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Yamaha CG171SF was originally made in Yamaha Kaohsiung, Taiwan. In 2007, the Taiwan factory ceased operations and guitar production was transferred to Yamaha Hangzhou, China. This coincides with the termination of its piano production with Pearl River at Guangzhou. Today, all CG171SF are made in this China factory.
Yamaha China Specifications [http://www.yamaha.com.cn/ProductDetail-1476.htm ] Top: Veneer European spruce Back and sides: Veneer mahogany Neck: Nato wood Fingerboard: Rose wood Bridge: Rosewood
Yamaha Taiwan Specifications [Yamaha Catalogue ca 2004] Top: Solid European spruce Back and sides: Cypress Neck: Nato wood Fingerboard: Ebony Bridge: Rosewood
The older CG171SF are definitely made of better quality materials.
Yamaha Taiwan Specifications [Yamaha Catalogue ca 2004] Top: Solid European spruce Back and sides: Cypress Neck: Nato wood Fingerboard: Ebony Bridge: Rosewood
The older CG171SF are definitely made of better quality materials.
Good info. From now on I'll only recommend the pre-2007 version.
The downhill slide in material quality is sad, but I doubt the downgrading will stop. When laminated wood becomes too expensive, what's next, particle board?
This is the specification of the Yamaha CG171S model which is the classical one. I bought my CG171SF in December and it is made in the China factory, yet the top is solid spruce, the sides and the back are laminated cypress.
The build quality and sound is very good for such a cheap guitar.
Those are the specs for the classical, and I'm in doubt of the accuracy of the Chinese Yamaha.com.cn website.
On the Chinese website, even Yamaha's flasgship CG201S (which is the only all-solid guitar in this line) is being shown as having laminated tops, back and sides - and that definitely can't be correct.
CG201S Specs on the Chinese website
● 面板: 单板欧洲云杉 ● 背板及侧板: 单板桃花心木
Yamaha customer service in the US still confirms that the tops on the CG171SF are solid spruce.
EDIT: Update: That Chinese website was obviously made by someone who just did a copy-and-paste job. The top-of-the line, made-in-Japan GC41 is ALSO being shown as having all laminates.
GC41 Specs on the Chinese website
● 面板: 单板欧洲云杉 ● 背板及侧板: 单板玫瑰木
Correction: The CG171SF never had an ebony fretboard. But they apparently changed the back/sides from sycamore to cypress. This was the official news release from 2002.
quote:
Yamaha Guitars has unveiled two new Flamenco nylon string models at Summer NAMM: the fully acoustic CG171SF and the electro-acoustic CGX171SF.
"Yamaha has a long tradition of apprenticeship with the Masters in Spain," notes David Bergstrom, director of marketing, Yamaha Pro Audio & Combo Division. "It's the reason we make such fine classical guitars at all price points, from student models to concert Handcrafteds. We have now applied that expertise to a Flamenco model."
Except for the electronics, both guitars are identical. Materials include white Sycamore backs and sides with a solid Spruce top. White Sycamore offers many of the acoustical properties of Cypress, the traditional Flamenco wood, while keeping the guitar's price within easy reach.
The Nato neck and Rosewood fingerboard boast very low action that should be especially appealing to traditional Flamenco players, as well as jazz players looking to expand their sonic horizons. Both instruments feature a bright sound with a strong attack–a voice that should appeal to nylon string players who crave a more defined sound.
The CG171SF carries an MSRP of $499, with an August delivery. The CGX171SF will be available in October at an MSRP of $849.
I don't really know which one I got. Nonetheless, I'm happy with it. It's not a great guitar compared to all the great great guitars that are out there but it's a great guitar compared to all the crappy guitars at the same or higher price.
I had a Vicente Sanchiz years ago and it cost me about $700 Canadian plus shipping.
The Yamaha cost about half and is just as good.
That said I am planning to have a custom made guitar built for me in the next year.
I bought mine in December also. It was advertised as a solid top. When I look at the wood cross section in the sound hole I can't see any laminations. Is there any way to tell by looking?
I recommend this guitar for all of my beginning students. It doesn't seem to matter what the source of the guitar is (eBay, music store, Craigs List), they are very consistent in quality. The guitar is inexpensive, but not cheap. I keep thinking that I will have to do a set-up on them when the student brings them in, but so far haven't had to.
alaskal From Prudhoe Bay where today it is only -26F below. Yesterday, -38.
I was pleasantly surprised when I had a play on a Katoh (China) flamenco in the store. My opinion only, but I think it felt and sounded 'more flamenco' than the Yamaha, and was cheaper too.
I was pleasantly surprised when I had a play on a Katoh (China) flamenco in the store. My opinion only, but I think it felt and sounded 'more flamenco' than the Yamaha, and was cheaper too.
definately! the sound, feel and dimension of the Katoh is more flamenco than the Yamaha.. if only i knew about the Katoh b4 I got my yamaha...
Instead of starting a new thread on the subject I decided to add to this one.
I tried a brand new CG171SF at GC today and I was more impressed with the tone and playability of this particular guitar than the older versions of it. The label stated that it was made in China to the specifications of Yamaha. Has anyone else played the Chinese version of this guitar? Any opinions? I suspect most--if not all-of the MIJ versions are now in private hands. It certainly didn't sound like a laminate or plywood guitar.
I think mine is 1/4 inch ply top and 3/4 inch marine grade ply back and sides. The thing is so tough and heavy.My bicycle fell and crashed down on top of it and it never even new it .Cost is going up and quality is going down on everything in the past decade.
The Yamaha CG171SF has a solid spruce top and laminated cypress back and sides. But it is my understanding that they will be or already have discontinued this model.
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