Yamaha FG Serial Numbers, Interior Markings, and Labels

Hey CT I have a Yamaha FG 300 Nippon Gakki. It was my Fathers, engagement gift from my Mom. They were married in 1968, just trying to figure out if it's a 67 or 68. Serial number is 778463
Would love to know, thanks!

First time writing here so, but yes. YAMAHA on the headstock. Inside is dark so I assume finished. I'm assuming it's 67 because Mom and Dad married feb 68 and I believe it was given to him before. Anyway thanks for the info

Thanks!

I'm watching your video now.  Great job!

To check the neck angle you need to use a 24" straight edge to get the true projection, there could easily be some bow in the upper frets, that short ruler is giving you a false lower projection.  It's possible they underset the guitars from the factory, but more than likely 40+ years of string tension have pulled the neck up and increased the action.  An expensive neck reset is typically the only option.  Out of the 30-40 vintage Yamaha's I've found, only about 10% don't need a neck reset.

I have a FG-251 that's in the process of a neck reset.  It's the rosewood version of your FG-151.  I need to get it finished soon.

If you like the later 70's FG's you need to get a late 60's/ early 70's Red label FG.  I used to think people who said the Red labels were better than the later models where snobs.  Once I got a few I know they're right.  The earlier models were built lighter and have a great open resonant sound.  My favorite is the 000 size FG-110, only paid $40 for it!!.  It only weighs 3.50 lbs!!  I have 4 and they all sound great!!  I've had 2 FG-110-1 (next generation) that aren't quite as open.  The Taiwan Red label FG's, as far I've heard, are just as good as the Japan made ones.  Some of the late 70's models aren't quite as good (but still good!), but there are still some exceptional models during that time, like the FG-350W, I dare you to look that one up (It was my first FG).  You just have to try them all and find one that sings to you.  You obviously have one in your hands!!

I also have 2 Harmony H1260's, that are mentioned in the comments under your video.  I played one at the local Sam Ash and it was as good as the Red label FG-180 I had brought with me.  They wanted $900 for it!!!!!!  CRAZY MONEY!!!  I found a minty one for $120 locally!!!  It needs a neck reset, which I'll get to eventually.  THEN I found a beat up H1260 for $25!!  It'll be the one I experiment on to learn how to fix it.

To give you another subject to talk about in your video series, I found a few people who convert the old Harmony's and Kay's from ladder braced to X braced!!  Fascinating stuff!!  Check out Scott Baxendale.  baxendaleguitar.com/index.html  There are others that do it too.  He charges big  money for them, but supposedly they sound like a pre-war Martin.  Another reason I bought the beat up H1260 is to do that conversion myself, although I'd like to do a couple of lower end Harmony's first.  I figure I can get enough dimensional info from the ton's of pictures and videos he posts.  www.instagram.com/harmonyandkay_conversions/  If I didn't have so many Yamah's to work on and no more space for guitars this would be my new obcession!!!  

Thanks!  I'd say it was made in July 1969.

That's typical of the rosewood models, the dark wood, and sometime a finish, obscure any marking.

Does it say YAMAHA on the top of the headstock of 3 tuning forks?

The date code doesn't make sense with the Japanese calendar because this guitar was made in Taiwan.  66.1.4 is 1/4/1977, which is when the sides where made, and it works with the 8 digit serial number 70122634, which is 1/22/1977.  As far as the 7 digit serial number goes, the 6 should be a 0, which fits with the numbers I have.  Is there a large 2 on the opposite side of the 3??

Hey, first timer here, thanks CTGull , for the cool site to check out. Here's some pics of my new rig, with the serials, but not able to see a date stamp.  

Also, random question about the label, there is a fairly well defined faded area around the label, like a rectangular box, with a horizontal strip extending out. You can see it in the photos (sort of). It has a look to it like there was something else, like another label or something, larger than the existing label, covering the wood at one point, but that doesn't seem to make much sense (or does it?).  Anyways, I reckon if anyone will know, you seem to be the one...

Let's see if I can figure out how to attach these photos, Cheers.