Yamaha FG461S - the last of the critically acclaimed 400-Series

This is another one of those rare guitars that sounds better than its model-mates. As musicians, we've all seen them. As a former collector, I've probably seen more than my share - both to the positive and the negative. In the case of this guitar, I've owned four of them, and this one was the best-sounding, which is why it stayed my collection for so long. At one point, I had 75 acoustic guitars in my collection, probably 60 of them were Yamahas. I was forever trading in and out, up and down, always looking for better versions of what I had. I've been liquidating them this past ten years due to my age. I'm getting down to the ones I didn't want to sell - until now.This was not an entry-level guitar when new, selling for $679 in the mid-90s (in mid-90s dollars!). It was the last variation of Yamaha's highly successful and critically acclaimed 400-series that started with the FG450S in 1985. Yamaha had hit upon a design, bracing pattern and brace carving formula that out-performed every guitar at its price point, and many well above its price point. All had solid spruce tops with five-ply bindings and Yamaha's patented HPL back and sides in various exotic woods with various levels of trim.In this case of this FG461S, the back and sides are Indian rosewood. She also has a rosewood headstock overlay with mother-of-pearl inlays for the name and logo as well as the delicate "snowflake" fret markers. Additionally, the FG461S has real abalone purfling within the binding as well as large abalone inlays on her string pegs, which I have beveled so the string ball sits more flush with the bridge plate for better tone & volume. Goldtone Yamaha Grover-clone tuners finish off the look. The neck is straight and the action is amazing. The top is starting to take on that nice aged patina of vintage guitars. Nearly perfect, save for a shallow "worm track" on the lower bout - see pic. She is the perfect guitar for the discriminating player on a budget. As far as I've been able to determine, I'm only the second owner of this beautiful guitar, and her first owner cared for her as well as I have. You can buy a cheaper FG461S somewhere, but you can't find one like this for less.Before listing her, I did a complete tear-down, cleaning her body and fretboard, applying carnuba wax to her body and headstock, and lemon oil to her fretboard and bridge. I even polished the frets and installed a brand new set of Martin phosphor-bronze light strings. That's $100 worth of work from any luthier. I always kept light strings on her, so bridge bellying is non-existent. If you have any questions or want additional pictures, hit me up.