Yamaha Red Label FG5 Review

A Beautiful Looking and Sounding Guitar

I was kind of worried when I bought this that it would sound too similar to my Seagull SWS because they have the same back/side wood configuration. I shouldn't have worried - I love my Seagull, but the FG5 just resonates so much better and has a lot more depth of tone. It's very pleasing to hold and responds to fingerstyle playing about as well as a dreadnought could. Can be very… read more loud if need be without hard strumming. The build quality seems excellent. This is secondary, but the color is also very striking and unique. A wonderful guitar, and well worth the time I waited.

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I love this thing

I have had it for almost a year. I play it every day. It sound incredible, feels perfect and looks beautiful. I cant believe it was $1100 dollars. So glad I waited for it to get to the states. No electronics. Just a solid Japanese red label like the one my dad had in 1974.

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Best right out of the box acoustic I've ever played!

I have played acoustic guitar since age 12...for 59 years now. So I have owned many and no cheapo's. Mostly Martin and Gibson a few Taylors. If I would have payed $2300 or more for the FG5 I'd still be happy. Out of the box with no adjustments this is the probably the best I ever played. The fit and finish is 1st class. Even the frets are perfectly finished something my last new… read more Martin wasn't. Action was perfect the nut is spot on as is the saddle. The finish is satin but I have never seen one this good. The sound..oh my gosh reminds me of the 1952 Martin D18 I sold 20 years ago and regretted ever since. I've wanted an FG5 since I was 18 and accompanied my older twin sisters to a concert in Bethel NY and saw a guy named Country Joe playing one. I passed up one for some reason but not getting any younger I decided just contact Ben at Sweetwater and have him hold one for me. He said we expect them in in November ..well 2 days later he contacted me and said we got one in and did I want it. I said yes immediately . I took every guitar out of my music room except the FG5 so I won't have any distractions and play this until my old fingers can't move. .

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Sweet Spot!

Not a j45 and not a d18, but just right. In many ways better than the two. This guitar is a great addition to any collection. If you're on the fence, don't hesitate. Pull the trigger. I was on the fence and each time had to wait longer and longer because I shied away. Finally manned up and glad I did.

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Yamaha Red Label FG5 Lovely Acoustic!

I originally ordered the FG800 @$199 to get through the worldwide pandemic and learn guitar while weathering the storm. Fortuitously in retrospect, all FG800's weren't available to ship for three weeks or more, which my sales engineer Nate graciously let me know. I decided to change my order to this wonderful Yamaha acoustic, which was available right away. It arrived three… read more days later, in absolutely perfect condition. I'm sure the entry level FG800 would have been okay for me, as I am a complete beginner, but the FG5 has a slightly wider nut. Perfect for my large hands. The Yamaha hard case is a perfect fit, the Elixer strings feel right and the satin finish is a tactile delight. What more can I say that the previous reviewers haven't already stated? This guitar sings true and I'm in heaven! I will cherish this gem for many years. Adam

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