GSWJ - JP Reviews the Yamaha LL 16M

[@nspeer55]

J.P. PLEASE do a comparison of the LL16 vs LL16M in the SAME video so we can hear the difference. thanks

[@celticgodsoriginal]

I recently bought a almost new Yamaha LL16M ARE for under $600 with case . It is a cannon, a beautifully made elegant cannon.

[@slobodanaleksic345]

Finally, a comparative review of the Yamaha ll16 mahogany and rosewood should be done. I know there are those who always prefer one or the other, but it's sure to be interesting. Guitars are no doubt different. Do it, please.

[@placeballsonchin]

Agreed!

[@mariotraversi5238]

Yamaha makes very few left-handed guitars, but thanfully the LL16 is one of them. Not the Mahogany model, but the Rosewood. Hey JP, it would be nice if you could compare this mahogany model and a rosewood from the same series (LL16). Great review as always!

[@joserosenberg903]

I love your passion for Yamahas. Your review of the FGX5 made me decide to go for it. Having been able to go the Martin or Taylor route, but didn’t. It’s a beautiful instrument. Enjoy your channel. Thanks.

[@CHESMARCH]

Hi JP. Great review…I agree with all you said except the “bench string” comment. The LL series come equipped with Elixir strings for a couple years now. They are 80/20, but they’re coated, quality strings. Thanks for all your awesome videos.

[@guitart]

correct. I have the same strings on my LL16. Ok the 80/20 are not as great as the phosphore ones, but come on they are still better than bench strings you find on other brands! 😀

[@philipdeppen3189]

I got one a year and 2 months ago. Long story short it sounded really good fresh but after changing the strings to dr rare phosphor bronze strings within the first week of purchase and lots of playing everyday it sounds even better for sure. Very very smooth strummer now all the slight rough edges in the highs are gone. Everything thickened up and mellowed out beautifully and the decay massively improved. I got lucky and got it for 509.99 new on a clearance sale from a shop an hour away from me and it’s a keeper for the rest of my life

[@DavidShapero]

I've had an LL16 for about 10 years, and it is a cannon, (JP's word for the LL series). I just bought a brand new FG 830. It is almost as beautiful as the LL. But to my surprise, when I played them back to back, I swear the new much much cheaper FG830 sounds almost identical. Wow! Yamaha nails it again. For $300 USD it sounds like a $3,000 USD guitar. You have to play the FG to believe it.

[@Wobbz9413]

I have two LL16s and an FG820 and there is no way the FG sounds anywhere NEAR as good as my L series guitars. Just no comparison! I love my FG820 and play it most days, but it pales by comparison. Nice guitar. Very GOOD guitar. But not in the LL16 league!

[@maciejpatek2141]

Absolutely agree with U As a LL user just bought Yamaha fg830 2 years used ,but nearly new and...? IT plays/works amazing!!! The same quality as LL but with a bit od stringer punch 💪

[@donhoward1975]

Yeah I’ve had my FG830 for 2 years and it just keeps getting better the more I play it.

[@ДмитрийКрасовский-л8ш]

Всем привет. Подскажите что лучше взять fg-3 или LL- 16m?

[@ryanbrady4556]

@@ДмитрийКрасовский-л8шFg3

[@jazzlehazzle]

A banged-up, dirty old LL16M still sits as one of the best-sounding guitars I've ever heard. The previous owner had really worn it in to spectacular tone. INCREDIBLE for its price ($600), easily hung with my high-end Martins & outshined all but the HD28V. Will always miss it.

[@ztienapm]

I got one in 2018 great guitar and less than $600

[@BobPerrone]

Oh yeah, just amazing as my LS16 M

[@deb8tn]

I'm now a Yamaha guy thanks to you JP. My new guitar, which is just amazing, just fell over on me onto a hard wood floor. I nearly shit myself but the guitar was almost unscathed. I think it made contact at the D string machine head. That 5 pc neck is very strong and stable. Thanks for your videos JP.

[@lhvent]

Gorgeous guitar. I love my LL6M ARE. The sound and feel is incredible. The way Yamaha does the laminate back and sides is top notch.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

I thought the LL16M has solid back & sides. ????????????

[@lhvent]

​@@howabouthetruth2157 The LL16M ARE has a solid back and sides. The LL6 Series has a laminate back and sides.

[@kosz1104]

I've got LL6M as well. Great sounding guitar!

[@jeffreycohen3451]

Thanks for the great demo. I have an LL16D (rosewood) that I love.

[@tedr.]

One of the first real good left hand guitars I bought! Sweet, sweet tone!!

