I have a Yamaha FG-300 that’s in pretty good shape – the pickguard is original and unwarped, all original, and not played much. I bought it from the original owner in ’83.

It’s got the Red Label Nippon Gakki label in it and an 8-digit serial number starting with 11028. Does this mean that it was made on Oct. 28, 1971? That’s what the Yamaha serial number finder says, but most other FG-300 serial numbers I’ve seen mentioned on the web are 7 digits, so I’m not sure what the deal is with that.

I do know that mine has the sold top, not a laminated one. Some have “Made in Japan” screened on the back of the headstock, but mine doesn’t.

Other than a missing tuner cover and the usual dents, dings and scratches, it’s in extremely good shape.

Any ideas as to where and when mine was made, and whether it’s considered to be one of the “better” models (assuming you’re someone who’s interested in a guitar not made in the US, of course)?