Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $1,620

High-end/Boutique

$200

$601+

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Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Yamaha FG5 Red Label Acoustic Guitar". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

The Yamaha FG5 Red Label Acoustic Guitar is where vintage charm meets modern innovation, offering a sublime blend of style and substance for discerning musicians. Born from the iconic 1960s Nippon Gakki Red Label legacy, this guitar is meticulously crafted in Japan, capturing the essence of Yamaha's storied past while integrating advanced features for today's players. Yamaha's A.R.E. (Acoustic Resonance Enhancement) wood torrefaction breathes life into the guitar, emulating the rich tones of a well-aged instrument right out of the box, ensuring every strum resonates with depth and clarity.

The FG5 boasts a solid Sitka spruce top paired with solid mahogany back and sides, delivering a full-bodied sound that's both rich and resonant. Whether you're strumming open chords or fingerpicking intricate melodies, this guitar offers a balanced tone across punchy lows, detailed mids, and sparkling highs. Yamaha's updated scalloped bracing enhances the sound further, projecting a louder, more balanced tone.

Designed with playability in mind, the FG5 features an African mahogany neck and an ebony fingerboard, ensuring smooth, comfortable navigation across the fretboard. The bone nut and saddle, alongside ebony bridge pins, provide excellent tuning stability and enhanced resonance, making it a reliable choice for any performance setting.

Key Features:

  • Solid Sitka spruce top with A.R.E. treatment for aged tone
  • Solid mahogany back and sides for rich sound
  • African mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard for smooth playability
  • Bone nut and saddle for enhanced resonance and tuning stability
  • Vintage-inspired gloss finish with open-gear chrome tuners
  • Updated scalloped bracing for improved tonal balance and projection

Product specs

String Type Steel
Number of Strings 6
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Body Shape FG Dreadnought
Back & Sides Wood Solid Mahogany
Top Wood Solid Sitka Spruce
Top Finish Gloss
Body Bracing Scalloped bracing
Binding Black/Cream
Neck Wood African Mahogany
Radius 15.75"
Fingerboard Inlay Dots
Number of Frets 20
Scale Length 25"
Nut Width 1.75"
Nut/Saddle Material Bone/Bone
Bridge Material Ebony
Tuning Machines Open-gear
Strings Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 Bronze Light, .012-.053
Case/Gig Bag Hardshell Case

FAQs

What kind of wood is used in the construction of the Yamaha FG5 Red Label Acoustic Guitar?

The Yamaha FG5 Red Label features a solid Sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides, providing a rich and resonant tone.

Is the Yamaha FG5 Red Label Acoustic Guitar suitable for fingerstyle playing?

Yes, the Yamaha FG5 Red Label's scalloped bracing and solid wood construction offer excellent resonance and clarity, making it well-suited for fingerstyle playing.

What type of strings come with the Yamaha FG5 Red Label Acoustic Guitar?

The Yamaha FG5 Red Label comes equipped with Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 Bronze Light strings, known for their longevity and bright, clear tone.

Does the Yamaha FG5 Red Label come with a case?

Yes, the Yamaha FG5 Red Label Acoustic Guitar includes a hardshell case to protect your instrument during transport.

What is the neck profile of the Yamaha FG5 Red Label Acoustic Guitar?

The Yamaha FG5 Red Label features a comfortable neck profile made from African mahogany, designed for smooth playability across different styles.

How does the Yamaha FG5 Red Label Acoustic Guitar perform in live settings?

The Yamaha FG5 Red Label delivers a balanced and powerful sound with its solid wood construction, making it an excellent choice for live performances.

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No Talking...Just Tones | Yamaha Red Label | FG5 - Vintage Natural

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Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional craftsmanship with a blend of hand and machine processes

  • Impeccable action and feel, highly praised by experienced players

  • Outstanding sound quality, rivals high-end brands like Martin and Gibson

  • Final assembly and setup done in Japan ensures top-notch quality control

  • Offers a unique balance of vintage design with modern enhancements

  • Unmatchable price point for the level of sound and build quality

CONS

  • Misleading "Made in Japan" label, as not entirely hand-built in Japan

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha FG5 Red Label Acoustic Guitar.

Mods and upgrades

  • Switching from Elixir to D’Addario strings has been reported to enhance the guitar's sound, providing a richer and more vibrant tone.

    Source
  • Many owners prefer installing a K&K pickup over using the stock FGX5's Atmosfeel system, citing better sound quality and cost efficiency.

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Comparisons

  • The FG5 is noted for having more bass and volume than the FS5 due to its larger body size, making it suitable for those seeking a robust low end.

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  • The FG5 is compared to Gibson guitars more than Martins due to its short scale, offering a different tonal profile than expected.

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  • The FG5 is noted for a more subdued tone compared to a Martin D18, which offers more bass and volume.

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  • The FG5 offers a unique sound that sits between a Martin D18 and HD-28, favored for its volume and tonal quality in group settings.

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User experience

  • Some players found the FG5's sustain to be exceptional, particularly when focusing on midrange punchiness.

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  • Some buyers have reported encountering issues with action being too high, affecting playability, especially on higher frets.

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  • A user experienced issues with projection after the saddle was shaved down during setup, suggesting the importance of proper saddle seating.

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  • Owners notice the wood's rich depth and iridescence in person, which is often underrepresented in online photos.

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Setup and maintenance

  • The FG5's action might require adjustment for optimal playability, especially for those transitioning from smaller-bodied guitars like the FS5.

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  • Lower tuning can help with playability and increase bass, although it may reduce volume.

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  • Some owners recommend using medium or medium-light phosphor bronze strings for improved bass response and overall volume compared to the factory Elixir 80/20 Lights.

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  • The factory action is good but adjustable; owners suggest lowering nut slots and possibly the saddle after a settling period.

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Use cases and applications

  • The FG5 is described as a "strum machine," suggesting it's ideal for players focusing on strumming over fingerpicking.

    Source

Build quality

  • Some owners find the FG5's finish uneven with cloudiness and visible sanding scores, though it doesn’t affect overall satisfaction with the guitar.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The FG5 is described as notably loud, with a sound reminiscent of vintage Martins, offering a scooped tone less dry than a Martin D18.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Yamaha FG5 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Yamaha's FG5 Red Label Acoustic Guitar strikes a fine balance between quality and price, boasting solid wood construction and a warm, vintage tone thanks to its Acoustic Resonance Enhancement process. While its comfortable playability and versatile sound make it suitable for various styles, some may find the action a tad high for their liking. Still, this well-crafted instrument is an excellent choice for beginners and semi-pros alike, rekindling the charm of the iconic red label series.

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