NGD-Yamaha FS5 Red Label (Made in Japan)

Cool555 · #1 05-27-2019, 12:32 AM

Hi Guys. So here’s my story. My apologies that it is rather long. I decided that it was time to get either a Martin 00-15M or 00-18. In order to get more opinions, I started a thread with a poll on AGF and 00-18 won at about 80 to 20%. So I started watching YouTube videos of the 00-18 and considered both new and used ones. Btw, I zeroed in on the 00-18 instead of the 000-18 because of my small stature.

I’m from Singapore and a used 00-18 is fairly rare. However, there was one available. I negotiated with the seller and gave her my best offer. She declined this offer. The next day, 20 May, this new YouTube review by Jarvis, “The Guitar Spa” of the Yamaha FS5 Red Label surfaced. I was aware that Yamaha introduced this new guitar but didn’t give it much thought. After watching the YouTube and listening with ear-phones, I was totally sold to the idea of getting this FS5 guitar. Only 24 pieces were available at the Yamaha GC.

I called Yamaha GC the next day only to find out that the FS5 was sold out. The last piece was reserved and will be collected during the weekend. Apparently, the YouTube video was made only about 2-3 weeks after these Yamaha guitars arrived. The sales guy told me the next batch would only arrive in about 3 month’s time. Boy was I disappointed! The next day (Thursday), I had this urge to call Yamaha to leave my contact and tell them to call me in the event that the person who reserved the last piece of FS5 decided not to buy it. To my pleasant surprise, the salesperson (not the same one) told me they had a FS5 in the GC. This is the piece that Jarvis set up and used in his YouTube review. I told him to reserve it for me and made my way there after lunch.

At the GC, I inspected the guitar and it was in pristine condition. Best of all, the set up was done. I then proceeded to play the guitar and that testing lasted for an hour and a half. There was also the FS3 (Made in China) one but as I had set my mind on the FS5, I strummed it a few times and decided I don’t want it as the action was pretty high.

My impression of this FS5 guitar is that it is very balanced in terms of its bass and treble. It has good resonance and sustain. The tone is sweet and quite “vintage” sounding, in a good way, unlike a new guitar. I play mainly strumming and a little bit of finger-picking and it’s good for either. This guitar goes well with my singing and vice versa. In terms of aesthetics, it is classy, simple, vintage-looking with no frails or bling. The semi-gloss finish has a smooth feel to it, unlike Satin-finish, which feels rougher. It is very well made with good workmanship as you would expect from a MIJ Yamaha. Nice hard cover case too.

Why did I buy this FS5 (Made in Japan) guitar instead of the Martin 00-18? It is half the price of a new Martin 00-18. Yamaha also allows customers to pay in 12 or 24-months installments, interest free. With regard to resale value, I’m pretty sure this guitar is a keeper. Thanks for reading this long-winded story!

Greetings from Singapore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RVb...&feature=share

Blueser100 · #2 05-27-2019, 03:37 AM

Congrats on a great guitar!

bls82261 · #3 05-27-2019, 03:49 AM

Very nice. Thanks for the review and also for the pics.

AndrewG · #4 05-27-2019, 05:00 AM

Very nice, and I'll be looking at the Chinese model when it arrives here. I notice Yamaha are using the same pattern tuners as on my old LL26. I also like how Yamaha have used the three tuning fork logo as on the Revstar electric series.
The whole thing looks very classy and understated.

Brucebubs · #5 05-27-2019, 05:14 AM

Great looking guitar ... and case.
Nice one.

YamahaGuy · #6 05-27-2019, 05:27 AM

What a great day! So cool you were able to get that one in particular too.

Paddy1951 · #7 05-27-2019, 06:18 AM

Very cool. Enjoy your new guitar.

Cool555 · #8 05-27-2019, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewG

Very nice, and I'll be looking at the Chinese model when it arrives here. I notice Yamaha are using the same pattern tuners as on my old LL26. I also like how Yamaha have used the three tuning fork logo as on the Revstar electric series.

The whole thing looks very classy and understated.

Actually buying the Chinese model is not a bad choice too because of the substantial savings involved. The only difference is that the Japanese model has bone nut n saddle, ebony bridge pins n end pin and a wooden pick guard. Everything else (wood material n so forth) is the same.

Edited: Just remembered that the Chinese model doesn’t come with a hardshell case but a hard case (padded semi-hard gig-bag like the LS16 bag).

But since I made the decision to get this Yamaha guitar, I just wanted to pamper myself as I already didn’t get myself the US-made Martin 00-18. So it had to be the Japanese-made FS5 guitar! LOL!

Cool555 · #9 05-27-2019, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YamahaGuy

What a great day! So cool you were able to get that one in particular too.

Yes, I feel so blessed getting the guitar with the set up done.

The Yamaha GC here doesn’t do set up for customers.

Jaden · #10 05-27-2019, 08:49 AM

Congratulations, beautiful guitar.

Nice to see the royal treatment given to the FS w/ hardshell case - a proper home for such an instrument.

marty bradbury · #11 05-27-2019, 09:49 AM

Sweet looking guitar. Enjoy!

SpruceTop · #12 05-27-2019, 10:10 AM

Thanks for posting your Beautiful New Red Label Yamaha! Now, you've got me interested in the new Red Label models!

Lesbark Wagmore · #13 05-27-2019, 10:11 AM

Your guitar sounds great on the Jarvis video. Enjoy.

What is the string spacing measurement (e-string to e-string) at the saddle?

lowrider · #14 05-27-2019, 10:11 AM

That's beautiful. Glad they found it for you.

I'll be checking them out when they arrive in the stores here!

Edgar Poe · #15 05-27-2019, 11:41 AM

Taking the guitar by it's own merits, it appears to be a VERY NICE GUITAR, However....

Does anyone but me, feel using the moniker "Red Label", seems like a bit of a cheesy way of taking advantage of vintage great guitars. I don't know if the new Red Labels stack up, but it just seems a bit deceptive.
I mean an entirely new guitar, and a square piece of Red paper is it's claim to fame. Isn't Yamaha better than that ? I have 3 original Nippon Gakki Red Label Yamaha's, a FG-140, and 2 FG180's. That Red label means a bit more to me a than a 3 inch square piece of paper. On top of that it's not even a good looking label.

Ed