Yamaki F-160

I bought this guitar in 1974 from someone who was starting to import Yamaki into the Minneapolis area. It has a solid spruce top with solid rosewood sides and back with a solid mohogany neck. It has pearl inlay on the frets, as well as the name Yamaki that is laid out from the top of the tuners toward the frets. The tuners are German made with what looks like a scrolled S on them. There is a peril inlay around the body and up the middle of the back of the guitar.
I was always lusting after a Martin in my younger days, but could not afford the prices even in those days. When I found this guitar I was hooked. The sound is very full and resonates beautifully. After almost 35 years it still plays very easily on the fingers. I have finally worn some grooves in the higher string frets. I had a barcus berry pickup installed in the seventies and it has done a good job of enhancing the sound this guitar puts out.

I have found the sound of this Yamaki to be as most Yamaki guitara are described as full and rich. I have found very few instruments that can produce the sound that this one does. That is unless you are willing to spend thouands of dollars to get the same sound in old Martins or custom builts. I have had many compliments on the sound created by this instument.

I have carried this guitar around for about 35 years and have never had any work done on it except installing the pick up. I still plays very easily, but is does take some diligence to get it to tune. I am considering have the frets worked on and replace the nut and pegs which are plastic. It has a couple of hairline cracks, one in the back and one next to where the neck connects to the body. The bridge has some minor lifing behind it, but it has not affected the action. I admit that I have not been extremely diligent in how I have cared for this guitar. So in spite of that I am very impressed with it's playability after all these years.

As I previously stated above, I believe that Yamaki is a very well made guitar and has stood the test of time and some abuse.

Never had any repairs done or contact with the company.

I have been playing this guitar for almost 35 years, mostly in church and group singing stuff. I have been desirous at various times to own a Martin or some other quality instrument. But I have never found a strong enough reason, except vanity, to purchase something to replace this guitar. If I were to lose it I do consider it to be irreplacable. I would welcome any other feedback regarding the F-160 Model as I have never come across any information about it over the years. I have always considered this guitar to be a precious gift from God and as I read more about it I discover how much more that is true.