Yamaha FG-411S Acoustic

walked into a guitar shop back in 1994 not knowing anything and was recommended this guitar.paid ??230 new. solid spruce top laminated mahogany sides and mahogany neck. dreadnought and fair sized at that.
nice smooth tuners that stay in tune well. 20 frets and yes.the top 5 frets are pretty useless.
bog standard dreadnought infact : )

was told when i bought it that the sound would develop over the years. well i can't remember what it sounded like back then but these days it sounds lovely and rich/warm with a good deep bass. played dozens of guitars over the years and this one is my beater. it can play most styles without much fuss. does sound better with a new set of strings but then again it depends....the blues sound better on well worn strings. horses for courses.
and it is loud !!!!

i have some photos of it back in 95 and it is surprising how the colour has changed. from a pale cream back then to a beautiful rich deep honey colour now.
the action is fairly high as setup back in the factory but i never changed it as it taught me to play accurately. a good work out for the fingers.
intonation is nearly spot on which is suprising for a cheaper guitar.

this guitar has been everywhere. had some dings along the way but withstood the test of time.
never gigged

not an issue

i would recommend this guitar.
there are a lot of guitars twice the price out there that don't come close in terms of sound. but then sound is subjective.

I got mine in the mid-90's, so I've had it for about 13 years now. Think it's s dreadnought and id definitely has 20 frets, although beyond the 15th fret they're just for show. Solid spruce top - which is what sold it to me in the first place. The sales assistant said it would sound better as it aged and he was right.

Takes whatever I throw at it (Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Green Day, Beatles) and never flinches. Sounds better every year. A really rich warm sound that compares well to guitars twice as expensive.

Action was great from the start, but I had been playing a really crap guitar before. No flaws or faults in terms of the build that I've ever discovered. Does sound quite dead if the strings are on their last legs.

A good, solid dependable guitar. 12 years of playing when drink has been involved; 5 kids who all played with it too. A few knocks and scratches but still in one piece. Only one strap button, which i still don't really like, but a good solid bit of knot-tying never hurt anyone.

Never had a problem with it, so never had to deal with the company

13 years. I've had other guitars including electrics and 12-strings but they've all come and gone. If i was going to replace this guitar I know I'd be paying a lot to get something that plays and sounds the same.

I got this guitar about 2 years ago ive been playing for 5 or 6 years. My dads best friend died in a car crash and gave it to him about two years afer that my dad died of cancer so the guitar was givin to me and i cant complain i dont know how much it cost but it has spruce top mahogany back anfd neck its a dreadnought style body.

It has a great sound for me most people dont like it but it is real deep and loud which i love there was a bit of buzz on the low E string which is commonm on most guitars but i fixed it and its fine now. But according to me its a great guitar i love the deep rich sound.

as i said befor it had a bit of buzz but nothing hard to fix other than that action is fine

Its deffintaly built great its a really solid guitar no loose joins or nothing

havent delt with them

i would give it a 9 just because some people dont liek how the guitar sounds because it is really deep so if ur playin real bright acoustic songs this is not for u if u ar playin acoustic rock this guitar is perfect for early 90's alteritive like nirvana sound garden alice and chains u no that catogory or grunge i guess u can call it though i choose not to lol

This is a solid-top 6 string dreadnaught made in Taiwan in the 90's. Your basic guitar with no electronics. Others have commented on the specs, so I'm not going to research them for this review. Basic and simple looking which has a way of catching your attention. The saying that "less is more" applies when looking at the top of this guitar in my opinion.

I have been playing for about 2 years now so my style is I don't know what just yet. The guitar's sound is definitely not bright but rather dark like a bass sound, full but not mellow and yet rich in its own way. I tried a number of makes of strings and finally decided to use elixires on this guitar. Each guitar has its own voice and has something to contribute. This guitar plays well with others and sounds good alone. It is up to the musician to help a guitar find its voice and to be expressive. It's not a "10" but still it is a great guitar, durable and easy to play. Has the potential of growing since it is a solid-top. I'm going to give it an "8" with room to mature as the years go by. I really like this guitar.

I bought this guitar used and the action is fine. Very easy to play. The top is bookmatched well and is beginning to take on a honey-colored look. The sides and back have a few hazy spots on the finish, but that is not really noticebly unless you look real close. On of the tuners has to be tightened each time the strings are changed which could require a little larger screw in future.

This guitar is durable and I'm not reluctant to take it anywhere. I don't see myself gigging with it so no backup is needed

Haven't dealt with customer support.

