New Yamaha CG171SF

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New Yamaha CG171SF

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larrygraham

Posts: 28
Joined: Mar. 29 2005

New Yamaha CG171SF

Yamaha CG171SF was originally made in Yamaha Kaohsiung, Taiwan.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.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 28 2010 16:46:27

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to larrygraham)

Laminated tops...ouch. It's a coffee table with strings on it.

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Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 28 2010 17:16:34

Pgh_flamenco

Posts: 1506
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to larrygraham)

quote:

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.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 28 2010 18:18:59

kovachian

Posts: 506
Joined: Jan. 30 2008
From: Americanistan

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to larrygraham)

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?

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Don't look at me in that tone of voice.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 28 2010 18:52:10

bhandras

Posts: 26
Joined: Dec. 23 2009

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to larrygraham)

quote:

http://www.yamaha.com.cn/ProductDetail-1476.htm

Hi!

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.

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~Andras

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 28 2010 21:28:32

GuitarVlog

Posts: 441
Joined: Mar. 19 2009
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to larrygraham)

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.

Top: Solid Spruce
Back & Sides: Cypress
Neck: Nato
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Bridge: Rosewood
Tuners: Gold
Pick Guard: Golpeador (clear pick guard)
String Scale: 25.6"
Body Depth: 3.7" - 3.94"
Nut Width: 2.05"
Colors: Natural
Finish: Gloss

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.

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Upgraded Yamaha CG171SF
The Guitar Student Journal

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 8 2010 10:21:06

Stoney

Posts: 132
Joined: Nov. 6 2009

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to larrygraham)

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.

Stoney

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 8 2010 12:03:26

Arturo

Posts: 23
Joined: Jan. 10 2010
From: Eastern Sierra, CA. USA

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to larrygraham)

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?

Gracies, Arturo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 8 2010 13:52:20

GuitarVlog

Posts: 441
Joined: Mar. 19 2009
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to larrygraham)

I'm certain that they are solid tops. That Yamaha China website is in (gross) error of the specifications of several models.

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Upgraded Yamaha CG171SF
The Guitar Student Journal

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 8 2010 14:52:12

Arturo

Posts: 23
Joined: Jan. 10 2010
From: Eastern Sierra, CA. USA

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to larrygraham)

Gracies G-Vlog.

I like mine as well. Of course I wouldn't know the difference.

Arturo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 8 2010 16:58:14

larrygraham

Posts: 28
Joined: Mar. 29 2005

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to larrygraham)

Official Yamaha catalog in 2005 showed that CG171SF has an EBONY fingerboard.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 15 2010 0:23:09

alaskaal

Posts: 51
Joined: Jan. 10 2005
From: Chugiak, Alaska

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to larrygraham)

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.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 15 2010 7:59:27

andresito

Posts: 377
Joined: Feb. 20 2007
From: New Holland

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to alaskaal)

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.

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¡este arbol tiene duende, cabron!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 15 2010 20:23:40

HolyEvil

Posts: 1240
Joined: Nov. 6 2008
From: Sydney, Australia

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to andresito)

quote:

ORIGINAL: andresito

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...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 16 2010 1:31:05

andresito

Posts: 377
Joined: Feb. 20 2007
From: New Holland

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to HolyEvil)

quote:

ORIGINAL: HolyEvil
if only i knew about the Katoh b4 I got my yamaha...

You shouldn't have trouble selling the Yammy

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¡este arbol tiene duende, cabron!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 16 2010 3:46:19

Alonte

Posts: 214
Joined: Dec. 2 2008

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to larrygraham)

I assume Katoh is only sold in Eu/Asia?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 16 2010 15:17:03

HolyEvil

Posts: 1240
Joined: Nov. 6 2008
From: Sydney, Australia

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to andresito)

quote:

ORIGINAL: andresito

quote:

ORIGINAL: HolyEvil
if only i knew about the Katoh b4 I got my yamaha...

You shouldn't have trouble selling the Yammy

I want to.. but I'm just lazy.. because then I have to go down and talk price to the store...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 16 2010 15:21:40

Pgh_flamenco

Posts: 1506
Joined: Dec. 5 2007
From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to larrygraham)

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.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 24 2010 4:08:21

teletodd

Posts: 3
Joined: Jul. 20 2010

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to Pgh_flamenco)

I have a year 2000 cg171sf. is it sycamore or cypress? It plays and sounds great regardless.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 2 2010 21:07:11

JasonM

Posts: 2055
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to teletodd)

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.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 4 2010 2:47:58

Ramon Amira

Posts: 1025
Joined: Oct. 14 2009
From: New York City

RE: New Yamaha CG171SF (in reply to larrygraham)

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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Classical and flamenco guitars from Spain Ramon Amira Guitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 4 2010 3:47:02