[@EricMacinnis]

Hello from Cape Breton and gotta thank you twice for this video. Firstly, it caused me to dig out and restring my Yamaha DWX-7C ABS and warm it up for a gig this evening. Secondly, there is presently an LL16M on Kijiji which I intend to purchase next week after giving it a test drive. Thanks again JP.

[@SonVoMekongDeltaBluesman]

Great intro! Love the buffet analogy. Hysterical. I bought this guitar because of your reviews. That origin mic records the guitars very well. Thank you!

[@shaunmacdonald2859]

Me too😊

[@placeballsonchin]

As always YOUR VIDEOS INSPIRE ME! Keep on keeping on!

[@bluesgtrcat]

As always John -- wonderful review! I've been playing Yamaha guitars (acoustic and electric) since the late 80's -- they are my absolute favorite guitar maker. Since they introduced the A.R.E. tops I've owned the LJ6, LL6, LS6 and LS6M and thought they were great until I tried the all-solid wood 16-series -- WOW!! I prefer mahogany to rosewood but, like you, had a hard time finding an LL16M -- until last month!! I couldn't be happier -- this is my ultimate dreadnought! A few quick corrections: Engelmann (not Sitka) top, comes with Elixir Nanoweb 80/20's, and nut and saddle are Urea (plastic) vs. micarta.

[@tomformanek3312]

I love my LL16D. Got it based on your review. Now here you go again...

[@12babyapes59]

Me too

[@fourocker]

My God the sound and finish of these is amazing, a mint used one is for sale in my area a few towns away and I have decided I need to check it out, if it sells beforehand I'll be gutted, thanks for another great and honest review John.

[@madade27]

The sound ....astonishing clarity and balance!.....apparently theyr'e not made any more? (2023)

[@Clark-a-holic]

I just joined as a master class member. I just sent a message to my dealer to place an order for me to get the Yamaha LL16M.

[@stevec-b6214]

I loved that sound/grunt? you expressed @ 9:40! it said more than words could ever do.

[@gregmcdaniel132]

Choose between that and the Alvarez M60EBG. Which one?

[@TheMaximac]

I have owned one since 1980, best guitar ever and still playing beautifully...

[@rodmackinnon8497]

Crisp playing, great review as usual . . .

[@mrdogmoon]

I love my LL-16M best sounding guitar I ever owned. Thanks JP for the demonstration!

[@ДмитрийКрасовский-л8ш]

Скажите махагоновый кузов хуже палисандра звучит?

[@philipdeppen3189]

@@ДмитрийКрасовский-л8шimo mahogany is better. Littler more warmer little more fuller in the mids. Dryer tone compared to rosewood. Less overtones more fundamental sounding. It’s not that one is better than the other it’s all preference. Some morons can’t even tell a difference

[@cmath4000]

Thank you for doing this review. The back and sides are visually stunning. The sound is great.

[@yosefco]

man i love your playing!!!

[@rogeralan6260]

John, good morning from West Michigan. It's all your fault... really... Several days ago, our friends in Ft. Wayne delivered my new Yamaha LS 36R, ARE. Man, you weren't joking. It is really nice, it's well built and sounds like a dream! Now, with all the trim, it is the flashiest guitar in the room. I love it. I wanted to thank you for the "down to earth" reviews of the L Series a while back. Best wishes, and keep up the good work. Sincerely

[@bostonbesteats364]

BTW, it's a Engelmann Spruce top, not Sitka.

[@ZacharyWhite25]

I’ve had my LL16 12-string for three years now. I cannot put it down! I freakin’ love the LL series from Yamaha! I want to buy the LL16 six string as a compliment to the 12-string.

[@nosurfenougheddie]

Great review JP. That little diddy you played at 10:00 was so perfect. Much respect for Yamaha LL series guitars.

[@twistedwired]

Thanks for helping make up my mind on this, I compared it to the Rosewood and preferred the mid range crackle this has. As a happy new owner, It draws me in and constantly throws new overtones at me. The only down side is a very slight hump to the neck / frets around 14th fret on high side causing a little string rattle up that way.

[@michaeleaster1815]

sounds great!

[@worldgonewrong2049]

I have one of these! Absolutely love it. It checks all the boxes for me.

[@markashworth983]

I have an amazing LS16 and love it! I hope to pick up the LS16M soon. Great review, J.P., as always!

[@bigjohnson9561]

I have an Yamaha LL16 with solid rose wood back and sides. It’s an amazing guitar!

[@janiscollette1737]

I’m looking at that one as a 12 string.

[@Wobbz9413]

@@janiscollette1737 I have the 12 string LL16. friggin AMAZING! And it stays in tune! Though I check it every time I play.