I've been playing about 2 years and have owned this guitar about a year. The action is good and the guitar seems to fit my hands well. It is a solid top, and I have hopes that the sound will get even better as the years go by. I have a Takamine EG332SC acoustic/electric guitar, a Yamaha G-85A, and this Yamaha FG411S. I've also owned (note-past tense) a Yamaha FG110E and a Yamaha FG335II. If you are looking for a durable, reasonably priced # 2 guitar to purchase or a beginner guitar this might be one to consider. I recommend playing it before buying it although I'm not disappointed with mine.

I got this for christmas 1994, after playing electric guitar for a few years i thought it was time to get the "real deal," an acoustic. Santa did a good job in choosing this guitar for me, because as i've become a more experienced player I am noticing more and more how nice this guitar truely is. I believe santa paid around $400 for it new. This dreadnought features a soild spruce top with mahogany back and sides. I believe the neck is mahogany as well. Tuners are very smooth closed style that hold up very well. all in all, a very nice guitar for $400

After a few years of beating into this guitar the sound definately opened up. The response emphesis is on the bass and treble, while lacking a bit in the midrange. This is not a problem at all because the resulting sound is very pleasing. When i jam with my friends who own laminated top acoustics, the 411s definately blow theirs away soundwise - more volume, more sustain, etc...
The only downside about this guitar is the sustain. Dont get me wrong, it sustains very well, but I think if i was to upgrade the saddle to ivory or bone it would definately sound even better.

I had to adjust the action when i first got it because the factory set it rather high. Not a problem...it was fun! They also could have done a better job routing out the bridge cavity because the saddle sits a little loose in there. The finish is durable as is the rest of the guitar

Ive owned this guitar foe 8 years now and it is even better than new. The sound has blossomed and the top is yellowing naturally. My 411 has quite a few dings in it from years of usage, bnut nothing it cant handle.....very dependable guitar

When i compare this guitar I usually compare it to guitars costing a few hundred dollars more. It blows away everything else ive played or herd in its price range. The one issure i have with it is that it has a narrow neck and i have big chunky finger tips which can really crowd up this fingerboard. Not a problem for the average person i imagine. I do love the sound, however, and that is what counts. If you can get your hands on one of these i totally recommend it

I knew at one time when this guitar was manufactured; can't remember now. It was made in Taiwan. It has 14 frets clear to the body, I believe the sides and back are a laminate. The top is solid spruce. No electronics. Gloss finish. Black pick-gaurd. Dreadnought style -- with a slightly larger than average lower bout. The bridge-plate appears to be rosewood. The bridge is not compensated. The tuners are Grover-style; they say "Yamaha" on them. They have a 14:1 ratio.

The sound is full and fairly balance with a slight emphasis on the bass. It takes full-on folk rock, bluegrass, and fingerstyle without a flinch. It's a good all-around player.

The setup on it is presumably factory, in which case they did a decent job. I might prefer a lower action, but then it might not lend itself as well to slide. Intonation is good. Nothing's loose. No buzz -- you cannot *make* it buzz!

I could beat the crap out of this thing and it would still come back with great sound. The finish also seem rugged enough; I know I've knocked it a time or two, but it still isn't getting dinged.

Dunno.

It's a great player to have for general purpose stuff. i.e., I wouldn't take a Collings or Santa Cruz out to the backyard BBQ. Everyone needs a semi-disposable guitar that sounds decent.

This is a GREAT guitar. I've been playing for about 8 years now, and I got this guitar about 4 years ago. It wasn't too expensive, and I really liked the solid Spruce top that the 411-S came with. After a few years of playing, it opens up, giving the guitar a warmer sound than a lot of "hollow" sounding guitars. The only problem I've had with it is the E-string "buzz" that a lot of these guitars came with. I had to change the offset once, other than that, it's amazing!

Great sound. At first, it sounded a bit hollow, but after 4 years, it sounds warm, still crisp. The only thing is that if the strings get too old, it sounds a bit dull. You have to change the strings half-decently often to keep that clean sound.

Nothing to complain about. Looks great, feels great.

My guitar has taken a few beatings, but it's still in GREAT shape. I would definitely recommend Yamaha Guitars to anyone looking to pick up a guitar, beginner or expert.

5 years warranty, but I haven't had any problems.

This is an EXCELLENT guitar, no regrets about buying it. I've played gigs with it, and it sounds great. I've also gotten a lot of compliments on its sound.

