The FG Series has been a consistent staple in Yamaha's line up since the late 1960s. Yamaha has also changed the series several times since the original red label guitars were introduced. We were unable to compile any information on the FG Series between approximately the mid-1970s and the late 1980s because there are no catalogs available for that time period. Any catalog or price list information from this era would be greatly appreciated and it will help bridge the gap. A brief overview of the FG Series is compiled here.
The FG-140, FG-180, and the FG-300 were the original six-string jumbo guitars introduced in 1969. Also released that year was the 12-string FG-230, Spanish FG-75, and the folk body FG-110 and FG-150 models. Guitars from this era have a red label, and early models have wide heads.
In 1971, some higher end models were introduced with fancier appointments including the FG-580, FG-630, FG-700S, FG-1000J, FG-1200J, FG-1500, FG-2000, and the FG-2500.
In 1972, the FG-140, FG-300, FG-230, and FG170 were discontinued as a whole new line of models were introduced. In the six string series, the FG-160, FG-210, FG-280, FG-165S, and the FG-295S were introduced. The 12-String model became the FG-260. A 3/4 sized model was introduced as the FG-45. The folk series gained the FG-170. The first acoustic/electrics debuted this year as well with the FG-100E and the FG-160E. Guitars now feature a green label, and should all have the narrow headstock.
In 1974, all model numbers were changed to carry an "I" suffix (FG-160-I, FG-180-I, etc.). Exact model specification changes are unknown, but the labels were changed to black and the necks were made out of Toog.
In 1977, an entirely new line of guitars was introduced that started with "3". The only models to survive the switch were the folk acoustic electric models and the high-end models. Eight new models were introduced and they included the FG-335, FG-340, FG-345, FG-350W, FG-365S, FG-375S, FG-336SG, and the FG-351SB. The first solid top FG models were introduced and they carried an "S" suffix, which previously indicated Sunburst finish (now noted as SB). Three 12-String models were also introduced with the FG-312, FG-412SB, and the FG-512. Other models included the Spanish body FG-325 and the Folk Guitar series with the FG-300 and the FG-331. These guitars featured orange oval labels and a nato neck.
In 1978, the high-end series of FG models became the L Series. In 1979, a mid-range series was introduced featuring the FG-750S and FG-770S models. Between 1978 and 1980, a transition of moving the tension rod adjusment from the head to the body occurred. By 1981, the tension rod was in the body.
In 1981, the FG-350W, FG-336SB, and the FG-351SB were all discontinued. In the same series the FG-340T and 355SB were introduced. It appears that this year a prefix was added to all the models, but what happen is unknown. The 12-String series gained the model FG-612S. The Folk guitar series became the Semi-Jumbo series and brought in the models SJ-180 and SJ-400S. The acoustic/electric series was overhauled with new models FG-335E and FG-365SE replacing the old ones. In 1982, the FG-332 was added to the six-string line. In 1984, the FG-335SB and the FG-346SB were introduced for one year only into the six-string line. Also in 1984, the first cutaway acoustics were introduced with the models CW-350E, CW-370SE, and non-electric models CW-350 and the CW-370 were introduced.
In 1985, the entire line of FG acoustic guitars was overhauled. No models retained their same model designation. The six-string jumbo models were now the FG-400, FG-405, FG-410, FG-420, FG-430, FG-440, FG-450S, FG-460S, FG-470S, and FG-480S. The 12-string models were changed to the FG-420-12, FG-440-12, and FG-460S-12.
The model lineup remained unchanged until 1989 when all models earned an A suffix. The FG-405, FG-440, and the FG-480 were all discontinued. The FS-350S, and the cutaway FG-420C and FG-450C models were discontinued. 1989 marked the first year for Yamaha left-handed acoustic instruments and these new models included the FG-420LA and FG-450LA (the L suffix stands for left-hand). The leaf logo was now on the headstock.
In 1995, they discontinued many of the models and changed the last 0 to a 1, so an FG-400A became the FG-401, etc. In 1999 the dropped the 1 in favor of a 2 and introduced some new models. Then in 2001, they dropped the 2 for the 3. In 2005, Yamaha overhauled the entire line with the 700 FG Series, which is currently available.