Yamaha A-Series All Solid Wood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar with SRT Preamp/Pickup  (Used)

Comments about Yamaha A-Series All Solid Wood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar with SRT Preamp/Pickup:

I tried a bunch of guitars but this one played and sounded better ! The preamp is awsome.You can get that condenser mic sound. Neck is easy to play.Ive had a few acoustic electrics alverez,ovation,fender,and this sounds better hands down!!

Comments about Yamaha A-Series All Solid Wood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar with SRT Preamp/Pickup:

It's not the guitar I was hoping it would be. All was good until I plugged it in. The volume between bass and treble strings was way off. As I played the guitar, I found I had to hit the bass strings much lighter than the treble strings because the volume on the E-6 and A strings was overbearing. I couldn't adjust out the descrepancies between the strings. I even played the guitar through 3 different amps. I also tried a lighter gauge string. Nothing worked so I eventually gave up and sent the guitar back.

Comments about Yamaha A-Series All Solid Wood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar with SRT Preamp/Pickup:

I went out on a journey to find the best Acoustic/Electric Guitar for under a 1000 and believe me I tried them all even some near 3000 and none played with the ease and sound that this Yamaha A3R does, as said before it feels like an old friend.
It replaced an Alvarez Acoustic (M(ade in Japan) guitar I bought in the early 80's and love for the sound it has, but I needed the preamp that this Acoustic/Electric has and wanted a Cut-Away so I went shopping and I mean shopping and shopping until it became a no brainer, I found that nothing out there beats the A3R in all around performance.
And did I mention this guitar looks stunning?
Great Yamaha fitted hard case, Quality build and materials, best preamp I have ever used in a guitar, Love the neck and fretboard, this is a five star guitar for sure. *****
Great work Yamaha ...
And purchasing it from Musicians Friend was a no brainer as well.
This may help with your decision too, buy it, you'll love it.
www.strumviews.com/Yamaha-A-series-acoustic-electric-guitar-review-SRT-Studio-Response-Technology

Comments about Yamaha A-Series All Solid Wood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar with SRT Preamp/Pickup:

I comparison shopped Taylor, Martin (GPCA4), and some Takamines too. I was very close to dropping $200 more for the Martin when I took a chance on this Yamaha because it had solid rosewood sides at less money. I am extremely happy with the decision and I love the preamp and different mic options. This guitar is very "alive" and sounds great unplugged too. I'm also very impressed by the case and the complimentary soundhole feedback plug too. Nice "extra" that surprised me when I found it in the case. And one more thing, the electronic feedback suppressor works really well. With just a touch of a button you can eliminate a hum, live onstage, in seconds, just before you start a song. The open pore finish on the neck is a little different but you really don't notice it once you start playing.

Comments about Yamaha A-Series All Solid Wood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar with SRT Preamp/Pickup:

I bought the A3R after doing some serious research.
I was in the market for a "real" acoustic-electric.
You'll be hard pressed to find a negative review anywhere about this guitar.
The action is great out of the box, the neck feels like an old friend, and the intonation is dead on.
The electronics are some of the best I have ever heard. Yamaha has always been a class act; I own their keyboards, digital recorders, guitar preamps & effects, and an older Yamaha acoustic.
They have all performed like champs and are built to last. The A3R is no different. The case alone has to be worth a good portion of the cost. One of the best values out there for those looking for a "serious" acoustic-electric.

Comments about Yamaha A-Series All Solid Wood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar with SRT Preamp/Pickup:

I have a Martin DCPA3 with the Fishman Aura electronics. It is significantly better sounding when plugged in. The Yamaha version of the Aura doesn't result in equivalent sound. The Martin is a better guitar with better electronics, but at twice the price. Unplugged, the Yamaha sounds great for its price range, but when compared with Martin, Taylor and Gibson guitars in the $2,000.00+ price range, it sounds a little muddy or veiled - like it has a thin blanket over it. Compared to similar priced Martin and Taylors, it is at least equal, if not superior. I compared it to a room full of excellent guitars and bought it due to its value. While it is a fair statement that this guitar offers the best balanced sound from a dreadnought in its price range, don't purchase it thinking its better than guitars twice its price. The two days I played and listened to every good dreadnought in the store (Nashville GC has an incredible selection of high-end acoustics), I walked way most impressed with the sound of the Gibson AJ Pro, Gibson Songwriter and the Martin HD-16R Adirondack. I ended up buying this guitar based on price and its intended use at live shows; cheaper guitars = less worry of damage or theft. After a few weeks with it, I have now become somewhat dissatisfied with the electronics. However, the guitar sounds great amplified with the new LR Baggs M80 pickup. It also sounds good with the Martin SP strings.
It has all the features of any high quality acoustic-electric guitar. On-board tuner, strap buttons, good tuners, blendable electronics, etc. The electronics are not as good as others available, therefor a 9/10.
Build quality is excellent for the price, but not as nice as more expensive guitars. Value is price dependant, quality is not. Therefore, a 9/10.
Its better than other guitars in its price range, but not as good as those priced in the $2,000.00+ price range. It is certainly close enough to those guitars to make its value at a $900.00 street price a 10/10. Compared to a Taylor 110ce, another guitar I've owned, the A3R is a significant improvement in sound quality, playability and electronics.

