Yamaha FG Serial Numbers, Interior Markings, and Labels – 1966 to 1981

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.  

12/30/23 – I’ve done a MAJOR rewrite of this original VERY long and confusing single page article.  It is currently ONLY available in the forum.  I’m hoping breaking it into multiple pages, along with the many additions and improvements, will help people better understand the complexity of the changes Yamaha made in only 16 years.  Yamaha FG Serial Numbers, Labels, and Interior Markings | Yamaha Vintage FG Acoustic Guitars (boards.net)

I’ve left the original article here for reference.  I will probably replace it in the future, but it will take MANY hours of work.

JAPAN MADE YAMAHA FG’S

FOR INFO ON TAIWAN MADE FG’S SEE ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN THE PAGE.

What got me started was a curiosity of what the early (1966-71) Japan built FG 6 & 7 digit serial numbers meant.

  • I’ve read the first digit in the serial number is the year, then a 2 digit month, 2 digits for the day, and the rest is a unit number.
  • That didn’t work for a few guitars I found.
  • So the 6 & 7 digit serial numbers must not be related to date the guitars were built.

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.

  • The date code is located on either side of the lower bout.  Sometimes both or on the end block.
  • The format is YY.MM.DD.
  • The year isn’t the normal year we are used to. It’s the Japanese year based on the reign of the current Emperor. In this case it’s the SHOWA period, the reign of Emperor Hirohito, which started in 1926. Year 1 is 1926, therefore year 41 is 1966. 41.6.18 would be June 18, 1966.  Japanese Emperor Date Codes
  • This date code was probably stamped when they made the sides, not when the guitar was assembled. I’ve seen a few of guitars where the date code is partially under the kerfing.
  • Some guitars did not get a serial number or it has faded over the years, so the only way to know about when the guitar was made is by this date code.
  • It seems not many people in the US know about the date codes, although they must be better known in Japan.
  • The date code isn’t always visible thru the sound hole.
  • The best way to find it is to put a flashlight inside the guitar and use the camera on your cell phone to look around inside. Another option is a USB endoscope that is plugged into your cell phone. The visual quality isn’t as good as the cell phone camera but the length and flexibility allows you to get closer.
  • The date codes are in most vintage Yamaha guitars, except for most FG-75/FG-75-1’s, some rosewood models (the wood is too dark to read it), and a few they forgot.  I’ve only found (2) FG-75 date codes, I have examined many and there were no visible internal markings other than the serial number.
  • There is typically a single larger number ink stamped on each of the sides. I had assumed those are detail numbers so they use the right side pieces for that model guitar, but I’ve found many inconsistencies, it’s probable they are inspection marks.
  • The Date Code is typically next to one of these large numbers.

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.

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.

The first FG’s were built in 1966 (Green label):

  • In 1966 Yamaha opened the Tenryu factory in Hamamatsu to produce the new FG series. Previously, all guitars had been made by other companies.
  • The first models were the FG-150 & FG-180, starting in August 1966 (by the date codes), until February 1967.
  • They have Green labels and were made for Japan only.
  • The serial numbers for the FG’s continued with the existing consecutive number system used by the Dynamic series.
  • The earliest Green label serial number I have found is an FG-180 with 499751, no date code.  It’s possible this one was made in July 1966.
  • The earliest Green Label date code I have found is 41.8.8 with serial number 523328.
  • The latest Green label serial number I have is an FG-180 with 611587 (no date code).
  • I’ve found 60 Green label serial numbers, and 22 of them have date codes.

The FG’s were first exported in 1967 (Red label):

  • The Red label is identical to the green label, except for the color and the small piano changed to the familiar 3 tuning fork symbol.
  • The earliest Red Label serial number & date code set I’ve found is an FG-150 with 599XXX & 41.12.2. It looks like there was a 2 month overlap with the Green label.
  • The latest Red Label 7 digit serial number I’ve found is an FG-180 with 20315XX (no date code).
  • The latest date code is an FG-180 with 47.8.7 (no s/n), built in 1972.
  • I’ve found Nippon Gakki Red Labels with 8 digit serial numbers ranging from an FG-180 with 10001471 (which makes no sense) & no date code, and the latest an FG-150 with 20831404 (no date code) (8/31/1972). I’m assuming these Red label 8 digit serial number models were models made for Japan, since most of guitar production moved the Taiwan in mid-1971.
  • I have found a few Red label Nippon Gakki FG’s without a visible serial number.
  • I have found 2 slightly different Red labels. The early version was used for about the first 8 months. “YAMAHA GUITAR” is shorter and bolder, and the lines above and below are thicker.  Only the FG-150, 180 & 230 got the Early label, the FG-110 always has the common label.  Red Label FG’s, Differences Between the EARLY & COMMON Versions

         EARLY LABEL

      COMMON LABEL

JAPAN MADE YAMAHA FG’S AFTER THEM MOVED PRODUCTION TO TAIWAN

Nippon Gakki FG’s after mid-1972 (Tan label):

  • With the new factory in Kaohsiung Taiwan, Guitars made in Japan after mid-1971 were probably made for Japan only.
  • Starting in mid-1972 the labels are tan and rectangular, and are marked with the model number and “Nippon Gakki”.
  • They seemed to continue the 8 digit serial numbers up to mid-1973, then they changed to 5 digit numbers (YMMDD), basically the same as the export 8 digit (YMMDDUUU) numbers except there’s no unit number.
  • The 5 digit serial numbers may have started for special export models, such as the FG-360, and also shared by the domestic models.
  • The earliest Tan Label 8 digit serial number I’ve found is a FG-150 with 20325463 (no date code). That’s 5 months before the last Red label, lots of overlap.
  • The latest is an FG-260 with 30420318 (no date code).
  • The earliest 5 digit Tan Label serial number is an FG-580 with 30426.
  • The latest is an FG-170 with serial number 50116 (no date code).

