Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
I've been interested in these guitars since they were announced. We've all had or played an FG at some point - the stalwart of Yamaha acoustics. The 9 series was announced as a premium line about a few years ago. Initially it was just the FG but quickly the FS joined the lineup. The understated looks got my attention - simple purling and binding, kumiki style fret markers. Knowing Japanese making, I surmised they went with the understated looks/mean machine ethic.
They come with Adirondack tops, in mahogany or rosewood flavours, contact pu or without. Bone nut/saddle, ebony bridge, board, pins, Waverly style Gotoh 510 tuners. Satin finished neck (very soft V going to C), gloss nitro body. Bolt on neck.
I got a chance to play the FS and FG recently, both mahogany. Gawd damn...
Had the FS in my hands initially. As it's a 000 style guitar, so it's meant to be a good all rounder, and it is - midrange for days, with a good balance of bass and highs. Was expecting it to be good and wasn't disappointed, great for fingerstyle, but no slouch with strumming. Wow.
The FG...is a beast. I've always struggled to find a dreadnought that is dynamic and good for finger picking - many come across to me as underpowered in this aspect (need to be driven hard to sound best), and overall kinda scooped sounding. So I've avoided them. Not this one. It's fat, but clear.
Both guitars are amazing, really. They're super responsive, with great sustain and overtones (like when you depress a sustain pedal on a piano, sound just keeps going), very sweet sounding plain strings, which stay fat and round high up the fretboard (can't say that about many acoustics). Good intonation up there also, as one would hope. I was surprised at the FG's versatility, it can do all the dreadnought stuff with panache, but because it's so dynamic and sensitive, it's not confined to what you'd expect for the type. I'm totally seduced. They sound like they're pre-eq'd, very smooth, even and responsive. They seem to have achieved a good medium between the bracing style and wood thicknessing to give these qualities. Build quality is also perfect. Of the two I played, the FS did have higher action, don't know if it's intentional for the model or not.
So, if you're looking for a booteek quality acoustic with a higher end factory price and don't care about names or traditional sound profile, they're worthy of attention.
They come with Adirondack tops, in mahogany or rosewood flavours, contact pu or without. Bone nut/saddle, ebony bridge, board, pins, Waverly style Gotoh 510 tuners. Satin finished neck (very soft V going to C), gloss nitro body. Bolt on neck.
I got a chance to play the FS and FG recently, both mahogany. Gawd damn...
Had the FS in my hands initially. As it's a 000 style guitar, so it's meant to be a good all rounder, and it is - midrange for days, with a good balance of bass and highs. Was expecting it to be good and wasn't disappointed, great for fingerstyle, but no slouch with strumming. Wow.
The FG...is a beast. I've always struggled to find a dreadnought that is dynamic and good for finger picking - many come across to me as underpowered in this aspect (need to be driven hard to sound best), and overall kinda scooped sounding. So I've avoided them. Not this one. It's fat, but clear.
Both guitars are amazing, really. They're super responsive, with great sustain and overtones (like when you depress a sustain pedal on a piano, sound just keeps going), very sweet sounding plain strings, which stay fat and round high up the fretboard (can't say that about many acoustics). Good intonation up there also, as one would hope. I was surprised at the FG's versatility, it can do all the dreadnought stuff with panache, but because it's so dynamic and sensitive, it's not confined to what you'd expect for the type. I'm totally seduced. They sound like they're pre-eq'd, very smooth, even and responsive. They seem to have achieved a good medium between the bracing style and wood thicknessing to give these qualities. Build quality is also perfect. Of the two I played, the FS did have higher action, don't know if it's intentional for the model or not.
So, if you're looking for a booteek quality acoustic with a higher end factory price and don't care about names or traditional sound profile, they're worthy of attention.
