FG365SII serial number

There’s no worse way to build callouses than on a 12 string with high action. They’re hard to play as it is! The large size difference in the strings in the bass pairs makes it harder.

I was frustrated with the lack of information, and misinformation, on the old FG’s. Many people just passed around the same rumors with no experience on the subject. So most of what was previously known about vintage Yamaha FG’s was based on decades old rumors!! I’ve spent hundreds of hours collecting data and learning to do various repairs. I’m a Tool Designer by trade so much of what I’ve done is an extension of what I do all day. And I’m sharing it all so others can benefit from it!

The truss rod is for adjusting the neck relief (curvature), not the action. A lot of neck curvature can affect the action, but it is rarely the cause of high action. A bad neck angle typically is. Adjusting the truss rod is difficult on vintage FG’s. The old hard mahogany necks don’t want to move. Too much turning can break the truss rod. I use a special block and a clamp to back bow the neck (with the truss rod loose) and snug up the truss rod nut once the neck is where I want it. yamahavintagefg.boards.net/thread/14/properly-adjust-truss-rod

40-50 years of string tension is slowly making the guitar collapse on itself, pulling the neck up, tipping the bridge, and pushing the top around the sound hole inward. It happens to all guitars over time. You also have to sure there are no loose or broken internal braces. The bridge can be sanded down a little, but you have to leave enough saddle slot to support the saddle. Also, lowering the strings to top height can affect tone and volume slightly. A neck reset is the only proper way to fix the action once you’ve run out of saddle.

Here’s my Neck Reset procedure. yamahavintagefg.boards.net/thread/18/vintage-yamaha-neck-reset-procedure

My acoustic guitar setup procedure. yamahavintagefg.boards.net/thread/19/acoustic-guitar-setup-guide

I like to see 5/64” between the low E and the top of the 12th fret, and 1/16” for the high E. This needs to be measured very accurately, a 1/64” difference in height is noticeable.