FG-75 Identification

dojo544
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FG-75 Identification Aug 21, 2022 23:36:30 GMT -5

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Post by dojo544 on Aug 21, 2022 23:36:30 GMT -5

Hi, I found this FG-75 being tossed, and I took it in. I have no info about it except for what on the guitar. I was wondering if there was any information available about the guitar, like what materials were used for top/sides/back/nut/finish/etc, what year it was made, and if there is anything in particular I need to know to be able to play it. Please let me know if there is a webpage or spec sheet or something similar, and if any additional photos are needed. Thanks!

CTGull
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Vintage YamaNut

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FG-75 Identification Aug 22, 2022 5:30:34 GMT -5

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Post by CTGull on Aug 22, 2022 5:30:34 GMT -5

This guitar was made in February 1971. All plywood, spruce top, agathis back & sides, nato neck, Indian rosewood fretboard & bridge, bone saddle, urea (plastic) nut.

Most guitars of this age have high action due to 50 years of string tension pulling the neck up. Have you measured the action with strings on it? The saddle looks very low, leaving no adjustment assuming the action is high. Typically, an invasive and expensive neck reset is required to fix the neck angle. Vintage Yamaha's are known to be very difficult to get apart. I assume it was tossed because it isn't playable and wasn't worth fixing. I've done 52 vintage FG neck resets. I only charge $300. If you look around you'll find $400 and up, IF they will touch it, many won't because of the risk. In most cases, it isn't worth spending the money for a neck reset. Most of the customer neck resets I've done were because the guitar had sentimental value, they got it when they were young, or it belonged to a relative, and they wanted to make it playable again. Many times the frets are either flat or full of divots, and they need to be replaced.

yamahavintagefg.boards.net/thread/224/inspecting-new-vintage-yamaha-fg

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

yamahavintagefg.boards.net/thread/18/vintage-yamaha-neck-reset-procedure

I also made replacement nuts & saddles. yamahavintagefg.boards.net/thread/24/replacement-nuts-saddles

dojo544
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FG-75 Identification Aug 22, 2022 10:02:52 GMT -5

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Post by dojo544 on Aug 22, 2022 10:02:52 GMT -5

Hi CTGull,

I didn't measure the action, as it had detuned and very old strings on it, and while trying to tune it up to pitch I could see the neck moving and the action going up. I was afraid of either the strings snapping or something happening to the neck. I took the strings off when I cleaned the guitar/case. The frets seemed pretty good, and just need some polishing.

Looking on Reverb, the price of these seem to range from around $100-400. Is that roughly correct?

There seems to be no structural flaws like cracks as far as I can see, the main problems being the action, and a pretty badly cut nut. I will probably keep this around, but I likely won't be asking a luthier for repairs. I have had a interest in luthier since I started playing the guitar, and I might use this as a more advanced project. Is there is major historical value that should prevent me from doing so?

On a side note, are you also active on a Seagull guitar forum, as I think I have seen you around there.

Thanks for all the info, and I wanted to mention how impressed I am on how much research you have done on these guitars.

CTGull
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Vintage YamaNut

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FG-75 Identification Aug 22, 2022 10:30:35 GMT -5

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Post by CTGull on Aug 22, 2022 10:30:35 GMT -5

Aug 22, 2022 10:02:52 GMT -5 dojo544 said:

Hi CTGull,

I didn't measure the action, as it had detuned and very old strings on it, and while trying to tune it up to pitch I could see the neck moving and the action going up. I was afraid of either the strings snapping or something happening to the neck. I took the strings off when I cleaned the guitar/case. The frets seemed pretty good, and just need some polishing.

Looking on Reverb, the price of these seem to range from around $100-400. Is that roughly correct?

There seems to be no structural flaws like cracks as far as I can see, the main problems being the action, and a pretty badly cut nut. I will probably keep this around, but I likely won't be asking a luthier for repairs. I have had a interest in luthier since I started playing the guitar, and I might use this as a more advanced project. Is there is major historical value that should prevent me from doing so?

On a side note, are you also active on a Seagull guitar forum, as I think I have seen you around there.

Thanks for all the info, and I wanted to mention how impressed I am on how much research you have done on these guitars.

Thanks!

With old strings I usually tune 2 steps down (D) to check the action. I usually use the old strings during the neck reset too, tuned to D, since it requires tuning & detuning a few times. The advantage of these plywood guitars is they are virtually bomb proof. The FG-75 is even more so due to the unusual heavy V bracing.

The prices vary greatly because of people attempting to sell vintage guitars with blatant disregard to their playability. Many will claim low action without providing any proof, their only goal is to turn a profit. I am planning on selling some of my vintage FG's that will be "Certified Playable", having done what ever they need to be restored to better than original factory playability, including neck reset & refretting.

This guitar has no historical significance. They made MANY of this model. It was the least expensive model, other than the rare FG-45, which cost even less, which was probably sold as a child's guitar.

I'm not as active on the Seagull forum as I used to be. It's now more about chatting about other stuff than Seagulls. I have quite a few Seagulls too, and have done lots of research on them too.

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