Yamaki F Series (Folk)

We have a limited amount of information on the F-Series (Folk Series Standard and Dreadnoughts, 6 and 12 strings). The comments made here will be general in nature as specs may have changed over time. It appears that early 1970 models (at least up to 1974) had truss rod covers on the headstock, and in later years the truss rod was accessed through the sound hole. The Yamaki logo tends to be horizontal on low end models and switches to vertical around the F-140. On the vertical logo, there are two types - a smaller or short logo for earlier models and a larger or taller logo for later models. Solid wood backs and sides start around the F150 for six strings and F250 for twelve strings. Wood used ranged from Mahogany, Rosewood, Jacaranda, Spruce, and Cedar.

The following list of F-Series models are a combination from three separate catalogs and still may not represent the entire range. As you can imagine, the higher the number, the higher the construction materials and hardware, ornamentation (e.g. inlays and binding), and price. Please refer to the images in the photo gallery below for specifications by model.

• F-Series Standard Size folk guitar: F-12, F-13, F-15, F-18, F-20, F-25, F-30, F-35, F-40, F-50.

• F-Series 6-String Dreadnaught Size folk guitars: F-115, F-118, F-120, F-122, F-125, F-130, F-132, F-135, F-140, F-145, F-150, F-160, F-170, F-180, F-185, F-1100, F-1150, F-1200

• F-Series 12-String Folk guitars: F-215, F-220, F-225, F-230, F-235, F-240, F-250, F-260, F-270, F-280, F-2100, F-2150, F-2200

Period pricing ranged from $139.50 for the F-12 and ¥13,000 for the F-13 all the way up to $839.00 for the F-2200 and ¥200,000 for the F-1200/F-2200.

By ~1978 it looks like this line of folk and dreadnought guitars fade away in advertisement and catalogs and the focus shifts to the MUGEN, YW, YM, WOODCRAFT, and YEAR SERIES. That being said, the F-Series range had some of the highest priced and most ornate models Yamaki ever created.