  • I have very little data on the Nippon Gakki Black labels, 22 total. The earliest is an FG-150F with serial number 40510 (no date code).  8 months before the end of the Tan label.  The latest an FG-150F with serial number 60725 (no date code).
  • The earliest Orange label Nippon Gakki I’ve seen is a FG-600S with serial number 40418 & date code 49.3.7, which makes no sense because it’s 1.5 years before the next earliest Orange label I’ve found (FG-151 51006). It seems some of these were made during the time of the Tan label Nippon Gakki’s.  And the Orange label continues beyond 1981.
  • While my primary focus has been the Export models, I’ll have to watch for these more closely.

TAIWAN MADE YAMAHA FG’S

The first FG’s made in Taiwan (Red label):

  • Red labels were used at the new Kaohsiung Taiwan factory from mid-1971 until late 1972.
  • The labels are nearly identical to the Japan FG’s Red labels except without the words “Nippon Gakki” and the tuning fork symbol moved to next to the model number.
  • The Taiwan Red Label FG’s were made for export, while the Tan Label Nippon Gakki FG’s where made for Japan.
  • They initially only had serial numbers located on the neck block, 7 consecutive numbers (no relation to date), preceded with a “T”.
  • The earliest I’ve found is T0008132 but I’d assume they started with T0000001.
  • The earliest serial number/date code set I’ve found is T0015094 & 60.7.1 (1971).
  • In mid-1972 8 digit serial numbers (YMMDDUUU) were added on the brace under the end of the fretboard.
  • The first 8 digit serial numbers I’ve found are 20510248 (5/10/1972) & T0135230.
  • The Taiwan made FG’s also have internal date codes, but they are based on the Minguo era, the reign of Kim II-sung, starting at his birth year of 1912, which is year 1. Therefore year 60 would be 1971.  Republic of China (Taiwan) Date Codes
  • Some FG models were produced by both locations, with the label, serial numbers, and date codes being the only difference.
  • All models have the headstock logo “YAMAHA”.

  

The Taiwan FG’s after late 1972 (Tan label):

  • Taiwan models made from late-1972 to early-1975 have a rectangular tan label, very similar to the Nippon Gakki label of the same period.
  • They have 2 sets of serial numbers. An 8 digit serial number (YMMDDUUU) is on the brace under the end of the fretboard, and a sequential 7 digit number beginning with “T” on the neck block.

  • For the first 2 months (very late 8/72 to very early 11/72) the label was shorter than the Nippon Gakki label, with only the model number, no location. I only have 51 serial numbers with this label, ranging from 20828013 to 21107695. Oddly I’ve found 8 guitars that have 8 digit numbers 201XXXXX, but the T number but puts the guitar in the range of 210XXXXX. This error looks to have been fixed by 21014XXX. I’d assume there are some serial numbers outside this range but probably not more than 2 weeks total. These are very rare.

  • Then they changed the labels to the same size as the Tan Nippon Gakki labels except they say “Made in Taiwan”.
  • The earliest serial numbers I have are 21101470 (11/1/1972) & T0225201.
  • The latest 30913106 (9/13/1973) & 0363286.
  • In mid-1973 they dropped the “T” from the 7 digit serial number, somewhere around 30609XXX & 033XXX.

  • Late 1973 they were changed the location to “Made in Taiwan / Republic of China” which lasted until late 1974.
  • The earliest serial numbers I have are 30827407 (8/27/1973) & 0384456.
  • The latest are 40831302 (8/31/1974) & 0590827.

  • Mid 1974 the reversed the location to “Republic of China/Made in Taiwan” which lasted until the models changed in 1975.
  • The earliest serial numbers I have are 40521403 (5/11/1974) & 0536866.
  • The latest are 50830182 (8/30/1975).

  • The Yamaha Guitar Archive data says these models ended in 1974 but the last Tan label serial number I’ve found is 50830182 (8/30/1975).
  • Initially the headstock logo was the 3 tuning forks inside of a circle, but at the beginning of November 1973 “YAMAHA” was added, assumed for brand recognition.

In 1975 the Taiwan FG’s models changed (Black label):

  • Added -1 (in small characters) after the model numbers.
  • The labels were changed to Black and say “Republic of China/Made In Taiwan”.
  • I have found a few Black labels that say only “Made In Taiwan”. I’ve only found 6 of them so far, and they are evenly scattered between August 1975 and October 1976.
  • The labels are shorter and wider than the Tan labels.
  • The serial numbers are 8 digits on the brace under the fretboard (YYMMDDUUU) and a 7 digit number on neck block.
  • The earliest serial numbers I have are 50604395 (6/19/1975) & 0716558.
  • The latest are 70330055 (3/30/1977) & 1046333).
  • The Yamaha Guitar Archive data says these models started in 1974 but so far I’ve found Tan label serial numbers as late as August 1975, and I haven’t found a Black label earlier than June 1975.
  • All Black label Taiwan models have the headstock logo with the 3 tuning forks inside a circle with “YAMAHA” underneath.

The COMMON Black label saying “Republic Of China/Made In Taiwan“.

The RARE Black label saying only “Made In Taiwan”.

New models starting in 1977 (Oval label):

  • The export (from Taiwan) models have a White oval label.
  • The Japan only (Nippon Gakki) models have an Orange oval label.
  • The Taiwan serial numbers are 8 digits on the brace under the fretboard and a 7 digit number on neck block.
  • The earliest I have are 70130074 (1/30/1977) & 1003893.
  • This serial number system continued until 2001.
  • The Japan serial numbers continue to use 5 digits on the brace under the fretboard.
  • All models have the headstock logo “YAMAHA”.

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