[@mischko1960]

@@Wobbz9413 I have the 12 String LL16 too, and confirm it‘s AMAZING! 🙏

[@davidbaillieul109]

I picked up a LS16M and a FG3 from citadel music before xmas for approx the same price each. The LS16M rings forever and came from the factory with a great setup. The FG3 did need a setup but is just something else. I may just need more time with the LS......

[@terryhartleymusicministry4738]

Love watching your videos JP. Because of them I bought a barely used Yamaha LS16 and then a new Yamaha LL16. Now I have a LL16M on order that's due to arrive this week. They are awesome guitars. I wish I could play like you because you make them sound amazing. I'm more of a strummer. Thanks again for posting these great videos!

[@Hikaru109Ichijyo]

man that sounds nice, TY for the great reviews, you've helped me unwind years of misinformation found on the forum (Taylor or Martin, no other acoustics can stand to these) and even guitar stores hawking their preferred / brands they know they can move . . . but from you I learned about Yamaha and Alvarez Yairi. I have a Yamaha on my list but there's one guitar I am going to get first (you probably know who makes it), and playing on what I currently got and waiting until the day I can get one as the only acoustic I have is are two brass body resonators . . .

[@TheJulesy]

Engleman spruce top. A slightly rounder sound than sitka.

[@truthof7382]

I believe the Sitka sounds warmer.

[@philipdeppen3189]

@@truthof7382it depends more on the specific guitar. I’ve played both wood tops that sounded bright played both that sounded warm. But the warmest ones were engelmann because engelmann can be less dense than Sitka. Also it doesn’t matter much either way because just using different picks made from different materials and different gauges will indeed change your acoustic tone from bright to warm.

[@bostonbesteats364]

Love my LL16M. Got a great deal on it from a cute Boston University coed who had broken up with her boyfriend, and he left a barely used one behind when he moved out. He's not getting it back lol!

[@markwhite8640]

I will pick mahogany over rosewood any day of the week not only does the wood grain look a 100 times better the sound is a 100 times better as well the resonating mahogany gives is second to none not only for this LL16m but any builder who chooses mahogany over rosewood in building a guitar is an awesome choice . I own a few rosewoods and they don't even come close in there resonating as the mahogany doe's . Thanks JP for show casing this guitar excellent job .

[@JeffKroman]

what is your thoughts between yamaha ll 16m and the alvarez md60bg

[@lhvent]

My FG830 plays fantastic more and more.

[@AcousticHunter]

Oh yes another Yamaha review!! 🔥

[@michelsavoie6971]

That's the gutar I play. I love it. When I first took it home, I had chills with every notes. I also have a 12 string Yamaha that sounds awesome.

[@grainhog]

Awesome playing ability plus an awesome sounding guitar.

[@donhoward1975]

Wow that LL16M sounds amazing

[@EdwinGuzmanRD]

I have the Lj16 and is amazing

[@three_pitcher498]

Great job great channel! So entertaining! And informative!

[@Wobbz9413]

P.S. I have an LL16D and a LL16/12 among my yamahas at the moment. Mahogany does sound nice.....🙃

[@TheJulesy]

Peach Guitars UK have the biggest stocks of Yamaha guitars on sale. £479 GBP/$790 Canadian dollars for the LL6 or £729 GBP/Canadian $1202 for the LL16. Amazing guitars for the money

[@marcellus6582]

Two years ago I bought a ll16d black in PG for 629 pounds. Great guitar! I recommend

[@joemcgraw5529]

Love the sound of a Mahogany Back and sides Guitar !!

[@kanelee1871]

Nice picking. I've been looking at more expensive hog guitars like the Martin D15M and the Guild D20. I stumbled across your video and I'm impressed. I think I've found what I'm looking for

[@irishplucker]

Beautiful guitar and sounds great...just bought an LL-16 12 string....very impressed....still have my Family Yamaha Fg-110 from 1970....love their guitars.....thanks for the great review.....a rare bird indeed.

[@Smitty76]

Sounds wicked JP👍 Really glad you turned me on to Yammie’s, there frigging sweet!

[@jklenterprises4472]

I picked up a Trans acoustic the other day. Sounds great but dosnt have the playability of my Martin. I wish I couple make them one

[@soofitnsexy]

martins are way superior i owned many of both

[@skrabill]

What is the song you are playing at 10:04? I have to learn it.

[@lhvent]

I found an LL6 M used and will receive it next from New Hampshire. I love my FG830, and I just felt the urge, especially at the price.

