My action is a bit high on the saddle end and I want to sand the saddle down a bit but I have read that there is a problem with the string loudness if you sand the saddle flat, do you or anyone have the facts on this? The back and side bracing is NOT a model of neatness ..... a lot of it looks haphazard, with small pieces of wood about to fall off into the body. Used some fine sandpaper on the back of the neck for a slicker baby smooth feel. They did not have it at Guitar Center so I ordered one. Sometimes they suffer through shipping as do all instruments, but once you get one of these Yamaha A3Rs that are set up with decent string height, it will sound great for sure! This can clearly be seen in the paperwork that comes with the guitars (in fact: chinese-made, not USA) and also if you pull out the electronics (was necessary for a repair in my guitar). I picked the one the sounded the best of course which happened to be an A3M. 3-Way Pickup System 60 (selling price S$1,500) and was told that the LLX series including this LLX16 model have been discontinued (which means that they are obsolete models). I have read your reviews on acoustic electric guitars and was impressed by your review on the. John - Just purchased this guitar last week. ( I found a similar complaint on another site). Classical guitars have been dropped by pop and rock musicians in this era of all-digital devoid-of-life music. The articulate and well-rounded sound with great projection is some of the qualities that make it one of the top acoustic guitars throughout the industry. The microphone also has different modeling capabilities for replicating a close microphone or wide microphone setup. However, there might be some slight differences in the brightness of the piezo. hint hint Anyways I happened on the A3 series at a local vendor and was really blown away with the quality of workmanship, the way it played like butter, and the overall tone. Thanks for reading and your appreciation! Thanks in advance!! I believe with 2 mic simulation options, you will still be able to get a complete range of dynamic tones and overtone combinations from either the SRT or the SRT2. However, the C models will not put forth as much of a "bass end" because of this size difference when the guitar is unplugged. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. The body sound is responsive to to hard playing which I like. So a week and 3 days. No one I've talked to seems to know the model number of the case I should get for my guitar. Kevin Garner, NC, Kevin- that's great to hear. I like the way it plays now. Hey Chronoslomo - Thanks for the kind words! Where to buy this guitar online - some suggestions. . The electronics are superb for recording (I use Apogee /Macbook Pro/Logic/Garageband) and the playability is way above it's pay scale. Transparancy Act, The shipping company will call you to schedule your delivery date and time, Someone will need to be home to receive the package, Be sure you have measured your entryway and have help available to carry the item in. Thanks and rock on! upper bout/waist/lower bout) between the two models? I am glad this helped you. However it feels so comfortable that I can easily make the transition from my Guild to the Yamaha without problem. Thanks Ontario Canada. From your review it sounds like the Fender Acoustasonic 90 or the Marshall Acoustic AS50D would be great fits for my needs and budget. Join for free and start earning 8% back on every purchase. The Yamaha NTX models (NTX1, NTX3 and NTX5) were designed to make it easy for electric and steel-string acoustic guitar players to add the warmth and … After all, these Yamaha A Series guitars get nearly 5 stars from hundreds of other reviews so they are bound to have a 1 to 2% margin for products that need slight adjustment. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. I happened to fluke into the one as the only decent music store on my road trip home happened to have only one AC3R in stock and it happened to be a vintage sunburst. One cobweb still lingers in my mind after reading all the confusing articles in 'You tube' prior to reading your excellent article. I hope my son loves it! I will be trying both of those amps if my dealer has them and will definitely post back here with my experiences. Thanks a million! I have read from other websites where people who bought this LL series have also mentioned that if Yamaha could have incorporate an active preamp system into the "LL" series. . and then there are some solid recommendations for different price ranges that I believe you will find very helpful! One thing I have also done in the past is take out the saddle and sanded the bottom side of the saddle down to adjust string height if I wanted the action a bit lower, but you have to be careful not to sand it too much for string buzz issues too. But, to my confusion, the review about the srt-system is wrong. A regular "piezo-only" pickup cannot capture the true acoustic guitar sound like this SRT. A Simple Summary Table of all Yamaha A-Series acoustic electric guitars, Having reviews all of the SRT technologies and the 8 different model choices, our top 2 picks of all 8 Yamaha A-Series are, Some closing thoughts, summary and comparison to other leading brands. Will have to look more into this and to see if I can get a statement from Yamaha if possible because there is a little mixed information out there. The Yamaha A-Series of guitars is the first "American Made" Yamaha series designed with the United States engineering team, and the collaboration between the Japanese and American teams has created a combination of the highest acoustic guitar craftsmanship with the un-matched S.R.T. It is most likely a 5mm allen wrench according to the Yamaha website. Thanks for sharing your feedback. Do you or anyone out there know the dimensions (i.e. With lamintated sides and back (cheaper