Yamaha FGX5 Red Label Acoustic Electric Guitar
Vintage Yamaha acoustic tone & feel, with modern updates.
Here at Town Center Music, we've often had the good fortune to set up & adjust vintage red-label Yamaha acoustic guitars from as far back as the late 1960's. We can say from first-hand experience: there's something magical in these instruments. Even those intended to be "budget" models carry a sonorous tone that far outpaces its' original price tag. The care & craftsmanship really shines through, and can absolutely be favorably compared to guitars from other brands made in the same era.
With their FG Red Label series, Yamaha has captured much of that vintage magic and enhanced it with modern techniques like scalloped top bracing and their signature A.R.E. torrefaction treatment of their woods. These techniques elevate tonal possibilities of the FG series, and (once again) place them firmly in the class of instruments from other manufacturers, often at a fraction of the price.
About Yamaha's Atmosfeel 3-way pickup/preamp system
The Atmosfeel 3-way pickup & preamp system uses a piezo sensor in the bridge to capture low frequencies, a microphone for low- and mid-range, and our proprietary new sheet sensor pickup for high frequencies. The result is a full, natural sound with simple controls that make it easy to get great plugged-in tone. With the Microphone Blend control fully clockwise, the signal is approximately 50% mic, and 50% the combination of the piezo and sheet sensor. When fully counterclockwise, the mic is removed from the signal.The microphone sound particularly compliments 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 raises when boosting and lowers when attenuating, so that low frequencies which could be problematic on stage can be removed but never added.
About Yamaha's A.R.E. Process:
A.R.E. (Acoustic Resonance Enhancement) is an original wood reforming technology developed by Yamaha. Through precise controll of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure, the molecular properties of the wood can be manipulated into a more acoustically ideal condition, similar to the molecular characteristics of woods in instruments that have been played for years.
Features
Handmade at Yamaha Music Craft in Hammamatsu, Japan
Traditional Western body shape is a Yamaha original.
Classic FG headstock shape and tuning fork logo
Solid Sitka spruce top for increased resonance
New scalloped top-bracing enhances low-end and is tuned for a powerful sound
A.R.E. treatment of the top wood gives warmth and sustain
Solid mahogany back and sides produces a warm and woody sound
African mahogany neck w/ ebony fingerboard delivers comfort and tone
Ebony bridge offers rigidity and tonal balance
25” (634mm) scale length makes for a more comfortable playing experience
Ebony bridge pins add warmth, sustain and volume
New Atmosfeel pickup and preamp system offers transparent tonal control
Master Volume, Bass EQ and Microphone Blend controls allow fine tuning of sound
GOTOH open-gear vintage style tuning keys
Wood grain-style pickguard
Semi-Gloss body and neck finish
