional luthier do it. Don't remember about the warranty, but it was 14 yrs old before it needed any pro help.

I've been playing since 8th grade, bought this guitar at age 17. Also have a Sigma 12-string, Fender acoustic bass and an old Univox hollow-body electric. Currently just have a Fender Champ practise amp - haven't needed more for a long time, but who knows?

I'd look for another one if this were lost or stolen, after my broken heart mended! I haven't played another guitar that I like as well for under $1000.

My favorite feature is the ease of playing. The action's real low and you hardly know you're playing it.

Originally chose it because of the cool pick-guard - which dissapeared into a box 20 years ago!

Late 1960's, unsure of the year, label is Nippon Gakki FG 300. My guitar tech thinks it has a solid top, but reading these reviews leads me to believe otherwise. Adjustable saddles on the bridge, very unusual for an acoustic. Thick pickguard - that's why it is in the shop now. Great playability on the neck, nice finish on the back and sides, worn from years of being on the road.

Everyone raves about the sound of this guitar. I use it for rock songs, accompanying myself. I use Martin Light Gauge, nothing sounds like a new set of strings. It has a rich, full sound. I am considering getting a bridge pickup added using saddle pickups - something new I just learned about.

Everything about this guitar was always top-rate. The fit and finish have aged very well. The wood is getting mellow but the overall action is always good. I am getting the frets dressed and the intonation set (after 20+ years!)

This guitar has crossed the US and been played everywhere from clubs to open fields, camping trips to showcases. It has always been reliable. I replaced the tuning heads with Schallers about 20 years ago, the original Yamaha heads were starting to stick. The pickguard started to come loose, was re-glued. The re-glue job is now warping, causing damage to the top. I am having the whole pickguard replaced with a newer, thinner one. Can't get the original flower design, though, without shelling out major $$.

Never had to call them.

My father traded his D35 Martin for this guitar and cash in late '60's, early 70's, not sure. He liked the sound, it was exactly like the Martin to him. Back then, Gretsch and Martin guitars were everywhere. He gave it to me in '76, I have played it ever since. I love this guitar. It was my first, you know, so it will always be special. I have traveled all over the US, it is always with me. I play rock and blues, own a '77 (Kalamazoo) Gibson RD Custom, a bass, a Framus 12-string, bunch of electronic gear. I play this guitar every other day or so, always use it to work out pieces of music. The only problem I've ever had is the pickguard, detailed in another section of this review.

Solid top of spruce...bottom rosewood...wonderful finish...mohogany neck...dreadnought style...tune-o-matic tail...thin rosewood neck...

Deep and rich sound...other players enjoy the sound...very mellow, especially with silk and steel strings

I have done nothing to the guitar...soon, I will probably get a fret job, I've had it since 1973...new...had no flaws...now there are very few minor scratches and dents, have to look hard to see most of them...rating for this is due to need for professional adjustment after years of use

I have used this guitar in many performances with my folk group...hole pickup works well with it...strap buttons are solid as the day bought...I use other guitars with varying tampre for appropriate songs...my FG 300 is great when finger picking, especially with silk and steel

I have had no interface with Yamaha since my 1973 purchase...I will probably go to a professional luthier for fret replacement some day

I have played many other Yamahas and own a classical too...none of them come close to it...would never think of trade in or resale...it is like an appendage...if it was lost or stolen, I would hunt one down of the same era and be glad to pay for it, if it met my need in replacement...I have two Framus---they are great for beat around and are very deep and loud, but not close to my FG 300

Features on this one is the same as on all the other ones mentioned here. Flawless in the assembly-like most of Yamaha prod. Sealed tuners, full bound neck,head and body.Big, thick flowered pickguard-thick being the key here-guessing about a sixteenth of an inch. Pick guard warped and started coming loose about 15 years ago. More on that later. Being a basic accoustic features are sort of limited-but will give it a 9 comparing it to other guitars this age.

The sound of this thing is awsome comparing it to a five hundred to one thousand dollar Epiphone of Fender or just about any other accoustic in its class.It may not be a Taylor or a Martin but what it lacks in sound is very minimal-and for 2500 less.The big boys should take a lesson from Yamaha-think quality-not money.There is no pickguard on it right now and after reading one of the reviews I may not put one back on it.

Like I said earlier-fit and finish was flawless. Some of the most beautiful wood and the bookmatched top and backsides are utterly flawless. It has aged to a beautiful darker tan colored top and the insides are flawless-varnished completely inside. I took it to a local guitar shop last month-thinking about getting a bridge pickup put on it-and the fellow there liked to have fell over. Said you couldn't get one made like it any more-with some big bucks maybe.