A-1 series), the tonewood difference is not as noticeable in the sound, and affects the color and visual appeal moreso than the sound. It is no problem to sand it down and form it like it is meant to be by sanding it only in the middle region on the edge of a table for example. Black Ice guitar picks feature a custom oversized "jazz" shape that is designed for speed picking and where precise articulation is required. I'll get the other dimensions posted here once I hear back. I was wondering if you would also make a recommendation on an amp to use with the A3R. They sound great, the price is excellent (many under $200) and they look awesome. So if you want the real deal, fork out the extra $200 or so and get an A1. Rotate fully to the left for 100% pickup signal and fully to the right for 100% simulated mic signal. I love Indonesian guitars, so that's not a dealbreaker. I love the porous mahogany neck on the. I went through some bad ones in college and wasted money on pickups that didn't hack it, before I knew anything about pickup technology. This A3R is also better (in my opinion) than any model that Taylor, Martin, Takamine, or any of the other leading guitar manufacturers are currently producing in the "Under $1000" line because the others are using lamintated tonewoods and inferior onboard electronics. Thanks for seeing the missing info, Rick! Understanding the Yamaha A-Series Naming System. With the A-3 Series, or any solid tonewood acoustic guitar, Mahogany and Rosewood sound distinctly different: It is this guitar player's choice to prefer Rosewood over Mahogany as well, whenever I have the choice between two guitars of equal craftsmanship, size and model. The tonality is going to be very similar, but with the A3R you will pay less and get a great pickup as well. Hope this helps! 3 Microphones with 2 Professional Studio Settings: "Focus" and "Wide". This is my review of the Yamaha Pacifica 112 Electric Guitar. It's that good for the money. I am not sure what you have available in Singapore, but there are a lot of great guitars in the $1,000 to $2500 range, and the purpose of this website is to focus more on guitars in the $200 to $1500 range, because once you get into the professional lines above $1500, you really get into some very fine preferences that mostly appeal to more accomplished players. Hope it helps! The SRT 2 has these features below- taken directly from the Yamaha website. Even if you have a great ear for tuninng, this feature is great for re-assurance or for quick and accurate re-tuning between gigs or songs to keep the playing going and sounding great. I am sure he'll love this guitar! Knob (D): Blend control / mic type switch [PUSH] Controls the mix level of signals received from the pickup and the microphone sources. If that doesn't fix it, you might want to try taking it to a luthier as there are very minor inconsistencies in even the most expensive guitars and it might also require light sanding of 1 or more fret wires (which I would not mess with but give to a professional). This was absolutely the most comprehensive review I have seen concerning the "A Series" Yamaha guitars. There are so many conflicting stories concerning the saddle on this guitar. In these models that would be mostly correct because the option switch for mic sounds of the pickup are studio samples (not a true mic of your performance - but pre-recorded and stored in the pickup). WOW AMAZING REVIEW....CLEARED THE CONFUSION,ANSWERED ALL THE QUESTIONS FOR THIS "NEWBE"THANK YOU, THANK YOU !ORDERING AS SUGGESTED. Yamaha APXT2 3/4-Size Black Acoustic-Electric Guitar is a great and convenient guitar for beginners or students. Complete Resonance Control allows the player to gain body resonance, tones and overtone vibration from the acoustic guitar body for a richer tone and experience. There are a good variety of settings for different tones. The SRT 2 is a sleeker design, showing only 4 modest knobs instead of the rectangular preamp in the side of the guitar body. The CPX series that use the ART pickup technologies do not have microphone modeling or condenser mics in their pickup at all. It will be hard to find an equal match to this kind of microphone and piezo pickup quality on any acoustic electric guitar, even on guitars costing several thousands of dollars. I am glad this helped and believe me, it was a LOT of work to put this together. . Unlike some piezo systems, which have a signature "quack" when playing live, this system sounds incredibly natural--this … Yamaha are missing a trick or two on their marketing! Hi Aaron, I, too own the A3R and am very happy with everything about the guitar. AGAIN THANKS !!!! I really prefer Rosewood because of it's wider EQ response than Mahogany which tends to project more in the id range, whereas Rosewood's natural resonance amplifies more bass sound, giving the guitar a richer, fuller sound. Having the right pickup is everything in my opinion. purchase from Musician's Friend (electric or acoustic, New or Open Box) includes two years of Ultimately, it will come down to whether you like Rosewood vs. Mahogany, and whether you can deal without having a digital tuner onboard. Hi! I think there must be a Yamaha case made specifically for the AC3R. It happens more than you think. John, very glad this helped! the saddle in my AC3R is slightly concave. Don. Most orders placed before noon ET ship same day (except weekends and holidays). Few have explained the intricacies of the pickup system nor the and subtleties of tone woods as we as you have. As a gigging musician for many decades now I am always on the look out for an instrument that not only sounds and plays great but will also take the rigors of the road. Epiphone Les Paul Special-II. Recently My Wife and I started to recover financially. Thanks again- Aaron, Thanks man, I wish more reviewers would get into the specifics as you have in this