

The date code is located on either side of the lower bout.Typically 3 to 6 weeks before it’s finished. This date code will be very close to when the guitar was built. While the serial number is visible, although not always usable to determine the date of manufacture, there is a Date Code ink stamped on the inside of all early FG’s, except most FG-75’s. So the 6 & 7 digit serial numbers must not be related to date the guitars were built.That didn’t work for a few guitars I found.


They don’t always agree with Yamaha’s Guitar Archive data. The facts presented are based on personal observations, data collected, and data donated. I’ve been collecting data and in most cases can tell when a guitar with a 6 or 7 digit serial number was made (within a month or so). Yamaha doesn’t know exactly when the earliest FG’s were made. And to be able to fairly accurately determine when they were made. The purpose of this article is to solve the mystery of the early Yamaha FG serial numbers, internal markings, and labels.
