Yamaha FG-75

The Yamaha FG-75 is a folk-size acoustic produced from 1968 to 1974, built in Japan and Taiwan, with a spruce top, agathis back and sides, and a nato neck. Its label history is one of the most useful guides for dating surviving examples: red labels ran from 1967 to 1972 on instruments from both Japan and Taiwan; tan labels followed from 1972 to 1975, again covering both production sites; black labels appeared from 1974 to 1977 across Japan and Taiwan; and orange labels, exclusive to Japan, ran from 1974 to 1985. In terms of body dimensions, the FG-75 is comparable in size to a Martin 00, also described as a grand concert size. Owners describe a big sound for its size and note that early Nippon Gakki examples project well. Some surviving instruments have been converted from six strings to nine, with banjo tuners added to accommodate double-course bass strings, and at least one conversion has incorporated a vintage DeArmond pickup. No players have been formally documented in association with this model.

Years produced

1968–1974

Body type

6 String Classical Folk

Top

Spruce

Back & sides

Agathis

Neck

Nato

Fingerboard

Rosewood, Indian

Colors

natural, red

Original MSRP

$109.5

Current market

$165–$649 (27 listings)