YAMAHA/NIKKO GAUKI 12

[SHAYNUS90]

HEY, last time I was in my local pawnshop I could not help but notice a twelve string witch appears to be a yamaha but it has nikko gauki or something similar written on the inside label. I have been looking for a twelve string for a while now and was wandering if any one knows if this instrument is any good and what i should be paying for it if it is worth buying.

Thanks shaynus.

[VintAxe]

Hey SHAYNUS90,

Nippon Gakki is just the parent company of Yamaha. There is a company history here if you are interested in such things.



As far as value goes, I need to know more than just "12 string". If it has a label it should have a model number. Yamaha produced 12 strings at a variety of price points. The value likely ranges between $100-$300 USD depending on the model and condition.

[SHAYNUS90]

The model number is fg-230
Thanks for the help.

[VintAxe]

That helps.

The FG 230 was introduced in 1969 and discontinued in 1972 so at least now we know it is an old model. For the models of this era, the larger the model number, the greater the value since they used higher model numbers on their more expensive instuments. The highest model number is FG 2500. From this we can conclude that the FG230 was a budget 12 string.

As far as current value, you should probably watch eBay to see what budget Japanese 12 strings are selling for. I would be shocked if it was worth more than $200 USD but I really don't track the prices of acoustic guitars very closely.

In my experience with Yamaha acoustics, the playability is good for a student grade instrument. The sound is OK, but not great. I still have my Yamaha FG 160 that I purchased with paper route money in my youth. I still remember entering the Acoustic guitar room and seeing Yamaha acoustics from floor to ceiling for as far as the eye could see. Millions of these guitars were imported, hence the low value these days.

[SHAYNUS90]

Thanks

[Blair]

I believe that's a red label Yamaha. With the Niko G...... name there. They are in high demand and worth a fair amount of moey. I'm trying to find the price for a 1971 Red Label Yamaha FG180 that I may be buying. I will probably have to spend 300 or more for it. So I would try to reserch it some more and it's worth getting. Or so I'm being led to believe. I've been told to get one if I find one and plan to get this one depending on what he's asking for it. People compare it sound wise and playing wise to the martins of the time. The Red labels were made from 1968 to 1972.