article. I have had my eye on this guitar for quite some time and recently purchased one. I am not telling the dealer but I am almost certain to buy it. The on-board microphone has 3 different professional microphone models with the 2 most commonly used studio mic settings for professional studio recording and live play realism. Keep Strummin! . . Neither my picking or singing is very good but I love doing it. I cannot decide between the AC5R and the CPX1500wa (guy down the road is selling). There will always be a few nay-sayers for just about any guitar, but 99% of people who play this and have purchased it are able to recognize what a great value it is as well. If Yamaha do have upcoming new acoustic electric guitar models, it is pointless for me to spend over S$1,000 buying an old or obsolete, As you are living in the US, I wonder whether Yamaha has introduced new models in the US which might not be available in Singapore yet and do you or dealers in the US who sells, HI Jeannie, great question and I answered that thoroughly above if you check this post here-. Let us know if you resolve it! The differences between the SRT and SRT2 - Full Details: The biggest 3 differences between the SRT1 (original SRT preamp &pickup) and the SRT2 are: 1- There is 1 less microphone model option in the SRT 2 - the mic models depend on whether you choose Rosewood or Mahogany - detailed below. Part of the reward is having people like you read and reply and actually get some help and clarity on any guitar I review. . I have read so many, many reviews on guitars. Right from the first strum my A3R played like butter and sounded like it had been played in smokey clubs for years. . I really love this guitar. Thanks again for so much unbiased information! However, if you are leaning toward the slightly more expensive A-3 Series, not only do you get a far superior onboard studio with the SRT, but you get solid tonewoods whether you choose Mahogany or Rosewood. Rig Rundown: Spirit … Classical guitars first became popular in jazz, … So although there is no direct condenser, it will blend based on the studio modeling and the model of the body style of each A series guitar, giving you more than 1 mic - but essentially 3 professional mics in multiple positions. The difference is significant! whether plugged in or unplugged, and for the price range around $800, it is really hard to beat. Shop, Hollow & Semi-Hollow A lot of people have enjoyed this guitar and have purchased it after reading this review. Greetings from Malaga - Spain. If you are looking to preserve the true acoustic sound of the gutiar when pluggin in or recording through the on-board pickup, you will be disappointed with any of the A1 series (A1M, A1R, AC1M, or AC1R) because of this distinct diffference. Have you ever come across another guitar that has a built in actual mic and piezo system like the CPX1500? is hand's down the best value A/E under $1000, Takamine EF341SC vs Yamaha A3R for ease of playability. Hi Aaron Schulman thanks for your webpage clear explaination, Kelvin- You are welcome! Yamaha have introduced the SRT2 in A3R ARE model. Martin or Gibson. EN-10c stood for years. That being said, the Yamaha Silent guitars are pretty awesome for the price and the ability to play silent, plugged in for performance or recording, or for travel! You can select two different mic types to choose the optimal sound for your playing style and for the song you are performing. I do not review cases so much, but really got my education in the design and the tonewoods for acoustics, because I had so much trouble in the early days finding consistent quality between manufacturers, but the Yamaha A Series is one of the very best guitars for the buck! You are correct. However, the product bundle only costs a mere $1 more and you get a lot of accessories with it (about $80 worth). If you prefer the richer, darker brown color, then the "R" or Rosewood might be for you. I just put some D'Addario EXP17 Phosphor Bronze Medium strings on it, and it's not quite as brilliant bright as with the original strings (which is what I like, as I'm a strummer, not a finger picker). It sounds good unplugged or plugged in. Get the guaranteed best prices on New Yamaha Electric Guitars at Musician's Friend. If you have played both, how would you compare them in that regard? Phil, thanks for taking the time. Heowever, any time you have a pickup installed, it can affect the sound profile a bit, but as long as you do not have a pre-amp installed in the side of the guitar, but have them place a blender (microphone in the soundhole) with an under-the-saddle style piezo type pickup, then they usually have a dial (like the old Fishman blender) where you can adjust the gain blend from the 2 pickups to get your desired sound profile. The A-3 Series features ebony fingerboards which are dark black, distinct, and a bit more resilient to the wear and tear of fingering chords over the life of the guitar. Hi Miguel, Great question, and thanks for sharing your personal confidence and opinion on the SRT pickup system and the Yamaha A3R acoustic series! Regardless of your playing style, you can switch between 3 professional, built-in microphone settings which allow you to amp the true sound of the acoustic guitar through an on-board microphone. Yamaha TRBX505 Review. So, the Yamaha A3R has a more purely natural sound from the pickup when the condenser (mic) is engaged, but the gain on it's pre-amp signal is not as strong as the pickup on the Takamine. 