Are you in the market for a Yamaha acoustic guitar? If so, it is important to know what to look for before making any purchases. While many are unsure how to tell if a guitar is original when they first start looking, there are several signs that will be discussed in this article which can help you make an informed decision. This article explains how to know if Yamaha guitar is original.
You may also look at our other article on 6 Best Midrange Electric Guitar
How to tell if a Yamaha acoustic guitar is original
Many people who are looking to buy a Yamaha acoustic guitar can’t tell if it is original. The easiest way to know if your guitar is original is by the serial number, but there are other signs as well.
-The first thing you want to do is check the serial number on the back of the neck and ask yourself if it matches with the one provided by the seller.
-The next thing you want to do is examine the soundboard (or top).
-If it’s plywood, check for grain lines running perpendicular to one another. If they’re horizontal or diagonal, then it’s not authentic.
-Finally, take note of where the tone knob is located on the sound hole and compare it with where other guitars have theirs positioned.
The serial number
When you first start looking at guitars, one of the first things you should check is the serial number on the back of the neck. If it matches with what is provided by the seller, then you know that the guitar isn’t a fake.
If the seller provides pictures of a guitar that they want to sell and they have documentation, but the serial number doesn’t match up, then it’s likely not an original model.
The serial number will also help you determine when your guitar was made.
The plywood soundboard
The soundboard is the top of the guitar. When looking for Yamaha acoustics, you should note whether or not it is made of plywood or solid wood. If it’s plywood, you’ll want to check for lines that run perpendicular to one another–if they’re horizontal or diagonal, the guitar is not authentic.
The soundboard is one of the most important parts of a guitar. This is what determines the sound and tone you get when you play it. One thing to look out for when examining the soundboard is whether or not it’s plywood. If it is, check for grain lines running perpendicular to one another. If they’re horizontal or diagonal, then it’s not authentic. (Many cheaper guitars are made with this material.)
If the soundboard isn’t plywood, then your next step is examining the materials and quality of the wood used in that area. This can also be a red flag if there are any visible defects or stains on the wood.
Another place to examine is where the tone knob is located on the sound hole, and compare it with where other guitars have theirs positioned.
-If it’s near where your hand would go while playing, then this could be an indication that someone has tried to make it look more original than what it actually is: after all, many modern guitars don’t have their tone knobs located here because they know some buyers will check for this.
Grain lines running perpendicular to one another
When examining the soundboard, you should look for grain lines running perpendicular to one another. If they’re horizontal or diagonal, then it’s not authentic. The reason for this is because basswood has a very distinctive grain pattern that looks like a tree ring.
-Basswood can only be found in Idaho, Montana, and Washington state in the US and Canada.
-It’s illegal to cut down this type of timber unless it’s older than 100 years old and has grown outside of its natural range.
-Additionally, the wood will have major cracks and knots when cut down which is something to keep in mind as well.
-All Yamaha guitars are made out of basswood (the exception being those with spruce top). This is why it’s important to know if the guitar has grain lines running perpendicular to one another on the soundboard as this indicates whether or not the guitar is original or not.
When you examine a guitar that has horizontally or diagonally running grain lines and compare it with other guitars, you’ll notice that they are not original. This is because Yamaha uses plywood made from only one layer of wood which would cause the grain lines to be running perpendicularly to one another.
Grain lines running horizontal or diagonal
This is a relatively easy way to tell if your guitar is authentic. If you see grain lines running horizontally or diagonally, then it’s not original and likely a fake. The best thing to do would be to ask the seller for more information about the guitar. They should be able to provide pictures of the inside of the guitar so that you can compare the grain lines with what you see in the pictures.
Another thing to double-check is where the tone knob is located on the sound hole. If it’s on the side, then it’s most likely an original Yamaha acoustic guitar–if it’s not, then there are some other signs that need to be examined.
-If it’s plywood, check for grain lines running perpendicular to one another. If they’re horizontal or diagonal, then it’s not authentic.
-Grain lines are the natural indentations that occur in wood pieces cut from logs.
-If you are examining plywood, you want to look for the grain lines going in opposite directions to ensure that it is original.
-You should always ask the seller to allow you to examine the back of the neck and soundboard for grain lines before making any purchase decisions.
The tone knob on the sound hole
The tone knob on the sound hole of a guitar is often located on the left side for most people who are right handed. But it can also be found on the right side or in the middle. The placement of this knob will not change its authenticity, but it may help you determine where to look for other signs that your guitar was made by a manufacturer other than Yamaha. The reason the location of the tone knob matters is because many brands have their guitar’s tone knob on the opposite side of where other guitars typically have theirs positioned.
This is important because if you’re looking to purchase a Yamaha acoustic guitar, you should look for one that has its tone knob on the right-hand side–as opposed to most other models which have theirs on the left-hand side.
How to know if Yamaha guitar is original FAQS
The Yamahas are made in Japan and are usually only available in the country. However, there are some exceptions. If you buy one from a reputable dealer, you can rest assured that it’s authentic.
When someone says “original”, they are referring to the guitar being made by the original company and not a copycat company.
Yamaha has many different models for both beginners and professionals. They have many acoustic guitars available, but only some of them are considered “original”. The ones that are considered originals will be labeled as such on the site or at your local music store.
Conclusion
If you want to know if your Yamaha acoustic guitar is original, there are a few telltale signs to look for. The first is the serial number. Original Yamaha acoustic guitars will have a serial number on the back of the headstock. The serial number will be on a sticker with a “Y” stamped on it in the lower left corner. Another sign of an original Yamaha acoustic guitar is the plywood soundboard. Original Yamaha acoustic guitars will have a plywood soundboard. The plywood soundboard is the top of the guitar that produces sound when the strings are plucked. Grain lines running perpendicular to one another are another sign of an original Yamaha acoustic guitar.
If you see grain lines running horizontal or diagonal, this could indicate that the guitar has been repaired and may not be original. To find out for sure, check the tone knob on the sound hole. Original Yamaha acoustic guitars will have a tone knob with “Y” stamped on it in the left corner. Finally, if you want to know if your Yamaha acoustic guitar is original, look for grain lines running perpendicular to one another and check for a tone knob with “Y” stamped on it in the left corner.
If you are looking for a Yamaha acoustic guitar, you may be wondering how to tell if a Yamaha acoustic guitar is original. There are several different things to look for, so the following list will help you determine if your guitar is an original.
The serial number
The plywood soundboard
Grain lines running perpendicular to one another
Grain lines running horizontal or diagonal
The tone knob on the sound hole
