1970s Yamaha FG-160 Jumbo Guitar

Overview: I worked on this one a while back and it's since come back in trade and only needed a dusting-off to make it sale-worthy and fit for the racks. Old Yamahas are very practical, stable guitars (especially once the necks are reset and the action is dialed-in) and I always recommend them to customers who have a rough and ready approach to their guitars -- needing to take them all over, play in inclement weather, or leave them out on a stand in a wood-heated house without humidification. Does that maybe sound familiar?

Soundwise, these jumbo models tend to be very full-sounding, warm, and loud. The bodies are all-ply but due to the efficient way they're braced, they don't have that cheesy ply-box sound. The only bit where they don't stack up with a decent solid-top guitar is in the top-end where, if you're picking lead on the treble strings, there's an almost compressed or "fizzy" sound if you're picking really hard and trying to lay it all out. As a chord-chucker or backup guitar, though, I think a lot of folks would be hard-pressed to tell the difference with it behind a mic.

Repairs included: I'd previously given it a neck reset, fret level/dress, and setup work. It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 4 lbs 6 oz
• Scale length: 25"
• Nut width: 1 3/4"
• Neck shape: big C/D
• Board radius: 16"
• Depth at first fret: 0.91"
• Depth at seventh fret: 1"
• Body width: 16 1/4"
• Body depth: 4 1/2"
• 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: 54w-12 lights
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium/low

Condition notes: It has various light scratches and scuffs here and there throughout the finish. There's an added strap button at the heel but it's otherwise original.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: SPBL