Comments about Yamaha A-Series All Solid Wood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar with SRT Preamp/Pickup:

I tried everything from $300 Ibanez to $3,000 Martin and Taylors and after many months of auditions, I decided on this Yamaha A3R. When played back to back with the more expensive guitars, it sounded as good and in some ways better. The solid wood top, solid rosewood back, and solid rosewood sides is rare in this price range and they create a sound that is very complex and rich. The craftsmanship is second to none, and it feels very comfortable to play right out of the case.

When plugged into an amplifier, the sound is even more impressive as every little nuance of sound becomes clearer. Plus, the feature rich preamp has plenty of controls to tune the sound to your liking. I originally thought I would not take advantage of plugging it in for fear of spoiling the acoustic sound, but the amplifier helps to reinforce the sound if the volume is right. You feel like the sound is coming from the guitar and not the amp.
Solid wood all around. No imperfections in fit or finish.
You will spend double for a Martin or Taylor with the same solid wood and features.

Comments about Yamaha A-Series All Solid Wood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar with SRT Preamp/Pickup:

I played a taylor 710 CE, a HD 28, and a gibson songwriter. and I will honestly tell you that this Yamaha sounded as good if not better than some of the aforementioned guitars...this guitar will not break the bank and sounds as good as it looks. You be the judge...buy one today!!!!
Great guitar plugged in ... mic blend works very well. I like the AA battery in place of the 9 volt. Very sweet.
Very well built and solid through out.the only issue I came across was the fret edges were a little sharp...out of the case this guitar feels and sounds like it has been played for 10 years.
You will not find a better deal on a guitar with state of the art electronics and all solid wood top, back , and sides. ....the finsh on my guitar was flawless!!! Did I mention a very high quality hard shell wooden case!!

Comments about Yamaha A-Series All Solid Wood Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar with SRT Preamp/Pickup:

Quite frankly, I'm surprised that no one has written a review yet. This confirms my suspicions that this jewel of a guitar has been overlooked. So I am writing this review to perhaps save some of you from making a mistake by purchasing another guitar other than this one UNLESS you are going to spend about $2,500.00 USD. Also be aware that I bought this as an Acoustic Guitar. I have not yet tried the impressive electronics. I'm sure I will and I will update this review but truth be told, I really don't care. The sound of this guitar unplugged is heavenly and that is why I bought it. Truly...

I knew I was going to buy this guitar as soon as I played its little brother the A1R ( a fine guitar in its own right). I happend upon the A1R while at a local music shop while I was picking up a Dave Smith Instruments Tetra. That was taking a while so I went to look at guitars. I found the Yamaha A1R and as soon as I had strummed it I knew I was going to buy it. If it weren't for picking up the DSI Tetra that day, I would have left with it indeed. I'm glad I didn't. I told them I would be back - and I was - in 11 days to order a A3R sight unseen.

In that 11 day interim I went to Yamaha's website and it was only then I came to know about the A3R! Solid Rosewood back and sides, Solid Sitka Spruce top. Mahagany neck. and Ebony fingerboard and bridge. This combination to my ear is perfect.

And the electronic system is impressive too. Far from just a piezo transducer and/or pickup, Yamaha has modeled 3 world class mics, body resonance, and room acoustics into the system as well as an anti-feedback system. As I said earlier, I will try them and update the review but I bought this as an Acoustic guitar first and foremost.

The quality is absolutely top tier. The build is SOLID. The finish is fantastic - Gloss on the body - and an open pore Satin finish on the neck. The neck is comfortable - the fingerboard is "rounded" into the neck and that open finish is a blessing. The tuners are solid too. The Rosette is nicely crafted. There are no glue drips on the inside and the bracing and related woodwork is stunning. The pickguard is perhaps the only thing that gives this away as a "Special" guitar. Also of note is the ever so slightly wider (and I mean slightly wider) string spacing. It's just enough to allow fingerstyle players like me a little extra room to do so effectively. I also do flatpicking and this guitar will suit all styles of play. Yamaha wanted to design a "workhorse". They did.

The sound is nicely pronounced and balanced. (My wife said it sounded like a piano). It is that crystal clear and it projects. The more you put into it, the more it puts out - linearly so. This guitar is also the only one I've played where I can feel it "punch" me in the stomach as I pick notes. THAT really threw me at first, but like I said, really great projection. I can't wait to hear someone else play it so I can hear it on a different axis. The response is bright as one would want and expect from this combination of tonewoods but balanced. Bass is punchy, not boomy nor muddy. Trebles ring with clarity. Midrange is evenl pronounced. Clear, distinct note definition is to be found anywhere on the fretboard. Harmonics and intonation are spot on.

Lastly, I'd also recommend that you watch the nicely detailed video of Yamaha'a factory in China. if you have any qualms about this American designed guitar being crafted in China. Yamaha does NOT send their work to others to do EVER. They do it themselves and own everything including the factory. I can say that their quality is top notch from everything from this guitar, to my classical guitar, to my FJR1300 motorcycle. They are the World's largest musical instrument company and have been in business since 1887. They also make some of the World's reference Classical Guitars and Pianos. So please take a look. You'll be glad you did. I have been using Yamaha instruments for over 31 years - starting with my first FG guitar. The quality is there with Yamaha and this guitar is without qualification a premier instrument that wil last for lifetimes when properly taken care of and humidity levels checked.