Only thing to happen to this one is the pickguard. I just play to suit myself and in church some. All the hardware is intact. I oil the keys about once a year.Don't know if it helps but can't hurt.The finish is still beautiful with just some very tiny hairline cracks in a few places. Guitar guy says it is still in remarkable shape for its age.

I have been in contact with Yamaha about 3 times in the last few months. They are absolutely super with their help. No warranty on this old baby. Never needed one LOL.

Now to the good stuff. This guitar was bought new by my wife for our first anniversary in 1968.Makes this jewel about 33 years and 8 months old.I believe it is the oldest one on this particular review. Red label-NIPPON GAKKI FG 300. This was before they started putting serial numbers in them evidently.No one can find one anywhere. I play mostly to suit myself.Finger picking and strumming.This guitar sat in the closet for about15 years up until about 4 months ago.Went to see my brother and one of his buddies was into bluegrass and started the old flame. Played his HD35 Martin(yawn)and came back home and took this one out of the closet.Had 4 old rusty old strings on it. Got me a new set of fender bullets-nothing special happened-than a set of martin lights -things started looking up-played them out for a while-then let my guitar man talk me into a set of DP med-12's-54's-gosh a mity-you aint believing how this thing sounds. Tear your heart out-just like a long lost love-I can't believe I let it set for that long hidden in a dusty closet. Now it gets played about 2 hours a day regardless. Oh about the pickguard-I talked to the people at yamaha again about the pickguard. She said she would talk to one of her techs. about it. I told her sorta how it was made. She said there wasn't a record of ot anywhere and they didn't stock something that old but she would see if they could find one.She called me back-that's right-about 3 times in all-very helpful-and said that there was an old warehouse they were cleaning out and there might be one there. Sure I thought. About a monthe later the phone rang one eve and sure as heck it was her. Said they had found one. Liked to peed on myself.I asked her how much I owed her and she said this one cost about 69 bucks-but get this-she said being I had been through so much they would pick up the tab on it and send it to me for free.Can't beat that. GOt the new one-guess what-it is exactly like the original one-only about one quarter inch smaller-made me want to cry. Called her back-said she would keep looking but there wasn't much hope.Maybe some on here will be able to help. But I got to thinking-maybe the old one was so thick and heavy it really did hurt the sound. Now if I could get that impression off where the old one was -but what the heck-the way it sounds now just close your eyes and enjoy it.And one more thing-that D35 martin could sure use the neck and finger board off of this old yamaha.I played about 10 different accoustics at guitar center recently-some high end ones might sound a little better but I can honestly say-Martin-Taylor-Guild-Gibson-ther wasn't one i played could touch the playability of this old baby. Gonna give to my grandson when it gets 50 years old. Sure it will still be going strong. Stolen-don't even go there. Hunt you down and nail your eyelids to the headstock. Then beat you to death with it.

I bought mine new when I was 15 or so--around 1972. I found out after removing the the half-unglued pickguard that the top was laminated, as the glue had eaten away a 50-cent-piece sized chunk of the top layer (either that or it was a mistake they simply covered up). No electronics, adjustable bridge, and I used the case from my old Yamaha 12-string; tight fit, but it worked for years.

I mostly strung it (strang it?) with light-guage strings, sometimes switching over to Super or Hybrid Slinkies. Of course it sounded like total crap most of the time. I yanked the pickguard after reading an article online that said it deadened the highes, but it sounded really thin after that, so I broke down and put some medium-guage D'Angelicos on it, adjusted the harmonics, and WOW--I can't believe how good a $230, 30-year-old, laminated guitar sounds! I was getting ready to go out and buy a Seagull, but I really see no need for that now. The neck's a little narrow for me (6'1", 200#), but I'm out of practice, too.

It's certainly picked up a few dings and scratches (not to mention the pickguard scar) from various camping trips and what-have-you over the years, but now it sounds as good as new--maybe even better. All the original hardware is still there and still working well.

30 years? Camping? Used the case as a seat? I will never get rid of this guitar. In fact the next step is looking into getting it refinished!

Never had any reason to call.

I've been playing guitar since I was eight, keyboards since I was 14, and drums since I was 22--and I'm 45 now. I flirted with accordian, bass, mandolin and percussion, but I always come back to the guitar. I'd really be bummed if I lost this guitar, but I'd probably buy a new Seagull or a Guild to replace it; finding another one would probably be next to impossible.

Label inside says Nippon. In very good condition and I've treated it well. The guitar has aged nicely in sound and its mellow look (similar to a Martin J.Buffet top) of the top; I didn't know it was a laminated top. The sides and back appear to be rosewood. Even with an adjustable bridge, I've never adjusted it; I don't want to mess with a good thing. Seven years ago the first 5 frets were replaced due to wear. The pickguard (thicker than many today) needed glue about 15 years ago.

