Vintage Yamaha? Need Help Identifying.
 

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So there's a guy on my local craigslist selling a Yamaha acoustic. He wants $130 (could probably talk him down even more). He just has it listed as "acoustic guitar for sale". I can't tell if this is an older model or newer one. I don't want to ask for a model number and have the guy research it for himself. Can anyone tell what it is? Year? Model? Is it worth the $100 or so bucks? I've always admired older Yamahas from a distance. Ive heard they have their problems, but a lot of people swear by them. If anyone has any info (I know the three pics he posted are pretty bad quality), it would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Pretty hard to tell from the pictures, but you can see it has an oval label.
Yamaha started using oval labels around 1977 or so. Before that they were square like my 1972 FG200. So it is probably from the late 70's or 80's.
Looks like it is a smaller body FG model. At any rate, if it's in good shape,
you can't go wrong for $100.

I believe that to be a FG-332.

MIJ '82-'85.

Of course, that's my best guess, but it seems to be a FG-150 body style, with that oval tag this seems like a possibility.

That looks like an early 80's model. Maybe a F-331 or the like.

If it is an early 80's 331 model or similar body style, then $100 would be a decent price if it's in decent condition.

Wow you guys are fast. Thanks for the replies. Yeah i was looking at the fg 331 and fg 332 you guys claimed , and the body seems to be more similar to the fg 331 (slightly smaller). A guy on another website is claiming theyre made in China, is this true?

Yes, most likely made in China. Definitely not Japan.

Ok thanks. I'll have to think about this one.

It does look kind of like an FG-331. I had one years back. It had a nice wide finger board at 1.75" at the nut. They are made in Taiwan. I had a bone nut and saddle put on mine. It was a nice player and sounded good. I'd be wary though since old Yamaha's are prone to needing a neck reset and it's virtually impossible to get the neck off since Yamaha used some kind of indestructible super epoxy to glue the dovetail joint. I'd say $100 is about right if it's a good player.

It looks like an SJ-180 to me. My first guitar, 1980 or so.

I wouldn't discount China/Taiwan Yamaha guitars, just because they're not made in Japan. Unless current collectible value is paramount. There are some lesser-known, but superb, Yamaha 'players' out there. The red labels are imo the best-known gems -- but there's many others. I got mine for the price of a pair of sneakers. It's virtually unknown, and the best guitar I own. Hesitation will often cost you the prize. Best of luck with your gas.