I think I’ve just begun this journey. I recently bought a 1973 Yamaha FG-160 and I’m blown away with how incredible it sounds. I’ve played many guitars costing much more and I’d put it up against any of them. The character and tone from this guitar is off the charts. 49 years of maturing will do that I guess. Great collection and great shirt. 👍🏻
Hi Bob, thank you for the video. I love what I would call the "Golden Era" of Japanese guitars. I was lucky enough to walk into a guitar shop in Santa Barbara CA in 1980 as a 21 year old kid with not alot of money, my intention was to buy a Ibanez like my next door neighbor had, but the guy at the shop was kind enough to take the time to explain to me about guitar construction and what to look for. As I was playing that Ibanez and I said I'll take this one....He say's now hang on, let me show you this guitar and I want you to play it. He had just taken it in on trade, I was floored how good it sounded. Well I walked home with a Hohner HG-920 All aged wood Arbor series guitar. I tried to find any information or see another in a music shop and NEVER found anything until the advent of the internet, well long story short I collected the entire series and it took me many years to complete but well worth it. I agree with you there are some great guitars that came out of Japan at that time. Thanks again Bob, happy playing to you Sir.
Those are all beautiful. I love them and the shirt. I have a 66' (I think) Ventura Bruno V-20 Japanese made guitar. My favorite acoustic I own. I prefer that guitar to my Martin.
I have a 1972 Dorado guitar. A Japanese dreadnaught copy of a Martin D28. An excellent looking and sounding guitar. I used to work for Baldwin Piano Co. here in Cincinnati and they were a distributor for Dorado. I was young and purchased it, but I never really appreciated what a great sounding and easy playing guitar it is until fairly recently.
I am blown away learning that Tama made guitars. I’ve been playing guitar for yeaaarrrs but I started a drummer and my first serious kit was a Tama. And I’ve always been a fan since. So I’m elated to hear those guitars. They sound beautiful. Great video and your shirt speaks the absolute truth. God bless you!!
Fantastic video. Love the direct comparison as well Mike. I have a TAMA TK 50, and as of yesterday, I incredibly have my original TAMA TG 80 back after more than 30 years. Saw it in a music shop in Tasmania at 16 years old, and it was love at first sight. Bought it new ($570 down from $750) a few weeks later after working my butt off on a farm dawn-to-dusk carting hay. I unwisely sold it to a friend when I was 25 on the condition that if she ever wanted to sell it I'd buy it back. Instead, she hocked it for $40. I was devastated. Over the years I'd look for the occasional one for sale. Really hard to find a good one that wasn't on the other side of the world. Finally, yesterday, I found one - and not only that, in brilliant condition and in Melbourne (Australia), where I'd last had mine after moving there, so shipping would be cheap. As I spoke to the guy on the phone re putting down a deposit and told the story, he went 'Hmmm, uh huh, hmm...' and finally, 'Where and what year was this? '1990.' He said, you know, people are always saying 'You've got my old guitar', and we never have. But this guitar has just been retrieved, dirty but in excellent condition underneath, from the back room of a hock (pawn) shop where it had been sitting in its hard case for more than 30 years. I think that he was just as blown away as I was. Checking the online photos I recognised the tiny dings that were just below the the bottom left of the sound hole - it really was mine. I bought the TK 50 (the TG's little bro, and still an excellent guitar), as I missed the TG so much. Now I have both, along with the original catalogue and maintenance guides! By the way, the reason that I bought the TAMA was not just the sound - there was a TAMA 12 string and a range of other guitars in the shop as well. It was the overall design, with TAMA having moved away from the original totally Martin-esque headstock to the Mexican abalone and stacked 'T'. I've still never seen a finer looking guitar. It easily equals the sound of friends' Martins. My old TG 80 will be back in my hands in a month and I cannot wait. Long story I know, but not a bad one.