3-The Royer R-122 (AVAILABLE IN BOTH SRT and SRT2)- a ribbon style microphone is great for rounding out and smoothing the tones for Jazz and Blues playing - this microphone model gives a warmer, wider and smooth tone response for the more mellow acoustic sweetness. It is an amazing deal for the investment. It was a lot of work testing and researching and writing about these guitars. That being said, the Takamine ES341SC is going to give more output on the pickup and amp, but it will not give a completely natural, acoustic tone with the ambience of the microphone blender found in the Yamaha A3R. Thanking you in advance. Baggs Electronics. When it is plugged, I assume that there´s no (or little) difference because the enterely sound is digitally procesed by the piezo pickup and it electronic proccesor that simulates the guitar ambient sound, Are you agree? Nevertheless, the electronics are pretty good, and the unplugged-sound of the guitar is much better than you would exspect for the price. There is no built-in microphone in the SRT-system. As you can probably believe, it is difficult to keep up with all the advancements these companies are continuing to push in their guitars. Let me say this, "I love this guitar!". Yamaha A-Series A3M Acoustic Guitar Review. If you are looking for a more mellow, bassy and warm sound, you can back the mid and high ranges off while accentuating the bass a bit. I doubt at my age that I'll ever have a Collection again but I am playing again. Thanks for sharing. Orders placed before 5 p.m. While the microphone preserves the true tonewood quality captured only by studio microphones, the piezo can add more gain or volume without picking up feedback or muddling the sound. The SRT starts with 3 world class studio microphones modeled in 1. . Despite my criticism I still believe I received excellent value for this purchase. I led him to another guitar in the same price range that was at least 3 times better quality! Though both Taylor and Martin make some fine higher-end guitars, they cut costs with their "below $1000" line by using inferior laminated woods for the sides and back so you lose a bit on the age-ability of the guitars and the richness and complexity of tones and overtones you can only get from solid tonewoods. Like I said in the review- had they made this model when I was in college, I would have bought one hands down!! Rig Rundown: Strike Anywhere . Thanks for clearing up the confusion; between salespeople, websites & You Tube all contradicting each other, I thought I was the crazy one. The back of the body has a generous belly contour, and the top’s lower bass bout is gently beveled for playing arm comfort. As for the Yamaha Silent, I actually did already write up a review, but it is on the same page as 4 other travel guitar reviews that I did a while back. Read more about the Yamaha A-Series here. Aaron, Hi Aaron, I just found your fabulous assessment of best acoustic guitars under $1000. Although I like System 63 SRT Pickup system on this guitar very much as it has plenty of personal preference settings, I found that the overall sound of the guitar is not as full especially the bass as compared with the LLX16 (both unplugged and plugged into the amplifier). On the other hand. (Studio Response Technology). Unplugged, the Dreadnought size is more universal in sound, and the "C" models are better for people who need a slightly smaller guitar with a bit more favor for fingerstyle playing. Not only does the SRT have an on-board tuner, but it is engineered to match the subtleties of each acoustic guitar model for the most accurate string tuner. However, if you take care of your guitar, you Yamaha's MFG warranty should be sufficient and you should have not problems getting the warranty covered by the online vendor through Amazon. I currently play Babicz & Breedlove A/E's ...... which come equipped with very nice Fishman and L.R. Every guitar or bass you That reduces your personal risk to virtually zero! The solid Sitka top was selected for both its look and tone. This SRT technology is like having a professional microphone and studio built in. I'm drawn to the Tak, but even though it gets stellar reviews, it seems that most of them are as a "stage" guitar, i.e. choice for a better guitar (want to upgrade)... it is beyond my reach!! With the accuracy of the on-board tuner, you can tune each string with ease and precision even in the middle of a performance. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Aaron Pico - Chico, CA, Thanks Aaron- about the Chinese made vs. American made. The APXT2 Acoustic Electric is a Yamaha, so it is going to be well made. Stores in Chicago Area don't have these in stock, hate buying sight and sound unseen, but I'll take your word for it! I totally agree that there is one that is right for each player and I might add each playing condition! Thanks very much! How would you compare the neck width and thickness compared to your Eastman? It's a lot of information so it is easy to mix them up, especially when many companies use a "C" or "CE" in the model to express "Cutaway" or "Cutaway Electric". I doubt you will be disappointed in either one, but it appears from most sellers you will pay more for the LL16, when you are essentially getting the same craftsmanship, just a little different body size and EQ balance. Wonderfully constructed guitar and very hard to beat for well under $1000. Hmmm. I wonder if its possible to buy The SRT System without the guitar and if there is a nylon guitar with the SRT pickup system. While I do not know much about Zager guitars, I am always looking to get my hands on something new to be able to write about it. (ALSO in the original SRT pickup). The Yamaha A-Series Acoustic-Electric Guitars (complete series review - updated with new SRT 2 and SRT 1 comparisons) "Easily the best of both worlds for under $1000" (Complete Comparison table of all A series models below - (A1R, A1M, AC1R, AC1M, A3R, A3M, AC3R, AC3M) I happen to know a lot about "mid-level" A/E guitars as I have been using them personally and professionally for many (many) years. The "R" stands for Rosewood and the "M" Stands for Mahogany, but look closely. If it does not meet your desire, I would return it for a refund and order the other one. I actually