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Yamaha LJ-6
by spiritwood
Admittedly, I do have a soft spot for Yamaha acoustics as I learned to play on one. NOw I am old and grey(ing) I still have 4 in the house which is a testament to how much I value them. This is one of the prettiest of the Yamaha guitars. Curvy and sensual, this is just begs to be picked up and played.
Yamaha make a range of ... instruments which start at the lower price range for beginners, right up to expensive and deluxe models. This one would be classed as a "posh beginner" or "mid-range" guitar.
This is not only easy on the eye but well constructed too. The shape and size is what is known as a jumbo style guitar, featuring a fat and curvy shape with a depth to the body that allows the sound to resonate out of the instrument with ease.
The Yamaha L series feature a new improved bracing design to assist in the provision of a rich tone that is clear and resonant. The new brace design typically delivers the vibration of the strings around the instrument more efficiently, causing a deeper bass response. The overall tone on this guitar is very full and well balanced.
DETAILS:
Yamaha typically use good quality hardware on their instruments and this is no exception. This beauty features vintage brass tuners giving the guitar a classic feel and vibe. The tuners are well constructed, look great and hold the strings effectively. The hardwood bridge is carved from a good quality rosewood and has a bigger profile than previous Yamaha models which affects the surface tone positively. It has a low profile which does not get in the way when strumming or finger-picking. nothing more annoying that catching your sleeve in the bridge!
The neck is carved from a laminated piece of hardwood which has two layers of Padauk ( which is a very hard wood used for marimbas) and three layers of A grade mahogany. The neck shape is again low profile making it easy to play right up the fingerboard. The top is an A grade solid spruce with a regular and tight grain and it features a solid rosewood back and sides.
I mainly use this guitar for fingerstyle and picking but it is equally happy being hammered with chords. The action is easy and fluid right up the frets and the intonation is true. It is easy to play standing or seated and weighs in at around 10kg.
Summary: A beautiful guitar that sounds as lovely as it looks. It has a truly impressive range of harmonics and is well crafted. Expect to pay £640 or thereabouts new. Recommended.
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Martin Guitars D-15
by AlfHillier
I have been playing the guitar for nearly four years now and have wanted to upgrade to something truly special, something which would enhance my playing and something which I could use when possibly recording.
I was initially very interested in all things Gibson. The J200 is the king of all flat tops and comes highly ... recommended. However, at nearly £3k, is way outside my price bracket. The Gibson Hummingbird, albeit a beautifully constructed guitar was also considered but just didn't do it for me.
Another brand of guitars which I have always been interested in are Martin. I have always been under the impression they make the best acoustics but I was too focused on aesthetics and you are looking at paying over £4k for a Martin with great detail. However, I went to a local store and the bloke in the shop handed me a Martin D15. Well, it completely and utterly blew me away.
I was awestruck by the awesome tone I was getting from this guitar. I had never played a mahogany guitar before and the deep bassy sound which was resonating was stunning. I was instantly hooked. I was sure this guitar would be around £2k due it to being a Martin. Nope, I was shocked to see it was around £1k. Amazing value.
Before I purchased this guitar I wanted to make sure this was the best I could get. I also tried some Taylor guitars which are beautiful but too rich sounding for my liking. I tried the smaller bodied Martin 000-15M which was incredible but I had my eyes on a dreadnaught. With this in mind I purchased the Martin D15M.
With the guitar comes a beautiful Martin case which will protect your instrument. You also get provided with plenty of useful instructions on how to care and maintain your guitar. I must say Martin have fantastic customer support. I can not recommend highly enough.
The guitar itself is just beautiful. The understated appearance of dark mahogany is wonderful. The playability is exceptional with no fret buzz and my guitar has never gone out of tune. The bass is boomy and never tinny. You can play this guitar with delicate fingerpicking or you can simply smash the strings to pieces and this guitar just sounds brilliant.
If I were to buy another guitar I would always look at a Martin first as their craftsmanship and desire to make the instrument as playable as possible is second to none.
I would recommend you buy this guitar if you're looking for a guitar which looks and plays much more than it is worth.
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Taylor 814CE
by Supersenna
I bought this incredible machine after playing and listening to about £50,000 worth of guitars over a year until I finally decided on the Taylor 814CE. I was quite torn between this and a Martin and I am sure there is no real reason to chose one over the other at the $3000 mark.
I first found out about Taylor guitars from my ... friend who is a professional, signed singer/songwriter/guitarist. She has the 314ce which she bought used and as soon as I heard it I was utterly amazed by the sound it made.
As for this guitar as soon as I picked it up it felt good, it even smelt good. I started playing and it felt and sounded amazing. I was amazed at its clarity and clean sound and it just felt so good to play. Just when I was thinking it couldn't get any better I plugged it into a Marshall Valvestate amp in the store and was just blown away.
I use this for gigs all over the place, and for practising at home or in the studio, it loves to be played and seems to sound better as it gets older. I performed recently at a pub and as soon as I started playing other musicians were asking me about my guitar. It is that obvious compared to other guitars priced for less. You really do get your money's worth. It even comes with an excellent case which fully looked after the precious cargo it holds, and was suitable to flying between UK and US.
This guitar is my pride and joy and after 3 years of ownership and proper use I do not regret buying it though it is still of my league (skill-wise)
A review should not sell a guitar, you must play it to really understand, I think that its definitely worth its money.
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