1960s Yamaha FG-150 000-Size Guitar

Overview: Old '60s and '70s Yamaha flattops will always hold a nice, cozy place in my heart. I think they're some of the best-designed old acoustic guitars on the market -- they're ply throughout the body so they stay stable and don't crack in winter and travel but because of the bracing style and design choices, they sound terrific at the same time. The FG-150 model features a smaller-body 00/000 style which makes it a little cozier to play and tote-around compared to its big brother, the venerable FG-180. This is a "Red Label" FG-150 and made in Japan.

Tone: It's warm, full, and clean-sounding with just a hint of "zip" to the top-end when dug-into. I think these make fantastic fingerpickers and very healthy flatpicked strummers. While they'll do flatpicked lead work nicely, it's not their strongest suit. I apologize for the video being in open D tuning -- I was just enjoying myself too much to retune it.

Interesting features: I love the slightly-curvier lower bout on Yamaha 00/000-size instruments compared to their Martin competition. It has a nice, distinctive look to it. This one, being a late '60s model, has the cool original openback tuners, delicately-cut bridge shape, and metal truss cover.

Repairs included: I gave it a neck reset, fret level/dress, fit a new bone saddle, and set it up. It's playing spot-on and ready to serve.

• Weight: 3 lbs 15 oz
• Scale length: 25"
• Nut width: 1 3/4"
• Neck shape: medium-fuller C/V
• Board radius: 16"
• Body width: 15"
• Body depth: 4 1/8"
• Top wood: ply spruce
• Back & sides wood: ply mahogany
• Bracing type: x
• Bridge: rosewood
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 52w-11
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium-low

Condition notes: It's actually in pretty excellent shape. There are scuffs and scratches here and there throughout but it looks nice overall. The finish has a bit of weather-check and hazing here and there. It's all-original save the new bone saddle and new plastic bridge pins.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: JLTT