Yamaha FG-180 Folk Guitar 1971

This second hand acoustic guitar is in good condition.

All plays great , however there are some scratches on the lower body

Historical Background

• Origins: The FG-180 was part of Yamaha’s inaugural FG (Folk Guitar) series launched in 1966, marking Yamaha’s entrance into the folk-style acoustic market with a distinctive design and bold sound. 

• Design Intent: Crafted by engineer Hideo Ueda, Yamaha pursued a guitar with a "bass that really stands out, and treble that’s sweet and sustained" — aiming for a richly balanced yet robust tone. The unique “Y-shaped” headstock and signature pickguard ("bump") were among the early visual trademarks. 

• Global Launch: While introduced domestically in Japan in 1966, Yamaha began exporting FG models, including the FG-180, around 1968, adorned with the now-famous red Nippon Gakki label.

• Shift to Taiwan Production: Around 1971, production of many FG models—including the FG-180—moved to Taiwan. Early Taiwanese units often retained the red label but omitted "Nippon Gakki" text and featured subtle cosmetic differences. 

Construction & Specifications (circa 1971)

• Body: spruce top over mahogany back and sides—delivering a lively, resilient tone: loud and resonant.

• Neck & Scale: Mahogany neck with approximately 25″ (or 635 mm) scale, paired with a rosewood fingerboard (20 frets, dot inlays), and a nut width near 1 11/16″. 

• Bracing & Sound: Though laminate-built, FG-180s inherited an X-braced design that enhanced tonal projection and structural stability.

• Quality Control: Yamaha guitars of the era were tested under extreme conditions (humidity, temperature) before acceptance—ensuring longevity.

Tone & Playability

• Voice: Praised for a powerful yet nuanced tonal character; many liken its voice to Martin guitars of the same era—clear, articulate, and “boomy” in the lower mids. 

• Weight & Feel: Lightweight thanks to thin laminates, yet tonally substantial.

• Action & Structural Challenges: After decades, many FG-180s require neck resets. A common snag is that the neck is often epoxied—not glued—making reset procedures more complicated. 

• Setups Improve Performance: When well-set-up, especially with action, saddle, and fretwork addressed, these guitars remain playable and expressive. 

Legacy & 1971 Market Snapshot

• Collector Appeal: 1971 marks a pivotal period—the bridge between Japanese and Taiwanese production. While value may slightly favor early Japanese units with “Nippon Gakki” branding, many players embrace the Taiwanese versions for their tone and availability.

• Elliott Smith Connection: Indie icon Elliott Smith famously played a Taiwanese-made FG-180; collectors and fans extrapolate its appeal from that association.

• 50th Anniversary Reissue: In 2016, Yamaha honored the FG-180 with a limited 50th-anniversary reissue featuring scalloped bracing, solid spruce tops, and modern enhancements while paying homage to the original design.