Yamaha G245-S

I think mine was made in 1977, it was made in Taiwan. According to Yamaha website, this guitar has a solid Spruce top and laminated Indian Rosewood side and back, the fredboard is rosewood but looks like Ebony. It has a golden-ish looking tuner which looks nice with the rest of the instrument. The neck is pretty standard. I used to have a Takamine G124, compare to Takamine, this guitar has a wider neck and fretboard. It has the standard Yamaha saddle, which has a flat edge on 4th string. I have seen it in other Yahama models.

With the solid top and years of tunning in, this guitar sounds beautifully! With D'aDDario EJ45 strings, it sounds very warm and balanced. I have played some concert level guitars, this guitar certainly don't have the projection of that level, but it really deliver the sounds quality of a concert level guitar, I personally believe this kind of sound is ideal for classic pieces such as Bach. Right after I got it I played the same piece on both guitars I have, Takamine G124 and this one, the difference is obvious!, this guitar sounds much better than the G124. My wife was very impressed with the sound. Like the other reviews, the treble does sounds a little thin, but hey, as a student level guitar, this sounds much better than some of the models in the price range of 500-1000USD, I am very pleased with its sounds. Once I got it, I know I will be playing this for a long time!

Everything looks perfect after these many years. The action in 12th fret position is about 4mm and it is very easy to play with EJ45 strings. The neck is straight and perfect for my hands. I did see some trace of the glue under the bridge, I suspect the previous owner has done some repairing on it, but hey, even if this is true, it doesn't affect the sound at all. Really a beautiful piece of art work! I give it a 9 only because I suspect the previous owner has done any repair (hard to prove).

I bought this off Ebay, the previous owner did a good job protecting it, I heard that she didn't play this instrument much. After 30 years +, this guitar looks like a brand new to me! the finish is still glossy and shining, barely a scratch on it. My wife and I were both impressed by its look after this many years. I am sure this guitar will last lifetime for me. it has proved its reliability. again I suspect some repair so I give it a 9.

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Overall I am very pleased with this guitar, I have owned a Takamine G124 for 10 years, this Yamaha guitar is certainly a step up and I will be practicing a lot with this fine instrument, my next step would be a solid top and solid back guitar, but I probably will keep this guitar even if I will have a more expensive one. if you are looking for a student guitar that will help you in the learning, this guitar is your perfect match!

According to the Yamaha web-site, this classical guitar was made between 1977-1980. You can also input the serial number for an exact date, mine is Septemebr 10, 1980. The top is solid spruce, the back and sides are indian rosewood (laminated), the neck is nato and the fingerboard is rosewood (but looks like ebony). This guitar came with a really cool simulated leather gig bag (which just sreams "hippie").

I wanted a classical guitar with a "fat" tone, where the notes have some real substance. I currently own a 1992 Hirade H-5 (cosmetically perfect but too thin sounding) and this guitar is better sounding to me. A solid tone leaning more towards warmth than brightness, exactly what I was looking for.

Playability is excellent for a guitar of this age. There is plenty of saddle height for me to take down later if the action starts to rise, but I will warn you that this neck is huge! Cosmetically, this is a gorgeous looking guitar. They used this beautiful aging toner for the top, so the guitar looks like an old Ramirez!

This guitar is in near mint condition, so I'm sure I'll have no problem down the road.

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I have been playing for 30 years, and I have had some amazing guitars pass through my hands. This guitar is without exception the best buy I have ever made! I would highly recommend this Yamaha guitar or one from a similar time period, you will not be disappointed.

I don't know what year it was made, I bought it off of a friend for 30 CND, he threw in the case (soft pleather) for another 10 bucks. Standard 12 fret neck with 19 frets in all.
No idea which type of wood, the other reviewers would know better, I don't know about that stuff :)
Finished in an orange, well aged, looks great.
Tuners are in great shape and it holds it's tune really well.

