Yamaha FG-180

The Yamaha FG-180 is the dreadnought that launched the FG series in 1966, built at Nippon Gakki in Japan with a spruce top, mahogany or agathis back and sides, and a nato or mahogany neck. Its label history is one of the most useful guides for dating a surviving example: the green label appeared in 1966 for the Japanese market only, followed by the red label from 1967 to 1972 covering both Japan and Taiwan, the tan label from 1972 to 1975, and the black label from 1974 to 1977, both again spanning Japan and Taiwan. Japanese production also carried an orange label from 1974 to 1985, while Taiwanese guitars used a white oval label from 1977 onward. Elliott Smith played his FG-180 on every album he made and used it live with just a soundhole pickup. Owners describe a dry, woody voice with warm punchy mids and strong projection that gets better the more it is played. Many surviving Nippon Gakki examples eventually need a neck reset.

Years produced

1966–1995

Body type

6 String Jumbo

Top

Spruce

Back & sides

Agathis, Mahogany

Neck

Mahogany, Nato

Fingerboard

Rosewood, Indian

Colors

natural, red

Original MSRP

$130

Current market

$24.99–$1581 (62 listings)

No US Distribution. Reissue. Called the FG-30LTD in the US.