Yamaha FG-300

This Model Was Began In 1969 As The Top Line Yamaha. It Is Advertised In The Literature As Having A "Select Spruce Top." Mine appears to be solid. I have read both that it is "solid" and some say "laminate." This guitar listed for $360 in 1973 when my red label model was built, and I am 99+ percent certain that the top is solid. The lines go through from top to bottom. Plus, the literature advertises a "select spruce top." That typically means solid wood. Mine has laminate sides and back, with Brazilian Rosewood as the outside wood. Mine is complete, and it appears that the pickguard has never had any issues (like most others).

This is a wonderful loud and distinct sounding guitar. It is a boomer, and I would put it up against anything I have. I do a lot of folk and some bluegrass. There is nothing to complain about. I have a Guild DV52, and a Martin 00028EC. This guitar compares favorably with the Guild. The Martin is a 000 sized body and is not comparable to the booming sound this Yamaha gives.

Action, Fit and Finish are Spectacular. Great guitar. Well made, and at 43 years old will only get better. The tuners were replaced some time in the past with neat grovers.

This is the guitar that I would have no problem bringing to a gig.

Solid top?Rosewood back and sides.Beautiful inlays and the most user friendly bridge ever.

I got this Yamaha at a local Flea market.The fella said he knew nothing about guitars and boy was he right.It had 4 rusty strings on it and was as grubby as a guitar could be.I had never seen an FG300 before and what caught my eye was the adjustable bridge.Long story short I got it for $60.When I got it home I put on some Martin lights and when I played it I almost got teary.This flea market find is probably the sweetest sounding acoustic I have ever played.Bar none.This one needs a refret or at least dressed and has some fretboard wear to the 3rd fret but action is wonderfully low and playability is awesome.I play a lot of Neil Young and Johnny Cash and suits both perfectly.

Have to give a lower rating for this due to the pickguard problems(mine is not origional and poorly handmade)Also the tuner screws have a habit of coming loose.The finish of this guitar is thick and lovely and has aged very well.There seems to be some confusion wheither these are solid tops or not.With a mirror inside I am sure that the grain matches inside to outside and wonder if some were solid and some were laminate.Inlays,bindings and headstock are well done and have past the test of time.Choice of woods are excellent.Don,t know how old this guitar is (serial#0063925 red label Nippon Gakki) but it has held up very very well.All origional hardware works like new

I never play live.I only play to the squirrels and racoons off of my back porch so most of my guitars lead a pretty charmed life but this guitar was well played before I got it and has held up perfectly.Straight neck no bulges on the top and no cracks or loose bracing.Finish is very tough and has no cracking or crazing.I am confident that this guitar will still be around for another 50 odd years.origional tuners are holding up well and the bridge is perfect.Wish I had the origional pickguard

NA

I am a true guitar junky and own over 30 guitars of varying pedigree.I always seem to find odd and interesting guitars.I don't own any truly high end guitars but I own a few beauties.My favorite electrics that I own are my SG and a Switch Oscar Vibracell or my son,s Les paul.For acoustics my regular players are a Yamaki western;an Fg75 and a Dobro but the guitar I always seem to to pick up is the 300.I lucked into this guitar and with the prices they are going for now so would probably be my last one.I found the guitar that I will never part with.

Red label FG-300. Usual pick guard

I took this instument on my raft down the Grand Canyon. 18 days of all the river could give us and we tried to give back. Had it in the original case and a big dry bag. Scorching sun, monstrous rapids and many nights of libation inspired guitar silliness. Not a problem at all and I still play it. I was going to sell it but it seems like a sort of cult instrument, so I think I'll just keep it for fun and exceitment...

I have a Yamaha FG 300 I bought it in Nassau Bahamas...My wife says I had it whee we got married in May 71. My recollection is late 69 or early 70 It is relatively mint except as others have pointed out the pickguard came off years ago. I would like to repair this with an original. Does anyone know wher I can purchase a replacement pickguard??
Thanks
Gord

The guitar plays just as it did when I bought it. It has a beautiful resonance

Its over 35 years old now and has travelled with me around the world several times and has suffered no ill effect (apart from pickguard)

Finish is as I bought it with a nfew minor nicks
I have the original case as well

40 years but dont practice enough these days

I bought my FG300 Red Lable in 1972, the year it was made, and it sounds even richer today then it did then. Its a great guitar, beautifully made. I've kept it in great condition over the years and yes the pick gards do loosen but that's a minor fix. The neck is pretty darned straight after all these years even though I could use the tensioner if I needed to. The sound is balanced, rich (although maybe not quite as deep as a Martin D35 but real close), and true. I'd have a hard time ever letting it go not just because its a great guitar but also because of all of the things we've been through together in the last 33 years. I still have the case I bought with it. Long live the FG300!

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.