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Pros:
- Balanced tone
- Affordable (for what it brings to the table)
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Fretboard is quite narrow which might be a good thing for beginners, but sometimes it is harder to strum
- Might require more restringing than usual
Yamaha FG series guitars have been around for a long time and managed to cement their reputation as some of the most well-built, great quality models on the market for years. A lot of the times when you find a guitar at a really good price the first thing that comes to mind is: “What is wrong with the guitar?” BUT the assumption that an affordable guitar is not great is as wrong as the assumption that all high-priced models are amazing. That is why I think the FG720S-12 is as great for beginners as for more well-seasoned players or anyone in between.
Build Quality
This 12 string acoustic dreadnought has solid sitka spruce top, a great quality material for great sound and tone. The back and sides are made of nato which might not be the most beloved and revered material for the guitar, serves its purpose very well and is really durable. The neck is also Nato and providing great bass. The action is great, low enough to ease strumming. The comfort, which is such a vital factor for beginners, is provided by a narrower shoulders and the wider bout provides the projection you will need.
Hardware
Yamaha has equipped this baby with rosewood fingerboard and bridge, die-cast tuners, and tortoise pickguard. And a beautiful glossy finish. The details that people at Yamaha have considered shows in the details, for instance, if you do not like the action (personally I think it is great) they have included Allen wrench to adjust the truss rod.
Yamaha FG720S Sound
The thought that went into choosing the right tonewood and construction of Yamaha FG720S-12 shows when you pick up this baby and start playing. The clear and balanced tone that you get from the model is unmatched in its price range. It definitely feels and sounds like something from a much higher price range. The action is perfect for strumming and forming chords, which is usually harder for beginners picking up the 12 string models for the first time. The deep, full sound of this model will have to be obsessed with it for months and years to come.
Conclusion
Yamaha has done it yet again – they created a superb guitar with beautiful and durable tonewood and great construction. The attention to details shows in the sound of this beautiful instrument. The FG720S-12 is an astounding guitar that seems to good to be true (at this price range, especially) so when you pick it up you will curse yourself for not doing it much earlier.
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I purchased the FG720S-12about six years ago. The fit and finish was excellent. A great buy for the money. However, it just hasen’t been an easy twelve string to play. I loved my Martin D12-35 and wished I still had it. I’m hoping I can get a decent set up and start enjoying a twelve string once again.