Yamaha FG-580 Acoustic-Electric Guitar – Natural – Nippon Gakki Japan – Used Very Good
The FG-580 sits near the top of the vintage Yamaha FG hierarchy and represents some of the finest work to come out of the Nippon Gakki factory during the golden era of Japanese acoustic guitar building. Produced from 1971 to 1978, it was one of a handful of handcrafted models in the FG lineup — a jumbo dreadnought built to a standard that Yamaha's more affordable models of the same period simply couldn't match. The solid spruce top is braced and graduated with genuine care, and the Jacaranda back and sides — a tonewood Yamaha used throughout this era that sits in Brazilian rosewood territory in both appearance and character — give the instrument a richness and complexity that rewards close listening. Whether the Jacaranda on these guitars is technically Brazilian rosewood or a close relative has been a matter of collector debate for decades, and we won't settle it here. What we can tell you is that it looks beautiful and sounds extraordinary. The neck is substantial but not oversized — comfortable and confidence-inspiring in the hand — and the ebony fingerboard and bridge are smooth and well-finished. The overall build quality is a reminder of just how seriously Yamaha took these instruments when they made them by hand in Japan fifty years ago.
This one has the big, warm sound that these guitars are known for — full and rich in the way that the best FGs of this era consistently deliver. The neck is straight as can be with a fully functioning truss rod, original tuners, and minimal fret wear. The action sits at 6/64 on the high E and 7/64 on the low E at the 12th fret with the first fret depressed — a touch above standard, and about as low as this particular guitar will go without further neck work. It has been fitted with a passive undersaddle pickup of unknown brand that sounds great, adding stage-ready amplification without altering the acoustic character of the instrument. There is a small binding repair near the nut on the bass side, and the finish shows some checking consistent with age, but the overall cosmetics are genuinely nice — the finish is in really good shape with no cracks or other repairs elsewhere. A great-sounding vintage Yamaha at a real-world price.
- Make: Yamaha
- Model: FG-580
- Era: 1971-1978
- Country of origin: Japan (Nippon Gakki)
- Body shape: Jumbo dreadnought
- Top: Solid spruce
- Back and sides: Jacaranda (laminate)
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Bridge: Ebony
- Nut: Original
- Saddle: Original
- Scale length: 25.6"
- Frets: 20, minimal wear
- Tuners: Original chrome
- Electronics: Passive undersaddle pickup, brand unknown, fully functional
- Action: 6/64 high E, 7/64 low E at 12th fret (first fret depressed) — at lower limit for this instrument
- Repairs: Small binding repair near nut, bass side
- Modifications: Passive undersaddle pickup installed
- Condition: Used Very Good – finish checking consistent with age, small binding repair near nut bass side, nice overall cosmetics, no cracks or other repairs
- Includes: None
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
