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Yamaha FG-360 Acoustic Guitar
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I've had my Yamaha acoustic guitar so long, I don't even
remember where or when I bought it. 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. I'm fairly certain it was
bought in my hometown of Watertown, New York. My best guess is that I
bought it during the summer of '75 from Schmidt Music, a music store there at
that time.
This guitar has served me well. It has seen many a
campfire and years of fun with friends. For several years I said that I
was keeping it around in case one of my children
or grandchildren ever
decides to learn how to play. One of my daughters actually had it for
several months but her schedule didn't allow for the time needed to learn.
Now, it is my primary acoustic guitar during the summer at the lake and it is
the guitar hanging in my home office. I grab it when I want to learn a new
song.
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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.
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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-360s. Their stories are linked
here ...
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Jeff Terrell e-mailed me on December 27, 2011 and his
story is here.
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Mike Lott's story as sent in his e-mail of November 21
is here.
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The e-mail I received from Tony Goodway on August 15,
2011 is here.
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Jim Phelps contacted me on April 9, 2011. Read
his story here.
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Jeanne Rose contacted me on April 5, 2011. Read
her story here.
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Stefano Conti emailed me on February 22, 2011. His
story and pictures are here.
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I received an email from James Adams of New Brunswick,
Canada, on August 14, 2010. Here
is his story and pictures.
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Scott Gagel purchased his FG-360 in Louisville, Kentucky, but he didn't
indicate if that is his home or if he is still there. His
story is here.
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Mike Clarke contacted me from the British Isles and his
story is here.
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Dr. Dave Bradley is from Maine and his
story is here.
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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
have misplaced his original e-mail but he did send a second one telling me
that he was getting new tuners and a Fishman pickup installed. The
link to his pictures is no longer active.
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You can read the
comments from Jerry from Texas here.
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Rick Zylka of
North Tonawanda, New York (Buffalo area) shares his comments.
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Rick Poole's story
is here.
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