Yamaha FG-140

$159.95 Price Tier: Budget

4.0 (1)

1 Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Page last updated Jun 27, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 27, 2026.

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Price

5.0 (22)

$159.95 14 available Used

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Average Price: $160

Budget/Beginner

$200

$601+

Price Tier

In the Steel-string Acoustic Guitars category, Yamaha FG-140 is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Discover the classic charm of the Yamaha FG-140, a jewel from the revered FG series known for blending affordability with quality. Crafted in the '70s in Nippon, Japan, this acoustic guitar carries the legacy of the "Nippon Gakki" era, distinguished by its iconic red label within the soundhole. Its rich history, combined with a solid build, makes the FG-140 not just an instrument, but a piece of musical heritage that resonates with the soulful tunes of legends. Perfect for both budding musicians and seasoned players, the Yamaha FG-140 offers a gateway to the golden era of music with a touch of modern playability.

Key Features:

"Nippon Gakki" era, featuring the iconic red label
Solid mahogany back and sides for a warm, rich tone
Spruce top enhances clarity and resonance
Rosewood fingerboard for smooth playability
Celebrated by notable musicians such as Elliott Smith and Joe Bonamassa

Product specs

Brand	Yamaha
Model	FG-140
Finish	Natural
Year	1968 - 1972
Made In	Japan
Categories	Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp	No
Back Material	Mahogany
Body Shape	Dreadnought
Color Family	Natural, Tan
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Neck Material	Mahogany
Number of Frets	20
Number of Strings	6-String
Pickup	None
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Sides Material	Mahogany
String Type	Steel
Top Material	Spruce

FAQs

What are the tonal characteristics of the Yamaha FG-140?: The Yamaha FG-140 offers a warm and balanced tone, thanks to its spruce top and mahogany back and sides. This combination provides a rich, full sound that is well-suited for a variety of musical styles, making it a versatile choice for both strumming and fingerpicking.
Is the Yamaha FG-140 a good choice for beginners?: Yes, the Yamaha FG-140 is a great choice for beginners due to its comfortable dreadnought body shape and easy playability. The guitar's build quality and sound make it suitable for learning and progressing as a guitarist.
What is the neck profile of the Yamaha FG-140?: The Yamaha FG-140 features a comfortable neck profile that is designed to be easy on the hands, making it ideal for extended playing sessions. The mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard provide a smooth playing experience for both beginners and experienced players.
Does the Yamaha FG-140 have any built-in electronics?: No, the Yamaha FG-140 is a purely acoustic guitar without any built-in electronics or pickups. It is designed for traditional acoustic playing, focusing on delivering natural sound quality.
What is the body shape of the Yamaha FG-140, and how does it affect sound?: The Yamaha FG-140 features a dreadnought body shape, which is known for producing a bold and robust sound with plenty of volume and projection. This makes it suitable for both solo performances and ensemble settings.

Videos

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Yamaha FG 150 and FG140 comparison

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Yamaha FG140 / FG500 comparison DADGAD

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YAMAHA FG-140

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Yamaha FG-140 Red Label Japan (1972)

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1972 Yamaha Red Label FG-140 jumbo guitar

Jake Wildwood & Co

1970 FG140 Yamaha Red Label Nippon Gakki

C Matthew Williams

YAMAHA FG140 Red Label

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Reviews

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PROS

Rich, resonant sound reminiscent of vintage high-end guitars
Superior sonic quality, often compared to old Martin models
Great value for a vintage acoustic guitar
Loud and punchy, ideal for recording
Durable and tough despite its age
Clear and big sound, great resonance and sustain
Often described as playing like butter

CONS

Often requires a neck reset, which can be costly
Frets and tuners may need replacement due to wear
High action may require adjustments for optimal playability
Scratches and dings are common due to age and use
Potential high maintenance cost relative to purchase price

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha FG-140.