[@marcellus6582]

Two years ago I bought a ll16d black. The guitar sounds great! I wonder why on Yamaha's official website the guitar is listed as medium jumbo?

[@Wobbz9413]

It says "shape, original jumbo" but on most specs Ive read, in the body of the text, it says "modified Dreadnought" puzzling. All my guitars are dreadnoughts and fit in the hardshell case my LL16D lives in....

[@scdaymon931]

I love your passion for Yamaha guitars!!! I once owned an LL16 Rosewood, but eventually sold it because it sounded too bright. It was a great sounding guitar for finger picking, but really too bright sounding for strumming. I now struggle with the decision : for a singer songwriter, should I go for the LL16 MAHOGANY or for the FG3 Red Label?!?! I really can't decide. The LL16M looks AMAZING. But would it maintain the brightness because of the Englemann spruce top? Maybe the FG3 a much more versatile guitar!!! Please... help!!! 😅

[@adamhill1216]

Have you ever seen any of these without the signature on the label inside? I wonder why some had the signature and some don’t

[@scottbradford960]

I seen and played one the other day at local store. Didn't have the sig on the label. I'm curious as well. Guitar sounded great but wonder if there is a difference in the sig label vs non sig label?

[@toneseeker4968]

Damn, you're a good player, J.P. Cormier! You reminded me of Chet, Doyle and Tommy on this video....And, only Chet, Doyle and Tommy can ever remind me of Chet, Doyle and Tommy. Now, whenever I Chet, Doyle and Tommy, I'm gonna think of you, too. Just Awesome, Brother...

[@derekbrennan3997]

Amazing guitar.I bought an inspired by Gibson 335 unbelievable guitar out of the box, I have the Frontier, series 11 Recording King all on your recommendation and all are fabulous..

[@jamesmacdon9351]

Actually LLs come with Elixir lite PBs on them from factory. Have now for 3-4 years.

[@charlesmccarthy-f9g]

HI,, WHAT STRINGS WOULD YOU USE

[@JPCormier]

Anything coated. Light gauge

[@charlesmccarthy-f9g]

@@JPCormier THANK YOU

[@mrdogmoon]

I absolutely love mine.

[@always_pickin3565]

Awesome man…love your videos…I want to see you review the fg830…I love mine but I want to hear it In your hands!

[@peterdeboer8924]

I have an ll6 and its spectacular.

[@johnphillips8064]

Ll16s are built with Engelmann Spruce tops and Elixir strings. Love my Ll16R this one also sounds great. Great review.

[@Wobbz9413]

Yes to the Englmann spruce tops, but I dissagree about them coming with Elixir strings. They come with an Elixir strings swing tag, yes, but there is NO WAY the supplied strings have been Elixir on any of my Yamahas! Just my opinion of course.

[@Jesse_Marseille_Music]

Thank you for doing these reviews! Question for you: how would you say the size and playing comfort of these compares to Yamaha Dreadnoughts like an FGX5. I find some Jumbo sized guitars to be a bit awkward to play but you seem to be totally comfortable with this one.

[@Wobbz9413]

Ll16 is a dreadnaught. Yamaha calls it a "modified dreadnaught" the Lj Is a jumbo.

[@robertforbes6502]

Love it Man:) do you like it as much as your LL16D how about as much as your Martin D18 Golden Era how bout as much as your Bourgeois drednaught?

[@born2push]

Top quality sound! Seems like its built as good as there higher end ones. Has reinforced neck too.

[@andyrueter3087]

I have the LL16D with rosewood back and sides, an absolute tone beast. Just an amazing voiced guitar. Have you played this particular configuration?

[@TheThirdRutherford]

Can you please please find a way to do a really good comparison of the new Yamaha FG9 Rosewood to the Martin D-28 Modern Deluxe. Both priced at at the $4K mark (USD) both adi spruce over rosewood, similarities abound as to size, scale length, shape, neck carve, inlays, etc. Do the sound and feel comparo, and do a close inspection of the details inside and out. Compare bracing, scallops, all of it.

[@TonyBurke100]

I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror yesterday and my God I've put on some lard. I've gotta lose some weight. In the meantime I'll just play my new guitar; for which you JP are responsible. Since seeing your Gibson videos I've bought three new acoustic guitars.

[@guanobucks]

I have an LS16r, it is great and people typically make the mistake of assuming this is a cheap guitar until they hear it blow away their flashy guitars

[@georgefenning4844]

I’m in a trance , that sound and playing . Great tone and dynamics ….jeez. What’s the name of that piece you are playing . ?

[@denisprieur7944]

JP, is this one as cannon as the LL16 D BLACK that you praised so much in another video?

