I bought it because I wanted something to take to school when I sub that was better than the cheapie I never play. (That was bought just to see if someone could actually make a playable guitar for a hundred bucks. It was actually pretty good for a beginner guitar, but lacks any richness. )
I sub mostly in the winter or on rainy days. Both conditions where taking a $4,000 guitar seems like a dumb plan.
The Yamaha sounds pretty good, plays easily, built like a tank has built-in electronics & a cutaway.
I don't know that it will last 30 years, but I won't either! :chuckle :
Last thing: back in the 60s & most of the 70s, I didn't play guitar. I was piano only.
But, I had friends with guitars & the cheap ones were, quite simply, crap!
That's nor the case anymore. There is no such thing as a crummy guitar made anymore. Everything is good, and you pay more for better or great.
Teisco had one when I was 14, at Goldblatts (a Chicago area department store chain). It was $180 then.
I've played one since and it's neck heavy, the neck feels like 2 by 4, the electronics are week & noisy. Today, I could buy a Squier Tele copy for $180 in 2025 money & I could use it at a gig.
Night & day. So, I'm not surprised that the Fender is better than you expected.
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