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  #46  
Old 07-05-2012, 06:56 PM
brian9955 brian9955 is offline
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The neck looks fine to me. I could send pictures but not sure if you could tell from that. I am basically trying to get this back to playing condition as cheaply as possible since I am giving this away as a surprise gift. I do see some bone saddles on ebay for under $10. I may decide to get one of those and look around for a good guitar expert.
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  #47  
Old 07-05-2012, 07:07 PM
TwoMartinMan TwoMartinMan is offline
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The saddle on mine measures 2 7/8" long by 1/8" wide.
To see if the neck angle is ok, place a straight edge (ruler) down the middle of the fretboard on top of the frets. If the neck angle is good, the straight edge should line up with the top of the wooden bridge. If it strikes the bridge too much below the top, you will have a high action on the guitar, which will make playing more difficult.
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  #48  
Old 07-05-2012, 07:34 PM
brian9955 brian9955 is offline
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ok perfect. Just checked and it looks like the action is good.
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  #49  
Old 07-05-2012, 08:10 PM
TwoMartinMan TwoMartinMan is offline
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Great. It's probably going to be worth putting a few dollars into. I know mine is really nice. Great sound. Yamaha always did know how to make a great laminate guitar. The FG-331 is one of their best.
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  #50  
Old 07-11-2012, 06:54 PM
brian9955 brian9955 is offline
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Update...

I took the guitar to the local Sam Ash and had the guy take a look. He's charging me $65 to place the bone saddle and set the guitar. Not too bad. He said the guitar appears to be in good shape and having no strings on the guitar really didn't affect it.

Total investment is up to about $85.
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  #51  
Old 03-03-2013, 01:06 PM
BergenCountyNJ BergenCountyNJ is offline
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I had 2 FG331's, but donated one. They do have a great sound, and as someone else said, they "sing," but I also have a 335 that sings with rhythm! It's such an easy guitar to play that I just bought another one yesterday. It was on Craigslist, 30 minutes away, and on a lark, I decided to check it out. $120. The gentleman who sold it to me bought it new in 1971, but "never got into it." He also never changed the strings, which were black (no BS!), and still it sounded great, played easy, and looked brand new...not a single ding anywhere, no scratches, and a perfectly smooth soundboard and finish all-around. Someone must be watching over me. You don't have that kind of luck on a normal day. If I had pics I would post them.
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  #52  
Old 10-13-2014, 03:54 PM
dadmire dadmire is offline
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I'll revive this old thread.......

I just picked up an FG331 in very good condition.

Small bodied comfort.....vintage style and grace.....nice mellow tone with Martin 80/20's.

She was born on August 22, 1979.

Very very nice guitar, regardless of the price.

David
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  #53  
Old 10-13-2014, 04:00 PM
AmericanEagle AmericanEagle is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TwoMartinMan View Post
I managed to pick up...for a ridiculous price...a like-new, 1979 Yamaha FG-331. The dimensions are close to a triple 0 with a one piece soft V shape neck, 1 3/4" nut width, w/b/w/b/w binding around the top and back, full gloss finish, and beautiful D-28 style purfling down the back of the body. I'm assuming the top is laminated since the Yamaha website does not say it is solid. (Very little info on the website.)

This is one beautiful guitar. It has a bass projection better than many solid topped dreadnoughts I've played. It really sings....and that's with the stock plastic nut and saddle. I plan to replace those with bone and some bone pins, too. Sustain and note separation are excellent.
This thing has sat in its case in a closet for 30 years and looks like the day it was bought new. I can't get over how great it sounds and plays.
I'll post some photos ASAP.

When some guys say "They don't make 'em like they used to"...I think this is what they must mean.

Anyone out there have or seen one of these FG-331s?...or know any more about them?
I have an old Yamaha FG-401 and it is excellent.
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  #54  
Old 10-13-2014, 04:32 PM
leatherguy leatherguy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dadmire View Post
I'll revive this old thread.......

I just picked up an FG331 in very good condition.

Small bodied comfort.....vintage style and grace.....nice mellow tone with Martin 80/20's.

She was born on August 22, 1979.

Very very nice guitar, regardless of the price.

David
Hey David...are you familiar with the FG 110? Other than the white binding on the 331, are they different in other ways?
I have the 110 (two of them actually) and have my eye on a 331, just wondered if it's worth pursuing.
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  #55  
Old 10-13-2014, 09:40 PM
dadmire dadmire is offline
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Originally Posted by leatherguy View Post
Hey David...are you familiar with the FG 110? Other than the white binding on the 331, are they different in other ways?
I have the 110 (two of them actually) and have my eye on a 331, just wondered if it's worth pursuing.

I have no experience with a FG110....sorry!
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  #56  
Old 07-07-2019, 11:04 PM
RGWelch RGWelch is offline
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I just inquired about an FG-331 available locally and asked the seller to send a photo of the nut with a tape measure on it. Looks like it's a 1-5/8" neck, which was disappointing as I prefer a bigger neck, 1.72" or 1.75" preferably. If I want an OM/OO or similar body, with larger size nut that would be similar to a FG-331 in terms of sound quality in an all laminate, or solid top, which Yamaha models should I look for?

I'm looking for a good beater guitar, something that I can play fingerpicking, and take anywhere without worrying much about it. Budget is probably going to be $200-$250, playability and reasonable sound quality are important. The scale can be full or short, not as important as the neck size. What are the better model Yamaha models I might look for in this range? I don't think a parlor would be ideal, I want something a little more versatile, so anything from an OO/OOO/OM to a GA would be ideal, but not a dread.

For reference, I like Alvarez guitars a lot, but I'm wondering if I can get more for the money in this range with a Yamaha, I'll certainly consider it. If not, I'll probably look for an Alvarez AF30.
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  #57  
Old 07-08-2019, 06:27 AM
stormin1155 stormin1155 is offline
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My FG-160 has a 1-11/16" nut width. They are quite plentiful. I got mine for $80 off CL. It holds its own quite well against my solid wood guitars.

I've bought several guitars through Guitar Center's used online section. There is almost always a good selection of old Yamahas. You can usually get pretty good information regarding condition and playability over the phone, and if you don't like it, you can return it to any GC. You have to be careful, as many need neck resets. There is what appears to be a nice 331 at the Raleigh store for $270.
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  #58  
Old 11-26-2019, 01:51 PM
RLS1948 RLS1948 is offline
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Default fg 331

I recently bout a 331. An indicates it was built in 1979.
My question is mine has gold turners. Looked cat several pictures, they have silver tuners. Could my good be original. Thx for information
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  #59  
Old 11-26-2019, 02:00 PM
Everton FC Everton FC is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RLS1948 View Post
I recently bout a 331. An indicates it was built in 1979.
My question is mine has gold turners. Looked cat several pictures, they have silver tuners. Could my good be original. Thx for information
Mine's a '77. Has silver tuners.

These are great little guitars. Mine had no neck issues, when purchased. A miracle! Enjoy!!
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  #60  
Old 07-29-2023, 11:54 AM
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Mayfair Mayfair is offline
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Resurrecting an old thread to say thanks to you all for providing so much info about these! Just found one at GC and took it home. Might do a NGD post soon.
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