Post by CTGull on Aug 28, 2023 19:17:07 GMT -5
His Story: Like many others, I was introduced to the world of vintage Yamahas through the music of Elliott Smith. I searched for a vintage Yamaha FG-180 for some time but out of convenience opted for modern models such as the Yamaha FG800 and Martin D-10. That was fine until I recently had the chance to play a friend's vintage Yamaha FG-140 and again fell in love with its deep, rich tone. This inspired me to restart my search for a vintage FG-180 in playable condition. Along the way, I found Dave's site and was impressed by his passion and expertise for these vintage guitars. Dave confirmed his availability and gave me the confidence to move forward with a purchase. By luck, a Galveston guitar shop had just listed this single-owner FG-180 in excellent condition.
Observations: The box is crushed on one end, but not punctured. Rotating the box, I hear… packing peanuts!! Anyone who uses them should be doomed to pick them up for eternity!! Fortunately, the case was put in head first, so pulling it out left most of the peanuts in the box. The cardboard case was wrapped with bubble wrap. Opening the case revealed a horror show on the inside!! First, the guitar body & neck had some bubble wrap on them, which is good. BUT!!! The interior of the case has severely deteriorated and is absolutely disgusting!! I removed the guitar, but the case back in the box (first having to remove some of the packing peanuts), and hopefully the case never sees the light of day again.
The guitar is in EXCELLENT condition!! I have only seen one better (in person), and it was in absolutely mint condition. This guitar shows some signs of being played; minor fret wear in the first 4 frets, fine pick marks on the pickguard, some fine scratches on the headstock from changing strings, a few scratches to the lower lower bout (the guitar resting on the floor?), and cracking in the finish where the binding meets the guitar. Other than that, there’s barely anything noticeably wrong with the guitar (except for high action). The original owner obviously took great care of this guitar!!
The only thing that is not original is the saddle, it is a little short for the length of the slots, and it is bleached bone vs. unbleached bone for the original. The pickguard must have been loose, or fallen off, because it isn’t in the original shadow (it’s shifted up about 1/16”).
Tuning it to “D”, the nut action is low for all strings except the E’s, the neck relief is also very low but noticeable, and the action is a little over 9/64” low D & a little over 1/8” high D. The top of the saddle is flat (no radius), so the action for the middle strings is a little under 1/8”. The bridge is .32” thick. The saddle sticks out of the bridge .10/.07”/.11” (low/middle/high). The neck projects .15” below the top of the bridge, well into neck reset territory. AND, of course, it sounds like a vintage FG!!
A little drop damage.
Our old friend, packing peanuts!!
The case doesn't look too bad from the outside.
The guitar was packed OK in the case. They could have used more bubble wrap to keep the guitar from moving. At least they slacked the strings.
WHAT is this mess??!!
FINALLY, the guitar is free of that disgusting case!!
Some string scatches.
Not much to show on the top.
The pickguard is reasonably attached.
The heel corners are uncracked.
Very few minor marks on the sides.
This is the worst of it.
Not much to see here either.
The action is a little high.
The low flat saddle.
The pickguard is shifted down about 1/16".
Observations: The box is crushed on one end, but not punctured. Rotating the box, I hear… packing peanuts!! Anyone who uses them should be doomed to pick them up for eternity!! Fortunately, the case was put in head first, so pulling it out left most of the peanuts in the box. The cardboard case was wrapped with bubble wrap. Opening the case revealed a horror show on the inside!! First, the guitar body & neck had some bubble wrap on them, which is good. BUT!!! The interior of the case has severely deteriorated and is absolutely disgusting!! I removed the guitar, but the case back in the box (first having to remove some of the packing peanuts), and hopefully the case never sees the light of day again.
The guitar is in EXCELLENT condition!! I have only seen one better (in person), and it was in absolutely mint condition. This guitar shows some signs of being played; minor fret wear in the first 4 frets, fine pick marks on the pickguard, some fine scratches on the headstock from changing strings, a few scratches to the lower lower bout (the guitar resting on the floor?), and cracking in the finish where the binding meets the guitar. Other than that, there’s barely anything noticeably wrong with the guitar (except for high action). The original owner obviously took great care of this guitar!!
The only thing that is not original is the saddle, it is a little short for the length of the slots, and it is bleached bone vs. unbleached bone for the original. The pickguard must have been loose, or fallen off, because it isn’t in the original shadow (it’s shifted up about 1/16”).
Tuning it to “D”, the nut action is low for all strings except the E’s, the neck relief is also very low but noticeable, and the action is a little over 9/64” low D & a little over 1/8” high D. The top of the saddle is flat (no radius), so the action for the middle strings is a little under 1/8”. The bridge is .32” thick. The saddle sticks out of the bridge .10/.07”/.11” (low/middle/high). The neck projects .15” below the top of the bridge, well into neck reset territory. AND, of course, it sounds like a vintage FG!!
A little drop damage.
Our old friend, packing peanuts!!
The case doesn't look too bad from the outside.
The guitar was packed OK in the case. They could have used more bubble wrap to keep the guitar from moving. At least they slacked the strings.
WHAT is this mess??!!
FINALLY, the guitar is free of that disgusting case!!
Some string scatches.
Not much to show on the top.
The pickguard is reasonably attached.
The heel corners are uncracked.
Very few minor marks on the sides.
This is the worst of it.
Not much to see here either.
The action is a little high.
The low flat saddle.
The pickguard is shifted down about 1/16".