Greg Vaughan's Yamaha FG-360

I was first contacted by Greg on April 20, 2018. Since he hasn't been able to locate the s/n yet, I can't confirm exactly what it is, but since it was bought in Japan in 1973, I suspect that it is one of the Japanese eight digit s/n models that was not imported into the US. This FG-360 would be the tenth of that model that we know of and number 91 overall.

Hi David,

My parents were going to Japan in 1973 (maybe 1974, I can check w/dad) and I asked them to buy my friend and I a couple of Yamaha 300’s (fancy pick guard, maybe “gold” hardware, etc.). When they came home, they said they couldn’t find the 300, but they bought two Yamaha 360’s. The accompanying literature said that the 360 had a “hand-rubbed” back. I took the guitar to Germany in June of 1974, so I know it was bought before then.)

I still have my 360, and I love it. I put a piezo pick-up (Seymore Duncan Thin-Line?) on it many, many years ago, and then had the action lowered to accommodate the pick-up. No on-board electronics: no EQ, no Tuner, not even a Volume control, but it sounds great! The cord jack is integral to the strap button on the bottom of the guitar.

I keep thinking I should get a new acoustic guitar, but I can’t find any that look, feel, and sound as good as my Yamaha 360. I play a lot of “open mics”, and people (guys) always want to talk with me about my guitar. Everyone says it sounds great (maybe a nice way of not commenting on my performance?).

Recently, the “A” string machine head locked up, so I bought a set of Grover Rotomatics to put on it. I’ll try to get around to that this weekend. I put a mirror in the sound hole, but couldn’t see any S/N on the top bracing. When I get all the strings off, I’ll look more thoroughly. I’ll let you know if I find a S/N.

Maybe I’ll have to get a new Yamaha, but I know I’ll keep playing my old 360. The older it gets, the sweeter it gets….

Greg Vaughan

Our thanks to Greg for contacting us.