BS: Yamaha FG140

Subject: In praise of the Yamaha FG140
From: Larkin
Date: 31 Mar 02 - 01:57 PM

On reading a recent thread on 'Whats your favourite instrument' The FG140 came up a few times. I've had mine since they first arrived in Britain and it's still going strong , sounding particularly fantastic on the Bass espesially in DADGAD. Ok The tops thinner than when I got it from doing a bit of a Richie Havens in Irish Sessions, and I stripped it and re-varnished the top 25 years ago. But hey what a guitar - it's toured, recorded and is still remarked on whenever I play. I reckon it is one of the best £25 guitars ever produced- What do yo

Subject: RE: BS: Yamaha FG140
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 31 Mar 02 - 02:03 PM

Sounds good, where did you get it from?

Subject: RE: BS: Yamaha FG140
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Mar 02 - 02:28 PM

John, did you read the thread?

Where he bought it from is unlikely to have much relevence now, is it?

Subject: RE: BS: Yamaha FG140
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 31 Mar 02 - 02:30 PM

Damn, here was me thinking it was a motorbike.....

That's an FJR1300....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Yamaha FG140
From: Lane
Date: 31 Mar 02 - 07:00 PM

Larkin, I couldn't agree more... I dont recall what I paid for mine some 30 years back, but it wasn't much (seemed a lot at the time) Despite the cost, it is one of the sweetest guitars I have played - yes, delightfull in the low end... the highs are pretty good, too, though... mine has a lot of hard miles on it and still sings sweetly.... Lane

Subject: RE: BS: Yamaha FG140
From: 53
Date: 31 Mar 02 - 09:04 PM

My son had a big bodied Yamaha back in 1986 and he traded it for a Gibson, wish he would of never gotten rid of that guitar.

Subject: RE: BS: Yamaha FG140
From: DonMeixner
Date: 31 Mar 02 - 10:18 PM

My first Guitar was an FG-180 Red Label. Besides me it taught four others in my family to play. My brother most recently used it as a Hawaiian guitar.

In the early seventies when I was in my U. Utah Phillips clonehood it played railroad and old western songs by the hour. At some point it got used to playing sea chanties.

It had a typically bassy sound but the treble end could hold its own. It was frequently thot to be a Martin by the sound of it.

Now it sits in the case, de-tuned because with my damaged fingers I can't play it very well any more. The action is a little stiff for me now. But I also can't part with it.

Great guitars.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Yamaha FG140
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 04:42 AM

I bought a little FG150 (the Martin 00018 clone) in late 1972 which has a beautiful voice and has stood the years well. Its tone is not quite Martin standard (though the only 00018s I ever played in comparison were all decades older, so they were seasoned which mine wasn't) but it comes close.

When I moved to England in 1972 I had this guitar with me at Heathrow, and got a GRILLING from the customs & excise officer. He kept asking me "What are you going to do with this guitar?" and my answer - that I was going to play it - didn't seem to make any sense to him. He wasn't rude or nasty, but he really seemed not to know what to do with me, and kept me standing there for ages while he hesitated and agonised. Turns out he was worried because in those days people were bringing Yamahas in and flogging them without paying the duty. But the idea that someone might want to keep this instrument to make MUSIC with seemed pretty low in his probability stakes. He eventually let me in, casting many a doubtful and wary glance after me as I went through the gates.

One thing: The truss rod could do with some adjusting because there's a slight twist in the neck that renders the low E string out of tune from the 2nd fret up. But I've read elsewhere (on Mudcat I think) that this can destroy tone, and a few people have had bad experiences. Is this common? Is there anything less drastic that can be done? I've tried every string gauge known to civilisation. Thanks, Catters -

Subject: RE: BS: Yamaha FG140
From: GUEST,Robert Strafford
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 08:48 AM

I've owned a Yamaha FG-180 since 1972. Here in the UK great American guitars were always very expensive and these Yamahas were lept upon by players in the folk clubs of that time. Mine was bought for me by my father when I was about 17 and it was played virtually none stop for many years. In fact it has only been in the past year that I have got round to buying another guitar and this time I bought a Martin.

The Yamaha has been a good friend to me all these years it, like me, could do with a little attention but like all good friends I don't complain about its faults and it does not complain about mine.

Subject: RE: BS: Yamaha FG140
From: alanabit
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 09:12 AM

I got one of the old FG140s back in seventy-four. I think it cost me thirty-eight quid. It was my first busking guitar and it served me pretty well. I also liked the thin neck. I sold it in the early eighties, when I got the chance to acquire a Fylde Oberon, an instrument from which I will never part willingly. I liked the old FG140, but I thought the FG180 was greatly superior in every way.

Subject: RE: BS: Yamaha FG140
From: GUEST,vectis
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 06:49 PM

My 140 got a neck warp about 25 years ago. I wound it straight with the truss rod key and have never needed to touch it since.
I always use lightweight strings because I don't use mics and my voice is not loud enough to get over the sheer volume the old beastie can produce with so little effort. I have sold guitars for a living in the past and parted with many without a backward glance but I have never been able to part with the 140 even when stoney broke. The rent went hang first.
I suspect that I will still be thrashing her when I am 80 odd.

Subject: RE: BS: Yamaha FG140
From: Beer
Date: 01 Apr 02 - 08:44 PM

Purchased my first guitar 1963. Yamaha 180. I was told that they had just arrived and that it was hand made. More than likely a sales pitch. Gave it to my sister about 3 years ago. Little sorry now but it is in good hands. What a great acoustic sound. I remember playing at a house party with Gibsons and a Martin and everyone wanted to try it.

Subject: RE: BS: Yamaha FG140
From: mooman
Date: 02 Apr 02 - 07:38 AM

I've never owned one but I've played and worked on plenty. The FG 140/150/180 series were "de rigeur" in London Irish sessions back in the days before people could afford high-end or luthier-built guitars, and jolly good instruments they were (and still are in many cases) for the price.

mooman

Subject: RE: BS: Yamaha FG140
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 02 Apr 02 - 07:51 AM

Bonnie, a truss rod tweak should be unlikely to change tone. When I was repairing I did hundreds without a problem. I did have an old FG140 that I re-fretted and then didn't like the feel of though.

Dave.