Yamaha - FG3 Dreadnought Guitar
The FG3 dreadnought-style acoustic guitar delivers full, punchy low end, well-suited for strumming and flatpicking, while its 1960s aesthetics are complemented by modern craftsmanship.
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The Nantel Verdict
The Nantel Verdict
Solid spruce top paired with rosewood back and sides; robust low-end response characteristic of dreadnought geometry; modern Yamaha construction techniques ensuring consistency and durability; 1960s-inspired bracing pattern optimizes resonance without sacrificing structural integrity.
Substantial body requires proper posture and shoulder support during extended sessions. Standard dreadnought strap and case compatibility. Minimal setup needed—ships well-adjusted. Consider a quality humidifier for climate control given solid wood construction.
The FG3 delivers serious dreadnought character at a responsible price point. Players invested in strumming-driven styles or bluegrass flatpicking will find a genuine workhorse that ages gracefully and projects without pretense.
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FG3
The FG3 dreadnought-style acoustic guitar delivers full, punchy low end, well-suited for strumming and flatpicking, while its 1960s aesthetics are complemented by modern craftsmanship.
- Semi-gloss finish on the body
- Scalloped bracing provides warm, powerful tone with deep lows and rich harmonics
- Acoustic Resonance Enhancement (A.R.E.) treatment imparts the sound and sustain of aged wood
- All-solid construction with a Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides
- Ebony fingerboard and bridge
- Hard bag included
FG/FS Red Label Series
Modern Inspiration and Timeless Design
The FG heritage extends back to the 1966 release of the FG180, the first production acoustic guitar by Yamaha. In the more than half-century since, we have balanced traditional guitar craft with a spirit of constant refinement, pursuing our vision of the ideal folk guitar.
Powerful Vintage Tone
A custom-treated, solid Sitka spruce top paired with solid mahogany back and sides deliver genuine aged-wood tone and sustain.
A scalloped bracing pattern offers louder, more balanced tone.
Classic Style
Inspired by the iconic Yamaha "red label" guitars of the 1960s, FG/FS Red Label guitars feature high-quality components to deliver a beautiful, vintage aesthetic.
Atmosfeel™ Pickup and Preamp System
Yamaha's Atmosfeel three-way pickup system provides a remarkably natural plugged-in sound.
Classic V-Shaped Headstock
The guitar retains the original FG headstock shape, adorned with the iconic "tuning fork" logo. The traditional truss rod cover is emblazoned with "Since 1966" to mark the launch of the first FG models.
Solid Sitka Spruce Top
Commonly sourced from Canada and Alaska, solid Sitka spruce offers a rich midrange and low-frequency response. The sound is tight and focused, working particularly well for chordal strumming or rhythmic fingerstyle performance.
Solid Mahogany Back and Sides
Mahogany has a slower transient response than many other tonewoods, contributing to a warm and woody tone with strong midrange.
Bone Nut and Saddle
The made-in-Japan FG(X)5 and FS(X)5 instruments feature a bone nut and saddle. Bone is a harder material than urea, providing a more efficient transfer of energy from the strings to the neck and body.
The result is a louder and clearer sound.
Scalloped Bracing
In defining the sound of FG/FS Red Label, our intention was to offer a warm tone that would be ideal for modern folk music and singer-songwriters.
With careful measurement and experimentation, we made several refinements that would enhance low-frequency response without compromising durability. These changes are optimized for the natural characteristics of the tonewoods and each body silhouette.
Acoustic Resonance Enhancement (A.R.E.)
The exclusive Yamaha A.R.E. process utilizes heat, humidity and atmospheric pressure to accelerate the aging of the wood and gives the instrument a rich, vintage-quality tone as if you've been playing it for years.
Atmosfeel™ 3-Way Pickup and Preamp System (X Models)
The Atmosfeel pickup and preamp system uses a piezo sensor in the bridge to capture low frequencies, a microphone for low and midrange, and our proprietary, thin synthetic sheet soundboard transducer for high frequencies. The result is a full, natural sound with simple controls that make it easy to get great plugged-in tone.
Simple and Intuitive Controls for Each Performance Style (X Models)
Atmosfeel™ preamp controls let you blend the microphone sound into the premixed pickup sound. The microphone sound particularly complements solo performers and chordal players, while a lower blend may be preferred by fingerstyle players and guitarists who need to cut through a full band.
The bass knob controls a peaking EQ. The center frequency rises when boosting and lowers when attenuating, so that low frequencies, which could be problematic on stage, can be removed but never added.
| Body Shape | Dreadnought Style |
| Scale Length | 634 mm (25”) |
| Body Length | 505 mm (19 7/8") |
| Total Length | 1030 mm (40 9/16") |
| Body Width | 412 mm (16 1/4") |
| Body Depth | 100-118 mm (3 15/16”- 4 5/8”) |
| Nut Width | 44 mm (1 3/4”) |
| String Spacing | 11 mm |
| Top Material | Solid Sitka Spruce A.R.E. |
| Back Material | Solid Mahogany |
| Side Material | Solid Mahogany |
| Neck Material | African Mahogany |
| Fingerboard Material | Ebony |
| Fingerboard Radius | R400 mm (15 3/4") |
| Bridge Material | Ebony |
| Nut Material | Urea |
| Saddle Material | Urea |
| Bridge Pins | Black ABS with White Dot |
| Tuners | Open-Gear Chrome (Y1D) |
| Body Binding | Black + White |
| Soundhole Inlay | Black + White |
| Pickguard | Black |
| Body Finish | Semi-Gloss |
| Neck Finish | Satin |
| Electronics | None |
| Controls | None |
| Connections | None |
| Strings | Elixir NANOWEB 80/20 Bronze Light |
| Accessories | Hex Wrench |
| Case | Hard Bag |
Yamaha is a Japanese multinational corporation with over a century of experience manufacturing musical instruments, audio equipment, and professional sound systems. The company has established itself as a trusted name in acoustic guitars, known for consistent quality, reliable construction, and instruments that balance affordability with performance.
Yamaha's FG series represents the brand's commitment to delivering authentic acoustic guitar experiences. The line is recognized for warm tonal characteristics, solid build quality, and accessibility to players across skill levels, from beginners to seasoned musicians.

