1960s Yamaha FG-110 "Red Label" 00/000-Size Guitar

This poor old Yamaha lingered upstairs in storage for at least a year and a half. We finally took it down the other week and got it running -- it received a neck reset, fret level/dress, replacement tuners, and saddle and setup adjustments. It's both a great-looking old Yamaha and also a nice sounding one, too. It has a darker, woodier, scooped-highs, full-mids sound to it that's really endearing.

If you've read the blog for a while you know I'm a huge fan of old ply-body Yamahas -- they're practical, well-designed, extremely rugged, and perfectly-suited to an owner that's going to take the instrument anywhere and everywhere. I think they sound perfect as fingerpickers but they also make great flatpickers, too, as long as you stick to picks that aren't super-stiff (which tends to pull out the "harsh" or "slappy" sound in the treble on these). I'm flatpicking with a 1mm nylon pick in the video.

Everything appears original on this guitar save the tuners which are from my parts-bins. It's got its share of wear and tear but in the "faithful old friend" sort-of manner.