Yamaha FG-200

I was given this guitar in 1978 due to a badly bent neck, a common problem in all the guitars made in the same factory, probably an unfortunate selection of neck wood. I recommend 10/52 gauge, never tune high, if you use open tunings always go down.
Mine is a Nippon Gakki Yamaha produced in Japan 1973, blonde label. "Made In Japan" on the back of the headstock, SN is on the lower bout crossbrace just inside the sound hole, very faded. I fixed the neck and lowered the action, the nut height on these models being typically a little too high. The tone, volume, string balance, intonation and sustain are all superb.
These guitars have solid spruce top, Laminated Mahogany b/s (there's nothing wrong with laminate), rosewood fingerboard and closed tuners, stays in tune. I attribute the marvelous qualities of this guitar to a fortunate accident of top spruce selection and a quality, long lasting glue for the bracing and joints and an excellent and properly applied finish material.
You would be very lucky to have one of these Japanese made Yamaha's.
In '74 or '75 they moved production to Taiwan, still pretty good guitars but not quite the quality of top wood as in the Japanese models.
I use strumming (of course) and whatever fingerpicking is required to play a song. Clicking and tapping the strings can produce many effects with ease, a very responsive instrument capable of satisfying all styles which is a quality seldom considered in the field. It's of a size comfortable for almost anyone, the neck handling neither too small nor too large.
These are robust in the body, well constructed. The finish is exemplary, just the right density and thickness, not fading or cracking since manufacture 40+ years ago, the finish of a guitar being a significant factor in tone and volume.

I purchased this guitar used in 1983 for US$125.00 from the former owner in Newport Beach, California. it was a sunny spring day, and I was prepared to try to talk the guy down, because I only HAD $125 to my name and really needed to hang onto some of that cash for food. I even took a roommate who's job was to keep me from spending the food money, but he said that once I opened tha case, he knew by my look that we were leaving with the guitar and without the cash...

A very hard finish protects the wood, which in the case of this casual player in a house full of kids and critters has been a positive thing over the years. The tone has become slightly fuller over the past twenty years, although by no means rich. All around, a good guitar for any situation, as it is playable by most people with no complaints. The truss rod has been adjusted exactly once, right after the new parts went on, and that was fifteen or more years ago... The cat claw marks only add character. My eleven-year-old daughter is almost ready to start playing, and she'll eventually wind up with this instrument, unless I step on it or something stupid...

The original saddle and bridge were far too high for my beginner's hands, and did not transmit sound to the wood. I had the Folk Music Center in Claremont, California install bone pieces, and a lot lower than the original height, and immediately obtained a brighter, louder (and easier to play) sound. Sustain is still weak, but what the heck, I'm no pro...

I also got rid of the original tuners, installing some inexpensive although rock-solid Grover tuners. No complaints, ever. The guitar can usually be played right out of the case with no tuning.

American Fingerstylist Chris Procter played it once, and pronounced it quite playable (yes, he was humoring me, but he's the nicest guy in the world) He's the guy who told me to get the action lowered if I was having trouble... Thanks, Chris! It was amazing to hear YOU play MY guitar!

I have never had any neck issues, and the construction has held up through some rather rough handling quite well. As stated, the original bridge and saddle did not suit me, and the original tuners were of poor reliability. The finish has never cracked or glazed, fogged or tarnished. I'm careful to keep sunblock off of it, though. I wear a lot of sunblock, and it has destroyed the finish on my backpacking dulcimer, so I'm more careful around the other instruments.

A nice little guitar in the Dreadnought style. Low volume, not much sustain, but good enough for me. I don't have to freak out if it falls over, and I can let kids play it. Someday I'll rate a nicer guitar, but there's never enough time to practice, so I'll keep plugging away with this one. So far it's bought me a few beers, and that's good enough for me!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

My dad passed it down to me when i was about 12. I think he paid around 400 US dollars for it.

It plays VERY well, and is very beautiful. It is very tough to hurt this guitar. I have droped it a few times, not damaging anything on it!

There is nothing I really don't like about this beautiful guitar!

It was made in Taiwan, sold in one piece. It has a golden maple finish with a cherry oak looking finish on the neck and pick guard. The stain has not scratched one bit since the day it was bought. It is a VERY good quality guitar.

This guitar has been in my family for two generations now, and hopefully for many more it will go charished and unharmed.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Model made in Taiwan, I do not know the exact date of manufacture, it seems late 70s. Handle quite thick, but very enjoyable round.
I do not know the materials that yamaha on some forum talking about solid table on any other laminate.

UTILIZATION

Like I said, but nice thick sleeve on mine perfect action, the body is smaller than a standard dread, overweight is quite correct. Access to the treble pretty good, given the shape of the body.
Gets it easy to sound good? Yes but you have not bouriner, must take it with delicacy.

SOUNDS

I play mostly folk blues, many pieces in open tuning, in the style Jim O'rourke, John Fahey ecc ... and this guitar is a real treat, handle, warm sound, well balanced, round, good bass. The guitar responds superbly to fingerpickink. Slightly scuffed his roots and woody enough. I wanted a more snapping than others (I also own a gibson j45) guitar. This guitar has a really clean sound with respect to account went on youtube and searched Norberto Lobo, young Portuguese guitarist. he plays on a FG 200.



OVERALL OPINION

I think almost thirty years of age are doing well ripen the wood and glue, this guitar on occasion paid € 200 a was a great surprise. The former owner had set the handle and string height. plus it was a real passion so much care we were given was this guitar.
Value for money for me unbeatable. Certainly it is not super easy to find, must be careful to internet speculation, but considering the price of U.S. skyscrapers of that time the yamaha fg 200 is a bargain.
If you come across an absolutely must try it!