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Yamaha FG-335II

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Manufacturer URL http://www.yamaha.com/
Features 7.2 (13 responses)
Sound 8.5 (15 responses)
Action, Fit, & Finish 8.1 (14 responses)
Reliability/Durability 8.8 (14 responses)
Customer Support 8.0 (2 responses)
Overall Rating 8.9 (14 responses)
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Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: GBP 90 USED
Submitted 05/19/2008 at 05:29pm by Ross
Email: rossmcausland at hotmail<dot>com

Features : 10
Spruce top, mahogany sides and back, nato neck, indian rosewood bridge and figerboard.
dreadnaught style with great Yamaha Japan tuners
the neck is perfect size, feel and look
natural/glossy finish
the strange thing about this guitar is that it was made in the transition from Japan to Taiwan and therefore the tuners say "Japan" whereas the inside label says "Taiwan". this just adds to how unique this guitar is


Sound : 10
personally i tend to play alot of The Who/Townshends work and i find this idealy suited. although it is a dreadnought it sounds like a jumbo.
crisp highs and perfect lows. the way it has been set up, this guitar is often compared with Martins. even a D45 owner was amazed at this 27 year old guitar that sold for $245 originally (i paid ??90 for it from my uncle [ex-D41 owner, current-S.Yairi owner] who wanted me to have an amazing guitar but didnt want to charge me much) sounded as good as the D45.

in sessions with Gibson and Martin galore, my Yamaha and his S.Yairi ring out above them all

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
iv only owned this guitar for about a year and from day one i knew the action was perfect, the intonation was spot on and the fit was second to none. the look and feel of this guitar is excellent, gorgeous wood was used (and the wear and tear on the top makes it even better)

Reliability/Durability : 10
the fact that this guitar is one of the early ones off the production line in 1981 with all original hardwear (i knicked the S.Yairi tuners coz he had grovers on his recently) with no rust, no defects whatsoever and only a previous owners marks on it show that this guitar has lasted, and will last for many years to come
i have used this live on several occasions and it has never failed me, not even a busted string once on it...
id use this without any backup....or PA....thats how good it feels, sounds and performs in all way, shapes and forms

Customer Support : No Opinion
never had to use it

Overall Rating : 10
i have been playing for 7 years and have only come across 3 other guitars that compared with this at all. it is a pleasure to record with and goes great with my large capsule mic and my mbox 2 mini.
i would be absolutely heartbroken if this was lost or stolen and i would travel to hell and back to get it back to me.
i love everything about this guitar and cant find one single flaw
as i have said, it has been compared to Martin's and Gibson's and has turned many heads, i dont think il ever need another acoustic.

only one thing is bugging me.....should i drill it to fit my new Baggs M1 Active? or keep it with the gaffar tape in tact? someone help me decide.....please....


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: USD 125 USED
Submitted 07/05/2007 at 03:22pm by Kyle

Features : 6
Mine is a dreadnought. I'm not sure about the woods. Tuners are nice and do pretty well. Not as well as my Taylor, but pretty good for a cheap guitar. This guitar was made in 1982 I believe. I think it is a laminated top. No pickups on mine.

Sound : 9
This guitar sounds amazing. Anyone who listens to it marvels about the sound. Ths guitar sounded good when I bought it fro $125 at a yard sale, but after some work, it simply sounds amazing. It rivals the sound of my Taylor 314CE. It's different and maybe not quite as consistent of a sound, but for the price difference, WOW!

Action, Fit, & Finish : 8
The action was high, but not bad when I bought it. It was an excellent guitar to learn on. Then I had a set up done, put new ebony bridge pins, and had a bone saddle made. After that this guitar simply plays amazing. It plays as well as my Taylor after the adjustments. And for $300 total investment, you can't beat it!

Reliability/Durability : 8
This guitar seems like it will last forever. It was made in 1982 and I have had mine for 12 of those years. It plays well every time and stays in tune pretty well. I would use this on any gig although mine is not acoustic electric. I have played numerous church gatherings with only this guitar and I have complete confidence in it. Very solid after some adjustments

Customer Support : No Opinion
No dealings.

