Not planning on replacing it.

Sound
My first exposure to Yamaha company was with their motorcycles, I have owned three of them and they all ran like clockwork. It wasn't until my teens I realized Yamaha was originally a musical instrument company. Well now in my 40's since I had the time and could afford to do so I decided to learn to play the guitar, something I wanted to do since I could remember but could never afford. I looked around at the beginner instruments, and my problem was I am left handed and there were very few selections for a left handed guitar player. One of the choices I found was the Yamaha FG720SL. It was well built like their bikes, very precise, and even a novice could see the care that was taken in it's construction. I have a pretty good ear and after purchasing it I found that a couple strings were flat sounding. I took it to a guitar shop in Kentucky where my in laws live and the manager there showed me the problem, the strings had stretched out from sitting. He recommended D'Addario phosphor bronze strings and the sound really came out. Everything was bright defined and could cover a vast range of tones. Surprisingly, I didn't expect the range this instrument could provide, I understood that it is very difficult for a manufacturer to engineer a soundbox to allow such range, but Yamaha did their homework. After 5 years owning this instrument the sound has enriched from over the years and things breaking in and… read more the guitar maturing. It still looks as fresh as the day I bought it and I expect this piece to be handed down after me.

Ease of Use
Changing the strings to D'Addario EJ!6 strings and a simple readjustment of the neck brought out the performance and the tonal qualities of this instrument.

Quality
The only imperfection of this instrument was a single small piece of sawdust was embedded in the clear-coat, you have to look hard to see it. And my other gripes are the limited selection on the finishes for the left handed instrument, and the stick on pick guard sits oddly against the quality of the overall instrument, I would liked to have seen one like on a Gibson where it was a thicker more substantial material.

Value
Very much so.

Manufacturer Support
Can't say never needed anything more than strings for it.

The Wow Factor
It is a simple plain instrument not very outstanding from first glance but closely inspected the quality sets it apart.

Musical Background:
novice

Musical Style:
mellow read less