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MGR/Pat « Yamaha FG-200 »
Published on 05/01/04 at 15:00I 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
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