Yamaha L Series Rundown - Stunning Japanese Crafted Acoustics

[@UncleChillGuitar]

Yamaha Hamamatsu Japan made AC5R owner and I love it.I would put is alongside a Taylor or Martin for about an average $1000.00 less.

[@eric21881]

im fortunate enough to borrow my dad's 1988 LL-45 and its incredible.

[@davemathew4690]

Really fortunate to me. This guitar must be worth at least 70 grand.

[@lhvent]

I have an LL6M ARE that is so good. Even with laminate Mohagany back and sides a suburb sound.

[@leoclement3801]

I own an LL-500 and also an LS-500 (1999-2003). Imho, they are 2 of my favorite sounding guitars from a significant collection of several high-end vintage acoustics (Guild, Martin, Taylor, Larrivee, etc....). If you ever get the chance to play either of these 2 Yamaha guitars, you will be pleasantly surprised I absolutely guaranty it.

[@clints1079]

I’ve owned a couple Martins and the amount of guitar Yamaha gives you for the money is no match. I’m a convert.

[@ianbarcelos]

If you guys get a hand on those models again, please make a sound demo with them. I wish you played more and there's not much of it on KZbin yet. Yamaha should promote more those models on the market! It sounds amazing,

[@AuburnMist]

I have a lj-16 Yamaha that is made in China which is a beautiful sounding guitar and excellent build..sounds almost equal to my d28 Martin for a quarter of the price

[@tleek]

I have a Yamaha FS5, so not L series but Japanese made. It’s so nice, and my all time favorite guitar. I a prefer it over any Martin I’ve played.

[@bellyslap1123]

Thats true love. I wish I have the money to get one of these amazing guitars.

[@woodwindrain5020]

What a great review. I'm looking into getting a concert body as I have a Taylor 712ce, . Martin Hd28, Larrivee OO-40, and Takamne P3, as well as a Gs-mini. I must say that this Yamaha is up there with the best of the lot. It' resonants like no other, comparable to a Martin 00042 ,if not better, for half the cost. It's also a beaut! What a surprise!

[@kevinchristie1302]

I own one, LL26, it’s a keeper. Absolutely lovely guitar and much nicer than the Martin D-18 I sold to buy this.

[@tonyseago3063]

I have a beautiful Yamaha L-5 . Made in 1979 in Nippon Gakki, Japan, .Its my favorite Guitar. Back and Sides Made with "Dalbergia Latifolia" Indian Rosewood. All hand crafted. Ebony fretboard and bridge and bridge pins,Bone Nut and Saddle. I in stalled Waverly open gear Tuners. Sitka Spruce Top. I value it at $5,000. The only guitar I have that comes close is a very expensive Martin.

[@cargueone1971]

I own a 1976 L5. It’s my favorite to play

[@jmsamborski]

Someone likely already pointed this out but those are not a single master builder. The 56 series is one master builder. 36 is a team built. Those are 26 series and are essentially factory built.

[@truckmonkey68]

26 are team built as well in Japan . LL16 is team built (by hand) but in China, by a team that only does L16’s

[@brunningwolf]

Great guitars we have 3 of these beautiful guitars.

[@dcarts5616]

I wish you played more! Bummer.

[@andrede7514]

What is this model?

[@RobertWhitfield]

Unbeleivable - he never played the larger LL!?

[@Stereo_mechanics]

bla bla bla not test

[@evanfields9955]

can someone explain to me the difference between the 26 36 and 56?

[@leejay4908]

26 vintage style tone and design (poly urethane finsih) back and sides are just rosewood. 36 abalone rosette and purfling and solid Indian rosewood back and sides (Nitrocellulose lacquer finish). Made by several luthiers under the supervision of the master luthier. Has a clear balanced tone. 56 made with finest wood selection top back and sides by the single master luthier (hence more production time/labor and cost) has a strong defined note and bassy tone. Finished with Nitrocellulose lacquer.

[@evanfields9955]

@@leejay4908 thank you so much i was confused what the differences were between the 26 and 36 if it was just looks and who they were built by thank you very much for all the information I'm leaning towards that 56 after hearing all that!

