• From: Bristol, UK
  • Registered: 2011-10-20
  • Posts: 237

Topic: Yamaha Guitars

I notice that Joe has used a Yamaha acoustic and it got me wondering what he and others on the forum think of their electrics.

At this point I must declare that I have a vested interest because I have a Yamaha SA2200 semi-acoustic and I think it is a fantastic guitar. When I bought it I did consider a Gibson ES-335 but decided in favour of the Yamaha. The build quality and overall sound of the Yamaha is, in my opinion, every bit as good as a Gibson.

These guitars are increasingly difficult to find new in the UK and I did see somewhere on the web that Yamaha might be stopping production. I think that would be a great shame.

Does Joe or anyone else have any experience, good or bad, of Yamaha electrics?

  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Yamaha Guitars

I don't think I've ever played a bad Yamaha...great instruments. Looking forward to the Phil X signature model too...

3 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2012-07-20 08:33:55)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Yamaha Guitars

Yamaha is weird to me because they make so many things.... motorcycles, ATV, Snowmobiles... and I never thought they'd make a "quality" musical equipment. So I always wrote them off. I don't want a Yamaha logo on my guitar. hmm But I heard their PA systems are top notch, and I hear great things about their acoustics. I see people play them in churches quite often... especially before Taylor got big.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Sussex UK
  • Registered: 2009-07-12
  • Posts: 1,465

Re: Yamaha Guitars

Yamaha like most if not all Japanese factories turn out high quality goods, so much so that their economic situation is thought by some to be as a result of them making too high a quality goods and then selling them too cheaply, - as opposed to cutting corners and appealing to the mass market.

I think that I read somewhere something along the lines of Joe played Yamaha acoustic because his style of playing beats the hell out of an acoustic so they become a disposable item, and at the price it does become an issue. Joe is about sound quality so I do not believe he plays rubbish, - so it is perhaps a good compromise, - would hate to wreck a Gibson Humingbird every night!

Interesting to read of the negative aspect of them as a corporation making so many products that it detracts from the appeal of owning one of their guitars... Interestingly this is why the Lexus brand was born... Like many Japanese corporations they have many divisions, - look at Hitachi as an example. Their instrument am is completely separate from motorbikes, etc. - Funny how a brand like `fender would probably be perceived as a good name brand yet my guess would be that some of their branded guitars might come out of far eastern factories manufacturing for multiple brands...Some of their prices are just so low. - I see this because right now my so is wanting a small bodied electro acoustic and he is looking at the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat and the Yamaha APX500II... To my eye and ear the Yamaha is the better guitar but he likes the name on the other..

My YouTube channel with plenty of my Joe's videos dating from 2009 inc his first Hammersmith Odeon ones:
http://www.youtube.com/ian916fun

Ian916's Website

  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Yamaha Guitars

I have a couple of old (70's) Yamaha acoustics....I have to say they are/were bang for the buck back then.
In fact older Yamaha acoustics  had solid top ,back & sides way back in the 70's....built to last.
Newer Apx/Cpx models with eq & mic are afordable and sound pretty good ...
I never played a solid body electric...although at one time I did want a Yamaha Sg back in 70's...

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • From: Cambridge
  • Registered: 2011-01-15
  • Posts: 912

Re: Yamaha Guitars

I've got a Yamaha acoustic that looks exactly like Joe's at the RAH...seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzZm5ZR8LQ0 ... I love it!

Jonny L

Videos of my playing: http://www.youtube.com/user/JonnyLowtherMusic
  • Registered: 2010-11-26
  • Posts: 51

Re: Yamaha Guitars

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Yamaha is weird to me because they make so many things.... motorcycles, ATV, Snowmobiles... and I never thought they'd make a "quality" musical equipment. So I always wrote them off. I don't want a Yamaha logo on my guitar. hmm But I heard their PA systems are top notch, and I hear great things about their acoustics. I see people play them in churches quite often... especially before Taylor got big.

Yamaha corp got it 's start originally as a musical instrument maker long before they made motorcycles,atvs etc. Look closely
at their logo. (It's intertwined tuning forks!)

Guitars..'07 Custom shop 58 flametop, '11 JB studio goldtop, Nash custom aged 63 strat, Breedlove custom shop quilted Jumbo.
Amps etc: Fuchs, Blackjack 21 Head, Retro Channel RR1 Retro wreck head, Marshall 2601 Cabs loaded with eminence
Lady Luck 75 watt 12's. J.B sig Wah, J.B. FET driver, Keeley modded TS9, Boss DD3, CE2, Tu2
Pickboy 1.50 pix, EB power slinkys.
  • From: New Castle, DE USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Re: Yamaha Guitars

Yamaha also makes excellent audio equipment, including the receiver that is the heart of my home audio system...

Terrance Shuman
New Castle, DE
  • Registered: 2012-05-30
  • Posts: 485

Re: Yamaha Guitars

I've tried many a Yamaha electric and always found them to be superb instruments - often limited only by the quality of components used to meet a price-point on some of the cheaper models.

I do remember a few (actually probably many) years ago Guitarist did a review comparing a Gibson ES335 with Tokai and Yamaha equivalents and the Yamaha came out on top (followed by the Tokai I believe).

I suspect that they would hold their value pretty well these days as well, due to them being hard to find...I'd say go for it!!

Guitars: Fender American Original 60s Strat, Fender American Vintage 52 Tele, Gibson Les Paul Traditional
FX: Various including - Ceriatone Centura, Fire Custom Shop Carpe Diem
Amp: Fender ML212 Deville + 212 extention cabinet
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Yamaha Guitars

I've owned 4 Yamaha guitars.  My first one was a RGX-TT Ty Tabor Signature model, it had Duncan hot rails and a JB humbucker with Coil split on the humbucker.  The second was a Yamaha AES620 which is like a Les Paul type guitar and it seriously could have been the best playing guitar I've ever had it too had a JB in the Bridge pickup and a yamaha pickup in the neck but it sounded fantastic.  Then I got a old Nylon String Yamaha at a yard sale for $20 and it had tuning issues but was so fun and full sounding.  Last I got a FS-720S which is like a 000 martin style body shape.  Loved it but the neck was too small.  My experience is they don't hold their value as I've lost my rear end on just about every new guitar I've ever bought.  I suggest buy used and sell high.  Buy new if you don't plan on selling it.

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