Post by CTGull on May 5, 2020 15:59:36 GMT -5
Yamaha’s Acoustic Guitar Archive is known to be missing a few models. I’ve found a few during my searches, and people have contacted me with questions about models they can’t find any information on. I add them to my version of the Yamaha Guitar Archive.
There are a small number of undocumented vintage FG models that are not the standard clear lacquered wood. Most of them are painted black with a white pick guard. I’ve found 8 so far. FG-75-1BK, FG-110-1SBK (with a sunburst top), FG-160-1BK, FG-331 (Black & white), FG-335 (black & white), FG-340 (black & white), FG-335IIBK, FG-435BL
The first models look to have been made for only 1 month in November 1976, verified by the serial numbers. The FG-75-1BK, FG-110-1SBK, and the FG-160-1BK. The FG-75-1BK and FG-160-1BK are black with a white pickguard, and the FG-110-1SBK is also black with a white pickguard but has a sunburst top. I’ve only found (2) of the FG-75-1BK’s, of which I have one. I’ve found a few listings for the FG-75-1BK, but they’ve all been confirmed as the same guitar by markings or the serial number. The only other one I’ve found is in Japan. I’ve found 3 listings on Reverb (2 by the same vendor) for a FG-110-1SBK and one on eBay, at least 2 of them are different. I have (3) serial numbers in my list for the FG-110-1SBK, one of which I own. I have found (8) FG-160-1BK’s, have (5) serial numbers in my list, and previously owned one. These 3 models have plain much larger labels and what looks to be another “Tan” size label underneath. It’s possible they altered existing models and placed anew label over the original. Is it possible these could be a 10 year anniversary models to commemorate the original release of the Yamaha FG series. Coincidence??
The Black & White FG-331, FG-335 & FG-340 have normal white oval labels, no “BK” like the earlier models. I have (1) each serial numbers for a FG-331 & FG-335, 48 days apart in November/December 1980. I’ve found a listing for a black & white FG-340 with no picture of the label or serial number, I assume it was made in late 1980 at the same time as the black & white FG-331 & FG-335. 4 years after the first black & white models.
I’ve found 2 listings for the FG-335IIBK, both from the same vendor. One of them says it is a 1984. They are 2 different guitars. One of them has the YAMAHA on the headstock blacked out with marker and some of the black finish sanded off to reveal the wood. The label has the “BK” at the end of the model number. Again, a black & white model 4 years after the last black & white models. Someone at Yamaha has a thing for black guitars with white pickguards, but only as special models?
The FG-435BL is actually in Yamaha’s Guitar Archive. It was made in 1986 only, is also black with the white pickguard, and has the “Dove” logo on the headstock. I’ve only found 2 so far. 20 years after the original FG series release? The regular FG-435 is very similar, except the top is tinted lacquer vs. black, and it doesn’t have a white pickguard. To further confuse things, there was a FG-435T only made in 1986, which also has a tinted top.
There have been a few black Yamaha FG models since the 80’s, but since I’m concentrating on vintage here I’m not going any further. And none of them have a while pickguard. Maybe whoever liked the black with white pickguard special retired after 1986?
There are a small number of undocumented vintage FG models that are not the standard clear lacquered wood. Most of them are painted black with a white pick guard. I’ve found 8 so far. FG-75-1BK, FG-110-1SBK (with a sunburst top), FG-160-1BK, FG-331 (Black & white), FG-335 (black & white), FG-340 (black & white), FG-335IIBK, FG-435BL
The first models look to have been made for only 1 month in November 1976, verified by the serial numbers. The FG-75-1BK, FG-110-1SBK, and the FG-160-1BK. The FG-75-1BK and FG-160-1BK are black with a white pickguard, and the FG-110-1SBK is also black with a white pickguard but has a sunburst top. I’ve only found (2) of the FG-75-1BK’s, of which I have one. I’ve found a few listings for the FG-75-1BK, but they’ve all been confirmed as the same guitar by markings or the serial number. The only other one I’ve found is in Japan. I’ve found 3 listings on Reverb (2 by the same vendor) for a FG-110-1SBK and one on eBay, at least 2 of them are different. I have (3) serial numbers in my list for the FG-110-1SBK, one of which I own. I have found (8) FG-160-1BK’s, have (5) serial numbers in my list, and previously owned one. These 3 models have plain much larger labels and what looks to be another “Tan” size label underneath. It’s possible they altered existing models and placed anew label over the original. Is it possible these could be a 10 year anniversary models to commemorate the original release of the Yamaha FG series. Coincidence??
The Black & White FG-331, FG-335 & FG-340 have normal white oval labels, no “BK” like the earlier models. I have (1) each serial numbers for a FG-331 & FG-335, 48 days apart in November/December 1980. I’ve found a listing for a black & white FG-340 with no picture of the label or serial number, I assume it was made in late 1980 at the same time as the black & white FG-331 & FG-335. 4 years after the first black & white models.
I’ve found 2 listings for the FG-335IIBK, both from the same vendor. One of them says it is a 1984. They are 2 different guitars. One of them has the YAMAHA on the headstock blacked out with marker and some of the black finish sanded off to reveal the wood. The label has the “BK” at the end of the model number. Again, a black & white model 4 years after the last black & white models. Someone at Yamaha has a thing for black guitars with white pickguards, but only as special models?
The FG-435BL is actually in Yamaha’s Guitar Archive. It was made in 1986 only, is also black with the white pickguard, and has the “Dove” logo on the headstock. I’ve only found 2 so far. 20 years after the original FG series release? The regular FG-435 is very similar, except the top is tinted lacquer vs. black, and it doesn’t have a white pickguard. To further confuse things, there was a FG-435T only made in 1986, which also has a tinted top.
There have been a few black Yamaha FG models since the 80’s, but since I’m concentrating on vintage here I’m not going any further. And none of them have a while pickguard. Maybe whoever liked the black with white pickguard special retired after 1986?