Overall Rating : 9
I have been playing for about 13 years. I own a Taylor 314CE acoustic and a Fender American Strat also. Yes I would buy another guitar like this one. It is a great guitar to play outside by the fire, etc. It sounds and plays great and if something happens to it it would not be a huge financial loss like with the Taylor. This would also make a super beginner guitar for a beginner. Keep in mind fi you get one of these, get a setup if it hasn't had one. I love the tone and easy playability of this guitar. I don't hate anything. It is also very pretty wood.


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: 2000 (DKK (330 USD))
Submitted 04/09/2006 at 07:37am by Niels Schmidt

Features : 9
A basic inexpensive acoustic made in Taiwan. It says so on the label inside the body (try looking there first...). Tuners could be better but are reasonable. Overall finish quite good and fully acceptable at the price.

Sound : 8
I liked the sound and finish/price ration and that was why I bought the guitar. I am not too keen on very sparkly acoustics for practice/non-studio use. It is actually guite good for slide playing.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 8
The finish was flawless at the time of purchase.

Reliability/Durability : 8
The reliability has been good. I have used the guitar relentlesly for 25 years, and it is still playable, for home use, but it is seriously worn.
I ought to spend a little on restoring it with new tuners and bridge (the plastic part where the strings are fitted at the body is worn down) and the saddle should be replaced as well. Considering I have owned the guitar roughly 25 years I think the quality of workmanship is very high.

Customer Support : No Opinion
???

Overall Rating : 8
This guitar has been my main guitar for ca. 25 years. It's the one I've been playing watching brainles TV, writing songs, recording demos for the band and for a few studio demos as well. I can only say I have been more than happy with this guitar. It is my friend.


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: gift
Submitted 07/20/2005 at 03:13pm by mrlucky7

Features : No Opinion
This was my first guitar received as a gift over 20 years ago...it is an early 1980's model. Cant really tell if it is a solid top but it is spruce. The wood is beautiful as is the whole finish of this guitar. No electronics. made in Taiwan but the nuts are made in Japan.

Sound : 7
After 20 years of usage it still sounds good. The bass response is better than the treble without sounding boomy.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
No flaws whatsoever....Never did any adjustments and the action is still good. I will eventually get the action lowered a bit. Everything is well setup on this guitar. It was really well made

Reliability/Durability : 10
@0 years of usage without a problem speaks for itself. This guitar is a tank ! Its been through camping, frying in the sun, kids banging away on it, drops, being banged on a chair...you name it ! There is barely any wear and tear to notice on it

Customer Support : No Opinion
never had to deal with Yamaha but they are a well respected company

Overall Rating : 8

This is has been a great guitar for me. It is a left handed model and was my first guitar. They do not make this model anymore but if you are looking for a backup guitar that is made rock solid with a good sound find a used one ! I have not "outgrowm" this guitar and will always keep it. I am now looking for a 12 string guitar and will probably purchase a Norman...they sound great. I strongly recommend this Yamaha


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: US $365 used
Submitted 04/22/2005 at 05:37pm by Greg

Features : 7
This dreadnought was made in the early to mid- 70s. 20 frets, no pickup. Solid top, probably spruce. Probably rosewood fingerboard. Tuners are standard metal Yamaha metal tuners, tarnished and too easy to fall out of tune, but that's pretty much my only regret with this guitar. I bought it used and sight unseen from five years ago from an e-dealer in California and have never regretted it. The finish is thick and still shiny, and for the money, I can't imagine finding a guitar that sounds so good and would hold up so well so long. I should get those tuners replaced.

Sound : 9
I play folk, alt. country, acoustic rock, singer-songwriter--strum, fingerpick, and pick. I've used this with a Fender Acoustisonic amp and mic'd it and currently either mic and run through my little Roland or use a Fishman soundhole pickup through it. The sound is amazing--rich and warm, prone to a little low-end boom but beautiful from low through mid-tones. It's not bright--some might like a Martin sound better--but I've gotten compliments from every player who's ever heard it.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
This guitar had seen 25 years of play before I got it, and except for a few chips on the backside, the finish is beautiful and there's no visible damage anywhere. It's a tank, and the finish is thick--I've banged my share of tables and chairs in coffeehouses and churches. The action is low--came to me that way--and this things almost plays itself. Ample room for picking, but strums well with a pick.