The FG300 has always sounded good to me, in rock, folk and jazz. My style blends a counter-rhythm jazz strum (high to low strings) and use of 1 or 2 bass strings picked while finger-picking/strumming higher stringsI typically use a soundhole insert pickup (D.Markley) and make no audio change. John Pearse Lt-wt. strings have been my standard for 12 years: when new they ring sweetly for about two weeks. I change strings monthly. The FG300's thin neck allows me to solo all over, high and bass, and I love that switchability.
When I play other guitars at music shops I think, Will I find a replacement? Very few come close to consideration! (No Martins do.) Perhaps a Gibson could replace it, for over $1,000.

Since I bought this Yamaha FG300 thirty years ago, I've never adjusted the bridge or the neck. It played great from the start. Fine appearance (elegant) and no flaws. Over the years people have commented on what a beautiful guitar this is.

This is an oft-played, cared-for guitar. The finish looks wonderful. I cannot remember if the wood looked mellow years ago, or if change was gradual. Some wear is at the edge of the soundhole from strum-stroke. Pickguard needed adhesive years ago. Nothing has fallen off. This guitar was built solidly, though I thought it lacked weight, at least compared to many other guitars.

Never even tried to contact Yamaha, or the music dealer who sold the guitar. The dealer gave me a "bring it back" warranty for a year, but no Yamaha paper.

Played guitar since 1966. Dumped my first $25 guitar and bought the Yamaha FG300 in 1971, with Yamaha hard case. I also play a Fender Strat.
If I lost this guitar, a comparable replacement might be a Gibson J150 or a Hummingbird. I hate the fact that I want to buy another acoustic but nothing plays as sweetly in the under-$1,000 price range. Sometimes I wonder how it would sound with a thin-line pickup inside.

I have not been able to determine exactly when my FG 300 was made. Although it has a laminated top, the resonance and volume equal most solid tops. My father-in-law bought this guitar at a yard sale and after playing it for a few years, gave it to me because I liked it so much. When I got it it needed a few minor repairs. The fancy western style pickguard, (which really sets this guitar apart) needed reglued. Nothing a little Duco cement couldn't fix. The adjustable bridge needed some new screws as some were stripped out by someone who obviosly didn't know what they were doing. Again, a very simple fix. Although this guitar seems to stay in tune forever, the tuner screws have a tendancy to work themselves loose from the headstock from time to time so I check them and retighten if necessary whenever I change strings. As a machinist I would have to say that the tuners themselves are not the best.

The sound quality of this guitar is very well suited to my playing in our bluegrass group. The other members of my group often comment on the sweet sound of my FG 300. I play through a mic. mounted on a goosneck from my vocal mic. stand. This guitar mics very well and looses none of its excellent tone through the mic. I use Martin bluegrass strings which produce the low end I need when playing rhythm and the high end on the upper strings really cuts through when playing solo breaks. Overall, I would have to say I am very pleased with the tone of this guitar for this type of music. It is very comparable to the most popular bluegrass guitar made by the company that makes my strings.

Although this guitar needed some TLC when I got it, from the factory this was a very well crafted and very good looking instrument. I prefer a thin neck which this instrument has. The neck is as straight as an arrow. I have the action set super low and there is absolutely no buzzing at any position on the fretboard. As far as the finish, it is in as new condition except at the top of the neck where I do most of my playing. The finish has worn through about 3/4" long at the thumb position. The binding has yellowed slightly, probably from polishes, but the inlays are still as beautiful as when they were new. Being that we play mainly in 2 or 3 keys, the guitar has developed some very slight fretboard indentation and minimal fret wear at these positions. This has not affected the overall playability whatsoever.

Right now this is the only acoustic I own and I feel very secure playing live with it. It never have to re-tune while playing. Just some minor tuning with new strings between sets. We used to take our mandolin players Martin for a backup but never had to use it. A few broken strings have been changed in the time it took our frontman to tell 1 or 2 jokes. The FG 300 is very light but the construction, bracing, and craftsmanship is rock solid.

I have been playing guitar for 32 years and I have played everything from Folk Masses (church) to hard rock. I have owned a couple of acoustics and several electrics of which my late seventies Les Paul Deluxe was my favorite. It was the only guitar that had an action close to my Yamaha. I would not have chosen this guitar for purchase before I owned it. I did not even know what it was when I first saw it. After playing my FG 300 for about 10 years now, I feel very fortunate that my father-in-law chose to give it to me. I am forever gratefull and can honestly say that I will never be so stupid as to sell it as was the case with my Les Paul. This is the guitar I will take to the grave.

