Yamaha FG-345

The Yamaha FG-345 is a dreadnought produced from 1977 to 1981 in both Japan and Taiwan, with a spruce top, rosewood back and sides, and a mahogany neck. Label identification is one of the most reliable ways to date and locate these guitars: black labels were used from 1974 to 1977 across Japan and Taiwan production, orange labels ran from 1974 to 1985 on Japanese-made examples only, and white oval labels appeared from 1977 to 2001 exclusively on Taiwanese instruments. Owners describe an unusually bright, clean voice that improves with age, with low action that plays quickly past the twelfth fret. The diamond fretboard inlays, two-piece back with inlaid marquetry strip, and double-bound body distinguish it visually from mahogany-back FGs of the same period.

Years produced

1977–1981

Body type

6 String Jumbo

Top

Spruce

Back & sides

Rosewood

Neck

Mahogany

Fingerboard

Rosewood, Indian

Colors

white

Original MSRP

$260

Current market

$299–$650 (7 listings)