Reliability/Durability : 10
I'm down to one axe now, so I use this to both practice and play gigs. I do coffeehouses, bookstores, and churches, and haul it across the country without incident. It's been on planes, and while I usually gate-check it, it handles baggage claim just fine. As I said, the finish is thick and beautiful, and this thing seems indestructible. I'm sure they don't make them this way anymore.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Never had to deal with Yamaha, but I want to pass on my regards--this is a beautifully-made guitar, and I couldn't afford it's like these days.

Overall Rating : 10
i've been playing off and on for thirty years; I used to play primarily rock and blues, then retooled myself as an acoustic singer-songwriter under the influence of this guitar and the joy of playing alone without cometing egos. I've had other guitars--most recently a cheap but enjoyable Yamaha acoustic-electric--and also play keyboards and drums. If this guitar were stolen or lost, I would enter a funk that would be difficult to repair. If I could find another vintage FG-335 I'd buy it; otherwise I'd steal my dad's vintage Gibson or get a mid-range Martin. You'd have to spend that much at least to come anywhere near the sound of this guitar.


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: US $125.00 used
Submitted 12/05/2004 at 08:56pm by Anonymous

Features : 5
This is a 1983 Taiwan made laminated spruce top dreadnaught. (I ran the serial number thru Yahamha; they confirmed that all '80's FG335II models were indeed laminated tops-regardless of what others here have stated-unless it carries a 'S' designation). 14 frets, laminated mahogany back and sides, nato neck, rosewood fingerboard, no electronics. Heavy transparent gloss finish throughout. Crappy chrome Yamaha tuners, won't stay in tune for long. Came with a lined cheapo case.

Sound : 6
Sound is pretty good, surprisingly good for a laminated top. It's warm, good low and mids, decent overtones. This is not a bright guitar, lacking in highs and somewhat muddy, but still sounds nice, definatly not a packing crate with strings. Good for blues strumming, great jazz sounds, best at moderate to low volumes.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 5
Action is good, neck straight, it's a smooth easy player. Face it , this was and is a cheaper guitar, and the overall fit and finish reflects it. Top was nicely bookmatched, though, and with the exception of the tuners, the instrument appears to be better made than many others around this price range. Twenty years have given a nice patina to the top.

Reliability/Durability : 5
Seems on the light side. The used one I got looked as if it had been around the block a couple of times, but still was holding up well. Thick finish. Loose tuners, loose strap knob. But I wouldn't call it junk.

Customer Support : 7
Can't answer intelligently, but I liked that fact that I could research this oldie through Yamaha and received a prompt response from thier guitar support site. Based on that alone, I'll give 'em good marks.

Overall Rating : 6
I am an intermediate player, and play a Strat and a G50 Garrison. I got the Yamaha to use as a beater, and because I liked the "vintage" aspect about it. I had always heard that early '80's Yamahas were decent, and thought they were all solid tops, not true as mentioned above. However, I like it. It sounds good, it plays well, and is nice looking. My daughter actually prefers the warm sound. I compared this against low end lam top Fender, Samick and other cheaper guitars, and this one really outshines them. (..though my Garrison eats it for lunch). As mentioned, the only real drawback is the tuners. Overall, it has a surprisingly good sound for the money, and I'd recommend it over all the sub $200 guitars that I've heard or played.


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: US $190
Submitted 11/12/2004 at 04:44pm by Anonymous

Features : 9
Made in the early 80's and has a solid spruce top typical Dreadnaught size and neck seems a normal size, I own a 1 3/4 and this is thinner.
Sides and back are mahogany I think, basic Yamaha tuners. Has aftermarket pick ups inside.

Sound : 9
I use this in a Gospel setting and it sounds marvelous. I own a Yamaha FG-110 and a Collings D2h, this sounds in between the two, definately not a collings and yet it plays consistant mellow basses and tight sounding highs. Full conistant sound. No dislikes.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
Action is low, may have been done at factory or not but it never buzzes, built tough and has aged very well, nice color and finish.

Reliability/Durability : 9
For the age it has endured well and the finish still shines, No doubt about the future of it as long as it is care for.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Yamaha has an excellent reputation in almost everything they make, Their website is excellent, but I haven't had to deal w/them.