bought the Yamaha A3CR and love it! There are currently 8 Yamaha A-Series acoustic models on the market as follows: *** Note *** The A-1 Series does not include the SRT pickup detailed above, but a simple piezo A66 Analog Pickup. . I've just purchased a AC3R and I'm touching the heaven.. it's simply perfect. However, if too much feedback occurs at any time, simply dialing down the resonance to the left will reduce the resonance / reverberation pickup for a cleaner, more straight-forward acoustic sound. Please, when you pick your amp, please come back and post on the comments on one of the amp pages so that conversation and your feedback stays with the amp pages (that will help people more who are looking for the right amp)! I know that when I played the A3R, I liked the neck because I play fingerstyle. LR Baggs are top quality pickups for sure. Im a yamaha fan anyway so my advice to anyone who Is thinking about getting one is gett off the forums and go and get it! Many people cannot hear the difference, but most guitar players with any experience can definitely hear the difference. Basically I love the body depth of a CPX series and that it actually has an adjustable mic on the CPX1500 with the old version of the SRT. I have been trying to decide for weeks which guitar to choose - I am returning to solo gigging after almost 20 years - and do not want to take my Martin D28 out. Greg, Thanks for your enthusiasm and I am glad this really helped you. Michael, thanks for sharing your personal experience on this guitar! The. My budget for the guitar and amp would be roughly $1500 so if I get the A3R I would be looking at amps around $600 or less. I have been playing for 55+ years and have always played Fenders and Gibsons - and collected many of their Classic Models. amplified, and played with a full band. I've tried a few Larrivees but they don't suit my hand. "Sounds that were only attainable by professional recording engineers using old-world vintage microphone set ups in world-class recording studios are now available with this built in SRT system, whether playing live or in your home studio.". When I was in college, I could not afford this thing, but for only $199 you can buy one and have it professionally installed. I would agree that occasionally, one could pick up a guitar from a manufacturer and have some minor glue issues or a little sloppiness on a spot in the binding or the internal bracings, as not all guitars even from the same manufacturer are created equally. I usually keep comments turned off for most reviews because of the amount of spam I deal with, but your simple note of gratitude deserves a post. I purchased this model a couple weeks ago. The Yamaha fit the bill very nicely ..... thank you. I am from India. Good volume without feedback. *** Remember that it is only the A3 Series that have this advanced SRT pickup system, NOT the A1 series (which is just a standard piezo). The most reasonable mixer type pickup out there right now is made by LR Baggs, which has been in business for years as many pros use LR Baggs Pickups for professional gigs etc. I have this narrowed down between the A3R and the Takamine ES341SC, which although normally more expensive than the Yamaha is on sale for the same price now. Solid (non-laminated) Rosewood back and sides, Dreadnought Body Size (most universal, full size acousic body), Concert Body Size (not as large as the Dreadnought, but a full size guitar that can carry any gig as well), Hardshell case (comes standard with all of them). Thanks for your kind words. I've only been playing for 2 months, but have to agree that Yamaha acoustics deserve serious consideration. On-board tuner for string tuning accuracy. The final secret touch (the power supply). Beside rich sound quality, it has a warm tone. It does, however, mean a smaller, "Concert" model which may be a bit easier to hold and play for mid to small size players. It's not a real high end case, but it wasn't expensive and it's a safe place for the guitar until I can source a real good gigging case. As I performed and sing with my acoustic electric guitar on stage and in churches, I need a guitar with a good active preamp system so that I would be able to set the sound on the guitar. We'll get to the differencese between Yamaha A-series models below, but first we have to discuss why the SRT pickup system blows the other pickup systems out of the water for guitars in this "under $1000" crowd (and even most in the "above $1000" crowd). I can't wait to get my hands on it. Hope these help! I am planning to purchase another acoustic electric guitar with good built-in preamp system and have narrowed down to Yamaha brand. I have played the AC3M and loved it, but wanted to know more about the AC3R. The Rosewood versions (labeled with the letter "R" in the model number) have the Neumann U67 and the Royer R122 and not the Neumann KM56 as shown below. I was so impressed that I am trying to get a local dealer to get a Yamaha A3R in so that I can actually put my hands on it. Enjoy the lowest prices and best selection of Yamaha Electric Guitars at Guitar Center. There is no mic in it. My FG730S has deft action not to mention its subtle balance between high and low end tones. ***THIS PART OF THE REVIEW HAS BEEN UPDATED***: THE NEW SRT 2 Preamp vs. Categories, More Ways to Sorry X-man... wish I had better news for you, but I searched Yamaha's site and I also called their tech support for guitars (waited for a while) but found out they only have 2 acoustic series for left-handed players. The Yamaha Pacifica PAC012 is a very good choice for anyone looking to pick up the electric guitar. and do a lot of personal testing. Hi Brian, playability will probably come with the action set a little lower on the Takamine EF341SC, but since I do not have them side-by-side, I do not know. would this guitar work for me? Yamaha NTX700 Review. Being patient on