The top is solid spruce and the back and sides are a mahogany veneer.....they are laminated. Google the model number and you'll see the verbiage "SOLID Spruce Top and Mahogany back & sides" When they don't say SOLID it's not solid wood. 100% solid wood guitars like a Martin 15 series or Taylor 300 series start at about $1000. The least expensive 100% solid Yamaha is the LL16 (Luxury Series) at $749 USD cash. Google models and read the wording. It can be confusing. Peace.
I have this guitar.. You really won't find anything comparable in this price range.
Great sound, well made and really nicely finished with detailing you only see on guitars costing hundreds more. Stays in tune.. the intonation is perfect and the action is just right. No buzzing. No dead spots.
@retroclipps I agree. This is hands-down the best 12-string in the world in the under $500 price range. The only 12-string I've ever played in that price range which sounded as good was a Conn F-2712 I owned about 35 years ago. The only other 12-string I've found which sounds as good is the Guild line and the least expensive one of those costs 4 times as much as the Yamaha.
I've gone on record in several reviews I've written as saying this is the best 12-string I've ever played in the under $500 range. The lower bout is a bit larger than the "standard" dreadnought size, making it somewhere between a dread and a jumbo in it's body size. I think it helps to give it a bit more bottom end--at least to my ears.
I sold a Martin D12X1 and bought the Yamaha........Iike the $329 Yamaha more than the $600 Martin. Yamaha owns the "under $500" market. I just bought my 14 year old an FG700S. What a great guitar for $199.
@studio1087 And it's not without reason that their guitars dominate in the under $500 price range--simply put, they are the best in that price range. BTW, if you decide to put a pickup in it, avoid Mighty Mite. They are not a good pick-up. Go for either a Baggs I-Beam or a Fishman Matrix Infinity.
Thanks....It's a good value. I've played and heard better but you have to ask yourself how much 12 string you'll play everyday. I think that price vs.quality is perfect.
Your version of Brown Eyed Girl (Blue Eyed Girl) is really good. Good playing. Nice voice.
@nutmegger1957 Just google the model number.....Nato is indeed wood but they use a nato veneer for the back and sides. You'll read in the specs that the top is "solid" spruce and the back and sides are nato. When they omit the word "solid" it means that you're getting laminated veneer. It's clever wording but that's what it all means. You'll have a hard time buying a 100% sold wood guitar for less than $700 these days. Martin D-15's are $1000 now. Larrivee 03's are $1300.
it's not laminated at the sides and the back, it's mahogany -.-
stupidfriends4 1 week ago
@stupidfriends4
The top is solid spruce and the back and sides are a mahogany veneer.....they are laminated. Google the model number and you'll see the verbiage "SOLID Spruce Top and Mahogany back & sides" When they don't say SOLID it's not solid wood. 100% solid wood guitars like a Martin 15 series or Taylor 300 series start at about $1000. The least expensive 100% solid Yamaha is the LL16 (Luxury Series) at $749 USD cash. Google models and read the wording. It can be confusing. Peace.
studio1087 1 week ago
I have this guitar.. You really won't find anything comparable in this price range.
Great sound, well made and really nicely finished with detailing you only see on guitars costing hundreds more. Stays in tune.. the intonation is perfect and the action is just right. No buzzing. No dead spots.
retroclipps 2 weeks ago
@retroclipps - I'm so happy with it....Thanks for watching.
studio1087 2 weeks ago
@retroclipps I agree. This is hands-down the best 12-string in the world in the under $500 price range. The only 12-string I've ever played in that price range which sounded as good was a Conn F-2712 I owned about 35 years ago. The only other 12-string I've found which sounds as good is the Guild line and the least expensive one of those costs 4 times as much as the Yamaha.
Isaiah4031NKJV 1 week ago
I've gone on record in several reviews I've written as saying this is the best 12-string I've ever played in the under $500 range. The lower bout is a bit larger than the "standard" dreadnought size, making it somewhere between a dread and a jumbo in it's body size. I think it helps to give it a bit more bottom end--at least to my ears.
Isaiah4031NKJV 4 weeks ago
@Isaiah4031NKJV
I sold a Martin D12X1 and bought the Yamaha........Iike the $329 Yamaha more than the $600 Martin. Yamaha owns the "under $500" market. I just bought my 14 year old an FG700S. What a great guitar for $199.
Yamaha is a great company.
studio1087 4 weeks ago
@studio1087 And it's not without reason that their guitars dominate in the under $500 price range--simply put, they are the best in that price range. BTW, if you decide to put a pickup in it, avoid Mighty Mite. They are not a good pick-up. Go for either a Baggs I-Beam or a Fishman Matrix Infinity.
Isaiah4031NKJV 4 weeks ago in playlist Uploaded videos
Thanks for this review, very helpful!
RubenvonZwack 1 month ago
@RubenvonZwack
You're Welcome!
studio1087 1 month ago
Amazing sounding 12-string. Best I've heard
ddddfffss124 2 months ago
@ddddfffss124
Thanks....It's a good value. I've played and heard better but you have to ask yourself how much 12 string you'll play everyday. I think that price vs.quality is perfect.
Your version of Brown Eyed Girl (Blue Eyed Girl) is really good. Good playing. Nice voice.
Happy New Year man.
studio1087 2 months ago
@studio1087 I know what you mean. I guess I'm just used to hearing dull 12-strings, and this one is bright. Thanks! Same to you
ddddfffss124 2 months ago
thank you for this great review.is the song you're singing your own creation? how is it called?
Stompi3k 2 months ago
@Stompi3k
You're welcome and thank you!
The song is called Helplessly Hoping written by CSN (Crosby Stills and Nash) from the record "Crosby, Stills and Nash" - 1969.
The actual song is about 3 minutes when ones plays the whole song and Ii don't think there was 12 string in it. I just love the song.
Thanks again & have a great new year.
studio1087 2 months ago
I'm sure I read that the back and sides are Nata (sp?) wood, which actually IS a "wood" and not a laminate.
Let's face it, Yamaha is a rugged guitar that holds up well over time, and keeps a fairly good sound. I owned the FG350W for years and loved it.
nutmegger1957 2 months ago
@nutmegger1957 Just google the model number.....Nato is indeed wood but they use a nato veneer for the back and sides. You'll read in the specs that the top is "solid" spruce and the back and sides are nato. When they omit the word "solid" it means that you're getting laminated veneer. It's clever wording but that's what it all means. You'll have a hard time buying a 100% sold wood guitar for less than $700 these days. Martin D-15's are $1000 now. Larrivee 03's are $1300.
studio1087 2 months ago
are the back and sides nato?
DHrYdR26 2 months ago
@DHrYdR26
solid spruce top
laminated nato back & sides
studio1087 2 months ago