70’s Yamaha FG-580. The Cadillac of the FG line

[Rambozo96]

Picked up at the pawnshop this afternoon for 4 bills and the action was still good. Solid top with what is rumored to be Brazilian rosewood B+S a lovely grain and I think the finish maybe nitro with the little checking lines. This thing has low end that hits like a loaded Mack truck

 

[Stuball48]

Beautiful and be careful playing it around fine crystal.

 

[Rambozo96]

Beautiful and be careful playing it around fine crystal.

It’s a beautifully balanced guitar. Not too unlike my DV52

 

[Stuball48]

It’s a beautifully balanced guitar. Not too unlike my DV52

Then, it is a fine guitar. I have owned two DV52s and both were tremendous. Sold both to upgrade.

 

[GGJaguar]

Very nice, congrats!!

 

[SFIV1967]

@Rambozo96 : You should be able to exactly date her using the Shōwa conversion table:

Japanese Emperor Date Codes

See Yamaha FG Serial Numbers, Interior Markings, and Labels – 1966 to 1981 for more information. Many Yamaha guitars without valid serial numbers have ink stamped date codes on the inside. Japanes…

yamahavintagefg.com

Ralf

 

[Guildedagain]

A rare guitar.

Some very fine MIJ guitars show up at pawnshops for sometimes ridiculous prices sometimes.

I went back to look at a very worn FG-180 I was thinking about picking up as a present for someone, and snagged this instead for $120. It's probably at the very pinnacle of my MIJ dreadnought collection.

The 3 piece back and sides are all solid woods, quite possibly Brazilian, has the nicest body tone/resonance when you tap on the back, it's like a tuned drum.

 

[bobouz]

That Mateo brand was one I’d totally forgotten about. They were in quite a few stores here in the Northwest back in the day. As for those ‘70s Yamahas, many of the FG models were produced in Taiwan - not sure about the higher-end FG-580.

 

[Rambozo96]

That Mateo brand was one I’d totally forgotten about. They were in quite a few stores here in the Northwest back in the day. As for those ‘70s Yamahas, many of the FG models were produced in Taiwan - not sure about the higher-end FG-580.

As I understand the FG-580 was handmade in Japan

 

[bobouz]

As I understand the FG-580 was handmade in Japan

Yes indeed, made in Japan. I did a bit of research on your model, as I’ve always been partial to FG series Yamahas. Finding one in such good condition is rare & a great score. My first guitar was a FG-160. Always loved the unique FG body shape & elegant tuning fork headstock logo (before they added YAMAHA). Congrats & Enjoy!