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Yamaha Folk Guitar Series | Introducing FG Red Label

Yamaha Folk Guitar Series | Introducing FG Red Label

Atmosfeel | Pickup and Preamp Demo

Atmosfeel | Pickup and Preamp Demo

Yamaha

Description

Yamaha's FGX3 Red Label is a dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar features an A.R.E. treated solid Sitka spruce top and scalloped top bracing to help deliver a rich midrange and low-frequency response. Yamaha has paired the FGX3 with a solid mahogany for a boost of warmth, more woody tone and to bolster the midrange. The FGX3 Red Label dreadnought has also been equipped with the new for 2019 Atmosfeel 3-way pickup system which mixes piezo, mic and sheet sensor pickups for a full, natural-sounding plugged-in sound.

Timeless design with modern inspiration

Yamaha’s “Red Label” Folk Guitar series was first launched in 1966 as their first production of steel-string acoustics, which is considered by many as the iconic Yamaha acoustic line. Yamaha’s new Red Label series retains the vintage aesthetic of the original ’60s models—with a semi-gloss finish, open-gear tuners, the original V-shaped headstock with the time-honored "tuning fork" logo and, of course, the red label inside—but uses everything Yamaha has refined and developed over their more than half-century of making acoustic guitars.

New scalloped bracing

Yamaha guitars are well known for their balanced sound. However, when defining the voice of Red Label, Yamaha wanted to add more low end for a fuller, warmer tone that would be ideal for solo singer-songwriters and modern folk music. To achieve this, new bracing designs were developed for the FG and FS Red Label guitars, which are optimized for each body shape and the natural characteristics of the tonewoods. The new scalloped bracing delivers plenty of volume and enhances low-frequency response without compromising durability.

Acoustic Resonance Enhancement (A.R.E)

As tonewoods age, they vibrate more freely and become more resonant, producing a louder, more powerful sound with enhanced high-frequency response and more sustain in the lows and low-mids. Yamaha’s Acoustic Resonance Enhancement (A.R.E.) process achieves those same characteristics by using heat, humidity and pressure to simulate the effects of time on the soundboards. The A.R.E. process of accelerating the aging of the wood gives Red Label models the same rich, vintage-quality tone and response of a guitar you’ve been playing for years.

Atmosfeel three-way pickup and preamp system

The Atmosfeel system uses an under-saddle piezo pickup in the bridge for low frequencies, an internal mic to capture lows and mids, and a proprietary flat contact sensor in the top for high frequencies. The combination results in warm and natural plugged-in tone with extremely simple controls. The Master Volume knob controls the overall volume, while the Mic Blend knob lets you blend the microphone sound into the premixed pickup sound. The Bass EQ knob is a peaking filter that raises the center frequency when boosting and lowers when attenuating. This allows you to remove boomy frequencies when you need to, but not add them when you want more low end.
Open Box Yamaha FGX3 Red Label Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Level 2 Natural Matte 190839750693
Open Box Yamaha FGX3 Red Label Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Level 2 Natural Matte 190839750693
Open Box Yamaha FGX3 Red Label Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Level 2 Natural Matte 190839750693

Features

  • Elixir NANOWEB 80/20 Bronze Light strings
  • Black ABS bridge pins with white dots
  • Black and white body binding, soundhole inlay
  • Black pickguard
  • Classic V-shaped heastock with "Tuning Fork" logo
  • Comes with a hex wrench, gig bag, soundhole cover, 2 x AA batteries

