Yamaha FG 430A

Squonk

Restrung a Yamaha FG 430A with Elixir Nanowebs 12's and I was surprised at what a well made instrument this is.

Apologies for poor cellphone picture. The guitar is in excellent condition for a possible 1979 model and the tone is incredible

Sounds so much better(Unplugged) than my Takamine, the neck seems a little thinner but it plays brilliantly. amazing how sometimes you can get quite creative with the feel of a different guitar.

I just happened to stumble on this guitar at a friends house, who seems interested in learning guitar. I agreed to fix it up for him, he bought it 20 yeras ago and hasn't played it since! (What a waste)

The other question is the fuller sound of this guitar in comparison with my Takamine cut-away, it has really piqued my interest in the non cut away acoustics.

I will be definately doing the Keira rounds of all the pawn shops to find a similar model.

guitarboy2828

They are great guitars.. Yamaha's don't always get the credit due them, as I think they make some quality sounding acoustics!! New ones are just a tad expensive now, so not really worth it in my books, but if one can find good second hand ones, definitely a plus!!!

Bob-Dubery

70s Yamahas can be great bargains. They were good guitars then and remain good guitars now. IMO the contemporary Yamaha steel strings do not present as good a bang-per-buck proposition.

BUT

At some point they are going to need some serious attention. Not because they are Yamahas but because they are 30 years or more old. If the neck needs a reset then things get difficult because of the glues used.

I don't think the cutaway is responsible for the tonal differences you are noticing. At most it's a minor factor. Choice of woods, construction, saddle material, bracing, body shape will all have more impact on tone.

Ray

Any chance of it going up for sale?

Squonk

Ray wrote: Any chance of it going up for sale?

Nah, he is adamant on keeping the guitar