Yamaha FG-45-1

The Yamaha FG-45-1 is a tan and black label revision of the parlor-size FG-45, built in Japan and Taiwan from 1974 to 1977, with a spruce top, katsura back and sides, and a nato neck. The standard Yamaha-shape bridge replaced the FG-45's classical through-cut saddle, the pickguard switched from striped reddish brown to black, and the top color is lighter. Labels span four eras: tan (1972–1975, Japan and Taiwan), black rectangular (1974–1977, Japan and Taiwan), orange (1974–1985, Japan only), and white oval (1977–2001, Taiwan only). The -1 suffix appears in a small font on the black label and is frequently overlooked. The voice is slightly brighter and clearer than the FG-45, but still small and boxy from the 7/8 body. Production appears to have wound down by late 1976, and surviving examples are extraordinarily rare.

Years produced

1974–1977

Body type

6 String , 3/4 Scale

Top

Spruce

Back & sides

Katsura

Neck

Nato

Fingerboard

Rosewood

Original MSRP

$75