The purpose of this article is to solve the mystery of the early Yamaha FG serial numbers, internal markings, and labels. And to be able to fairly accurately determine when they were made.
Yamaha doesn’t know exactly when the earliest FG’s were made. Everyone has been guessing for years. I’ve been collecting data and in most cases can tell when a guitar with a 6 or 7 digit serial number was made (within a month or so).
The facts presented are based on personal observations, data collected, and data donated. They don’t always agree with Yamaha’s Guitar Archive data. And there are still a few assumptions. This article will be updated as I find further information. The latest update has been 3/12/2022.
Vintage Yamaha G235 Classical Acoustic Guitar Natural
What got me started was a curiosity of what the early (1966-71) Japan built FG 6 & 7 digit serial numbers meant.
While the serial number is visible, although not always usable to determine the date of manufacture, there is a Date Code ink stamped on the inside of all early FG’s, except most FG-75’s. This date code will be very close to when the guitar was built. Typically 3 to 6 weeks before it’s finished.
Once I discovered the internal date codes I knew I could compare known 6 & 7 digit serial number/date code sets with other serial numbers and make a good guess as to when other guitars were made. Currently I am up to 2600 serial numbers and 400 date codes. I got started by searching and asking for serial numbers and date codes and putting them in a spreadsheet. I’ve also recorded the link of where I found the data, just in case I had to go back. Which I have many times as I’ve found more changes and differences.
Newer Model L Series Ll10
Finding serial numbers isn’t too hard. Search & ask. But the date codes are needed as reference points. Those are hard to find. I found a Japanese guy on YouTube who made videos of himself playing many early FG’s, and he mentioned the serial number and date code most of the time. He also has a website (in Japanese) dedicated to the FG-150. A few curious people I’ve asked have found date codes inside their guitars, but I can’t expect most people to go that far. When I find vintage FG’s locally on CraigsList I will ask if I can see the guitar and take pictures. But they’re very rare.
After recording serial numbers I realized I could probably figure out when the various labels changed, based on the pictures on the pages I saved the links for.
What got me started was a curiosity of what the early (1966-71) Japan built FG 6 & 7 digit serial numbers meant.
While the serial number is visible, although not always usable to determine the date of manufacture, there is a Date Code ink stamped on the inside of all early FG’s, except most FG-75’s. This date code will be very close to when the guitar was built. Typically 3 to 6 weeks before it’s finished.
Once I discovered the internal date codes I knew I could compare known 6 & 7 digit serial number/date code sets with other serial numbers and make a good guess as to when other guitars were made. Currently I am up to 2600 serial numbers and 400 date codes. I got started by searching and asking for serial numbers and date codes and putting them in a spreadsheet. I’ve also recorded the link of where I found the data, just in case I had to go back. Which I have many times as I’ve found more changes and differences.
Newer Model L Series Ll10
Finding serial numbers isn’t too hard. Search & ask. But the date codes are needed as reference points. Those are hard to find. I found a Japanese guy on YouTube who made videos of himself playing many early FG’s, and he mentioned the serial number and date code most of the time. He also has a website (in Japanese) dedicated to the FG-150. A few curious people I’ve asked have found date codes inside their guitars, but I can’t expect most people to go that far. When I find vintage FG’s locally on CraigsList I will ask if I can see the guitar and take pictures. But they’re very rare.
After recording serial numbers I realized I could probably figure out when the various labels changed, based on the pictures on the pages I saved the links for.
What got me started was a curiosity of what the early (1966-71) Japan built FG 6 & 7 digit serial numbers meant.
While the serial number is visible, although not always usable to determine the date of manufacture, there is a Date Code ink stamped on the inside of all early FG’s, except most FG-75’s. This date code will be very close to when the guitar was built. Typically 3 to 6 weeks before it’s finished.
Once I discovered the internal date codes I knew I could compare known 6 & 7 digit serial number/date code sets with other serial numbers and make a good guess as to when other guitars were made. Currently I am up to 2600 serial numbers and 400 date codes. I got started by searching and asking for serial numbers and date codes and putting them in a spreadsheet. I’ve also recorded the link of where I found the data, just in case I had to go back. Which I have many times as I’ve found more changes and differences.
Newer Model L Series Ll10
Finding serial numbers isn’t too hard. Search & ask. But the date codes are needed as reference points. Those are hard to find. I found a Japanese guy on YouTube who made videos of himself playing many early FG’s, and he mentioned the serial number and date code most of the time. He also has a website (in Japanese) dedicated to the FG-150. A few curious people I’ve asked have found date codes inside their guitars, but I can’t expect most people to go that far. When I find vintage FG’s locally on CraigsList I will ask if I can see the guitar and take pictures. But they’re very rare.
After recording serial numbers I realized I could probably figure out when the various labels changed, based on the pictures on the pages I saved the links for.
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