I'm assuming this was made around 1995, the same time as the guy who posted the other entry because I got this around the same time as him (have i really been playing for 6 years now?), and apparently they're not making this model anymore. It's got 20 frets, above 15 it's useless, but what do I care? Solo? What's that? I'm thinking this is probably a laminated top because, well it's a Yamaha. I've no idea about the woods used, probably pretty standard stuff, again, being a Yamaha. It's only got the one strap button, is that normal? What's the good of that? My strap is presently tied around the neck with a gold ribbon, that has lasted for 5 years now... I give the ribbon a 10. No included accessories, I don't think, but if there was, my parents have been hoarding them for a while now. I give it an 8, because it's not got lots of features... it's an acoustic beginners instrument, what more do you need than strings really?

This thing is loud. It suits me great (except for the fact that I live in residence at university and if i get a hankering in the middle of the night, I've got to be quiet), and the style that I'm playing which is basically acoustic music (imagine acoustic music on an acoustic, what will they think of next?). Lots of Oasis and Tragically Hip. It's got a bright, sort of laid-back, happy sound (laid-back and happy? my guitar is a hippie), really full, but not at all balenced. I do a lot of fingerpicking and the bass usually drowns out the treble, but you can compensate. Listen to the sustain! It sustains without disdain. My guitar sounds like a guitar which any good guitar should. It's an 8 cos of the balence problem.

Set-up was great, haven't had a problem with anything, action is perfect. It's bookmatched perfectly, even though I only just noticed and appreciated it.

It seems quite durable, i've carted it everywhere with me (in a soft-shell unlined twelve string case by the by) and it's got minimal wear and tear. It's a big puppy too. Somehow got a big dent in the neck by the twelfth fret, and I don't know how many times my stupid friends have knocked it over... maybe I should beat them up with it, it could probably take it. The tuners aren't that reliable, they slip alot, but tuning is fun so yay crappy tuners. The strap button (where's the other one?) has let go maybe twice that I can remember, and neither time is was with me, so I blame the idiot who dropped it.
Other than the constant tuning and re-tuning, I can definitely depend on it. The one gig that I've played, I had to do it without a back-up because I've only got the one guitar (yes pity me you guitar gurus out there who have eleventy-thousand different guitars), but I was completely comfortable with that. It hadn't crapped out on me in the first 6 years, so why should I have expected it to crap out after 6 years and a bit?

I haven't dealt with the company, haven't had to make any repairs, and I think the warranty was for 5 years? Or does Yamaha give a lifetime warranty? I think I must've made that up/

As I said before I've been playing for around 6 years, and this is alllllll the gear I own (I don't count the crappy Yamaha electric I have, because as soon as I got this, electric lost it's appeal, or the weird Gibson-esque purple thing my dad passed down to me, whose neck is so warped there's no way at all you can make the stings touch the fretboard). I wish I had asked all those need-to-know questions, about solid top vs laminate, etc., but I was 14, and didn't know I was getting it. If it were stolen or lost, I wouldn't have the heart to replace it, just because of it's sentimental value. I'd buy a new one and ask the aforementioned questions. I'd get me a Norman! What do I love about it? I love how it's aged. The sound has so improved. Or maybe my ear has... or maybe my playing? I don't know, but it's my sound and I love it.

P.S. You mentioned resisting the new guitar "rush". What about the old guitar rush? After 6 years I've become a little bit attached to mine, even if it's not the best sounding, highest end guitar in the world. It's famaliar, and familiarity probably led to a little bit of bias on my part in this review. Oh well!

P.P.S. Go gold ribbon!

I'm assuming this was made around 1995, the same time as the guy who posted the other entry because I got this around the same time as him (have i really been playing for 6 years now?), and apparently they're not making this model anymore. It's got 20 frets, above 15 it's useless, but what do I care? Solo? What's that? I'm thinking this is probably a laminated top because, well it's a Yamaha. I've no idea about the woods used, probably pretty standard stuff, again, being a Yamaha. It's only got the one strap button, is that normal? What's the good of that? My strap is presently tied around the neck with a gold ribbon, that has lasted for 5 years now... I give the ribbon a 10. No included accessories, I don't think, but if there was, my parents have been hoarding them for a while now. I give it an 8, because it's not got lots of features... it's an acoustic beginners instrument, what more do you need than strings really?

