Yes and no: it has the red label, but it’s not Nippon Gakki. It’s from the Taiwan factory, made early 71 from what I can work out. The Taiwan guitars aren’t as desirable as the Nippon models but there is apparently no discernible difference.
It is a great find. Justifies the 20 - odd years I’ve spent mooching around charity shops!
They’re barely discernible like you say. My understanding is the red label Taiwan models were made in Taiwan with the last of the stock from Japan. So they’re essentially the same guitars.
I had an fg180 a few years back, one of the only guitars I regret selling
Yes and no: it has the red label, but it’s not Nippon Gakki. It’s from the Taiwan factory, made early 71 from what I can work out. The Taiwan guitars aren’t as desirable as the Nippon models but there is apparently no discernible difference.
It is a great find. Justifies the 20 - odd years I’ve spent mooching around charity shops!