I'm a beginner, still :)
I've had it for a while and never really knew much about it, I guess I could have taken better care of it. It's recently developed a buzz, only on the 4th though, and only on open or when chording. It's annoying because I can't locate the source of the buzz, it doesn't seem like it's vibrating against the frets anywhere .. I'll have it looked at.
The sound is warm and rich, soft .. I like it a lot. Of course, it sounded better before it developed this buzz.

I bought it off my friend, and I haven't changed anything since. The action is nice and low for a classical. It's got some minor chips on it and scratches, like I said, I could have taken better care of it.

I dont' play live, but this guitar is solid. Once the buzz is taken care of it'll be 100% again.

I love it. When I first got it, I didn't know anything about guitars and since I only paid 30 bucks for it, I thought it was a junky guitar. As time passed I realized how amazing it actually is and now I love it. I wouldn't part with it and if it was lost or stolen I'de definately look to have it replaced. I'm currently looking for a steel string acoustic to add and maybe a mandolin!

I bought my Yamaha in 2001 in a guitar shop in Sydney for Aus$400, having had a notion that I wanted a classical guitar to go along with the plethora of electrics and acoustics already in mu collection. I knew and still know nothing about its year of manufacture etc but was guided by the fact that it's a solid spruce top and simply by the tone, which was remarkable compared to all the other guitars I tried. From reading the other reviews I guess its late '70s early '80. I was with a guitar player who own a $3500 classical guitar and he marvelled at the little Yamaha's tone, so...

Warm, open, but with a nice harmonic richness at the edges. Even with old strings it sounds rich and pliable. Treble notes high on the frtboard can sound a little thin and bass notes a little flappy but overall it delivers a tone that just makes you want to stretch it and yourself. It has rapidly become my guitar of choice to just pick up and noodle on.

No complaints at all. Finish is never an issue, though the Yamaha has been well looked after in its life and came with a good case. It's a deep, almost orange finish, that is still glossy and well bookmatched The action is pleasant, and I've never found myself exerting any brute force or ignorance to get to where I want to go.

I've never used this guitar live, but I would imagine it a bit quiet for stage use, though do a lot of recording through it, using a Joe Meek microphone and mic/preamp or often direct into a Roland VS2480 and the results are very fine indeed. Hardly any EQing is ever needed, a touch here and there to even out the frequencies, just varying amounts of reverb and the job is done.
In terms of the finish, durability etc. I've looked after it and it's looked after me

Never had to bother with any support, though I'm curious to know the year of build, materials (which this site has helped with to some degree). there is no serial number though, just the internal sticker telling that is was made in taiwan. Was it a mid-range model? An entry level? who knows? who cares? It sounds pretty good

I've been playing for nigh on 20 years, and own a variety of other guitars, fender tele, epiphone g1275, a couple of wonderful old cheapo hohners, tanglewood 12 string, vintage resonator, cimar bass, yamaha fg365se acoustic and other stuff and this old yamaha is pretty close to the top of the tree. If I sit down to pick up a guitar it's usually the first one I reach for. It sounds lovely, plays easilyu and comfortably, records well and makes me play better. If you come across a lonely example gathering dust in a second hand store, buy it, you won't be disappointed

I'm not sure of the year on my guitar, since I bought it used. Somewhere in the mid to late 70's. This is an unremarkable looking classical guitar, with a solid spruce top and laminated rosewood sides/back. A boring rosette, but at least it's real inlay. The finish is glossy on all surfaces. It has an ebony fretboard and small side markers for the 5th and 7th frets. Gold colored tuners with pearly looking buttons. It came with a chipboard case. What this guitar really features is tone...

Holy smoke! To say that the tone of this guitar is excellent would be an understatement. Certainly a pleasant surprise on an instrument in this price range. Of course, solid spruce tops age well and that might be the reason that this old Yamaha has such a sweet sound. I've played much more expensive classicals which didn't sound this good. It has a very good balance between the high and low notes and it seems to sustain forever with rich, ringing harmonics. The volume isn't concert level, but it's a great guitar for duos or coffee house gigs. It also records beautifully with a Shure 57 mic.