Overall Rating : 9
Been Playing 3 years and own FG-110 restrung lefty, Collings Lefty D2H, and this is a lefty FG-335II, if this were stolen or lost I would buy another.
favorite feature is its consistancy especially for the price.


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: 14000 (GRD)
Submitted 03/26/2003 at 12:00am by Christos Manassis
Email: cmanassis<at>yahoo dot com

Features : 8
The FG-335II is a basic acoustic dreadnought, made in Taiwan. I don't know what type of woods it was made from, optically it looks like a body maple / top spruce / fretboard rosewood combination, but then it may only look that way. Features Yamaha standard tuners, nothing special here. Good looking natural wood appearance.

I bought it 20 years ago, around 1983, new. This guitar is, of course no longer made, but you may come up with a used one. I am writing this review as a payback to the reviews I am currently reading for the new guitar I want to buy.

Sound : 6
With .12 and .13 strings, the sound of the guitar is warm, but also very fat and boomy. The lower strings (E and A) have quite a strong presence and on continuous strumming there is also a continuous boom backing the music. This could suit you if you are trying to play heavy metal with an acoustic, but if you are into softer styles of music like Crosby, Stiils, Nash, Paul Simon etc the booming will annoy you.

A pleasant side effect of this, is that the guitar produces good jazz tones that closely resemble the sound of big jazz hollowbodies.

Changing the strings to .11 balances the guitar better. With .10 strings the sound of the instrument is very thin. I use .11 strings for years now.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 7
The finish of the guitar was very good for a relatively cheap guitar. The coating of the top is very thick, definitely affecting the sound of the guitar.

The action was very high, and the guitar was very difficult to play. When I bought it, I had no experience on these things. Through the years, I lowered the nut (once) adjusted the truss rod (3 times) and lowered the bridge (3 times) and now the guitar is easy to play with no fret buzz. You will have to adjust every guitar you buy, anyway. If you can't do it yourself, consider the cost of the professional who will do it for you.

Reliability/Durability : 8
The guitar finish proved amazingly durable. I have taken the guitar everywhere (mountains and seas, indoors and outdoors), in a soft case, and it still looks like new.

The frets and fretboard show relatively little wear for the years. Very good considering that I have a heavy grip. The tuners need replacement. All of them.

The hole for the E string peg has widen with use and I am using a fatter peg than the original.

However, the guitar finally reached the end of its enjoyable life.

The neck of the guitar developed a slight bend towards the treble strings, a fault the truss rod won't fix. There is also some top arching, this could be fixed with a new adjustment of the bridge. The result is that the guitar has lost its intonation and doesn't sound good beyond the 7th fret. I must tune it slightly off to get a moderate result up to the 12th fret.

Less than perfect tunning kills me, can't enjoy playing, so I guess that was it. Time for something new.

I can't tell if this was the result of the travels and the changing conditions it was exposed to. I certainly did not cross the African continent with the guitar and I did everything reasonable to protect the instrument.

It lasted 20 happy years, anyway.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Never needed customer support when the guitar was new. I don't think there's any point in contacting them now, this is no vintage guitar.

Overall Rating : 8
I am an amateur, playing for about 20 years. This was my main guitar. Although I bought it blindly (I was an absolute beginner), I never regretted it.


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: US $115.00 & $170
Submitted 02/13/2003 at 06:25am by RDF
Email: none

Features : 7
I own two of these, and both were made in the 80's. They are no frills, but very well built guitars. Good solid feel, with quality finish. No mother of pearl, but just solidly made. This is a solid spruce top, that just rings.

Sound : 10
I bought my first FG 335II a year ago, and immediately fell in love. It has such a beautiful mellow sound. It rings from highs to lows, with a marvelous booming bass. I have strung my second one with bright sounding strings, and it sounds like a totally different instrument, but continues to ring from top to bottom.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
I have never had to do anything to the set up of either guitar. They seemed to play like exact twins. In fact until I changed the strings, the only way I could distinguish the two was that I had two different colored straps. The only thing that I wish were provided on this item is a top strap button.

The wood matching was marvelously done.

