Members johnbarnesiii Posted February 16, 2015 Members Share Posted February 16, 2015 Hi guys, in looking for an acoustic with a warm tone, I read about the FG-180, I think the same kind that Elliott Smith used to play. Anyone played this model and has some feedback? Where can I find one for sale? What is a reasonable price range for a used one? What are your impressions of this guitar? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Idunno Posted February 16, 2015 Members Share Posted February 16, 2015 No experience with this Yamaha, that I recall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FretFiend. Posted February 16, 2015 Members Share Posted February 16, 2015 The last FG180 was made in 1974. MSRP then was $130. They were cheap laminate guitars then. They are forty plus year old cheap laminate guitars now. IF you could find one today, it will have multiple age related issues that will cost more to fix than it's worth. It makes no sense at all to seek out a 40 plus year old cheap guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guildfire Posted February 17, 2015 Members Share Posted February 17, 2015 I saw once recently at a local music shop. It was in very good condition and sounded great. I used to have one back in the day. Guess I should have kept it. They wanted $500 for this one so I passed on it, but it was tempting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted February 17, 2015 Members Share Posted February 17, 2015 The last FG180 was made in 1974. MSRP then was $130. They were cheap laminate guitars then. They are forty plus year old cheap laminate guitars now. IF you could find one today' date=' it will have multiple age related issues that will cost more to fix than it's worth. [img']http://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/core/images/smilies/freak.gif[/img] It makes no sense at all to seek out a 40 plus year old cheap guitar. ^ This. Go find an FG700S. You'll be much happier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted February 17, 2015 Members Share Posted February 17, 2015 Hi guys' date=' in looking for an acoustic with a warm tone, I read about the FG-180, I think the same kind that Elliott Smith used to play. Anyone played this model and has some feedback? Where can I find one for sale? What is a reasonable price range for a used one? What are your impressions of this guitar? Thanks.[/quote'] I have an FG-150 that I bought new in 1969 for a hundred bucks. I love the old gal but it has acquired some significant problems over the year which I have fixed (I fix old guitars). Old Yamies have a bit of a cult following and sometimes you see some pretty ridiculous prices being asked. The most common problem is needing a neck reset which is very difficult (some techs won't do it). So, if you find one with a perfect neck angle it is probably worth somewhere in the $100 - 200 range (but people will be asking more). If you find one that needs a neck reset it is basically worthless (but people will be asking more). It will also need a full or partial refret ( up to $200) and probably new tuners (50) There are lots of brand new "warm" sounding guitars in the under 500 or so range - save yourself some headaches and pass on the old Yamahas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members johnbarnesiii Posted February 17, 2015 Author Members Share Posted February 17, 2015 Thanks guys for the replies. I hear what you're saying, I guess I had thought that the age would mellow the sound and give it some vibe. Yes there seems to be a sort of cult following for the fg180, but I understand everyone's point here, it may not be worth the trouble for an older acoustic like that. With that said, I can get a new Yamaha fs700s for around $160 plus tax. Then I also saw a used 1970 fg180 for $135 plus shipping (around $35 guessing), so pretty much same price. with regards to tone, how different would they be from one another? i guess you guys will recommend going with the fs700s then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members johnbarnesiii Posted February 17, 2015 Author Members Share Posted February 17, 2015 Hey guildfire I see one used for $135 plus $35 shipping. It's a 1970 in good condition for it's age. Would you recommend that over a new fs700s at $160 plus tax? The price comes out about the same on either guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted February 17, 2015 Members Share Posted February 17, 2015 The mystique around the FG180 is because they're LOUD and have a lot of bass. They really lack any sort of sweet sounding mids. Between my brother and I we've had 4 of them and we thrashed them for years at parties. They just do storage duty now. I highly recommend having a look for an LL6, which I think is the best bang for buck Yammy. Mine is loud AND sweet. I paid about $350 USD for mine used (in NZ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members todoroki Posted February 17, 2015 Members Share Posted February 17, 2015 Hello, I have a FG180J Black label which was made in Japan 1974.I paid ¥8000 for it on Yahoo Auction (about $60). I can't say enough good things about this guitar and I've had no age-related problems or issues with it at all. As you probably know, the red label fg180's are the most sought after and can go for anything up to $500. They have a spruce top and mahogany b/s, the black label has spruce top and Agathis b/s. There is an even earlier model with a green label but these are very rare and expensive. Besides the difference in labels, there are two types of headstocks; the older ones have the YAMAHA Signature while the later ones have the tuning fork mark. Elliott Smith's red label had the YAMAHA mark. Some of these were also made in Taiwan as well as Japan which can effect the value. Anyhow, I would definitely recommend a Fg180 if you can pick one up for less than $300. I've owned and played a few other Yammy's but this one really is quite special in my opinion. My other guitar is a Lowden 025 and I play the Fg180 more than I do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted February 17, 2015 Members Share Posted February 17, 2015 Lowden vs FG180? Video? