Had my FG9R for about a week now and it has subsequently put my D-28 Modern Deluxe in its case for the foreseeable future. This is, without question, the finest steel-string acoustic guitar Yamaha has made to date.

I have had my FG 9 M for about 6 months and it is a fabulous guitar. I also own a '94 HD-28 which has been my main guitar since I bought it new. I really love the HD-28 but wanted a mahogany D and almost bought a D-18. (also wonderful) But the Yamaha is really something special. In addition to the very high quality craftsmanship (yes, better than my Martin) it has a dynamic range I've not experienced. You can't over or underplay it. Makes it a very versatile instrument, equally suitable for fingerstyle or flatpicking. If you have the opportunity, play one; I think you will be surprised.

I still have my FG Yamaha from 1973 . It’s 50 years old . Played it recently ata bluegrass jam and it punched a hole in the banjo. Seriously, it has great bass and projection .. completely swamps the ubqituous gs minis . Looks good after 50 years .. kept in case . I need to change the strings soon ….. 😊 half a century! To me they are just settling down …

My first acoustic was a small body Yamaha FG back in the 70's. Fantastic guitar.

It's tough to tell how good a guitar sounds when listening on a pair of 4" speakers. But I've watched dozens of demonstrations using what I assume is the same recording equipment and these both stand out as the best sounding guitars that have been reviewed here. I've never owned a Yamaha, but I've always liked them. I might have to get one of these.

Coming from a maintenance perspective, the Yamaha is actually easier to work on. By that I mean truss rod adjustment. My two Yamahas (FG700 & FG830) along with my Sigma are easy to maintain whereas my Guild D240e, the rod isn't as easy to work with. Yamaha's approach to guitars reminds of the same mindset Leo Fender had when he started building guitars. And the shared approach is a great way to make quality guitars.

You guys do great reviews. Keep up the good work!

I'd really love to have an FG9. I'm not sure if it's because of the great quality for price or is it because I have a secret desire to annoy my bluegrass friends. I have a DW-10 that was purchased to be a beater guitar, and it is. but the quality to price on it is amazing. When I took it to a Luthier for a better setup he wanted to buy it from me because even he was impressed with the sound and playability. My first Yamaha was a silent violin. I told my wife it was for her (I like to practice first thing in the morning). I was so impressed with the fiddle (can I call it a fiddle?) I bought the silent guitar with steel strings. It is also amazing. I'm partial to Gibson and my collection of Kalamazoo branded instruments (Kalamazoo is just a hop skip and jump away from me) but there is no denying Yamaha quality. and why not, they've been making instruments nearly as long as Martin, and even longer than Gibson.

I'm waiting for the FS9. Hope it's coming soon.

It should be noted that the FG9M is made with African Mahogany from the Khaya genus and not Honduran Mahogany from the Swietenia genus. I’m not certain how they differ tonally but would assume the Khaya costs less.

I’m the lucky owner of a Yamaha LL 26 and a more upscale LL 36. It’s hard to believe that Yamaha, or anyone,could top those.

Mustache is coming along nicely Jeremy. Sure wish they would fancy up the logo on the head stock it would be sold! Semper Fi

The FG9M is a perfect guitar. If they add an FS9 to the line, I’d order one before I even finished reading the announcement.

I like the 510 tuners. I recently bought some Waverly and Schaller open gear tuners and sent them both back due to manufacturers defects. The Gotohs don’t seem to have that problem. Nice sounding guitars.

I really wish they had gone for a much more substantial V shaped neck. Those low profile necks don't fill up your hand and a neck with more mass seems to have a positive effect on tone.

It is an awesome guitar. The sound is top end!

I bought a yamaha in 1974 for $140 and played it until the neck fell off 30 years later. Moved onto a Larivee. (The neck is still intact)

I own an Alvarez MD 60 EBG, and i recently tried thisy yamaha FG9, ok, the craftmenship is oustanding, sound is very balanced, for a very experienced ears, but honestly, it is not 5 times better than my outstanding sounding Alvarez, never in this world that this FG9 is 5 to 6 times better sounding that my Alvarez! I paid 900$ for it, when the Yamaha FG9 is between 5500- 5900$! I would dare anyone to do a blind test between those 2 guitars( like JP CORMIER does so frequently) and you would be surprised how many people wouldn't be able to tell wich is which! Conclusion: i you don't care to spend this much money, the FG9 is indeed a spectaculor guitar, but you can have an oustanding and good sounding guitar for much much less!

Jeremy is saving his money for a black and gold Trans AM.

Does Jeremy have any surprises? Or did his mustache counter them? Like the sound/ voice of each. However, I 'll stick with the guitars I have so far. Thanks, John and Jeremy.

Yamaha heavily touts it's 5 piece neck, claiming it is more rigid, requiring fewer adjustments, where is it on the FG9? They also heavily tout their A.R.E. treated tops, does the FG9 include this feature? Why is no one talking about the FG9's removable neck, this seems like a huge deal considering a lot of older Yamaha acoustic need a neck reset. Has the removable neck helped eliminate Yamaha's famous 14th fret hump, mine has that condition, along with a little "Belly Up" and cave in where the fretboard is glued onto the body at the "sound hole" end of the fretboard.

The mahogany is louder than the other but rosewood is more balanced on sounding.

Might be that the truss rod adjustment is from the headstock b/c the neck is bolted on.

Has anyone had the chance to compare it to a D28? Wonder how they compare as the are around the same price. Also how does the M compare with the R? Sadly I live in the middle of nowhere so would never be able to play them in person.

I really miss seeing and hearing you guys up here in Michigan. Any plans for touring in west Michigan again? P.S. how about an FG9 FGX5 comparison.

Which guitar has a sound that you like more? FG9, or LL36?

Wonderful instruments from Yamaha. If only I had four grand burning a hole in my pocket.😏

If you think these FG9s are great. Get some LL AND LS Series in and they will blow your minds.

If you could have only one guitar, which would choose the mahogany or rosewood ?

I want to hear more from the guy with glasses.

Anytime I would pick LL series over this.

How does this compare to a LL56??

First.. hard to beat a Gibson J45 for tonal balance.. or a good Martin ..Collings too.. Yamaha makes a fine guitar but most are way too bright sounding.. don’t think these fall into a $4000 range… for that price there are way better options… I actually thought the fg830 was a pretty darn good Yamaha for the $.. good sound , nice playing… also some of the Yamahas are put together with epoxy which makes a neck reset near impossible without some detruction of wood and is the finish nitro?..can’t did any info that?

I just ordered a Yamaha LL16 directly from Yamaha and I can't wait to have it but now I really want a FG9 also 🤣💸

Since when did yamaha decide to make a premium guitar? What's the price on these?

Just a Japanese thing to do to replicate things to a high quality at a better price. Not just guitars .

lols-john-i thought soundhole label aesthetics didn't matter! ;) ;) ;)

?? So, whats the price??

That guitar costs more than my first car.

i would never pay 4 grand for a guitar im going to play in my backyard

ok wait, that is a disturbing thumbnail lol

This is a $6500. guitar

4 grand!!!!???? Oh hell no!. I'll take a martin anytime

Here's my checklist: Do you make over 100k a year? Do you have any kids? Is your mortgage paid off? If you leave money in your pocket for too long, does it burn little holes in your pantaloons? Do you still have all of your kidneys? I am of course, kidding, because you can buy this guitar and still probably keep all your kidneys and lungs.