the purchase, especially of this size investment, pays off and though you wanted the sunburst which are apparently more rare, I would still expect to find some inconsistencies in guitars from different releases of the same model. I have never played Yamaha's before, but I did like an Eastman SS dread that I tried a couple years ago. Hello Aaron...I have reviewed thehttp://amzn.to/1RR9jP4http://amzn.to/1RR9jP4 extensively and must say that your assessment is the most comprehensive that I have come across. So if I were to purchase one from the Yamaha A-Series, it would be the Yamaha A3R model. Also would you ever consider making a review of left hand guitars? I needed a good quality/good value guitar for recording and occasional live gigging (to take some of the load off the Babicz/Breedlove setup I have now). . Like I said, I tend to beat the crap out of my guitars, so mid-level is fine by me for now. You can read more technical aspects about the LR Baggs Antem-SL here or. Both have solid spruce tops, very similar tone woods, but the Yamaha LL16 is a Jumbo design, meaning that the guitar will most likely give more output in the bassy side of an acoustic guitar. I just ordered a quality used A3R for my son based on this review. Rig Rundown: Sammy Boller. Mic Type 1: Neumann U67 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone, Mic Type 2: Royer R122 Active Ribbon Microphone, The Mahogany versions (labeled with the letter "M" in the model number) have the Neumann KM56 and the Royer 122 and not the Neuman U67 as shown below, Mic Type 1: Neumann KM56 Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone, 1-The Neumann U67 (AVAILABLE IN THE SRT and THE SRT2 Rosewood Models) - great for wide EQ and any playing style, giving the player a large diaphragm condenser studio mic sound. Taylor Builder’s Edition V-Class K14CE :- Best Acoustic Guitar. Great question! Ebony is a bit more expensive than Rosewood as well. This setting gives the player a fine-tuning on the perceived "distance" of the microphone settings between "focus" and "wide", opening up an endless fine-tuning capability of the perceived studio microphone set up. Gibson J-200 Standard. This will be all personal preference, and I doubt you will be disappointed with your Takamine purchase. There are 21 frets i… The fact that there is never any feedback from the condenser might be a clue. ET usually ship the same business day. The newer Yamaha world class SRT system gives you a built in studio in 1 control panel with: The SRT2 does not appear to have a "doubled" mic location option for picking up either a focused (single near mic) and wide setup (both single near mic and distant second mic), Best Electric Guitar - Fender Squier Stratocaster, Blueridge BR-341 Historic Series Parlor Guitar. The Royer R-122 - a ribbon style microphone is great for rounding out and smoothing the tones for Jazz and Blues playing - this microphone model gives a warmer, wider and smooth tone response for the more mellow acoustic sweetness, Mahogany sounds more punchy in the mid-range and treble or higher ranges, lacking a bit in the bass projection. In Europa I can find onley made in China and I`m not belive in Quality of China guitars. The Yamaha AC3R would be similar in feel to the APX1000 except for the tonality differences listed above between Maple and Rosewood. They all sounded great but there's always that one just for you. This is a great feature for keeping the sound going in diverse playing environments without destroying or interrupting the natural acoustic amplified sound of the guitar. What I would recommend is having a similar "blender" type pickup installed in a superior sounding acoustic guitar with the rich tonewoods you desire. Coupled with the built in visual signal, the player will know at least 1 hour in advance when the "AA" batteries need to be changed before performance is interrupted. . Not only does the SRT have both an onboard microphone for picking up the natural acoustic sound of the guitar, but it has a blender to balance between the loudness or "gain" from the piezo pickup without sacrificing that true acoustic sound you would expect from an acoustic guitar. From what I understand, the SRT pickup system is still only available in 4 models, A3R, A3M, A3CR, and A3CM. This is what makes Yamaha one of the best low end guitar producers around. I too purchased this terrific instrument based on your incredibly detailed review. Hi Paul and Jerry- It looks like they are phasing the old SRT blender out in the Yamaha A3, and calling the new SRT in the Yamaha A1 series simply the SRT piezo. You can easily adjust the action on the Yamaha A3R by taking out the saddle and sanding the bottom side down, or have it adjusted at a local guitar shop until you like the string set / height. Both the sound and the looks are terrific. I loved the series so much I was able to get my hands on a A6R so now I have the best of both tone worlds. It's brighter than my Martin 17M (but not as bright as a Taylor), and more condusive to singing along with (because I understand that it's not competing with your voice at the same frequencies). usually ship the same business day. The mahogany neck is fast and slippery, with a wonderful feel, but the neck joint on mine looks like the sanding process stopped a little short. I think your answer will come down to which guitar feels better to you, and which one sound better for your most common use scenario. If the string action is too high for you, it can be adjusted slightly and in increments until you are comfortable. I called in and had an extensive discussion (with Ed- one of Yamaha's USA guitar technical experts) about the new SRT technologies as well as the 8 different A-series models that Yamaha offers to get the real scoop on these great guitars. Yamaha Pacifica Guitar Review Originally developed in the 1990’s, the Yamaha Pacifica series has