I checked with Yamaha, and they said this guitar was built around 1970
in Japan. It has a laminated top, but pshaw! I have another yamaha vintage 1980 with a laminated top, and have gone head to head with a Martin D-35, and the Yamaha won! This guitar was bought out of a pawn shop for 90 bucks with the hard case, it still had the original store tag, and neck wrench. it has a western style pickguard with a thistle ornamentation, seemed gaudy at first, but it grows on you, it has a unique adjustable bridge, with individual string adjusters, beautiful abalone inlay on the head, with mother of pearl inlays on the fingerboard. the neck is thin, and the action is awesome. I have added a piezio pickup, and use this for live performances.

I have an '80's Yamaha FG340 that makes martin owners weep (paid $156 new in 1975) this guitar has a lighter sound, but the guitar is much lighter weight. I play Rock, blues, bluegrass, country, folk, pop, and my own stuff, this is a great playing guitar, and I use it plugged in, but I rather use my other yamaha for straight acoustic work, fuller sound.

with the adjustible bridge, a couple turns with the screwdriver will adjust the action. the neck is straight as an arrow, I have the action set double extra low, and as long as I don't get excited and bang on the guitar, there is no buzzing, or dead spots on the neck. when I got it out of the pawn shop, it was missing strings, and it looks like somebody dropped it and crunched one spot on the bottom edge near the strap pin, but other than looking close, you can hardly notice it, and the guitar is fully intact, no buzzing, this guitar is built like a light weight tank. probably great for a beach guitar, tennis or what ever.

I use this guitar for gigs all the time, the hardware is solid, it holds tune very well, it has never let me down, I never bring a back up. as far as lasting goes, Thirty years, obviously some abuse during it's life, and still going strong!

Don't know

I have been playing guitar for about 36 years, I have owned Yamaha guitars for just about all of them, I have an '75 FG 340, '80 SGB 2000, this FG 300, and a fender strat. I admit, if I lost this guitar, I would just keep on truckin, it is not my numero uno, but it is a great peice of yamaha history, and a great playing guitar. I definitly would have to replace it hopefully with a CPX 15. but some day maybe... I especially like the western look of this guitar, its lightness, its thin neck, and definitely its playability. I also like how cheap I got it. Sorry pawn guys, this thing was worth a LOT more!!

I was interested to see a review of a Yamaha FG 300. This is an old guitar. I bought mine in 1982. It was the first fairly good guitar I owned and I still have it. I bought it in Hong Kong for the equivalent of about $120.
Even though I have acquired several other guitars over the years, including a Martin, two Guilds, a Taylor, a Lowden and two Ovations, I still have a fondness for the FG 300. Some of my attachment is sentimental, however, it's not a bad guitar. My assessment follows.
The FG-300 has a laminated top, and generally laminated top guitars don't have the resonance that a solid top guitar has, however, the FG 300's top is very lightly built. Mine has that slight swelling behind the bridge, such as one might see on old solid top guitars. Nowadays manufacturers tend to overbuild tops to reduce the risk of stress cracking. This obviously reduces the resonance so in fact the lightly built FG 300 can compete sonically with some more heavily built solid top guitars. For example, I have an Epiphone Hummingbird with a solid top which is about twice as thick as the Yamaha's top. I would rate the Yahama's sound at least as good as the Epiphone's, probably a little better.
The other features on the FG-300 include a bridge with individually adjustable saddles. Covered, Yamaha manufactured tuners. MOP inlays on a rosewood fingerboard, and figured mahogony back and sides (I'm can't really tell if these are laminated or not)

Sound is good. Comparable to many solid top guitars.
Conventional wisdom is that laminated tops and adjustable bridges won't do much to help sound however, as mentioned above in the case of the top this is offset to a large extent by the light build of the top. In the case of the adjustable bridge the two main screws at the ends of the bridge are anchored pretty firmly through the top of the guitar and so the acoustic coupling doesn't really seem to have been compromised.
My guitar is as bought in that I haven't fitted a pick up or altered it in any way.

Action is excellent, even after 27 years. I have made minor truss rod and intonation (adjustable bridge) adjustments but that's all the maintenance its had. It is a good playing guitar.
The inside is well finished and varnished. This may help the sound. Some guitars are very poorly finished inside.

When I bought this guitar I didn't have much money and all I could afford was a cheap fibre case. I brought it back from Hong Kong to Ireland as conventional luggage in the hold of a 747. When I moved to the U.S. it was in storage in Scotland for four years and when it was eventually shipped to the states the case was badly damaged and the neck of the guitar had marks where it was supported in the case. Evidently other stuff had been loaded on top of the case. In short, this guitar has been around the world and thrown about a bit but has stood up to it very well.

I've never had to deal with Yamaha since the guitar didn't need any follow-up.

I've been playing for 29 years. I have 12 other guitars (9 acoustics, two electrics and a bass). Acoustics - Martin, Taylor, Lowden, Guild (2), Ovation (2), Epiphone, Mitchell. Electrics - Fender and Yamaha (SA 2000).