Thoughts on 90's Taiwanese made Yamaha Classical Guitars

Atmarama

Hey folks,

I'm considering buying a 1996 Yamaha CG170CA - solid cedar top, lammy rosewood back and sides, from a friend. The action is a little high for my liking presently (4.5mm at the 12th), but I am used to steel string guitars. After playing it for a while though I think I like it, and as I don't have a full size classical guitar I've managed to justify another guitar purchase in my mind (though cash is tight and there is other gear I need).

I was wondering if you guys have any thoughts on these instruments and what a fair price would be? The only 2 references I can find are these below for $168 (sold) & $210 (not sold)...

Guitar Museum for $168 - http://www.guitar-museum.com/guitar-6958-YAMAHA-CLASSICAL-GUITAR-CG-170-CA

Ebay with an asking bid of $210 that the seller didn't get... - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1980s-Yamaha-CG170CA-Classical-Guitar-w-Hard-Case-in-Excellent-Condition-Nice-/130989707203

Thanks!
A ?

Keira-WitherKay

depends on what the price is..... they pretty good middle of the range nylons...i have owned one .... if the price is cheap snap it up.... but if he wants top dollar you may find something better 2nd hand if you watch classifieds....

however i did gig a CG170 and travel with one on tours and it was great ....so don't write it off ...as a bad guitar just it's not exceptional.

btw most times the action can be adjusted and if i recall don't the CG170's even have truss rods unlike most classicals so easily adjusted between trussrod and saddle height

AlanRatcliffe

Decent workhorses with the typical Yamaha sound - strong fundamental, bold, clear. They generally need a good setup, but I'd happily pay anywhere up to R2K for one.

PeteM

I love mine... no truss rod though. I'd pay R2K for mine.

warrenpridgeon

PeteM wrote: I love mine... no truss rod though. I'd pay R2K for mine.

I'll send you my banking details then you can pay me the R2k and keep your guitar... good deal? hehehe.

*sorry for the hijack

AlanRatcliffe

PeteM wrote: no truss rod though.

Truss rods are the exception rather than the norm for nylon string guitars - they just don't need them. My Carvin has one and the Godin Multiacs have them, otherwise I don't know of any others.

Keira-WitherKay

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
PeteM wrote: no truss rod though.
Truss rods are the exception rather than the norm for nylon string guitars - they just don't need them. My Carvin has one and the Godin Multiacs have them, otherwise I don't know of any others.

yamaha CGX series nylons definitely have truss rods so does the newer NX series nylon which replaced them recently ....

PeteM

Keira WitherKay wrote:
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
PeteM wrote: no truss rod though.
Truss rods are the exception rather than the norm for nylon string guitars - they just don't need them. My Carvin has one and the Godin Multiacs have them, otherwise I don't know of any others.
yamaha CGX series nylons definitely have truss rods so does the newer NX series nylon which replaced them recently ....

My Cort nylon, which has a thin neck like a steel string acoustic does not have a truss rod, which is rather sad because the neck is beginning to bend. Sorry for the hijack Atmarama

AlanRatcliffe

Keira WitherKay wrote: yamaha CGX series nylons definitely have truss rods so does the newer NX series nylon which replaced them recently ....

In my experience, truss rods in lower-end classicals points to trying to control problems in the wood, either quality or seasoning.

Atmarama

Thanks for the helpful replies folks! Definitely no truss rod in the Yammi. It also has quite a nice aftermarket pickup installed, microphonic..

It's just that I really thought I had got over the Guit AS for the next couple years at least :-[