1980s Yamaha G-235 Classical Guitar



Well, I'm usually impressed by old Yamahas when they come in. They're well-thought-out instruments. This one is all-laminate but the construction is quite good. When regluing the nut I noticed that the mahogany neck actually has a big square rod of rosewood set into it quite similar to the way Martin installed ebony rods for neck reinforcement in the 1940s. The bracing is also light and the board and bridge are "real rosewood" rather than junk-wood. It's also sporting wood bindings and fancy-looking trim above its station.

Anyhow, my only real work on this one was to clean off some stickers and give it a good setup. The older GHS strings were still good to go and this now plays accurately (3/32" at the 12th fret action) and has a good, round tone. I'm guessing it's an early-80s make rather than a 70s make and it's one of the Taiwanese-made Yamahas.


There's not much body wear except for a dulled area on the top lower bout, treble side where I had to remove some funky stickers. The side bass upper bout also has a dulled area where a setlist had been taped to the side for a long time. It still looks good, though.

The scale is 25 7/8" and the nut is a standard 2" in width.


Rosewood headstock veneer, "gold"-plated tuners, and a synthetic nut. It's not cheesy plastic -- this handles more like Micarta or bone.


There's a bit of finger-wear to the board but the frets are in good order and the neck is straight.


The rosette is "real" and looks good.


Someone back-loaded this bridge and that's my preference, anyhow. Note the compensation for the G string. Cool.



While the top is laminate spruce (or cedar?), the back is laminate rosewood.


The neck profile is a bigger, flattened-back typical classical profile. It's not as huge as 50s/60s classicals but its pretty average in size.





The tuners are happy after a lube.



I replaced a missing strap button with a new one.


...and while the chip case "tain't much" -- it serves and is (presumably) original.

Comments

Unknown said…
It may still have been in production early 80s, but I own one I bought early 1979.

Willem Bek
Unknown said…
My father in law passed recently and my husband brought home his old guitar, this exact guitar. The inner label indeed says 1982.
Windy said…
Amazing exposition on a guitar I bought used 3 or 4 years ago. my rosette is badly faded, but it sounds great. Thank you, I feel so much better about my purchase now! :)
Unknown said…
Just found an identical one in nearly new condition in the attic
jeddley said…
Thank you for the great show and tell. I bought a YAMAHA G180A in 1976 in Hong Kong on my way home from India. This sweet little guitar got buried away until the other day when I recovered it. Looks like the day I bought it, the neck is straight and the tone is awesome, just ordering new strings and very excited to play her again. Apparently this is the precursor to your guitar, very similar.
Unknown said…
Mine looks like solid to me? G235
Unknown said…
Solid top? Cedar?
DJ Johnny Mark said…
I have the same exact guitar with my collection of 14 and it hap pool ends to be my favorite acoustic even over my $4000 Taylor. My first guitar was almost identical found out the dump had the tuners fixed and I learned.
The neck wide fits my huge hands and its wasy for finger picking. As you mentioned the strings are easy on the fingers so I will play it for hours. It's not super pricy so it's
always near by and I'm not nervious to bring it around to many locations to where I wouldnt bring my Taylor. Your description and words on this was fantastic. I'm looking at it right now and it gets played almost every morning and night. I'm a drummer 1st so with that being said it gets tapped time to time and the tone on it ha had several compliments at open mic nights and jams.
Great guitar.
Gail Fuller said…
This was my very first guitar when I was a teenager. My mom bought it for me in about 1976. Well today, my sister-in-law gave it back to me after many, many years. I was shocked to see how good a shape it was in. Only broken strings and a few minor dings. No cracks whatsoever and the fret board is like new. I don’t think she ever played it, or rarely. LOL! I can’t wait to get some new strings on it and give it a whirl! I don’t have any nylon strings in the house atm as my other guitars are not classical guitars. Nice to have found your blog. Thanks!
Antonio G said…
I have this very guitar. My first guitar was a small or mini acoustic along the lines of a Guitalele. My mother purchased a Yamaha G-235 for me back in High School for me to start taking guitar lessons. That would have been around 1983-1984. I have always enjoyed playing that guitar. I appreciate the sound so much more now but enjoy the nylon strings for classical, Spanish, and traditional Mariachi. Of course there are loads of Pop, country, and rock classics that are great around the campfire or family gatherings. I treasure this guitar as it was my mom who gave it to me and supported my love of music. Along with a 1978 Gibson Rd Standard, my Yamaha G-235 are my two favorite guitars (from mom). I have passed it along to my daughter, but on every visit I take an opportunity to strum a few songs.
Gail Fuller said…
It’s so lovely that you were able to pass this guitar along to your daughter and that you still get to play it on occasion. Our moms rock!
B in DC said…
I just found your blog! I have a G-235 my mother bought for me in 1979/80 for guitar lessons. I am missing the 2nd string machine screw (which was loose when it was new) and I am hoping to find a replacement to bring this beauty back to perfect condition. I am amazed at how beautifully it has stood the test of time. It looks almost brand new! The sound is spectacular.