For me, this guitar is very comfortable, because I have broad fingertips. The action is low and very stable. After 25 years, the finish looks very good. The top has taken on a nice amber hue that goes nicely with the rosewood and ebony.

There's no doubt that this is a well built guitar. It's 25 years or so old and it still looks good and plays smoothly. As far as I know, the only thing that's ever been done to it is the occasional string change. And it definitely has the tone and volume to use for small performances. I know, because I've done it.

I've never needed any support.

I can't give this trusty old companion anything other than a 10. I bought it used in 1984 from an acquaintance who told me he'd purchased it new in the 70's. I love it's tone and ease of play. And I also love the fact that I can take it with me and not worry about a ding breaking my heart. I've been playing for more than twenty years. Man, the time flies! I mostly play electric. I also have a nice Martin acoustic. But this Yamaha gets plenty of attention. It's my only classical at the moment and it's the one that I'll keep forever.

I've owned this guitar since it was new back in 1976. It has a solid spruce top with laminated rosewood back and sides. The fretboard is ebony. Glossy lacquer finish all around. It was made in Yamaha's Taiwan facility. Pretty much the standard classical guitar features as far as dimensions and frets are concerned. It has a plush lined chipboard case, which isn't that great but it's done a good job of protecting this instrument for the past 26 years.

The reason I've kept this guitar all these years is because it sounds so good. Not like a Spanish concert model, but a LOT better than what you'll find in its price range. It has a kind of hollow, ringing tone that's hard to decribe but very 3 dimensional. It's almost like a reverberation effect.

Not fabulous, but very good. The action is still very easy and I've made no adjustments over the years. Clearly the craftsmanship must be good for it to remain so stable. It shows a few minor wear marks, but nothing obvious.

Everything has held together perfectly over the years. All I've ever done is change the strings every 6 months or so. I wish cars, bosses, spouses, kids, and homes were as trouble free.

If you never need to contact the company because their product never has a problem, what rating would be appropriate? 10? I honestly don't know how to rate this category, so I'll leave it as a No Opinion.

I bought this guitar back when I was in the navy and took it along on a Med cruise as well as playing it at the beach an untold number of times. But I do take care of my gear, so it's never been damaged even though it's gotten 26 years of regular usage. I also have an Alhambra 9C classical, a Martin 000-1 steel string acoustic and a Fender Strat with a Deluxe Reverb amp. I figure I have most of the bases covered between blues and classical. The Yamaha is my oldest friend among this group and I can't imagine being without it. It's taken me from my teens to my 40's and it still looks, sounds, and plays good. It's an oldie but a goodie that looks and plays like it's much younger - just like me.

Probably made in the late 70's - early 80's in Taiwan. Typical classical configuration with the neck joining the body at the 12th fret and with 19 frets in total. The neck is mahogany with an ebony fretboard. Solid cedar top, solid rosewood sides and back. Ornate binding/purfling on front and back. Inlaid rosette and bridge. This is a very nicely crafted guitar made from quality materials.

In a word, marvelous! Unexpected in a guitar this inexpensive. Ringing overtones and wonderful sustain. Well balanced, with no emphasis on bass or treble. With all solid wood construction, it has ample volume, too.

Bear in mind that this is a 20 - -25 year old guitar. The action is still about 3.5 mm at the 12th fret and it plays very nicely. No dead spots anywhere on the neck. The top and back are bookmatched perfectly.

Obviously, this guitar has already withstood many years of use and is still in great shape. However, since I bought it used I have no idea what its previous history might be.

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I bought this from a pawn shop in 1998. I didn't really need another classical, but I saw it on the wall and tried it out. I knew I had to have it, especially at the ridiculously low price. It's rare that you find a good buy in the pawn shops any more, but if this is my only good buy, I'll be more than satisfied. The G245-S was obviously one of Yamaha's better instruments in its day. Not on a level with the GC series, but undoubtedly a conservatory level instrument, and a darn good one, at that.