Great story Jules.. ive just purchased a TG 80 from the original owner whum bought it New in 1979. Wow what a fantastic solid body guitar.. superb Build & sound quality. Up there with my Yamaki Joodee & S Yairi models. 1970s MiJ Dreadnaughts.. Got to be the best kept secret in quality vintage Guitar History lol Im Glad you got your Guitar back ..good Karma.👍
MAN, that is a great story, Jules. From Florida, I'm SO happy for you! I just bought a Yamaha FG 345 from the daughter of the man who bought it new in 1977, and it doesn't look like it's ever been touched, but it has - he was a great blues player with many bands, and his daughter is the same. I feel so lucky. Like, JULES kind of luck, but that's great luck. Happy for you.
What color is the TG-80 my dad has an all mahogany satin finish TG-80 that is an absolute beast of a guitar. I will have it one day and I personally own a TAMA 3558. It is amazing also but not like the TG-80. That thing would blow anyone’s mind.
love your shirt, I just picked up a Madeira A30-M. Get it in a few days and pretty excited. Designed by Guild, solid body pieces cut in North America, shipped to Japan for assembly
What color is your TG-80? My dad has a dark brown I think it’s mahogany. And it’s the best guitar I have ever played and I have some very high end guitars. I don’t think with exception of my D55E can touch it. I want to find one and buy one even though I will end up with it at some point.
Circa 1973 I bought a guitar called a Nagoya that was a D-28 clone imported by a VA-MD pair of local stores called Veneman Music. It was a fantastic guitar, and I wish I still had it.
Thanks for the video, it's Don here from Hamilton NZ, Iv'e never heard of Mountain acoustic guitar's, but they sure sound nice, particularly the one with the brass nut,😊😊
Great info on some amazing guitars! The mountains looks beautiful, especially that top of the line model. I’m researching what to get next to play at church and as soon as I think I’ve decided I see another video like this and I’m back to square one, lol. Would love more videos on the acoustics if you ever have time 😁
Alas, it isn't a big secret anymore that those end seventies/ begin eighties Japanese steel strings are a steel and can concur with the higher end Americain made guitars. You already see that prices are going up these days. Glad I discovered these hidden gems already 30 years ago. With 2 Tama dreadnoughts and an Artwood series one Ibanez twelve string (AW 95) I feel blessed!
I have a Yamaha L-5 that I purchased for about $150 in Yokosuka back in 1981. It's got the "orange" label (looks brown to me, like with a paper bag). It has laminated sides and back, but I've compared it to a friend's Martin GC MMV and they sound pretty comparable to my ears. I do wish that back in '81 I hadn't been so cheap and had sprung for an all wood model.
My 70s Yamaki AY331S and its incredible. Very resonant and full sounding. Rivals any Martin. And for much lower price. Got mine for around $300ish. Some scratches and dings but it just adds character.
Hi I have a kiso suzuki J200 BB 1970s copy of a Gibson J200 but the headstock has cf suzuki&co on it which looks very like cf Martin & Co, I bought it second hand 45 years ago and I recently had new tuning pegs, new nut and the first 6 frets refretted. I love this guitar I would never sell it. The Japanese certainly made some fantastic guitars.
Worked on a Tama acoustic not long ago with a bound bridge. Yup, you read that right... a BOUND bridge! Not a bad guitar. Also worked on a Toyota and a Shaftsbury that same week, although those were jazz guitars.
I have a Sagadia Dread from 1974. It sounds fantastic but I had to mess with the bridge to get it to intonate. It is a D18 copy and I love it. Solid sides and back but here’s the thing: it is a super thing ply soundboard which sounds utterly beautiful.
This just came up on my notifications. I love these guitars. I'm of a similar vintage to you, and bought some of mine new in the seventies. I have a Yam FG 345 I bought in '77 that sounds amazing, but really needs a neck reset. Apparently they can be a pain to do. Love the shirt. Thanks and blessings.
@@truthray2885 I nearly bought one of similar vintage to mine, but with a good action. It went for over £550. Mine had reached the limit of the truss rod after 15 yrs or so. Bridge saddle was on the limit a few years later. I've just used it for slide for years. Mine has the S suffix for solid top, some are laminate apparently. Having played one, I couldn't tell the difference. Ta.
