Yamaha EZ-EG guitar SYNTH ...What exactly IS this?

It's hard to tell exactly who the Yamaha EZ-EG synth guitar is aimed at. It's more than a toy, certainly, but it's a bit too random and unpredictable to be a serious instrument. So the ultimate question is this: Is it totally, awesomely, massively fun to use? Let's find out...

[@SnappySneezer]

I found one of these for five bucks in the toy section of a thrift shop. It is missing the back door of the battery compartment. It works, but I haven’t a clue how to play it. Thanks for showing what it can do from someone that knows what they are doing.

[@gearfacts]

$5 !? Bargain :)

[@Crazy.Beautiful]

Wow so lucky! Thats a HUGE bargain!

[@EpictheEpicest]

I have one and It's actually not that bad to record with. It may not the same as using a real guitar with midi, but you have to think of it as a different instrument. For ex. it's a lot more affordable and doesn't require modifying an existing guitar. It doesn't require an expensive vintage synthesizer to work. It has all the features of other digital guitars from the 80s and improvements on their design. Like wood body instead of plastic body, and with the buttons instead of rubber "strings" and fretboard, there is no chance of melted rubber ruining your day. And with both MIDI AND a 1/4" jack there's thousands of options at your finger tips.

[@nathantherrien2136]

Greate video! I wonder what it would sound like if you send it midi arpegios...

[@christianc5161]

I have this thing and it’s AWESOME!!!!

[@pianokeyjoe]

I have checked on ebay, and there are definitely nicer midi or synth guitars some go upto HOUSE PRICES(the cost of buying a small house or caravan!). Well I guess it is like grand pianos eh? Some cheap and free, and some so expensive you go blind from the price tag shock.. This guitar is actually in the close to free end lol!

[@pianokeyjoe]

So it has built in sounds and controls other sound sources as well via midi? This does remind a bit of the classic 1980s electronic guitar STEPP, that was in the movie visa versa where Dan Akroid played this guitar in a shopping mall music store! Yamaha instruments are nice indeed! I wish I knew how to play guitar too, or I would buy one. Alot cheaper than the STEPP even in 2020!

[@gearfacts]

It's a good idea, I think, but the physical design on the fretboard really wasn't ready for the commercial market imho :)

[@RetroPlus]

Wow what an interesting thing, it's like a piano guitar. Very interesting

[@gearfacts]

Indeed! Hey cool avatar and name btw, I've got so much retro stuff here, mostly old Hifi systems and boomboxes. Must make a video about them some day :)

[@kimthompson5871]

I’ve always wondered what these are like . It’s different for sure and when you see one for sale they usually aren’t cheap .

[@gearfacts]

True. They are not easy to play coherently though!

[@avi4580]

I think that for complete beginners, it's easier to play , then a regular guitar, on bar chords and staff like that. And the cool thing it's have many built-in effects (aldo they could make a regular guitar with tons of built-in effects , too). Must of all it experimental new tool.

[@Spoodily]

I have one of these in good condition.

[@jerryreff1857]

Sounds like there are a lot of ghost notes

[@gearfacts]

Yeah I think that was a criticism about this instrument that was widely agreed.

[@28celsius42]

Is that a standard amp you plugged into to get thise echo effects... Great video , thank you!

[@gearfacts]

I just used a multi-effects pedal

[@torbenanschau6641]

They should have done a version with virtual acoustics like the VL-1

[@gearfacts]

Yep. They were on the cusp of doing something really great with this machine, but as it is it just seemed under-developed.

[@joeking433]

And you never have to tune it!

[@аноним-л3н]

What is the price of the tool???

[@joeblow593]

Now that would have sounded much better thru a pignose. Purple haze comes to mind, haha.

[@gearfacts]

Bah why didn't I think of that!?!?!

[@lapocasini1246]

Thanks. I'm trying to find info on the nut width / neckwidth as I have arthritis. Is it like an electric guitar or a bit wider? Thanks Alot.

[@gearfacts]

I don't have it anymore but I do remember it being a little bit wider than average.

[@lapocasini1246]

@@gearfacts Thanks, that's what I was thinking looking at the pics.

[@quince666]

Just got one for free from my girlfriend. Very happy with it😁

[@gearfacts]

Nice gift, be good to that lady!

[@jerryreff1857]

I hope they don't think this is a viable competitor for the Roland GR55

[@gearfacts]

yes that'd be delusional

[@New_Zealand_Music]

Hey there I've got the acoustic version is the neck just as flimsy on the electric is my acoustic version because it bends so easily

[@gearfacts]

No, I found the build quality to be very sturdy in this electric guitar-style version. The neck has metal reinforcing. To be honest I didn't know there was an acoustic version.

[@New_Zealand_Music]

@@gearfacts thank you, I might investigate to see if I can reinforce mine. 😊

[@notsofunnynowisit]

This is one of those remnants from a time when they just threw everything at the wall to see what would stick. Bleh.

[@gearfacts]

Yep. It could have been refined into a good product but in this form it seems half-baked.

[@AlfredoZauberer]

Such a Guitar is NOT to Play it as a Guitar..."WHY" ..??? Any other real Guitar is 1000 times better to play like a Guitar "THAN THIS THING!" So for WHAT is it good for??? To play as a "Guitarist" ...over MIDI out ... a "Synth" !!! The most Guitarist can't play a Synth! So when you wanna play as a Guitarist a "SYNTH" you buy such a "Midi Guitar" ! But NOT to play with Guitar as a Guitar....that is Stupid!

[@gearfacts]

Yep, you've got to let it be what it is :)