Karen Gilbert's Yamaha FG-360

I just found your website when I decided to look up information on my guitar. I really know nothing about it and you have done a wonderful job compiling the information.

I was about 10 years old when my parents bought me the FG-360 in the early 1970s (probably 1973). I believe that it may have been bought at a department store outside Boston known as Lechmeres which is long out of business although I am not positive. I stopped playing it in my mid 20s but always kept it. I'm pretty sure that my parents spent well under $200 for it.

I still have everything from it including the original warranty and the case that was included. One of the oddities is that the case is actually for a Takamine F360 (the sticker is still on the case). It has a tan sticker saying Yamaha FG-360 Nippon Gakki Co Ltd, Made in Japan and the letters NK stamped in the wood just below the sticker.

The serial number is a bit of a mystery. It appears to be .0503 (a period then 4 numbers). I have attached pictures but they are fuzzy, when you look at it with a flashlight, it doesn't look like there is more of a number that has worn off, it really just looks like a period. I remember my mother (who played the violin) commented after they bought it for me that it had a wonderful sound considering the price and all these years later, even with the strings badly out of tune (I am going to take it in and have it restrung), it still has a beautiful sound.

I have no idea of what woods the guitar is constructed. I wouldn't be surprised if it was out of what you called the "gray" market due to the price I believe my parents paid and the fact that the store was known as a deep discount store. If you have any insights I would love to hear about it and thank you for posting such comprehensive information.

Karen Gilbert