Yamaha FG-230

The Yamaha FG-230 is a twelve-string dreadnought produced from 1968 to 1972, built in Japan and Taiwan with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a mahogany neck. Guitars from this run carry a red label, which spans the broader 1967–1972 period across both production countries; the subsequent tan label era runs from 1972 to 1975 and covers Japan and Taiwan as well, making label color one of the most reliable tools for dating a specific example. The FG-230 gained a notable place in recorded music history as the model used by Big Star during the making of *#1 Record*. The all-laminate red labels deliver a loud, clear shimmer that survives even with high action, and many surviving twelves now carry neck resets that put the saddles back in play. The truss rod uses an unusual nut rather than a standard allen socket, a detail worth knowing before any setup work begins.

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 (19 listings)