Yamaha FG-230
The Yamaha FG-230 is a twelve-string dreadnought produced from 1968 to 1972, built in Japan and Taiwan. Guitars from the production run carry either a red label (used 1967–1972 across Japan and Taiwan) or a tan label (used 1972–1975 across Japan and Taiwan), making the label one of the most reliable tools for dating a specific instrument. The construction is all-laminate, with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a mahogany neck over a rosewood fingerboard. Big Star used an FG-230 during the recording of *#1 Record*, the instrument's most documented player association. The all-laminate build delivers a loud, clear shimmer that holds up even when action runs high, and many surviving examples have received neck resets to bring the saddle back into usable range. The truss rod uses an unusual nut rather than a standard allen socket, a detail worth knowing before attempting any neck adjustments.
- Years produced
- 1968–1972
- Body type
- 12 String Jumbo
- Back & sides
- Mahogany
- Neck
- Mahogany
- Fingerboard
- Rosewood
- Colors
- natural, red
- Original MSRP
- $149
- Current market
- $219.99–$1000 (16 listings)