Members mrmagoolew Posted August 31, 2008 Members Share Posted August 31, 2008 Hi, Folks, I picked up a Yamaha FG340 and paid $200. I have never played a guitar, but bought this one to learn on. It's not an FG 340ii. Did I do good? Thanks, Lew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members babablowfish Posted August 31, 2008 Members Share Posted August 31, 2008 Provided that the neck doesn't need resetting and that the top is flat and the bridge isn't lifting and the truss rod works, then you did not only good, you did very well indeed. I am the very happy owner of one of these wonderful all-laminate guitars. They are capable of producing a tone that is beyond what laminates are supposed to be capable of. You will be very happy. If you care to, follow the link below to my music -all of the songs were recorded on a Yamaha FG-340. Put a bone saddle and brass bridge pins in her. I recommend Martin SP Phosphor-Bronze strings as well. Post Pictures please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guildfire Posted August 31, 2008 Members Share Posted August 31, 2008 I own one, great guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrmagoolew Posted August 31, 2008 Author Members Share Posted August 31, 2008 Yea, I kinda bought this guitar on the spur of the moment. I liked the 3 piece back on it. I don't know what a bone saddle is or anything else, but I'll look into it. There is a guitar shop about 4 miles from where I live, and I'm sure they can help me. I was looking at some new guitars there, but I couldn't bite off that $800+ price tag. Especially me being a beginner. Lew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members babablowfish Posted August 31, 2008 Members Share Posted August 31, 2008 You are a beginner? Well, you did good, grasshopper. Provided it is in good shape, this guitar could last you a lifetime. And the tone and playability will likely be as good as some of those $800.00 guitars you saw. Here are the specs from Yamaha's website: Year(s) Sold: 1977-81 Original MSRP(US$): $214.00 Top: Spruce Back / Sides: Mahogany Neck: Nato Fingerboard: Indian Rosewood Notes: 3 Piece Back Go here: http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/Catalog/Catalog_XSKXXX/0,6370,CTID%25253D220900%252526VNM%25253DLIVE%252526AFLG%25253DY,00.html and click on the Serial number wizard. Find the serial number which is just under the top edge of the sound hole and plug it into the wizard and it will tell you the year, month and day it was made. The saddle is that long white thing that sits on the bridge and which the strings lie on after they come out of the holes in the bridge. The saddle transmits the vibrations from the strings into the bridge and has a significant impact on the tone. A bone saddle should give you improved tone over the plastic saddle you have in there now (assuming it is stock and the previous owner hasn't already swapped it out.) Do take it to a competent guitar tech to have it checked out and set up. And please do report back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guildfire Posted August 31, 2008 Members Share Posted August 31, 2008 My FG 340 is a great workhorse guitar with sweet tone. As mentioned, you will enjoy is immensely. Mine is stock with plastic saddle, pins, etc and still sounds great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T.B. Posted August 31, 2008 Members Share Posted August 31, 2008 Welcome to HCAG Lew, pull up a chair with git in hand. Baba has given you excellent advice, a good setup, a bone saddle, and fresh strings will do wonders for your FG340. A lot of HCAG are Yammie fans especially the "vintage" FG series, including me-self. So, ya did good and if you can, post a pic or two. See ya around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chiro972 Posted August 31, 2008 Members Share Posted August 31, 2008 I have one and the tone is indeed very nice. Mine unfortunately has too high action and the saddle is all the way down, so it doesnt get played much any more. I need to have a luthier look at fixing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guildfire Posted September 1, 2008 Members Share Posted September 1, 2008 Same problem with my FG 340 - high action, saddle all the way down. Even with high action I like to play it. May need neck reset - but probable not worth it. I hear old Yammies are hard to reset the necks. Will live with what I got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members davey guitar Posted January 23, 2013 Members Share Posted January 23, 2013 I have a Yamaha fg-340 also......worth fixing.......George Harrison played one while on vacation in Goa , India in 1984.....He gave it to one of the locals before he left.......That guitar showed up at Christie's auction in London in April 2010 and sold for 60,000 lb I'm proud to own the same model.....plays and looks awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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