#1
|
|||
|
|||
Can I save £400 by buying a bone nut and saddle? Yamaha FSX3 Vs FSX5
Hey all,
I've decided to get one of the Yamaha red label guitars after some really good advice from you all on here (thanks!). I'm looking at the Yamah FSX3 or FSX5. The main differences between them are that the more expensive FSX5 has a bone nut and saddle, is made in Japan and has a wooden pickgaurd compared to the China made FSX3 which has a plastic nut/saddle/pickgaurd. The woods, dimensions and pickup system are the same. Obviously the subject of craftsmanship comes into this but as I understand it the instruments from Yamahas China factory are superb. To complicate matters more I've also heard that the parts for both are machined in China, it's only the assembly that differs (although this information was gained from a comment on here so not sure how true that is). Over in the UK the difference between the two models is £400-£500. Would buying the cheaper model and upgrading the nut/saddle/bridge pins be the clever thing to do? I could even order a custom made pickgaurd for around £40 and make it unique. I would love to hear the thoughts of people who have played both. Cheers! KS |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Haven't played them either, just reading and listening. I was also under the understanding that they are assembled in Japan but prepped in China, hence the relatively low price, when compared to the cheapest Japanese made L (L26 series) they are substantially more money than the F5 series, I believe this is because they are made entirely in Japan, necks are shaped there etc and a higher grade of wood is used.
So, my 2 cents based on logic and word of mouth, you're on the right track, I would get the bone nut and saddle. My LL16 is made in their China factory, it's flawless, the finish and construction amazing, have yet to find a fault. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
I just ordered an FSX5, and had asked myself the same. But from my research, it seems the 5 series saddle is thicker, and thus the bridge is slotted differently. Not knowing if there are precuts for either that I could *maybe* work with, I figured the cost of materials and a luthier would negate enough of the difference in cost of the 3 vs 5 to be worthwhile.
I had also read and watched videos stating (almost unanimously) that the 5s seems to have a more 3D air to it versus the still excellent sounds emanating from the 3 series. So we each have to decide for ourselves if that ~$200 bump is worth it..
__________________
Yamaha FSX5 𝅘𝅥𝅮 Yamaha CSF3M 𝅘𝅥𝅮 Gretsch Jim Dandy Charvel SoCal 𝅘𝅥𝅮 Charvel San Dimas 𝅘𝅥𝅮 Epiphone 335 𝅘𝅥𝅮 Telepartscaster |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
It is your call, but I am very happy with my Yamaha FSX3. I don't think you will be able to hear one bit of difference between a bone saddle and the urea saddle. This is just my opinion of course. There will others on here who will disagree. But you have to keep in mind that there are people who actually think that bridge pins also affect the sound of the guitar. Maybe a dog might hear the difference but I serious doubt that the human ear can. Just my 2 cents. I think you will be very happy with the FSX3 guitar. And if you want to, you can have a bone saddle and nut put on the guitar. It really shouldn't cost that much. I think the most important thing you should spend your money on after you get the guitar is having someone do a set up on it. It should only run around 50 to 60 bucks. I had mine set up and the saddle was just a little unlevel on it. So no matter which one you get,I would do that.
__________________
Eastman E10ss Eastman E20D-tc Last edited by baw3; 11-12-2020 at 01:52 PM. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I recently played a FSX3 and I have an FS5 and they are both well made. Sound wise, I would have to give it to the FS5 as having a nicer woodier classic tone. However, I didn’t play the other for too long. The FS5 is my guitar and I am used to the sound. I haven’t played an FSX5. For the small difference, I would likely go with the 5. However, it depends on what you want it for. If you want the guitar to gig, amplify and plug in, it likely doesn’t matter which one, as I believe they both have the same pickup. Once you use a pickup, the quality of the guitar doesn’t matter too much anymore as it doesn’t capture the best acoustic properties like a mic does a better job of (even then it depends on how it is mic’d) If you want the best unplugged sound, the 5 is probably the better bet. My opinion... Martin
__________________
***************************** Gibson L-00 Standard 2018 Yamaha FS5 2020 Gibson J-45 Standard 2020 |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Commenting on the FGX5...wrong guitar...sorry?
__________________
Jim Dogs Welcome......People Tolerated! |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Sure you can save £400, minus the nut, saddle, strings, and labor if you can’t do the upgrades yourself. Although even with the mods they are still separate guitars and their will be differences in sound, feel, and quality. Will the difference be tangible? Only you can answer that.
It’s like the difference between Fender Strats. MIM and American Standards. You can swap all the parts on the MIM to MIA and it’ll be a fine guitar (although the MIMs are pretty good on their own). There are folks that do this to save a few bucks and are quite happy. In the end though, the MIM is still a MIM, not a MIA.
__________________
Martin D-35 Martin 000-18 |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Thanks for the input so far. My gut is saying go for the 5. The extra money is something I won't think about in 6 months to come - the guitar I aim to play every day for years! |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Definitely the FSX5 or FS5!
Quote:
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=547877 I believe in getting the best that you can afford. Go for it!
__________________
Martin 00-15M (2019) Yamaha FS5 Red Label (2019) Faith Venus Blood Moon Burst (2018) Taylor GS Mini Koa (2017) Martin LX1 (2009) |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Edited by member.
Last edited by AH Acoustic; 02-08-2021 at 05:21 PM. |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Can I save £400 by buying a bone nut and saddle? Yamaha FSX3 Vs FSX5
Quote:
Yes. That’s correct! The 3 comes with a well padded gig bag. The 5 comes with a very nice hard shell case.
__________________
Martin 00-15M (2019) Yamaha FS5 Red Label (2019) Faith Venus Blood Moon Burst (2018) Taylor GS Mini Koa (2017) Martin LX1 (2009) Last edited by Cool555; 11-13-2020 at 01:02 AM. |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
That sounds like the correct choice.
__________________
Keith Martin 000-42 Marquis Taylor Classical Alvarez 12 String Gibson ES345s Fender P-Bass Gibson tenor banjo |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
I just checked the guitars out on Sweetwater and Yamaha. The x5 comes with a hsc, if you buy from them. My bet is the x5 is the better made and sounding guitar also.
__________________
Barry Sad Moments {Marianne Vedral cover}: My SoundCloud page Some steel strings, some nylon. |
|
Tags |
fg3, fg5, fsx3, fsx5, yamaha |
Thread Tools | |
|