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members todoroki Posted February 17, 2015 Members Share Posted February 17, 2015 Video. Ha! no chance! I don't wanna give you the wrong impression, of course the poor Yammy can't touch the Lowden in terms of build quality, but I pick up and play the FG more these days for what its worth.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FretFiend. Posted February 17, 2015 Members Share Posted February 17, 2015 Age doesn't mellow the sound of a laminate like it does with solid wood. Have you actually put your hands on that FG180? How's the action? How's the neck angle? How's the frets? Unless you've confirmed that it has no major issues, you're probably buying yourself a bunch of grief. With regards to tone, a solid topped guitar is always going to beat out a laminate topped guitar. IDK where you are, but if the FS700S is available, that's a good candidate It's more of a 000 size and shape. Here in the US, the FG700S is far easier to find. It's more of a dreadnought shape, with some minor differences. They're both good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members johnbarnesiii Posted February 17, 2015 Author Members Share Posted February 17, 2015 Todoroki thanks for your insights. I'm still considering the used fg180 despite others comments to the contrary. Others are saying the 180 is laminate and that a solid top like the fs700s will be a better way to go. I feel I can always get a fs700s bc they're everywhere but I'd like to at least consider trying the 180 just to experience the loud warm bassy tone. I'm not sure which version the one I saw is (in terms of earlier or later) but I'm just so curious about it. I did try a new fs700s which I liked so I'm just trying to compare the two before I decide. Thanks again for sharing your experience with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guildfire Posted February 17, 2015 Members Share Posted February 17, 2015 Without actually seeing it and playing it you're taking a risk on a 40+ year old guitar but you may get lucky if it's a good one. The one I found was in great condition but again they wanted $500 for it so I said no thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted February 17, 2015 Members Share Posted February 17, 2015 With that said, I can get a new Yamaha fs700s for around $160 plus tax. Then I also saw a used 1970 fg180 for $135 plus shipping (around $35 guessing), so pretty much same price. with regards to tone, how different would they be from one another? i guess you guys will recommend going with the fs700s then? I'm going to repeat myself. IF you are qualified to judge a used guitar AND that one has a perfect neck angle, good frets and no other issues, THEN buy it. If any one of the previous conditions is not true, then avoid it like crazy. Normally I say that if you are qualified to judge an older guitar there are certain things I would overlook because I know they can be fixed. Neck angle is the big one - most older guitars have bad neck angles but I know how to reset them (or I know the cost of having it done professionally - about $300). I would simply factor that into the negotiation on the guitar. I bought a '74 D-18 for 600 bucks, put another 700 into reset, frets, and some miscellaneous repairs - it is a killer guitar. OTOH a reset on an old Yamie is damn near impossible - most techs won't do it. So, yeah, I recommend going with anything but a sight unseen FG-180 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members johnbarnesiii Posted February 17, 2015 Author Members Share Posted February 17, 2015 Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members acousticdepot Posted February 18, 2015 Members Share Posted February 18, 2015 I would agree with what FF and others have said. Unless you are a diehard old Yamaha fan, don't bother with the FG180. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members C70man Posted February 18, 2015 Members Share Posted February 18, 2015 Used Recording King should be able to be acquired for about $200. They have all solid mahogany models as well as lams.....but a good value for the dollar....I love mine and I have a nice collection of guitars to compare it to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members johnbarnesiii Posted February 24, 2015 Author Members Share Posted February 24, 2015 Update: I went with the Yamaha FG700S, brand new for a great deal at $160. Thanks for all your suggestions and sound advice in helping me decide! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted February 24, 2015 Members Share Posted February 24, 2015 Smart choice! Happy new guitar day and enjoy the ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Idunno Posted February 24, 2015 Members Share Posted February 24, 2015 A co-worker's roommate gave him one he didn't play anymore. Nice gift. Have fun with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted February 24, 2015 Members Share Posted February 24, 2015 Congratulations and Happy New Guitar Day. That new Yamaha should give you a lifetime of music. Keep us informed on your progress and come back if you have any other questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FretFiend. Posted February 24, 2015 Members Share Posted February 24, 2015 Update: I went with the Yamaha FG700S' date=' brand new for a great deal at $160. Thanks for all your suggestions and sound advice in helping me decide![/quote'] A very wise move. Yamaha guitars rarely need much of a setup, but you might want to consider that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members johnbarnesiii Posted February 25, 2015 Author Members Share Posted February 25, 2015 Thanks, it sounds really good especially considering its price. Sounded better than even some of the more expensive models I played in store, especially in terms of the tone i was looking for (warmth & presence). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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