Yamaha FG-360 Acoustic Guitar

I've had my Yamaha acoustic guitar so long, I don't even remember where or when I bought it.  I must have purchased it sometime in the mid-70s.  According to a web surfer who found this page and contacted me, the serial number indicates that it was the 80th FG-360 made on July 23, 1975.

This guitar has served me well.  It has seen many a campfire and years of fun with friends.  It has taken a back seat to my Martin guitars but I'm keeping it around in case one of my children or grandchildren ever decides to learn how to play.

I have replaced the strings with a set of lighter gauge Martin strings and I have sanded down the bridge saddle slightly.  It seems that this guitar plays better than ever and still has very nice tone.

One of these days I am going to install an under-saddle pick-up in it.

Some time ago, I found that this guitar is somewhat unique for the Yamaha line.  Yamaha in that era was known for inexpensive guitars.  I have done some research on-line and have found that the FG-360 was a special, limited edition run of hand-built guitars.  According to an official at Yamaha that responded to an e-mail I sent, the FG-360 was made between 1973 and 1975 and retailed new for $376.00 (USD).  I don't remember paying even close to that for it.  It has a solid spruce top, Jacaranda rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck and ebony fingerboard and bridge.  It has full body and neck binding with the traditional old style Yamaha black and white stripe rosette and plastic tortoise pick guard. The back is two piece and it has chrome, enclosed Yamaha tuners.

If you have any additional information on the FG-360, I would certainly be interested in hearing from you.  I have received several e-mails from people about their FG-360's.  David Beemer submitted a picture of Bob Dylan with what certainly looks like a Yamaha FG-360.  I don't remember where David is from, but that photo is in the slideshow.  I also received an e-mail on March 28, 2008 from Dr. Dave Bradley in Maine.  He shared the story of his FG-360 and you can read about it here.