I had the chance to get my hands on a Ibanez 1975 12 string Humminbird and it sound better then my Guild F410 12 string 2009. Also have a Aria 1975 Dove copy just incredible sound…
All terrific guitars .I love Japanese guitars as well both acoustic and electric.I've owned and currently own some. Anyhow my preferences are the Mountain you use at church and the Tama that was second to last .Thanks for sharing .
I own a Yamaha FG 360 that I bought almost 50 years ago. It was made in Japan and everything is original as it’s never had any work done on it. It still looks and sounds great. They don’t make them like that anymore.
I have a vintage Tama that I've Been trying to value. The sticker inside the guitar reads, 8558 with a serial number 56741. Can't find any such numbers from my online searches. Any suggestions?
I didn't know where mountain guitars came from but I bought one for $500 in 1989 or so. I was a working musician in the SF Bay area. When I left the west coast I gave it to my friend. He's still playing it! Solid top but plywood otherwise!
I love Guitars I previously had twelve different Martin guitars,But I've fell madly in love with Taylor guitars,I kept only my 1980 Martin D-28 and I had several D28S including a twelve string and a HD-28 I also had three D-35S and a D-45, Two of my buddies that played in church came in with Taylor guitars and like me at one time strictly Martin die hard men,They told me the Taylors sounded and played better than Martin and I said your crazy but when I played those Taylors I had to sadly admit the Taylors one,And now I own 614ce,614ce Builders edition,814ceDLX v brace,816ce,914ce, K-24ce, Baby Taylor,And I had a 418ce and my buddy kept trying to buy it man he loved that guitar and so did I,But he wouldn't let up and I sold it to him and I'm still crying over that guitar I sure wished I kept it,My 1980 Martin D-28 is the best sounding and playing Martin I've ever had my hands and ears on,I also have Epiphones guitars that are suprising Really easy and really great sounding guitars for a much cheaper guitar there worth every penny,I've had Collings,Gretchs, Gibson's,Guilds,And many other very expensive brand names guitars,I fell in love with Taylor guitars I'm probably the world's Taylor lover guitars,In my opinion as nd in all the different guitars I've been owned, Taylor are my in love Guild co mm es in second Martin and Gibson you have to play many to get a good one,I just don't like the sound of other high end guitars Collins and many other handmade supposed to be guitars are no way worth Ten thousand dollars in my opinion,My Taylors are very expensive but worth every penny,My 914 ce just sounds so much better than the D-45 and the way it feels and plays,I am very very picky abouty guitars and I only buy or keep guitars that I'm in love with.This Martin D-28 and my Taylors will be with me till the day Im buried.I love your collection and I love listening to other guitars lovers ,I will have another Taylor pretty soon,Just trying to get it past my wife I'm thinking a900 series twelve fret and a 900 series twelve string,I'm hoping to have them in the next few weeks,My wife says I already have too many guitars but she just doesn't understand,It's guitars,Jeeps,And my dogs Mildew and Whopper and Jetta my buddy the cat.And a ole Hank Williams song and some Johnny cash.
I collected old Yamahas. Some great guitars. I collected Epiphone Masterbilts. Even better.....but if im going to ever collect handmade american acoustics, it will be Collings, Santa Cruz, etc. Ive played a few Collings, Santa Cruz's, as well as guitars built by Mallory Penland. The Collings I've played would impossible to beat with any Gibson, Martin, Taylor etc.
Hello Bob and thanks for your video. I have a Mountain W-800 and I'm trying to find out something about it - might you know something you could tell me? Thanks, Michael
@@sel7832 As I know nothing about it, anything you may know would help! Value, rarity, construction, etc. my email is pahlwest at yahoo dot com - thanks!
thank you for your demo. I have a japanese knockoff called "Rapsody" and it is a boomer. probably a copy of martin d28. It sounds heavenly. I got it for a little over a 100. I love your T-shirt. Keep praising the Lord my brother.. Love in Christ. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength," Philippians 4:13.
Praise the Lord!! Aannnnnd... make a joyful noise unto him! Two fantastic Japanese guitars I've run into over the years are the Daion dreadnaught, seen 2 and 1 red Jumbo.. incredibly good! And the best Japanese acoustic I've ever seen and heard ( my buddy got it in a pawn shop 175 $) is a made in Japan Epiphone Excellente fantastic!!!