[@nathanmarr5429]

You convinced me. Sweetwater should give you commission. This will be my 5th Yamaha and 2nd L series. Tho other L series guitar that I have is from the early 80s and still going strong. Great tone and playability.

[@phatfinger4320]

Love my fgx5,thx JP

[@jasonkennedy2348]

This seems like a nice guitar. Though I just had the Yamaha A3M and now ditching for a Taylor. It’s too quiet. Used 12 Elixir Phos Bronze. Changed nut to Tusq, saddle to bone, and bridge pins to Daddario boxwood pins. Still individual notes didn’t stand out like did on Taylor. Looking hard at 114ce, 314ce, AD17 and 317. Any experience with these Taylors? I’ll probably wind up walking away with the 114ce though.

[@Al-yf7tm]

I got a LS 16M for my daughter used but dead mint with case for $550.00 on craigslist - she likes it...

[@darrenmacdougall]

I have a brand new ll16 are. Sunburst. It is the boss. Love Yamaha

[@jamesmacdon9351]

I have the LL16 and was looking for a LS16 and closest I could get was an LS6 which sounds great. LL16 M would be a nice warm tone for sure.

[@mrdogmoon]

JP I would really like to hear you demonstrate a Eastman D20SS and hear what you think about it.

[@pavelturner1948]

hi jp,i think i watched just about all your guitar rewiews,and just love it.i wanted to ask,since you also rewiewed fgx5 that is also mahagony dread,which one would you prefer if u had to choose one ,how they differ in sound ,just compare those two,...i just think of buying one ,as for the astetics i like the vintage look of fgx5,but this one here sounds great to,at least in your hands...

[@davidbaillieul109]

I am definitely not at JP's level, but my LS16M is heavier than my FG3. Was really surprised by that.

[@christopherwatkins9729]

Mmmmm ???? Yes... I come here to listen to good 'demos' and experienced comments... to some of the world's best Guitar Brands and Models... YAMAHA is always a firm favorite... Cheers ...

[@Bushradical]

funniest intro ever!!!

[@paulmanning5452]

He got me on the last one.

[@andrewguttry6886]

Isn't the top Englemann on these? It was on both my LL16 and LL16D.

[@blewsyboy]

You forgot to mention the LL16's maple binding is sourced in Canada! Proud owner of an LL16m, so happy to see you sing its praises!

[@dxcman1]

Yamaha's are amazing, I own 3 and would buy 3 more if I had the cash.

[@tomformanek3312]

Curious: is this the stock urea nut and saddle or did you upgrade them?

[@ShatterTheSkiesAbove]

I was shopping for my first not-so-average acoustic guitar on New Years Eve. I was there looking for either a Taylor or a “cheaper” Martin. I ended up walking out with a Yamaha FGX5 😎

[@fentsch]

John I value your opinion when it comes to guitars , I’m looking at a Yamaha LL35J Japan Custom Shop 1994 Natural Used - Excellent shape listed @ $1,999 what do you think .

[@justinthyme2666]

Yamaha puts elixir nano web 80/20s in these and red label series now

[@ralfybaby]

Interesting review. Sounds a lot like my Alvarez MD60BG Wonder how it stacks up against a FG3 or FG5

[@Bushradical]

I have the Md60BG and the FG5 AND the ll16R. The fg5 is the quietest of the bunch but very warm and rich. The BG and the LL are canons. The fg5 has the best neck of the bunch. The 60BG has the best, and strongest treble....the fg5 the weakest treble but warmest bass. The 60BG id very dry sounding and punchy. The LL16 is punchy and has more character. ALL THREE guitars are fantastic. I went to buy a D 28 Martin, and I bought the LL16 and the 60BG instead.

[@ralfybaby]

@@Bushradical fab, thx

[@edfulginiti8798]

If it's anything like my Red Label FG5...then it's a keeper!

[@crawdadwatson]

Sweetwater has the LL56 on sale for 4200 in the states

[@gregmcdaniel132]

That's a beautiful model.

[@Al-qh5ey]

Waiting for a LL 56 to arrive there. Should be here the end of February or so. Am looking forward to adding it to my guitars.

[@Wobbz9413]

I thought you could only get the LL56 to order. No premade examples.

[@crawdadwatson]

@@Wobbz9413 they get their own shipment of multiple guitars coming in a few months. It is pre order only right now. I emailed them and they said you can pre-order now and pay when it's ready to ship

[@Wobbz9413]

@@crawdadwatson ah. Very lucky in America then. As far as I know, its only by pre order here in Australia. Through Yamaha Australia. Cheers.