Reliability/Durability : 10
This guitar will definitely take a beating and keep on going. They gone on since the 80's and are going strong. I don't hesitate to use these to gig with.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Have never dealt with the company.

Overall Rating : 10
I've been involved in music all of my life. I started playing guitar about 15 years ago, and then lost one of my fingers in an accident, so I had to go left handed. This took a major adjustment, but has finally worked out. If this guitar were lost or stolen, I'd have one consolation, I own another one. My reason in buying two was that everything else frustrated me, because it didn't sound like this thing. It's absolutely great!!!!!! I am constantly on the look out for good guitars, and If I get the chance I buy another. I intend to set myself up for life with these things. This thing has a thick neck, which was difficult to get used to at first, but I've grown to love it. I own many other guitars, two FG 335II's, an Alvarez RD 30; A vintage Aria Diamond, a marvelous high end Classical, and a cheap Premiere Acoustic, and cheap electric. I have no intentions of getting rid of these things. I've played many very nice guitars, and these are every bit as good, in the sound that it delievers. You will not be disappointed.


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: $150 cad (canada) used
Submitted 12/28/2002 at 10:15pm by RM
Email: lormdes at workshopbc<dot>com

Features : 9
I checked the serial number just inside the lip of the sound hole with Yamaha.ca serial search. That gave me four possible years: March 6 of 64, 74 84 and 94. The couple of times that I have had work done on the instrument, both luthiers thought the guitar was pre 84. So I'm going to say the guitar was made March 6, 1974. It has 20 frets total. Solid spruce top with a clear finish, laminated back with beautiful scroll work front and back. Probably has the usual woods used and fit and finish is superb. It's a dreadnought style very similar to a Martin (D 18 I think) my friend owns. Neck is smaller and longer than my Larrivee L8.

Sound : 9
I am a folk musician. Have been since I was about 12. I'm 52 now. I play a lot of other styles and have instuments for those styles but when it comes to wooden guitar music, I have three guitars: an Epiphone Classical, A Larrivee L8 and this 335II. I really do like the Larivee better but I have to keep fighting with my daughter because she wants to use it. I am quite satisfied playing music on the 335II. It fits my style of folk music and is a good finger-picker. Has a very even sound throughout the strings and is very accurate. I would call the sound med. bright. Less bright than the Larrivee which is as bright as you can get. The 335II is a little more mellow and maybe not quite as loud. I am more used to the Gibson-like nature of the Larrivee rather than the Martin-like style of the Yamaha. I just prefer it. I"m not saying either is bad. The feel of the Yamaha is just as good though. It almost looks like this Yami has an ebony fingerboard but I don't think so. It is that good though.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 8
When I got it a few years back the action was absolutely horrible. It was like playing a dulcimer or something. (strings were very high). The first time I took it to a luthier and asked for a set up like "greased lightning" because I like it low and fast and smooth. He came back with it and there was a rub on the 2nd string. He thought a fret had been either placed incorrectly or had a little burr on it that was rubbing against the string. It was somewhere around the 5th or 6th string. I thought I could get it to work so I accepted it and took it home. I have a fiddle that I try to fool around on and on one of the strings was a spacer to raise the string up and keep it from cutting into the bridge too much. I took that spacer off the violin string and put it on the Yami's second string and it took the buzz away. The second time I had the guitar in for tweaking, I asked them to check the fret and , you guessed it, there were actually 2 frets giving trouble #5 and #10. Now the guitar feels like glass and is as clear as anything. Cost: $52 CAD for the two visits. As far as other flaws, there were a few character nicks here and there but it was well kept and I plan on keeping it for 30 years myself.

Reliability/Durability : 9
I have played live with this guitar for years without any kind of backup. I use a Roland sound system and just mic it and it sounds good. Quality of the finish seems pretty good to me and I hope it lasts a long time. The strap button at the neck is metal and has been screwed into the base of the neck where it meets the body. I don't think that's factory but it works okay. The button on the tailpiece end is ivory-very nice.

Customer Support : 9
Never dealt with the company but I find it is a standard issue guitar and there is no trouble getting work done on it.