New Sub here !! WOW ! ....To have just one of your Guitar's would be Grand !!!!....Ok, How much would the "cheapest" Guitar you have Cost ?? I will Start Saving today !!! I know Every one of your Guitars are Surely Blessed !!!! ❤Big HugS Gee-Lee❤
Nice instruments and it is only medium level japan guitars! I also have collection. Kawase Master from late 60s is the best I ever heard. It has so brilliant readable high notes, it leaves everything behind. Master were made only from solid woods, in very limited amount, in Japan you can find it 2-3 times cheaper, than Martin, but it will be not so easy. Master from 70s good too, sadly lost that magic in hights, but has more balanced sound with more lower end, it is my main guitar which i playing. Yamaki medium models like F150 is greatest for the price, I think. I also like Matsuoka higher models 80 and 100, they are really cheap, I don't know why. 80 has so huge and bassy sound and 100 is clear and reach. Matsuoka also hard to find. Aria Dreadnought by Matsuoka are not so hard to find, but they are not so good. It is all about 70s, 80s is another story, the same models are lower quality.
People don’t really know what they have. I was hauling some junk outta a clients house and scored a free 1967 CBS Masterworks dred. After a cleaning and set up it was super shocking to hear the amount of sound coming from it. Kazuo Yairi Builder, Model Y-1050 with the makers signature in pencil inside. Should I loosen the new strings and put it away or play it with the rest of my guits?
Where do you come across the cf mountain guitars? You've got me wanting one or the very closest copy to a Martin D28 I can get without forking out Martin money. The market seems to have few options at the moment but I am patient to come across the right one for me.
what I most like exept the wonterful colection of your gitars, is the logo of your t sirt seing the universal trouth. in the end JESUS wins God bless you broter......Nick Dep I wanter if i can have somethig like that it will be wonterfoul.
Have you come across a Suzuki SC2A classical guitar in your travels/ history? Asking because I’m getting one for 15 bucks and hoping it can be a couch guitar
Just happened to come across this, I have a Crestline Acoustic from the 70’s that my parents bought me, I can’t seem to get another guitar with that sound and I haven’t seen another one like it either,mine has a screw on each side to adjust the bridge for lower the strings.
Hello!! Do you know about the Goya g-340 a part of cf Martin organization. It is made in japan. With a white lining on body and neck and at the back of the. Guitar it’s has a nice 2 lining. Thank you.
Hi Bob... Do you know anything about Morris guitars? I'm looking at their W23. Looks just like your dreadnoughts and wondering if it's a solid wood guitar. Guy is asking $250 and it looks to be in great shape, even though it's a 1967 model. All of your models sound great! Are they all solid wood?
Those guitars sound beautiful! The Japanese made some nice guitars, didn't they? I have a Kent Model 3501. The piece on the bottom where the strings come through the pegs is lifted off the body of the guitar. Is this worth getting fixed? It used to sound really well before this unfortunate thing happened to this lovely little guitar!
Hi: I think you are referring to the bridge ... actually, that is a fairly easy fix. Remove the saddle and put an iron on it where the wood is still sticking to the body (for a few minutes) and use a thin , non sharp blade to loosen it from the body. Once removed, scrap and then sand of all the old glue on both parts (bridge and guitar body) then take a sharp object and rough up both sides. Get 4 narrow bolts that will just fit through the peg holes with 2 washers and a nut for each bolt. Use lots of white carpenters glue on each side and slide the bolts with one of the washers on through the bridge through the 2 E's and the G & D holes then put on another washer and nut on the bottom end of all 4 bolts and tighten real tight. Put a small 1" square block at both ends of the bridge and then a 1" x 4" board over top both blocks and use a clamp on each end (one side of clamp on the board and one side right at the edge of the back of the guitar body and clamp snug (do not over tighten or you may crack the top and leave for 2 days. As soon as you clamp the board use a wet rag and wet Q-tips and remove all the glue that seeps out from under the bridge. Done !!!!
