Why not Yamaha?

[herotozero]

Hi, I'm new here

I'm looking at buying my first full acoustic guitar (budget: $350 tops) so I've been scouring through the forums. I found it really weird that Yamaha isn't really promoted, but I'm not too sure why. I'll definitely be going down to try at:

• Davis to try Takamine and Fina;
• Ranking to try Jack and Danny;
• City Music to try Custom Acoustics;
• Maestro to try... uh Maestro;
• Swee Lee;
• Guitar77;

(as mentioned in all the threads I've read..)But I'm curious as to what I should take note of when I try the Yamaha and why they aren't as bang-for-buck compared to the others. Because I was originally looking at the F370 because I want to get a black guitar (and it isn't too common...) Any tips/pointers as why I should choose a guitar over the others so I can take note of it when I visit the shops? Thanks!

 

[LadyInTears]

because yamaha's can be pretty costly first hand, and for that budget there are many many good alternatives you could choose form.

that aside its great that you're heading down to try, ultimately you may end up getting a 200 bucks swing at SV rather then spending the full 350 budget that you have

 

[Vax]

because yamaha's can be pretty costly first hand, and for that budget there are many many good alternatives you could choose form.

I'd have to agree on that, even though half of my guitars are yamaha LOL.

I own a Yamaha FG412, and what ultimately led me to that decision to buy it even though it was more expensive is that it was the most playable of the lot of budget acoustics. The neck was comfortable and the factory setup was decent. This was 8 years ago though haha.

 

[guitarsan]

Image and perception also play a part. I once had a conservation with a couple of teens regarding guitar brands and it's interesting what they said about Yamaha...

For most kids these days, Yamaha is a brand always associated with their parents' generation. In fact, for some parents, Yamaha is the only brand they knew and recognised when it comes to musical instruments. And when it comes to enrolling their kids for guitar lessons, many parents tend to think of only Yamaha acoustics, particularly the classical and nylon variety. Therefore some kids would tend to perceive Yamaha as "uncool", boring or old-fashioned - yep, the brand associated with their parents! So due to their rebellious nature or whatsoever, the general dislike is there.

For me, I think Yamaha ought to bring in their middle to higher end MIJ models and price them reasonably. My complain about them is the apparent lack of choices.

 

[relinquish69]

$350 can find you a generic branded guitar with a solid top at least. That doesn't apply for Yamaha, Takamine & the other renowned brands. Don't be brand conscious when buying your first guitar. Your goal is to find the best spec-ed guitar with your given budget.

 

[herotozero]

Hi all,

Thank you for the replies so far.

I went down to a few shops today and went to try out the Maestro guitars and some other random brands that I don't remember what they were. The Maestro SD-1 was tempting enough, and my untrained ears couldn't tell the diff between the SD-2 and the SD-1 lol (but it definitely sounded better than the others in the same price range available there). Compared with the Yamaha which I tried later, because I think the Maestro was using a solid top (felt heavier, so I think so), it has a slightly different sound from the Yamaha. The Yamaha sounds clearer while the Maestro sounded a little more ... don't know how to describe, but sounds like it's made meant a bit more for strumming? Like it resonates more. Sadly no black Maestro guitar...

I asked one shopkeeper about black guitars, and his explanation was that in general, many guitars are sold in the Natural finish because painting it could affect its sound quality. Also, guitars are painted so as to hide the poorer quality of the wood used. If this is true - how significant is the effect?

I'm still pretty interested in getting a black guitar though - rationale being I would practise a lot more if I felt like picking it up to play with it all the time Any suggestions for a black guitar other than a Yamaha...?

 

[dorngo]

Hi all,

Thank you for the replies so far.

I went down to a few shops today and went to try out the Maestro guitars and some other random brands that I don't remember what they were. The Maestro SD-1 was tempting enough, and my untrained ears couldn't tell the diff between the SD-2 and the SD-1 lol (but it definitely sounded better than the others in the same price range available there). Compared with the Yamaha which I tried later, because I think the Maestro was using a solid top (felt heavier, so I think so), it has a slightly different sound from the Yamaha. The Yamaha sounds clearer while the Maestro sounded a little more ... don't know how to describe, but sounds like it's made meant a bit more for strumming? Like it resonates more. Sadly no black Maestro guitar...

I asked one shopkeeper about black guitars, and his explanation was that in general, many guitars are sold in the Natural finish because painting it could affect its sound quality. Also, guitars are painted so as to hide the poorer quality of the wood used. If this is true - how significant is the effect?

I'm still pretty interested in getting a black guitar though - rationale being I would practise a lot more if I felt like picking it up to play with it all the time Any suggestions for a black guitar other than a Yamaha...?

lol bro, heavier doesnt necessarily mean solid top. btw the sd2 is not a solid top, own it before and sold it. well, if ur getting ur first guitar, solid top or not doesnt make much difference. for eg, 350 can get u a better sounding laminated top than a solid top which u can buy in the same price range. solid top doesnt mean better. its just that over time, the wood will season etc.... for a start, maybe the yamaha f310 is a good option. not solid top though, but decent sounding. also, you should try the guitars and not base it on brands. afterall, even with the same model etc, the wood may come from different part of the tree and affects the tone of each individual guitar. u should really go try lots off guitar and not limit urself to those brands only.

 

[Yuranga]

If you are still looking for 1 I cant get u a very good yamaha fx 370c for less than 300$

 

[Stillborn]

Hi Guys,

I'm also considering buying a Yamaha.....APX700II.

But I'm open to any brand, most important to me is the playability (lower action) & must have thinline body (slimmer size) as I'm sick of carrying my Jumbo Takamine around especially getting into crowded MRT.

I've only had 2 acoustics before...a Cort Earth & Takamine G-series, but their action were too high...I play electric most of the time so I need something abit more "electric player friendly".

The guitar will be plugged-in most of the time, my budget under $700.

I went to Yamaha with a friend, I picked out a black APX700II for him to try and give me his opinion....but without even touching it he told me it wouldn't sound good...reason because it is black in color it's probably not solid-top and wouldn't sound good.

I find it strange that you can judge a guitar's sound just by looking at it's color, is this right?
(The APX700II happen to have a solidtop)

Any recommendation is greatly appreciated!

(herotozero, hope you don't mind, I don't mean to hijack your thread)