New Yamaha Guitars That Rival The Finest Acoustics - Yamaha FS9M and FS9R

[@shirlmccullough1993]

Actually sounds better than most Taylors to me. Deeper and richer.

[@stevebernard221]

I agree with you....there is a lot that sounds better than Taylor in my opinion.

[@LucasHaneman]

Couldn’t agree more there’s something about lots of tailor guitars that just sounds a little weird, almost metallic. Definitely depends on the Taylor, some are good and some are not

[@petemorrissnr]

I own a Martin D-45, a Lowden F50 with Sinker Redwood and African Blackwood… But neither can hold a candle next to my Yamaha FG9R…. Simply outstanding… I can’t wait to get my hands on an FS9R. 👍 Great video and awesome playing from Cooper 👍

[@fritzbiederstadt4869]

I've always wanted to Lowden, but too dang expensive...Probably out 4K more than the Yamaha.

[@lhvent]

I am a huge fan of Yamaha Guitars. I have three Yamaha guitars and my FG830 , LL6M A.R.E. and LS6 literally blow me away.

[@carosel43]

I am turning into a Yamaha fanboy myself with both a humbucker and P90 standard revstar, an LJ16 and a Storia III. They are all fantastic in their own way but for the money the storia is utterly brilliant. Its slightly shorter scale makes things much easier for someone of my meagre skill!

[@edub1170]

@@carosel43I have a low end Yamaha acoustic and it’s shockingly good. Everyone who plays it wants it. I keep it in rotation with my Martin and my blue ridge - I can’t imagine how good these higher end models are

[@WoodworkerDan]

I just took one of my Yamaha dreads to my local luthier for a refret, and he said the same thing Chris did. Yamaha is a great company that makes a variety of excellent products. I've played many gigs with Yamaha guitars, and I love them because they are reliable workhorses that are able to handle the humid summers and dry winters of northern Michigan.

[@johnwashburn3793]

My only question is: humid summers in northern Michigan? This is where we go to escape the humidity. We just returned from a week in Florida. Inside humidity was 70%. Rock on!

[@sgholt]

I agree, I will buy any used Yamaha guitar that I see, I roam the pawn shops :p

[@WoodworkerDan]

@@johnwashburn3793 Good to hear from another Michigander. I live in Rogers City, one block from Lake Huron. Bear in mind that in warmer areas like Florida indoor humidity is reduced because people air condition their homes, but I only run my a/c once or twice a year. The nice thing is that our temps are usually not too high, so even when the relative humidity is high, it doesn't feel oppressive. EDIT: It is 10:30, pm windows are open, and indoor humidity is 64% It was probably higher earlier today because it rained for a little while.

[@johnwashburn3793]

@@WoodworkerDan I actually live in KCMO but we visit up north in the summer to avoid the heat. I have probably not considered the relative humidity. Last week I took an acoustic guitar to Florida and a hygrometer. It registered in middle forties when I opened the case and was into the 70s in a few hours. The air conditioner was set at 75° (we bumped it to 78° because it felt cold. We keep 75° at home.) The guitar is fine. My home is showing 43% at the moment and my guitar room is down to 40%humidity. I will adjust my dehumidifier in a bit. Enjoy your summer and music.

[@DH-og5yr]

@@johnwashburn3793humidity is relative to the temperature.

[@shaneroberts9466]

I had an FS and LS, and still have a CS, SLG and FSX5. Love Yamaha acoustic guitars. Without question a great bang for the buck.

[@cugir321]

Why did you get rid of the FS and LS?....I have a FS...got rid of a LS....the LS6 was made terrible. The fingerboard was not level and the frets didn't look leveled at all at the factory. (Bought it and returned it before the 45 days for a refund) The FS has the best neck I've seen on a guitar in 25 years (187.00 plus tax)....had to level 1 fret....can tune down a whole step without changing anything....leave it a 1/2 step down all the time. The Low E string doesn't ring great on the FS800. It's okay...have had that problem before with a FG710-s....When I refretted it it corrected the problem. I'll do the FS with stainless when the frets wear a bit. Yamaha frets are terrible for wear especially if you capo a lot. My LL16 had a terrible hump at the 14th fret....had to refret it to level the fingerboard out (I did the refret myself so it was worth it)....I did that because it's a monster sound wise. Otherwise would have returned it to GC. Nobody should believe anyone who says all yamaha's are fabulous! Even people like JP Comier. He raved on the LL16's. They can be magnificent. But not always. They're chinese made!