become one of the company’s best-selling entry-level electric guitars. Don that's awesome and I'm excited for you! Originally, I thought they were American crafted. The warranty insurance providers must be the same or similar online because the pricing seems to be about the same at $130 extra for 3 years of coverage, but you have to be sure to purchase the extra coverage if you want it. I also cannot find the information on any Yamaha Site as to whether it is concave or flat. It’s also built with a body that’s only 3/4ths the size of standard acoustics. Yamaha’s APXT2 is a hybrid guitar that can play acoustically but also plugged into an amp and given the full distortion and effect treatment if you desire. On another note the A3R takes well to being tuned in other keys like open a and f. The most complete report on the Yamaha A series guitar. The sound is authentic and from some people's opinions, a bit lacking in the "gain" or loudness. I put it through a great tryout. In other words, the SRT1 allowed you to model 2 mic setups- a focus setup meaning 1 close mic vs. a wide setup which means a close mic and a distant mic giving more studio resonance. Our top pick for the best acoustic guitar right now is the Martin D-28 Reimagined, closely followed by the Taylor Builder's Edition V-Class K14CE For us, Lefties, this is not a personal choice but a birth right (pun). I'm curious as to the string height others have their A series guitars set at. i purchased a yamaha a3r 2017 model...what do you think of the srt2 system in this version? Thank you Michi, After reviewing, I was aware of the modeling, but was sure there was a condenser. Thanks again for sharing- Aaron, Enjoyed the review. Hi Dan, I have not heard about the saddle being concave. It sounds great plugged into a PA and over time we'll see just how durable it is. The A3 series will easily give more quality in craftsmanship as well as amplified technology than any of the other leading brands currently producing guitars in this "Under $1000" crowd. Thanks for the response Dromadamusic - Stop back some time and let us all know how it goes after some time on the road. Push this button to activate the AFR. In other words, a quality studio condenser microphone will definitely pick up the differences when recording in a studio or using a mic live (through the air) versus the pickup, just like your ear would. An all solid with wood bibding at this price? Taylor K14ce … Yet I have the following observations about the construction of the guitar. Agreed that they Yamaha Silent guitars are pretty awesome too, but being that they are not true acoustic guitars, that might steer a few people away, those who want the sound and feel of real tonewoods. Best bang for the buck for what has come out in the last several years! What I would recommend is buying one off of Amazon.com here, and then if you have issues, just return it and get another. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. Jim, Hi Jim! Thanks for the great detailed review of the Yamaha A series and thanks in advance for any recommendations you might have for an amp. . Additionally, the final disctinction between the A-1 and A-3 Series is the fingerboard (fretboard) wood used. 2. I would suggest, though that you clarify one thing - in your review the A3R is referred to as "American Made", but in actuality, it is manufactured in China. I have also asked them if they could provide me with Yamaha Japan head office email address as I want to write to them but was told that they do not have any. Thank you Ricco. Hope this helps and I hope I understood your question accurately. Regardless, it is a great buy and a great performer for the price range! *There are even some errors on the Official Yamaha guitar site that are cleared up (below) in this review. Rosewood is simply unmatched in its ability to project well in all 3 basic Eq registers (Bass, Mid and Treble) and this gives the guitar a wider Eq, more bass projection, better balance, and more overall volume and projection over it's Mahogany competitors. Your article was like mana from heaven. These 2 articles go into some depth on explaining different kinds of amp technology, cabinets, etc. IRA (Initial Response Acceleration) technology shakes off the stress often found in new guitars and make them extremely vibrant and responsive. I been watching it for a while but I was hesitant because of the 43mm nut width as I mostly play on 1 3/4 necks . I went to several Guitar Center stores in the Houston area to learn what I could before buying anything. 2-The Neumann KM56 (AVAILABLE IN THE SRT and the SRT2 Mahogany Models) - great for crisp, high end where detailed playing must stand out- including crisp lead guitar, scales, finger style picking, and flat-picking where clarity and distinction are needed. Thank you Steve for providing this information. . Yamaha Revstar RSP20CR Review. There was a huge difference in sound and feel between the cheaper laminate guitars. Maple is a harder brighter wood in the Takamine and the Rosewood in the Yamaha A3R will certainly give you more bass response unplugged, and therefore a bigger sound as the EQ response from the tonewoods is "wider". Once again thanks, Thanks for taking the time to share this much detail! Get free shipping on instruments and musical equipment, easy zero-interest payment plans, and top-rated service at zZounds! I moved the nut over about 1/16 to better center the strings and re glued it. Since they are nowhere to be found on their site for bout and shoulder width- I will write or call Yamaha and post it here later. Hope this helps! Thanks a lot for this detailed review. When you blend over to the mic, and choose the different mic modeling, it is, indeed, a micro-processor that has all of the authentic sounds modeled and stored digitally within the pickup. In the old days, feedback from an instrument, including an