FG/FS Red Label Series

Classic V-Shaped Headstock

The guitar retains the original FG headstock shape, adorned with the iconic "tuning fork" logo. The traditional truss rod cover is emblazoned with "Since 1966" to mark the launch of the first FG models.

Solid Sitka Spruce Top

Commonly sourced from Canada and Alaska, solid Sitka spruce offers a rich midrange and low-frequency response. The sound is tight and focused, working particularly well for chordal strumming or rhythmic fingerstyle performance.

Solid Mahogany Back and Sides

Mahogany has a slower transient response than many other tonewoods, contributing to a warm and woody tone with strong midrange.

Bone Nut and Saddle

The made-in-Japan FG(X)5 and FS(X)5 instruments feature a bone nut and saddle. Bone is a harder material than urea, providing a more efficient transfer of energy from the strings to the neck and body.

The result is a louder and clearer sound.

Scalloped Bracing

In defining the sound of FG Red Label, our intention was to offer a warm tone that would be ideal for modern folk music and singer-songwriters.

With careful measurement and experimentation, we made several refinements that would enhance low-frequency response without compromising durability. These changes are optimized for the natural characteristics of the tonewoods and each body silhouette.

Acoustic Resonance Enhancement (A.R.E.)

The exclusive Yamaha A.R.E. process utilizes heat, humidity and atmospheric pressure to accelerate the aging of the wood and gives the instrument a rich, vintage-quality tone as if you've been playing it for years.

Atmosfeel™ 3-Way Pickup and Preamp System

The Atmosfeel™ pickup and preamp system uses a piezo sensor in the bridge to capture low frequencies, a microphone for low and midrange and our proprietary, thin synthetic sheet soundboard transducer for high frequencies. The result is a full, natural sound with simple controls that make it easy to get great plugged-in tone.

Simple and Intuitive Controls for Each Performance Style

Atmosfeel™ preamp controls let you blend the microphone sound into the premixed pickup sound. The microphone sound particularly complements solo performers and chordal players, while a lower blend may be preferred by fingerstyle players and guitarists who need to cut through a full band.

The bass knob controls a peaking EQ. The center frequency rises when boosting and lowers when attenuating, so that low frequencies, which could be problematic on stage, can be removed but never added.