[@Tee-mq2zn]

Great video guys! I've become a recent convert to Yamaha guitars and bought an LL16D in black last year. This is now opening up very nicely and is becoming a great dreadnaught that I doubt I'll upgrade from any time soon. I also very luckily bought a used LL36 last month from a guitar shop over here in the UK that had taken it in px. This is an entirely hand-made guitar in the Yamaha factory in Japan and is built using first-class woods. It plays impeccably and sounds fabulous, however being a modified dread shape it's very powerful if needed but can play very softly when required. That said, now you've demoed the FS9's I"m going to have get one of those too! Cheers!

[@Joe-m6p6b]

Congrats.

[@jmsamborski]

I have the FG9M. Initially I thought the FS9R would be my next guitar when it launched… but the longer I’ve had the FG9, I see no reason to get an FS. The FG9 is so well balanced with such an incredible dynamic range, it covers any style of play. Unless you are someone who prefers a smaller body for comfort/size, I’d recommend getting the FG9 instead because it does it all.

[@johnsikora6043]

I own an A3R and love it. The quality is fantastic.

[@Dizarama]

Most people don’t know that Elliott Smiths favorite guitar was a 72 FG180 Red Label.

[@michaellaverty1844]

Love the Design of both. Fret Markers are simple but very elegant. Yamaha great guitars.

[@benjohnstonmentoring]

I’ve been waiting for these 😃 I have an FGX5 and it’s awesome! Can’t wait to have one in my hands!

[@dr_lulz]

I have one of the first they built, a red label FG180 1969 if memory serves. My dad’s guitar. Still great. These are great!

[@Strawhat..]

I’d love to see Yamaha FSX5 Red Label with rosewood back and sides

[@frankw.1721]

I have an FSX5-made in Japan. can verify how good these are.

[@anthonyb2334]

I loved the rosewood sound. Great guitars. Excellent video. So many quality options these days. Thank you

[@gregmiller674]

Love the sustain on the 9R!

[@robertblackstock6866]

Love the FS9R. That was beautiful

[@seanhallahan14]

Great to see something not Taylor or Martin. Love you guys, totally honor what you do, grateful in the extreme for it, just wished your were a lot more diverse. Kudu's, you did do Y's FSs proud. Thank you. I think eventually, to acoustic guitar aficionados' horror, high quality makers will be incorporating inner metal bridge plates, or composite bridge plates, and metal and/or composite connections (rather than wood) from the saddle/bridge to that inner bridge plate. I've experimented with such, it sounds great, particularly on upgrading lessor expensive guitars. It provides a HUGE energy transfer from the strings to the soundboard. So much so that one can feel it in the vibration of the neck with one's left hand.

[@callaway5148]

I wanted this guitar to exist a year ago when I settled for an FSX5.

[@vanzamee]

You have chosen…wisely. FS5 owner here, it’s 90% of the FS9.

[@theREDC0de]

@@vanzamee Yeah, no. Had both. Very different.

[@amerbaloch5315]

I’ve auditioned both and they are indeed 90%

[@skateborg]

I got an all solid wood Yamaha LL16 Dreadnought three weeks ago. Best $800 I've ever spent on a new guitar. Sounds amazing and plays incredibly well. Yamaha craftsmanship and QC is top shelf. There is not one finish flaw or buzzy fret or funky tuner or any issues I can find on this lovely guitar. Came with a very nice Yamaha soft case that has backpack straps. Shout out to Guitar Solo in San Francisco. 💜💛🖤

[@dg111fu]

It's funny how now people are jumping on the yamaha fan wagon now that they've added a new $4k+ guitar. Their $800 LL16 is much better than most $4k martain, gibson, and taylor guitars. Price does not always correlate to quality, especially with yamaha. Check your cognitive bias and you'll get some great stuff.

[@AndreRMeyer]

I own the FG9m s.n. I K I 0 4 0 A can't wait to get my hands on a FS9r, as Cooper suggested.@ 11:54 Greetings from the sunny climes of Basle, Switzerland

[@syd3294]

Yamaha is such an underrated brand for guitars. Even their lower end models are great sounding. I recently purchased the Revstar professional and it is an absolute delight to play.

[@bongocuba]

Love the Yamaha product line, all of them, FG/A/LL. Own FG5m (purchased from Alamo), AC5R, FGX300c and tried out the FG9R at Yamaha London. Can’t wait to try out the S version.

[@sgholt]

I just got the Junior/Travel Yamaha guitar for a upcoming trip...just like the big ones but tiny :p I have 4 Yamaha acoustics (FG Jr, FG 700, and 2 FG 730s..all of them are older guitars) , love em. I think my very first guitar was a FG 310 (?) around mid 80s(?) too long ago.