Setup and maintenance

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Action can be lowered by truss rod adjustment; neck reset may be needed for optimal playability.
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Some FG-140 necks utilize a dovetail joint, with occasional complaints about the glue quality, which could affect the seam's appearance.
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Mods and upgrades

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Replacing strip tuners may require drilling new screw holes; shop assistance is recommended for precision.
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User experience

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Owners note the FG-140 as a great couch or campfire guitar due to its durable build and sound quality.
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Owners report a soulful tone that improves with age, suggesting a maturing sound quality over time.
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Owners express a preference for the FG-140's neck setup, finding the action surprisingly good compared to other budget guitars with problematic bridge issues.
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Comparisons

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FG-140 is less collectible than FG-180 and FG-300, but offers a unique Yamaha sound distinct from vintage Martins.
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One owner found the FG-140 more frequently used than a Seagull S6, indicating a preference for its tone or feel.
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Build quality

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Red label indicates a Nippon-Gakki build, noted for using Spruce and Mahogany, which are considered decent woods for this line.
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The neck of the FG-140 is made with a 'stacked heel' design, which involves using multiple pieces of wood to conserve resources while maintaining structural integrity.
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Use cases and applications

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Despite being a bottom-line model, the FG-140 is appreciated for its playability and serves as a primary instrument for some users.
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The FG-140, particularly the red label version, is cherished for its unique tone, often becoming a go-to instrument for casual playing and practice.
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4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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skinnyonion

almost 9 years ago

Great, Acoustic Guitar

This Acoustic Guitar is really great for the price (around $250-300) ,It is all i really wanted for an Acoustic Guitar but mine is pretty old but still sounds amazing!

Artist usage

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Elliott Smith

Singer, Guitarist

Heatmiser

Verified via YouTube

Although it wasn’t seen played nearly as much as his FG-180, the FG-140 was used by Elliott for at least two performances, once at his interview with Breakfast Time, and the other during a performance of No Confidence Man that’s been floating around for almost two decades.

Chris LeDoux

Composer

Verified via YouTube

Live performance of "Country Star" in 1980.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Folk, World, & Country

Similar

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2 alternative and related items for Yamaha FG-140, curated by the Equipboard community.

Yamaha FG-180 Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

$299.00

1 available store

5.0 (7)

Vintage or Discontinued high-end alternative

The Yamaha FG-140 and FG-180 are both iconic guitars representing the "Red Label" era of the late 1960s and 70s, but the main differences lie in their pricing and decoration (binding). The FG-140 was introduced as a lower-priced version of the FG-180, and while it has simpler specifications than the FG-180, both share a crisp, powerful sound.

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Yamaha FG-150 Steel-string Acoustic Guitars

5.0 (1)

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound

The Yamaha FG-140 and FG-150 are both revered vintage "Red Label" Nippon Gakki guitars from the late 1960s and early 1970s. While they share similar materials and construction, they differ in size, tuners, and intended "pecking order" within the series. Here are the primary differences based on vintage Yamaha documentation:

Body Shape and Size: The FG-140 is a larger, full-size Dreadnought (sometimes called a "Jumbo" by Yamaha at the time). The FG-150 is smaller, often described as "Orchestra" or "000" size.

Tuner Buttons: The FG-140 was considered a lower-priced model and generally featured plastic tuner buttons. The FG-150 (along with the FG-180) typically featured higher-quality metal tuner buttons.

Production Era: The FG-150 was introduced earlier, in 1966. The FG-140 was introduced later, entering the U.S. market around 1968.

Position Marker Size: Early 150 models (1966-68) often had larger 5mm fret position dots, whereas the FG-140 generally featured smaller 3mm dots.

Tone/Sound Profiles: Due to its larger body size, the FG-140 is known for having a louder, more robust, and punchy sound, frequently lauded for its powerful projection. The FG-150 is recognized for being very easy to play with a more intimate, balanced tone, often favored for songwriting or recording.

Commonalities: Both models typically feature a laminated spruce top, laminated mahogany back and sides, a rosewood fretboard, a red Nippon Gakki label, and an adjustable truss rod.

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