Overall Rating : 9
I have been playing guitar for 40 years. I also play Bass, Sax, Trumpet, Piano and sing.
My instruments:
82 Larrivee L8, 80 Epiphone classical, Peavey El. Bass, Cortez mandolin, 2 Japanese Strat copies, Bach Strad. Bb trumpet,
I bought the Larrivee before I got the Yamaha and it is my #1 guitar but for playing in touchier venues, I am totally satisfied with the Yamaha. I originally got it so my daughter would have a nice guitar to play. I'm not unhappy about using the Yamaha. It works well for what I am doing and I can always get the Larrivee if I need it for something special. There are many guitars available but trying to find one with a decent sound for a decent price is the trick. If you go back too far the prices get outrageous. Take time to try some of the older but not so old asian brands. I was quite surprised with this one.


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: N/A used
Submitted 11/30/2002 at 02:59pm by Denes
Email: flyboogie<at>musician dot net

Features : 8
This is an 82' model, has a solid spruce top, NOT laminated like a guy
said back down, everything else they have said about it is pretty much true, when it comes to features. taiwan made, w/japenese machine heads. neck is thin but girthy and even though I play classical guitar and my main axe is a fender strat, which has a wide neck on it, this neck hurts my right hand thumb, (Im a lefty), but to do justice to it, I belive it has to do w/the .11 strings that were put on by my luthier when in sent it over for a lefty makeover. This is, in my opinion a very pretty looking guitar for been a low end dreadnought.

Sound : 6
First of all I deem myself a pretty fair guy when it comes to rating an instrument, since the product's category, price and real use has to be taken into consideration, so, this been said, I think this guitar is very good I the sparkly clean department, but lacks a lot of resonance and bass response on the wound strings. To be honest, this is my first dreadnought guitar, but have had for several year now a beautiful souding 2800.00 classical guitar, so I know a thing or 2 about sound and resonance of the tone woods. This guitar inspires me to play phil keaggy stuff new age, but that is just me. fingerpicked it sound alright, using a pick it compensates a lot for the resonance lacking, due to the stronger accentuated attack. I will update this after I change strings to .10 althought I don't think it will help any to bring out more sound from it, but maybe help my hands feel more confortable when it comes to the overall feel of the instrument. of course one has to remember, this is a right hand guitar converted to left, which brings a lot of intonation problems specially after the 12th fret, but in this case I can barely hear the difference, and the harmonics ring out beautifully strong. have not played it live yet, nor w/any acoustic p/u.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 8
nice action, finish is hard to rate as this has been a very mistreated puppy that I discovered at my friend's home, but i'd say that to have survived this long under the conditions it was subjected to, finish is very good.

Reliability/Durability : 10
This guitar is a f****ng tank, it's solid, strong almost dent proof, finish is still holding on, I will defenitely use it without backup, with the exception of spare strings of course.

Customer Support : No Opinion
never've dealt w/them

Overall Rating : 8
I have an electric yamaha guitar rg420 lefty model, and my experience with both of them as beginner instruments have been great, I dont consider myself a beginner anymore after been playing for 13 years on and off, more on than off lately, and have several other electrics and equipment, but I do consider myself a beginner on the fingerpicking acoustic style, and this is my first guitar, funny, after 20 years of been made!!, and as a beginners guitar is a fantastic value instrument, I have proven that yamaha is a company that do delivers quality instruments with a very good quality/price balance, sort of like epiphone for solids. even thought it's not a luthier made martin or such, I feel I have a little museum piece just because it's been out of the production line a long time ago.
If lost or stolen it would be sadly missed as my first acoustic guitar, but would be replaced for a 400.00 plus electric acoustic.


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 11/11/2002 at 05:24pm by jbm!
Email: mrprogguy<at>techie dot com

Features : 5
1976-77, Taiwanese manufacture
Nonlocking tuners from Japan
Dreadnought style, probably spruce and mahoghany
Transparent natural finish
Neck seems thin to me...and I have small hands. Thin frets, rosewood fretboard (aren't they all?)

Sound : 10
Style? If I get a style, I'm quitting. <g>

Just gets better with age. I'm the original owner, had it 25 years now, and with decent bronze on it...sings like an angel. I'm no more than a dangerous amateur, but the sound compares well with most guitars I've heard and played. Somehow I always like mine better...

Gets noisy if you work at it. I don't work at it.