[@JohnThomas-n2e]

Nice video. I saw a clinic at your store, years back with a guy from Yamaha, they are awesome love to see another

[@Acoustic_Music-h6x]

Love the sound of this guitar. Does anyone know the difference between the S shape and the OM shape. It sounds better to my ears than an OM.

[@vechap]

Pretty much any made in Japan Yamaha acoustic in the LS Series is absolutely awesome, especially beginning with the LS-26 and above. While some of the lower end guitars are really an excellent choice if you don't have the money for the high-end LS series, such as the LS-16. Even some of their less expensive models, for example, the AC-3R, etc., are excellent sounding, and crafted extremely well. If you haven't tried a good Yamaha acoustic, check it out.

[@urbananimalz]

I got a yamaha acoustic with a lr baggs pickup for 65 in a 2nd hand shop, beautiful thin neck like an electric, plays smoother than a really smooth thing.

[@BaktaBak3]

Yamaha makes great/functional/durable products IMO. Yamaha Stagepas600BT & 400BT portable PA's are fab also. IMO.... (we use with our band) 🎸🎸🎸

[@danherrick2310]

after hoping for this news for a long time, i literally JUST bought an acoustic!!!! to be fair i got a D1A so i'm quite happy with it, but the FG9 is so killer that i bet these are dope

[@ZionForman]

oh cool, I was looking for something like this from Yamaha. great review as always.

[@tulyar57]

Great presentation again, fellas. Shout out to Cooper for using fingerstylye, flatpicking and chordal shapes to showcase these guitars. I remember Yamaha back in the 70s when they opened manufacturing in Taiwan then elsewhere in SE Asia and were known as a reputable builder of factory guitars. Then their earlier Japan models became collectible (thanks to the likes of Elliot Smith) and it's nice to see that their new Japan 'handmade' guitars are getting the attention they deserve.

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Love Yamaha guitars - an ebony fret board and 3 colour sunburst would be super cool .

[@artrogers3985]

I think I recognize some of the first tune you played Coops. Very, very nice 🎸

[@paulheartsongs]

In my experience, everything Yamaha does exactly what it's meant to do. Always super products!

[@shogi6790]

Wow, they are finally out, and perfect!

[@Nirabulator]

Lovely playing.

[@lhvent]

These guitars sound so articulate.

[@redson425]

One of the most (if not the most) underrated guitar brands. Their high end Japan made guitars are quite exceptional. Didn't James Taylor use one on his first album with Fire and Rain, Going to Carolina Etc?

[@LucasHaneman]

His first album was at Gibson J50 as far as I can recall, but he played Yamaha live and maybe even in the studio in the late 70s through early to mid 80s, before he got his Olsen guitars

[@redson425]

@@LucasHaneman Ah yes, I stand corrected. you are quite right it was that J50.

[@LucasHaneman]

@@redson425 all good. Honestly, anything JT plays he sounds fantastic on. Doesn’t matter which era, method of amplification, or Guitar, he is a true example of tone being in the fingers.:-)

[@Monsoon1030]

Great guitars! Even after a few years and many other guitars after them, I am still always reaching for my AC5M and Revstar. My buddies are always asking to play them as well, except the ones who bought a Yamaha of their own. Careful, if you play with friends…Yamahas tend to multiply.

[@pepmasters-999]

I have a Yamaha C2 piano, made in Japan, and can attest to the beauty of the engineering -- you can try to flip the keyboard cover shut and it will slowly and smoothly lower itself into place via some cleverly-made, hidden mechanism . On the guitar front, I have am LJ26. Not nitro like these, but Japanese made and it has the most fantastically smooth and comfortable neck, boomy sound, sustain for days. Small tendency to some fret buzz though.

[@charlesflint9048]

I still remember trying a Yamaha acoustic in the 1970s, it had a much better sound than the competition, brighter and more resonant.

[@michaelbobson6375]

Great video! Hide glue? Ty

[@luckyrocks1]

Don't forget that Yamaha make Great Drums too! Acoustic and Digital! Great company and great value! However, IMHO, I think the best value acoustic guitar line right now is the Alvarez Laureate series. About half the cost of these MIJ models. And if I were looking at MIJ acoustics I would have to consider the Alvarez Yari models along with these great Yamaha guitars! Thank you for the demo's!

