Thursday, April 19, 2012

30-Year Closet Find (1979 Yamaha FG-335)

Finding a good used guitar on Craigslist is all about knowing what you are looking for and serendipity. Good guitars at attractive prices are often scooped up within hours while overpriced models get re-listed over and over. Short of checking the local listings often enough to respond to the good listings immediately, I wondered if there was an online service that could automate the task with an email alert. And, of course, there is one. Craigslist Checker will run your search hourly and send you an email with links to any listings that pop up for the item you are seeking. Free searches are good for seven days.


Yesterday, a vintage Yamaha acoustic that had been in a closet for thirty years popped up for short money. Within an hour, dozens of prospective buyers popped up as well according to the buyer, but I was upfront with all my contact info and how much I was willing to pay, so I got the call back when the first buyer no-showed. Going in I knew the original chipboard case with its missing handle and other scars was worthless. Nor is a 1979 Yamaha FG-335 anything like a vintage Martin closet find. The guitar was also missing one of its plastic bridge pins. Upon inspection, there were also a few more small dings than advertised. Even with only five 30-year-old strings on it, though, the guitar had decent tone. The white binding had that vintage yellowed appearance and overall the condition of the guitar was excellent. I was able to close the deal for less than $100, 30% below asking.

With a little TLC, some new strings, a replacement set of matching bridge pins salvaged from another guitar, and a hardshell case I had left over from another used purchase, this now makes for a solid traveling guitar for those campfire outings. It even still had the original allen wrench in the old case pocket that I was able to use to tighten the truss rod and bring the really high action down. Note the cool wood truss rod cover (Yamahas went to truss rod access above the heel block shortly after 1979).

19 comments:

  1. See the following travel posts for this guitar:
    http://acousticpickers.blogspot.com/2012/06/flying-with-guitar.html
    http://acousticpickers.blogspot.com/2012/08/summer-livin-1979-yamaha-fg-335.html

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  2. I found mine for 90 dollars in a small Arkansas pawn shop in Harrison. I love it to death, it has such a great low and mid range tone when strumming. It was in great condition. The action was incredibly high though. Just brought it to my luthier to set it up and fix the action today. I'm so happy I have a nice story about one of my vintage guitars now.

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  3. Cool Nate! You did well my friend. Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. I have a Yamaha FG 335 ll that I bought while I was in college in the mid-late 70's. Always thought I would learn how to play. I realize now that I won't, so this guitar is in pristine condition, except for the strings and I have the original case. I am happy to sell it to someone who can play it - it sounds so sweet! Located in central Florida. $200?

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  5. The FG-335II was not made until 1981 to 1985. are you sure is't not an FG-335 made 1977 to 1981. List the serial number and the actual day, month, year and unit number can be identified.

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  6. my FG 335 has the month and yr of manufacture stamped on the paper label in the sound hole.

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  7. I picked mine up recently at a Pawn Shop in Spartanburg SC for $150.. I paid more than you guys but it was definitely worth it.

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  8. i have a fg-335 left handed listed on craigs for 175.00. does that seem reasonable? i have an offer for 125.00..

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  9. sorry...it's in xlnt condition. like new...

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  10. Found an Alvarez 5042 acoustic today. Psyched

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  11. I have a fg335 serial 90605618 what is the manufacter date of this?

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  12. I have a fg335 serial 90605618 what is the manufacter date of this?

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  13. Hi Jason. Thanks for stopping by. Yamaha serial # records are notoriously unreliable, but check out http://faq.yamaha.com/us/en/article/musical-instruments/guitars-basses/ac-guitars/796/4094 and http://vintageguitarpro.com/serialyamaha.shtml as guides.

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  14. I got my Yamaha FG335 for my 13th birthday in 1978 and I still play it today. Love that guitar.

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  15. I bought one brand new in 1977 and just picked one up yesterday that's in beautiful shape for $90. It needs some action lowering but sounds just like my first FG-335. I love these guitars!

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  16. Someone is selling one of these in my area through kijiji. Asking an over-ambitious $300 CDN for it. Been listed for over a month. Wonder if the seller is ready to haggle.

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  17. Bought an FG-335 for $100 CDN (a little over 70 US) a couple of summers ago. Plays beautifully and sounds beautiful too.

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