Action, Fit, & Finish : No Opinion
You know, after 25 years I no longer remember about the action. :)

But everything else is sweet as honey. I can see a little extra glue on the interior, but it doesn't affect the sound...or maybe it does, and maybe I should be glad it's there.

Reliability/Durability : 8
Look, it's still alive after 25 years...I think it'll stand up another 25 with no effort. I've put it to some hard use over the years, and all it needs is a little lemon oil to keep the finish glowing.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Never had to call anyone. I figure they're okay. They have a nice website. Heh.

Overall Rating : 9
Been playing for 27 years. Figure to play at least another 27.
If I lost this guitar, I couldn't get another...Yamaha hasn't made 'em for years. I guess I'd have to stick with my Jay Turser "Perfectly Green Guitar" (tip 'o the hat to John Hiatt). This guitar got me through a bunch of college gigs, and now sings my six-year-old to sleep at night. My wife is learning to play using it.

That reminds me--I need to get a new set of strings.


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 11/05/2002 at 11:12pm by Roddie

Features : 8
I believe around '82?,Second transition to TAIWAN from JAPAN.
14 frets,Solid top for sure.Body is made of Solid Spruce,Mahogany back and sides.The finish is great,not too thick or thin laquer.The body style is a little bigger than of a Martin Dreads.The tuners are similar to Grovers but made in JAPAN stamped on the casing.The neck is quite girthy like an LP with a rosewood board neck,Thin/Vintage frets.

Sound : 10
This guitar was/were given to me by my Godparent when i visited him Back Home (Phils),I play acoustical Rock and Ballads from Eagles to Neil Young and of course wide variety of new acoustical music from Staind to Creed,Puddle of Mudd,Coldplay,Beatles,Frampton,Radiohead,Lenny K.,Incubus and so forth.I use a Dean Markley ZH-7 ( Zero-Hum ) soundhole pickups through a Fishman Pro-EQ II. Yes it sounds so Clear/Loud/with all the strings present from top to bottom.It just rings.I switch from time to time to D'Addarios EXP or GHS phospor bronze acoustic strings.The rich full sounds rivals the Martin D-15,18. Takamines,Guild,Larivee,Taylors,Depending on the model that are a GRAND or more.I love everything about the simpleness of this acoustic.The only thing i've changed are the Nut from plastic to real Bone and the Bridge saddles to a bone also but compensated.The action is set up by myself from Med/Low.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 10
Action is great after a professional set-up. The rest are my own tweaking and adjusting.The top s are well matched,with a slight dark discoloration due to the fading effect. The binding are aged wonderfully on its own.There are no flaws or whatsoever.What made me wonder is that this acoustic could have been in the $1K ranged for the quality and sound along with the material.

Reliability/Durability : 10
I played this puppy hard and soft and theres no buzz or rattling whatsoever.Endured the N.American weather.Played outside/inside. This FG-335 II will last forever.Thinkin' of slapping some jacks and a Rare Earth soundhole pups but this sound so good! I think i will stall for now.I'm so lucky i was given this. I dont know how many more of this are kicking around,nevermind the production numbers made.

Customer Support : No Opinion
N/A

Overall Rating : 10
Been playing since 10 years old. Stopped for a couple of years and got back on the saddle again and never stopped.The only thing i wish this woul've had were the binding.Other than that its a WINNER


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: 200 (CAD) used
Submitted 06/17/2002 at 08:26am by Erik Davis
Email: erikjdavis at hotmail<dot>com

Features : 5
As simple as it comes...straigh acoustic w no pickup.

Sound : 9
Sound is stellar for a low-end acoustic. Bright, full. I string it up with Martin Lights and the guitar does the rest.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 7
Laminate made in china, but the top is solid (can't remember the material...I knew once). Nice low action for a cheap guitar...one of the things that sold me on it.

Reliability/Durability : No Opinion
I've been using it for 10 years, and I bought it used, so I'd guess it's at least 15 years old, and still a great guitar. Actions is as low as the day I bought it, and I've never adjusted the neck tension. Original machine heads still keep decent tune. No complaints.