[@jeffberdin]

I really hope Yamaha will mirror what the did on the red label reissue and have slightly more affordable versions? (FGX5-> FGX3) maybe we will see some FG7 and FS7? 🤞🏼

[@Tigerex966]

Best cleaners polish and strings for this guitar?

[@Tigerex966]

A custom wider neck would be awesome for a seasoned classical player with larger hands not sure if yamaha allows for that option at this price level or not?

[@lhvent]

I have two L Series guitars they are so good.

[@johnlambert9447]

What and how do I need to practice to sound like that.

[@tao694t]

will they make these with onboard electronics?? (like FSX)?

[@DonaldRoycroft-sm3rp]

Yes I had an FS model, but, my FG 830,in my opinion was just that much better, as is my L model, Quite amazing 😊

[@lilycat1694]

Rosewood for me!

[@billphillips9772]

Do these have the same neck shape as the FG/S 5 Red Label series?

[@timothymills733]

Yamaha pianos are not just "good" they are world class concert instruments. Yamaha has been building concert level classical guitars, played by some of the best players in the world for decades. Why people have this lower expectation about them is more to do with the folklore around companies like Martin or Gibson, which is wrapped up in the fact that our guitar heroes played them. Martin, Gibson, and Taylor acoustics are all factory made guitars, just like Yamaha. The real question should be, why would people expect better quality from a guitar made in an American factory over one in a Japanese factory, they wouldn't if we were talking cars, or electronics 🙂

[@lebe220]

Yamaha motorbikes

[@keithferris9574]

And they make phenomenal drums, basses, and band instruments.

[@antalantal2366]

The reasons why acoustic and electric high-end guitars made by Yamaha are so criminally underrated will also puzzle my mind

[@Tigerex966]

What pickup can even come close to giving these justice

[@LucasHaneman]

K&K trinity mini It’s a bit of an investment, but honestly, I’ve tried a whole ton of acoustic pickups, and it’s the only one I found that truly sounds like the guitar, but louder. Gigged this pickup for many years in many guitars.

[@Tigerex966]

Thanks​@@LucasHaneman

[@TheBdriver]

You guys should do a review of Yamaha's $3000 Canadian most expensive electric... SA2000 The fit and finish is flawless.. plays soooo beautifully.. Been called a 335 killer. Amazing guitar

[@mareekrenard]

Can you put those gotoh tuners on the FS series?

[@Charlie-hp2oh]

nonono, i am not going to buy another guitar

[@67er_matze97]

amazing instruments imo. Would love to see also FJ9 M/R which would be Jumbo-Yamahas.

[@jeffberdin]

That would be awesome! I’m always lusting for an LJ26

[@67er_matze97]

@@jeffberdin yesss - LJ26 are awesome guitars !

[@ufcfan3940]

Love my Yamaha acoustic quality guitar like it more than my Martin

[@rugbydad7130]

Are these even out in Japan? I live here but haven't seen.

[@dg111fu]

You've made me want to buy the FS9-M. My fiance is the one that says no 😅

[@Tigerex966]

A new fiance:?😮😊

[@johnwashburn3793]

Is it worth the $2500 extra from the Red Label?

[@blackmax222]

Maybe a little more volume but red labels punch way above their price point

[@johnwashburn3793]

@@blackmax222 Thank you. This is what I have always heard. The Red Label was the way to go...until these.

[@Tigerex966]

Red labels are awesome but no rosewood or addy

[@johnwashburn3793]

​@@Tigerex966I recently purchased a rosewood Adirondack OM. I usually play mahogany and I needed a change. I was unaware that Red Label is only mahogany.

[@dlj1285]

Is the approach to making these guitars more of a higher volume factory line approach, or is the construction similar to the lower volume approach of their high end LL26/36/56?

[@phanhuyduc2395]

This guitar is luthier made so similar to L36 and L56. L26 still factory made ( in Japan)

[@douglasb99]

@@phanhuyduc2395 L26 is luthier made in Japan. L16 is factory made in China

[@phanhuyduc2395]

@@douglasb99 No. L26 is factory made in Japan. L36 is luthier made

[@radimvasol168]

The video is great. But every time Cooper plays, I watch his fingers with interest, but the microphones always get in the way !!!

[@cugir321]

The rosewood has more bass....deeper sounds. I'd guess you can depend on top line craftsmanship from Japan....the Chinese L series guitars can be flawed at times (I have a LL16)...even if they sound good. Neck and fret problems...Sometimes they're great. Lots on of tension in the neck of the L series instruments if it's a loud rich one...I've played a lot of them and the best sounding ones are usually harder to play. Even with a 2mm action.....is the FS9 easier to play? I have 5 yamaha's.