acoustic guitar could wreak havoc on a performance or recording, sending a building and annoying squeal of sound through the audience. Great info, thanks for clarifying the differences between the two, and I know that I can't really go wrong with either one. Thanks Jose for your honesty. The Les Paul Special-II from Epiphone makes for a … The reason I choose Rosewood over Mahogany is a personal preference that is also backed by the creators of many high-end professional guitars. This is the most common type of acoustic guitar shape and is known for a boomy sound with good volume and a bass driven sound.Unfort… This is a great guitar that I consider to be a new original classic. The Yamaha FSX820C guitar is one you can start your guitar-playing journey on and continue with for years to come. The Takamine has a cedar top and maple sides and back, which will give you a unique combination of mellow, lush response from the cedar top with more projection in the mid to high EQ range for a guitar. One thing I have noticed is no mention of the Neck setup or truss rod. I think when it comes to this kind of fine comparison for finer technical playability and feel- measurements might give a clue to begin your comparison, but the only way to know would be to personally play and touch them side by side. This has been the most in-detail review on the latest Yamaha range and it helped me a great deal to make the right purchase decision. Fender Player Stratocaster. Orders placed before 5 p.m. His recommendation was the, I couldn't believe how much of a difference the solid wood made. I called them recently (above conversation) and inquired about more informatoin for left-handed models of the A series, and they could not tell me anything. Yamaha today launched the NX Series of six nylon-string acoustic-electric guitars featuring contemporary body styles and proprietary preamp/pickup systems. The Yamaha A3R won't let you down, I am sure! 43mm would be slightly narrower than what I have now, so I guess I'll have to go down to the local Yamaha dealer and try one out. I've read that some people think the Tak is almost like an electric in terms of how the neck, string set up and fretboard is, so in theory easier to play. Yamaha is trying to change the situation with the NTX700 electro acoustic guitar. Have an account? I hope to tackle that in the next month or 2. . 1. If you buy this guitar here through Amazon, it will go through a 3rd Party Music Supply Vendor with an A+ BBB rating and for just $1 extra dollar you can buy the bundle which includes over $80 worth of guitar accessories including, The best deal, getting the guitar bundle with all of the extra accessories for an extra $1 is at Amazon.com here. One salesman recommended I try a Yorkville arched top classical case, that it should work. I am not sure about the case, but see Steve's comment below. After considerable reviews of multiple acoustic guitars in the <$1,000 price range I couldn't agree with you more and have settled on purchasing an A series in mahogany. Complete Control of the Sound with Body Resonance and Microphone Piezo blending. Aaron, thanks for this detailed and incredibly comprehensive review. It looks like Yamaha is discontinuing the LL16 from their website, but you can still find a few to import from some other sellers through Amazon.com here. If you filed or sanded the saddle or nut, you might want to try getting a new one or putting a thin shim under the nut on the 5th and 6th string end (kind of tapered). I agree on the Yamaha A3R and A Series guitars - as I stated, I wish they had this model and pickup technology when I was in College back in the early 1990s, because I would have grabbed it right away! Rick - great question! I had a set of Elixirs installed before leaving the store so that might account for some difference in its sound. Does this yamaha A3 series come in a "lefty" version? Thanks John F- I really do not know. Jerry, Jerry, thank you for bringing this up. Unfortunately, I had a Business fail 3 years ago and in the process of paying all Manufacturers and Distributors who had faith in me to provide me considerable lines of Credit, I sold off many years of all types of "Toys" - including many of my beloved Guitars. It sounded really nice and it never quacked, not even once. However I do have a few "concerns" about the quality of construction. and another one, is there a lot of quality difference between AC3 and APX series?Thanks in advance for your answer.Best Regards from Argentina. My dealer is getting the A3R in tomorrow. Thanks for sharing. Laminated just simply cannot compete in this sound quality category. button, the pickup system instantly identifies the resonating frequency of the feedback that is occuring and notches it out of the output frequencies (Eq) for instant cancelling of any annoying or sudden feedback caused by ambience or environmental cues and feedbacks. Happy for the price but wish the neck was slightly wider. Sorry to hear about the financial crisis. Played it at home for a few days and then took it back to Guitar Center to compare the sound to some much more expensive Martins and Taylors. Regardless, sanding it down a bit should not affect the string loudness, however, it is best to have a professional adjust this for you in a local shop if you are not sure. Take care and thanks for the comments again. The fit and finish is very good. We, that are left handed, will probably always be Left handed in a Right handed But these guitars, including the Yamaha AC3R, are simply not in the same league as a good quality Martin , Gibson or even Taylor. .the main spokesperson in the release videos that Yamaha release stated it was one of the Yamaha engineered and made in the USA. . Rosewood is the choice of a lot of pros, but not across the board. What I found most informative in your article was the in depth description of the SRT system.