Customer Support : No Opinion

Overall Rating : No Opinion


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: US $75.00
Submitted 07/16/2001 at 11:23pm by Michael G. Kramer
Email: yisuhin<at>mediaone dot net

Features : 7
I am deeply jealous of my friend Jack whose Yamaha FG-335II acoustic
I play every chance I get. When he put a fresh set of strings on this
thing it awakened to sound better than many of the guitars I fool
with in the Fine Guitar Room at Guitar Center.
About 12 years ago he was offered this instrument for half price because it had a serious ding in one of the sides. It is a big dreadnaught but of a more jumbo shape than a martin which is a bit smaller actually. It has 14 frets past the body. Its nicely made but the real charm of this laminated top moderate cost instrument is its
huge sweet clear sound. This thing is so rich sounding and barks so loud when picked crisply both high and low that both Jack and I found ourselves looking at more recent Yamahas to see if it is a family affair.
I think that they just got this model right. I remember that Yamaha had a reputation for making a good sounding axe at a great price and this thing must be one of the real reasons for that reputation.
Some of the 1000 dollar plus instruments they are making now are quite fine but this FG 335II is better sounding than most of the present Yamaha instruments any where near its build quality. I think it rivals a good d-18 Martin in quality. I want one bad! Several of the frets are wearing down but it took a professional setup quite nicely and plays easily. The difference in sound quality between this guitar and most others I get a chance to play is plain breathtaking. It is a plain, solidly made guitar, quiet trim, laminated top, rosewood fingerboard I think. Big, action rose in 12 years. normal features.

Sound : 10
Sounds too good. Soundwise this particular guitar eats stuff like Tacomas alive.
And theyre not bad. But they cost 1000 plus
Rivals The Martins or Taylors I've played. It may not equal really fine
D-28 but it is a GREAT guitar.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 8
ITs put together pretty good. simple, clean and durable.
This particular instrument had a near hole in the big bout side.
action is ok. needed a setup after 12 years which helped enormously.

Reliability/Durability : 8
This Guitar belongs on stage playing the best for the best. I would be proud to own and play this thing anywhere. the old thing is flat
fine gear. IT should hold up indefinitely as it seems well enough made to be maintained in playable state for quite a long time.
ITs the Sound. the sound. I cant say enough about it obviously.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Jack was offered this guitar as a closeout on a damaged instrument.
its been maintained at home and by a fine local setup guy in Los Angeles Area. (Eric's guitar shop in the San Fernando Valley)

Overall Rating : 10
Jack is studying Django Reinhardt material and is a developing player who began on keyboards. I am a good player for about 30 seconds (no more) but I know the difference between an indifferent sounding acoustic guitar and a really lovely instrument. This thing is a good one. a Really good one. Dont know if they're all like this but Im hunting for a FG-335II right now.(Jackk absolutely wont sell me his!)


Product: Yamaha FG-335II
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 05/09/2000 at 09:59am by Anonymous
Email: kburke<at>blakeleylaw dot com

Features : No Opinion
Received as a gift in 1982. Solid-top dreadnought. 14 frets clear. A little larger body than the Martin dreadnoughts. Nothing fancy, but an incredibly good guitar.

Sound : 9
Solid acoustic sound. I play folk, country, alternative, singer/songwriter. I use a Dean Markley Pro-Mag pickup. The Pro-Mag is not great, but it only cost $45. I have several friends who want this guitar, but it was my first guitar and I will never give it up. It has aged extremely well and provides a rich sound, though no comparison to my D-42.

Action, Fit, & Finish : 9
The action was tweaked before I got it. Just the way I like it, not to high for leads, but not too low for volume. Just now, after years of use, the 3rd fret is wearing thin. It has very good intonation as well. Finish was great, and it has aged very well.

Reliability/Durability : 10
Has been used live some, but not too much. Has lasted a long time without any problems. Finish is still in great shape, though I take very good care of all of my instruments. Strap button added to heel when I bought it. Both strap buttons are still solid.

Customer Support : No Opinion
Never had to deal with the company. That,in my opinion is the sign of a great company.

Overall Rating : 10
Been playing for 20+ years. Own a Martin Backpacker and a Martin D-42. If it were lost or stolen I would be crushed because of everything I have been through with it. Would probably buy another if I could find one. Good guitar that has aged extremely well. I think it was a fantastic value.

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