Review of the Yamaha FG 720 Acoustic Guitar

05 Oct 2009

Features of the Yamaha FG 720

Tuners - Sealed unbranded mini-tuners with large kidney knobs. Good smooth action.

Headstock - Standard Yamaha three-a-side paddle with a V indent at the apex. The Yamaha logo looks classy inlaid in subtle abalone against the gloss black face.

Nut - White plastic nut abuts the fretboard. It's slightly brighter than the antiqued binding but doesn't look out of place.

Neck - The neck is remarkably slim and is finished in a slinky black satin. Although the neck material is unspecified I would guess it to be maple. I really found this neck easy and comfortable to play. 

Fretboard - Lovely close-grained rosewood which looks nicely oiled. The smaller-than-normal dot fret markers are in an abalone that matches the headstock logo. 

Frets - The thin frets are nicely polished and well finished on the ends.

Action - This acoustic guitar has an action better than some cheap electrics I've come across. Very playable right up the neck.

Body - The Dreadnought body has a solid sitka spruce top with nato back and sides. Slightly less deep than a traditional Dreadnought, the guitar still feels substantial without being too unwieldy. The antiqued binding front and back looks very handsome against the black finish. The simple design of the soundhole rosette sets this off very well.

Bridge - The rosewood bridge is thick and chunky and promises to lend character to the tone. The white plastic saddle is compensated at the second and the strings are anchored with traditional bridge pins.

Pickguard - Mock tortoiseshell tear-drop.

Strap-buttons - There's one black plastic button on the bottom of the body.

Finish - This is a nice-looking and well-finished guitar.

Sound of the Yamaha FG 720

I was really impressed by this guitar's smooth and silky response with honeyed mid- and low-tones when the strings are struck over the soundhole in the vicinity of the fretboard's end. But move the pick attack to the bridge and there's a lot of classic Country and Western jangle to be had. 
The sustain on single fretted notes is really good, possibly in part due to that substantial bridge but mostly down to the L Block construction at the internal neck joint. This solid lump of wood can be seen clearly if you peer up through the soundhole.

Overall Impressions of the Yamaha FG 720

I started liking this guitar as soon as it came out of the box. I'm not normally a great fan of the Dreadnought style, they always feel too ungainly for someone of my smaller stature. But there are so many good things about this guitar that it quickly won me over entirely. 
Firstly it looks the business. Other colours are available but I'm glad I picked the black model to review, it simply drips with Johnny Cash Kudos. The next gold star comes for the action. This is a really pleasant surprise on an acoustic in this price bracket. Last but not least is that lovely tone that responds to and rewards your playing dynamics beautifully.
Highly recommended. 

Review of the Yamaha FG 720 by The Man in the Jar