Re: Opinion on 70s and 80s Japanese guitars (Fender, Yamaha, Takamine etc)

That's a lot like trying to rank prize fighters who lived 50 years ago in
comparison with the current top contenders. Tough.

The Japanese invasion started really rolling in the mid to late 60s when
Yamaha introduced models like the FG-140 and 180. In very short order those
killed outfits like Harmony stone dead. The Harmony Sovereign was up 'til
that time the first choice of pickers who wanted a sturdy, relatively well
made flat top which had a passable sound. When the FG-180 arrived, even
though it was all ply as opposed to the solid woods in the Harmony, it
sounded better ( to most ears), played easier, and was much more
cosmetically 'slick'. It was certainly better built.

While not really great guitars, those early models from makers like Yamaha
in particular did represent outstanding dollar value, and they held to that
theme for a couple of decades. It would be very difficult indeed to find
another instrument which offered a better combination of sound, playability
and reliability for less money during that same period.

As time went on the Japanese builders tried to move up-market, and had
several spectacular failures in the upper price range. Yamaha offered some
beautifully made all solid instruments in the FG-1500 and up series, all
made with outstanding materials, but they fell far short of being first
rank guitars due to some silly design errors. Tops buckled, necks
separated and generally they just did not offer a similar bang for the buck
as did their less costly counterparts.

In the late 70s or early 80s I was involved in the development of a then-new
series of all solid wood guitars from Yamaha. That line started with the
modestly appointed mahog. and spruce L-5 model and progressed through the
still plain rosewood and spruce L-10 though to the much more ornate (
gharrish to many eyes) L-25.

The bottom two of that series, roughly equivalent to Martins' D-18 and D-28
in materials and appointments ( L-5 and L-10) were perhaps the greatest
bargains ever offered in an all solid instrument. They came in very good
hard shell cases and were modestly priced. Unfortunately they did not do
well in the market and didn't last long.

The line was modified as production moved from Japan and gained flashy trim
while losing the original character.

In the few years immediately before production started moving to Korea,
Taiwan etc. and away from Japan, the folks at Yamaha were determined to
make acoustic guitars which would compete on an even footing with the best
in the world. They repeatedly targetted Martin with new models, and sought
the advise of individual independent product consultants like myself in each
major market area.

During that time they were a delight to work with, since they responded
swiftly and accurately to suggestions based on sound judgement and
experience. Having worked for Martin in the 70s I found the Japanese
attitude in that area a delightful change.

These days many factories around the globe are utilizing modern
manufacturing technology to produce some remarkable instruments at very
affordable prices. In the 'budget' category which the original poster asks
about, I think the main factor for consideration is the same now as it was
then; is the end result a good buy for the price? In many cases it is
indeed.

Just as in the 60s, 70s and '80s there are some very good values available
today, and there are some dreadful junkers on the shelves. Overall, I'd
have to say I think that the 'average' budget priced guitar of the current
day is a superior instrument to a similar one from the 60s through 80s.

KH


"Jay" <me@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:qjqhi.14364$p8.4030@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I recall an article in one of the guitar magazines a few years ago which
extolled the virtues of Japanese factory steel strung guitars such as the
above, before production was moved to Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, China
(possibly in that order?).

I just wondered what you guys made of this - is it true that the Japanese
guitars are generally really good - and also how they compare to the
'good' budget guitars of today - not the same makes, but for example Simon
and Patrick et al.

Thanks for any info.
J.



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