Specs

Body
  • Body type: Dreadnought
  • Cutaway: No
  • Top wood: Solid Sitka spruce
  • Back and sides: Solid Mahogany
  • Bracing pattern: Scalloped
  • Body finish: Semi-gloss
  • Orientation: Right handed
Neck
  • Neck shape: Not specified
  • Nut width: 1.75" (44 mm)
  • Fingerboard: Ebony
  • Neck wood: African mahogany
  • Scale length: 25"
  • Number of frets:
  • Neck finish: Matte
Electronics
  • Pickup/preamp: No
  • Brand: Yamaha
  • Configuration: Piezo and mic and sheet sensor
  • Preamp EQ: 2-band
  • Feedback filter: No
  • Tuner: No
Other
  • Headstock overlay: Not specified
  • Tuning machines: Open Gear chrome
  • Bridge: Ebony
  • Saddle and nut: Urea
  • Number of strings: 6
  • Special features:
  • Case: Hard bag
  • Accessories: None
  • Country of origin: China

Reviews

5

9 Reviews

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

This is a lifetime guitar.
Filters
Best Uses
  1. Jamming9
  2. Small Venues8
  3. Practicing7
  4. Recording4
  5. Rock Concerts1
Cons
  1. Bag instead of hardshell case1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced8
  2. Professional Musician1
Pros
  1. Good Audio9
  2. Good Feel9
  3. Stays In Tune9
  4. Consistent8
  5. Fun To Play8

Reviewed by 9 customers

  • Yes

    5

    submitted23 days ago

    byrichard

    fromOregon

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Awesome guitar.Ready to play right out of the box. Great response and resonance.

  • I am really pleased with my new Yamaha FGX3 Dreadnought

    5

    submitted23 days ago

    byrichard

    fromNewport, Oregon

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Mostly play at home or with friends. Ready to play right out of the box. Sounds so good. Folk songs, bluegrass and rock and roll.

  • Nothing Beats A Yamaha

    5

    submitted2 months ago

    byMatt

    fromMississippi

    This is an incredible guitar, to say the least. A big, gorgeous sound with a body that resonates beautifully with every strum. Right out of the box it played amazingly, and the electronics are second to none. Yamaha is making guitars above and beyond their price points.

  • My Second One

    5

    submitted10 months ago

    byGene

    fromApalachin, New York

    So impressed with this guitar that I bought it again. Traded up the first one for a Japanese FS5, but couldn't get this one out of my mind, because it impressed me so much the first time. Great sound, great feel, remarkable quality; all at an affordable price. Only change I made was changing out the elixir strings for d'addario acoustics. Plugged in or not, I really enjoy this guitar. I won't repeat my earlier review, but you can read it for yourself, it's just two down from this one.

  • Wonderful Instrument

    5

    submitteda year ago

    byJohn

    fromFollett, TX

    Absolutely love the playability of this guitar. Stays in tune, sounds wonderful, love it plugged in and unplugged. I've played it for a few weeks and can't find one thing I would list as a "Con".

  • Where have you been all my life?!!!

    5

    submitteda year ago

    byGene

    fromApalachin New York

    I walked into the acoustic room at my local Guitar Center in Johnson City, N Y not looking for anything in particular and saw this FGX3 and decided to give it a try. From the moment I touched the satin finish, it had my attention; so smooth and flawless. Next, I noticed the obvious quality in its construction and took a second look at the price. Then I played it and was amazed with its sound. Against my normal impulse, I put it back and left the store. When I got home I started checking the reviews on this Yamaha and found that they substantiated my initial impressions of the guitar. Bottom line, I went back the next day and bought it and have barely put it down since. Now I have two Martins, two Taylor's and a Rainsong, so I'm used to great guitars, and I'm just as happy with this Yamaha, that costs significantly less. Enough so that I've already gone back to buy its smaller sister, the FSX5. These Yamaha Red Labels are the real deal and I couldn't be more pleased after buying this one.

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Q&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitteda year ago

    asked byDusty

    fromCopperas Cove, TX

    What strings come with this guitar?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Elixir NANOWEB 80/20 Bronze Light

  • submitteda year ago

    asked bykirby

    fromLargo FL.

    what type of polish/cleaner should be used on the yamaha FGX3. It says it has a semi gloss finish

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Music Nomad Premium Guitar Care System

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byMelker

    fromundisclosed

    Where country was Yamaha FGX3 Red Label Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural Matte Made in?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    China