YAMAHA Folk Guitar FG-130

This is the one that started it all: a Yamaha FG-130 green label I bought at an Asian bazaar for $30-40US. Action was a bit high but there wasn't a big bulge in the top near the bridge so off to the local music store for a set-up she went. They quoted me ¥5000-10000 ($65-130US at that time) and said come back in a week. So I did; not ready. Came back a few days later. Not ready. 2+ weeks later finally back, ¥10000 bill. I did get a new bone nut and she does sounds beautiful and the string action is a little bit better, but honestly I don't know what they did. Welcome to living in Japan and not speaking the language.

This is still my go-to acoustic guitar at home. It sounds great with Elixer Nanowebs on it (from when my daughter used it to take lessons). Giving it the once-over is still on my list of videos to make, oddly enough I still haven't taken the camera inside to look at the craftsmanship. Keep your fingers crossed.

I hope you have enjoyed learning about the guitar that started the whole Rattlecan Guitar Restoration thing. If I could offer you any advise it would be this:

• Keep your eyes peeled. Talk to the staff at your local thrift shop, second-hand store, or pawn shop. Let them know what you're looking for and you're willing to looked at "bruised" items. 
• Research will pay off...eventually. Immerse yourself into the field you are interested in and learn as much as you can. When you come across something you *think* is special it helps to know if it is. Or isn't. 
• Keep the items that spark your interest early on. You WILL kick yourself if you sell your '64 Les Paul for an insanely small amount of money to get you through a rough spot in life.
• Don't be shy in asking for help. There are many people who will gladly lend a hand (or an e-mail) to get you headed the right direction.  
• Have fun. If you are doing this as a hobby and are miserable, forget about doing it for a living. Life is too short to spend time doing something you hate.

If you want to see more of my adventures in the world of stringed instrument construction, restoration, and repair visit the Rattlecan Guitar Restorations YouTube channel, friend us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages and, if you're interested in supporting my projects take a look at the Rattlecan Patreon page.

Have a great weekend. Cheers!

James