[@danielguitar5150]

Which of these two guitars did Chris prefer?

[@Tigerex966]

Rosewood

[@DH-og5yr]

I’d probably get an 00-18 to save a few bucks and prob have a slightly less quality parts guitar, but with a great sound for a few bucks less

[@lilevs1]

What’s strings are on them?

[@Wobbz9413]

I am a huge Yamaha fan. I currently own 4. LL16D, LL16/12, FG820 and CSF3M. Would love an FS9M, But cost exceeds desire in this case. Close to $7000 in my country. Will never spend that on ANY guitar. No need, in my opinion.

[@dareelevi9945]

Just checked the price on these and they are super expensive...😢😢 My dream guitar for now is the FS9R

[@LifeBeginsat50]

it's really really hard for companies that are known to make budget friendly products to sell products at higher price points, these sound great but Yamaha has a long road ahead with marketing their higher end guitars against Martin and Taylor

[@natedistasio2791]

But the FG9 is consistently sold out

[@stevebernard221]

Yamaha has always had high-end guitars...a lot of them are not seen in the American/North American market...

[@jimmyv6703]

How much please?

[@pepmasters-999]

If only they said. 13:52 Oh, they did.

[@jimmyv6703]

Thanks

[@christopherhawthorne5395]

I own 3 Yamahas and 2 Martins. While Martin has it’s unique sound - so does Yamaha. The only way I can explain Yamahas sound is “true”. It’s like a standard sound that they just nailed. That said I’ve not played the FS9 or FG9 (rosewood or mahogany). I’m going to need to sell some guitars

[@martinsundland7614]

Yamaha is Zen, Grasshopper.

[@vanzamee]

Had the FS9 R, the action out of the box is WAY too high. Sounded tight, focused, rich, really nice but, at this price the setup should be perfection right out of the gate. Sent it back and going with a Yairi Alvarez fsm66hd, I feel like something special is headed my way…

[@phanhuyduc2395]

you must be kidding me

[@pieromancer208]

I got my hands on one of the new FG9s and for the price I wasn’t particularly impressed… maybe it was a dud. But maybe with inflation 4000 just doesn’t get what it used to. Like… it was a good guitar, but not great for my money. Maybe I’m just getting old hahahaha😅

[@imdaroger]

wowza

[@LifeWideOpen780]

Cooper sounds amazing

[@DH-og5yr]

… saxes, atvs. Motorcycles. And the stereo amps AS-2200 and 3200.

[@nate2188764]

If you own an FS5 would you all consider this a significant or a marginal upgrade?

[@Benglath]

I own a FSX5 and I would consider this as a marginal upgrade 😁

[@zacharykim295]

Theyre so damn expensive

[@dareelevi9945]

I know right😢😢

[@beautifulguitars3158]

Not as expensive as Martin, Taylor or Gibson ​@dareelevi9945

[@hoangnguyennguyen1032]

​​@@beautifulguitars3158i'm pretty sure they are more expensive than the OOO-28. If I have the money, I'd pay for the fs9r for sure tho.

[@holzhausholz8215]

4,000 bucks?😂

[@fritzbiederstadt4869]

Why over priced!!!

[@mmelchior2904]

Did you mean to say "way over priced"? If so, why? My recently purchased Martin 000-28 was $3400 and these FS9s appear to have better craftmanship and they sound great. I like the Yamaha's understated appointments. I was planning my next purchase to be a Gibson Southern Jumbo . . . I'm seriously thinking about switching to the FS9M because the 000-28 already fills my 000 body rosewood needs and I probably don't need another dreadnaught at this time.

[@MervGinsberg-sc8kp]

Not overpriced! You have to pay for quality! Not for the name!

[@Tigerex966]

It's actually a underpriced it's competition is overpriced

[@fritzbiederstadt4869]

@@Tigerex966 Did not mean to stir up so many feeling. You are right about overpriced competitors. I've never owned a high end Yamaha. I think thing are OK but never handled one that knocked my socks off. Maybe I should take a second look.

[@Tigerex966]

@@fritzbiederstadt4869 I like the overpriced competition. Martins Taylor's premium was earned over time as well as many.others Alvarez is a great value here as well. It's all good just internet talk.

[@brianreese7804]

Very nice, Fellas.....Yamaha is pretty damned Good 👍🫡🙏

[@milanuzelac1665]

I prefer the older pickguards…

[@AnteraxxX]

What is your Guitar Brand Tierlist in your opinion?