@@66fstbk2 Thanks for the insight. The bridge has two nuts and bolts that I could remove to fix it, but it's not going to be easy to tighten them back up. There's not a lot of room for tools to catch on the nuts.
Indeed! Jesus wins!!! A nice collection! Here in New Zealand, I once owned a Yamaha FG180, circa 1968. Currently I'm looking at a Rider Rider Custom R-1000D, maybe. Psalm 95: 1-7.
I bought a $25 acoustic when I was 12 and my dad told me if I stuck with it over a year he'd buy me any guitar I wanted...within reason! So, I somehow managed to get through the year on a true cheese grater! You could slice deviled eggs on that hunk! So, my brother in who's 18 years older than I am, got me into guitar and he took me to the "Trading Post" one of the nation's very best guitar shops, which is no longer in operation as far as I can tell. But, I ended up coming home with an absolute sweetheart!! FG365 S!! What an awesome guitar! It came with a hard shell flight case. I would put that up against a Martin D45 any day, it was that awesome!! At 16 I STUPIDLY traded it and those scum bums saw me coming a mile away! I STILL regret that and I'm 61 now, so many years between and still no cold comfort! My wife's uncle gave me a Yamaha FG340 in rare black! This guitar is an awesome seriously unappreciated guitar which I am glad for because they're so very undervalues and I'm going to get another one! I'm shopping for an Epiphone inspired by Gibson 12 string Hummingbird, an absolute killer!! I also want to replace a Seagull Maritime, yes, another stupid decision along with yet ANOTHER stupid decision as I also sold my beloved Beatle axe, an Epiphone Casino!! I sold those two guitars so I could by a RARE Epiphone "Masterbuilt" Excellente!! I cannot say enough about that guitar. J.P. Cormier loves them also and he says they should be valued and sold at $5,000!! Mine was one of just 30 total to come into Canada! It cost $2,000 CDN inc tax. Last week I picked it up and every damn string was buzzing up and down the neck! I have never seen such a drastic example! Nothing helped, I adjusted the truss rod NOTHING and finally sent it to the music shop where I bought it so they could ship to Epiphone and have their luthiers look at it. The local luthier tried to fix it but made it worse! He swapped out the saddle with a tall saddle and set the action at FULL RELIEF!! There was a highly noticeable gap on the 12th down to about the 6th and I was NOT happy and asked the guy if he thought that was acceptable? How could anyone play the thing with a neck like that and a total inability to adjust the truss rod? So, it's at Epiphone I imagine it will be some time before I hear back. In any case, if they replace the neck or fix it some other way it's getting sold! If I end up with a refund, I'm getting the Inspired Epi Hummingbird 12 string with either aforementioned guitars. Great guitar collection brother!! Oh, and JESUS ALREADY WON BROTHER!! Jack ~'()'~
Hello Bob and thanks for your video. I have a Mountain W-800 and I'm trying to find out something about it - might you know something you could tell me? Thanks, Michael
I just purchased a Citation acoustic for $30. It’s pretty dirty and has a small hole in the top. More like a deep dent! Also missing two tuning keys, the D & G . The neck seems to be decent. Does anyone know a site that deals with these. I am looking for history, specs and parts? Thanks!
I really liked your collection,What other guitars do you own? The brand name on the headstock doesn't mean nothing if it don't sound really good or play really good,I love Taylor guitars but I've owned some really great sounding cheaper guitars and I'm impressed with the Epiphone guitars and Yamaha but I've never heard of those brands you have the one you said you played in church it was an my favorite one you have but I really liked all of sorry for rambling on but my wife will not talk about guitars with me days everytime she does I go out and buy a new one,I really don't like to buy used guitars because I keep mine in a controlled humidity.If I get a guitar I buy them brand new or really check them out , Humidity can destroy a good guitar lots of guitar players and owners don't know about taking care in humidity weather,A dry or wet guitar can and will destroy them.God Bless you.
I would like to purchase the w500D guitar please. Let me know a price and i will let you know if i can do it. Also can anyone explain the quality difference or C.F mountain guitars and mountain guitars? what are the differences as the name is similar but i do now know which is better the CF mountain 38 or the w400D
