Yamaha FG730S

I have been playing off and on for 27 years. I primarily play accoustic. However, I do own an electric. I only play recreationally. My musical preference is Classic Rock.

My guitars as well as my wife's guitars were stolen in February 2006 when our house was burglarized. I hadn't played for awhile, so I was't even sure that I wanted to spend the money on a new guitar. Once I realized how badly I missed it, the search was on. I started my search by reading reviews on the internet and a lot of them. Within my budget, a few models consistently got good reviews. The Yamaha FG730S was one of those models. I went to a few shops and played a few guitars, but when I sat down with my new Yamaha FG730S the search was over. I purchased this guitar for $270 on sale at Les White Music in Abilene, TX. The service was great and the guitar is incredible.

First, I opted for the natural finish. My first impression of the guitar is that it is a beautiful instrument. There are details that you wouldn't expect in a $300 guitar. The solid sitka spruce top is impressive. The rosewood sides and back and the abalone accents really add a lot to the look of the guitar. The FG730S sounds far more expensive than it is. It has a very rich warm sound that maintains its clarity from the low to the high frequencies regardless of volume played or playing technique used. Is this the greatest guitar ever built? Of course not. But in the $300 price range, you would be hard pressed to find a better instrument.

The weakest parts of the guitar are the pegs, tuners, and strings. However, this is a $300 guitar, and I feel that they are in keeping with the price of the guitar. The quality of the rest of the guitar just exceeds its price range.

The guitar is well constructed using quality woods. The top is well braced. The guitar feels very sturdy, and the finish is protected by what seems like endless layers of lacquer.

The FG730S is billed as an entry-level quitar but is a quality instrument. If you are in the market for an accoustic guitar, even with a higher budget, I strongly suggest that you test it for yourself.

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

I purchased this acoustic at Guitar Center in Scottsdale Arizona for $308 with gig bag. I had been searching for an acoustic guitar that had a good tone for under $400 bucks.

I think this guitar has it all. It has a beautiful gloss finish and nice looking pick guard. Solid spruce top that delivers a mid range tone. Best of all, I love the price I got it for.

The only thing I don't like but can tolerate is the laminate rosewood back. I would much rather prefer a solid back but for the price you can't beat it. It still sings when you play it.

The guitar seems pretty durable. I noticed it has been going out of tune a couple of times but I guess thats pretty typical of a new guitar. The pick guard seems to be holding up pretty well against any scratches. Just minor ones, but that is what you would expect to see.

Bottom line is I don't like guitar center because they try to re sell you stuff as new that other people brought back. I examined this guitar for a good 30 minutes and could not find anything wrong with it. I am pretty confident that this one was brand new. Other than that, Yamaha has done a wonderful job with this guitar.

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

Folk-guitar
Bought new-300euros
Heavier-than fg700 (ribs and neck)
Asia-fabrication
Dreadnought-shape
Sitka spruce-table mountain (Spruce)
-Sycamore back and sides (like rosewood)
-Rosewood
Nato-handle (I think)
-Mechanical oil bath
Tape edges of ribs, neck and head
Abalone rosette-turn
Tobaco sunburst-finish (gloss)

UTILIZATION

Curvature-adjustable handle the rose (or rnseigner be tasked to a pro)
No-cut side: poor access to acute
Handle super-pleasant enough end matt
Mechanical-specific and good performance tuning, tighten if necessary
It is messy gloss, while the sunburst is pretty, and binding in case of editing by luthier (I have stolen a little by dropping the end)
Straplock best-laying on the reinforcement of the handle if you plan a belt (it could not pull it ergonomic and on the handle)
-8 For access to acute, but it costs more electro (the fgx720 400euros)

SOUNDS

Super-sound: very claret, precise and powerful
These low-
Some discrete-acute
-A luthier could try it and found it great for its price
-9 For the treble, and then it's not a guild, a taylor or whatever

OVERALL OPINION

-Last year, I get tired of it
-Access to acute I miss when I go back to folk to electric
-Its very nice
Guitar-very nice as well
Nice-handling
That a more-expensive entry-level super but I'm not as good as the fg700 fg720 and compared, the finish must ifluer in the price, but I cracked
-If I had to do what that choice will be yes, but perhaps with a Fition natural, or more money as an electro fg720 or why not a cpx with ergonomics in the air at the top