This thing is loud. It suits me great (except for the fact that I live in residence at university and if i get a hankering in the middle of the night, I've got to be quiet), and the style that I'm playing which is basically acoustic music (imagine acoustic music on an acoustic, what will they think of next?). Lots of Oasis and Tragically Hip. It's got a bright, sort of laid-back, happy sound (laid-back and happy? my guitar is a hippie), really full, but not at all balenced. I do a lot of fingerpicking and the bass usually drowns out the treble, but you can compensate. Listen to the sustain! It sustains without disdain. My guitar sounds like a guitar which any good guitar should. It's an 8 cos of the balence problem.

Set-up was great, haven't had a problem with anything, action is perfect. It's bookmatched perfectly, even though I only just noticed and appreciated it.

It seems quite durable, i've carted it everywhere with me (in a soft-shell unlined twelve string case by the by) and it's got minimal wear and tear. It's a big puppy too. Somehow got a big dent in the neck by the twelfth fret, and I don't know how many times my stupid friends have knocked it over... maybe I should beat them up with it, it could probably take it. The tuners aren't that reliable, they slip alot, but tuning is fun so yay crappy tuners. The strap button (where's the other one?) has let go maybe twice that I can remember, and neither time is was with me, so I blame the idiot who dropped it.
Other than the constant tuning and re-tuning, I can definitely depend on it. The one gig that I've played, I had to do it without a back-up because I've only got the one guitar (yes pity me you guitar gurus out there who have eleventy-thousand different guitars), but I was completely comfortable with that. It hadn't crapped out on me in the first 6 years, so why should I have expected it to crap out after 6 years and a bit?

I haven't dealt with the company, haven't had to make any repairs, and I think the warranty was for 5 years? Or does Yamaha give a lifetime warranty? I think I must've made that up/

As I said before I've been playing for around 6 years, and this is alllllll the gear I own (I don't count the crappy Yamaha electric I have, because as soon as I got this, electric lost it's appeal, or the weird Gibson-esque purple thing my dad passed down to me, whose neck is so warped there's no way at all you can make the stings touch the fretboard). I wish I had asked all those need-to-know questions, about solid top vs laminate, etc., but I was 14, and didn't know I was getting it. If it were stolen or lost, I wouldn't have the heart to replace it, just because of it's sentimental value. I'd buy a new one and ask the aforementioned questions. I'd get me a Norman! What do I love about it? I love how it's aged. The sound has so improved. Or maybe my ear has... or maybe my playing? I don't know, but it's my sound and I love it.

P.S. You mentioned resisting the new guitar "rush". What about the old guitar rush? After 6 years I've become a little bit attached to mine, even if it's not the best sounding, highest end guitar in the world. It's famaliar, and familiarity probably led to a little bit of bias on my part in this review. Oh well!

P.P.S. Go gold ribbon!

This is a 1995(ish?) basic solid-top, dreadnaught accoustic, made in Taiwan. It's a straight 22 fret, but no cutaways, so blues at the top end are difficult. My particular version is lefthanded, so it's actually an FG411SL, but I'm assuming the "L" is for lefty. The top is spruce (I think), not sure what wood is used in the neck.

I don't have a ton of experience as a player, and being a lefty, I don't get to pick up every guitar I see, so my experience is somewhat limited, but on a number of occasions, I've picked up other low end guitars: washburns, Ibenez, horhners, and they all sound really crappy by comparison. As a singer, I find it difficult to hear myself over this guitar, because it has a really big rich sound. I've had other, more experienced guitarists express surprise at how nice it sounds. The low e is a bit muddy, I'd say, but other than that it's quite nice for the price.

My guitar buzzed shortly after I purchased it, but after some adjustment, it's remained true ever since. There's no buzz and the finish throughout the neck is smooth and solid at all joints, frets, etc. I've been playing it daily for about 4 years now, and I've never noticed any flaws in the finish. It holds its tuning wonderfully, and I find the shape of the neck very comfortable.

I use a hard pick and bang away on this thing for hours, and it's never let me down. In and out of sub-freezing tempuratures, changing humidity, etc, there's no surprises. One complaint (and this may have been user error) is in the strap buttons. I pulled the button out to put a strap on this guitar and the button wouldn't firmly fix in place after that. A bit of plumber's tape did the trick, but again, I'm wondering whether I'm not just going at this the wrong way.

n/a

Overall, I'd like to find another guitar with this sound quality, only with a cutaway. I'm very happy with the sound. I've found it very reliable and great value for the price. I'll look at other Yamaha guitars in the future.