[@leejay4908]

@@evanfields9955 yes, Yamaha doesn’t promote these quality guitars and don’t share specific information unfortunately. Whichever you get, you will be satisfied. After extensive research, my personal conclusion is that 26, 36, and 56 have their own places. If I am only considering tone as the most important factor, it is not always the best to get the most expensive guitar. For me, I prefer the clear, soft transparent tone that 36 has. Other person might prefer vintage, tidy tone of 26. If you like the prominent bass with balanced strong tone of 56, go for it!

[@jeyapragashradhaakrishnan3443]

@@leejay4908 @Evan Fields, The LL 56 is handcrafted by the master luthier himself which some rumour to be hand built by Mr. Hiroshi Sakurai himself.

[@raybossa]

Nice video guys! I saw the LS16 in another video on KZbin. What's the difference between the LS26 and the LS16?

[@dcarts5616]

Raymond Cantin hi! You have a great question. The LS16 is hand built in China but in Yamaha's own factory. The LS26/36 series are hand built in Japan. That's the main difference I believe.

[@MintStiles]

I have a LL16, it's nothing like the LL26 or up. LL16 is very muddy when strummed. I actually prefer the FG7xx or 8xx over an LL1x. The LL2x or up are generally on par with Martin IMO and to my ears, far better than a Taylor, which in itself not a bad instrument.

[@valebliz]

@@MintStiles i have and FS830 and i like it a lot, play mostly strummed. Really an LL16 sounds muddier?

[@MintStiles]

@@valebliz in my opinion, yes. At least the examples I've tried. YMMV. I play mostly electric so I don't really care about an acoustic guitar being loud, which the LL series are, compared to FG. To me the 830 has a more piano like quality in the timber as it responds a bit more balanced. Perhaps a bit more compressed compared to the LL, but I like the FG7/830.

[@valebliz]

@@MintStiles have you ever tried the FG5? If so what do you think of it? I was thinking about getting one in a few months, should be an higher end version of my 830 in terms of tonewoods

[@jaytouvelle2359]

Not true the bracing on the l bracing are not carved read the specs

[@bretjackson8093]

Why were you both holding the guitars?

[@sugarlife485]

they had stains on their shirts

[@pienpien2]

SUGAR LIFE 😅😂🤣

[@brettkramer]

Until Yamaha starts making bolt on necks like many other high end acoustic makers, they're not going to be the high end acoustic game. Ask me about my Yamaha acoustic and it's 16th fret hump.

[@ofon2000]

what about the 16th fret hump?

[@brettkramer]

@@ofon2000 Sometimes it's called the 14th fret hump, but it's literally a hump in the fretboard at the 14th fret, you can see it when you look down the neck. It happens because the fingerboard is glued to the top soundboard of the body of the guitar. Over time, each one of those separate pieces moves independently and since the parts are glued, they have nowhere to move, so a hump is created on the fretboard. This is one of the reasons you must do a "neck reset", which involves removing the neck, it's a big repair. A bolt on neck completely eliminates this problem, that's why you find bolt on necks on most of the high end, expensive guitars.

[@ofon2000]

@@brettkramer Oh dang thank you...by the way I was looking for a 500-1000 dollar acoustic or maybe acoustic/electric focusing mostly on playability but a nice sound. Any recommendations? Some People say guild some say martin...taylors bla bla bla but I find it difficult to distinguish between fake reviews, undisclosed paid promotions and the like. Thank you for that explanation and it made me steer clear of Yamaha for this price range

[@brettkramer]

@@ofon2000 I'm actually doing the same thing you are, looking for the best acoustic guitar with a similar budget. Without names specific brands, I'm looking for , 1) all solid wood, I prefer Englemann spruce for the top 2) Ebony fingerboard and bridge 3) Bolt on neck, (Probably not possible with that budget) 4) I wouldn't worry too much about how it plays, because you will almost certainly need to take it to a good guitar tech to have it set up properly 5) some type of simple integrated pickup would be nice, although you can add things later. 6) I want the guitar to have a beautiful, ringing, alive sound from the moment I pick it up.

[@ofon2000]

@@brettkramer Lol I should have known that's why you're on this video too Mr. Kramer! We're on the quest for the same thing yet you're much more knowledgeable on the subject than I am. Well if you end up making a decision soon please hit me up because apparently all the guitar stores in Houston with decent selection are closed for customers unless we decide to go in blind and buy something based on reviews. I'm not really the type of customer that wants to buy and return as that sucks for the vendors. Another plight of mine is that I don't know any good guitar techs. I've been burned by 1 or 2 in the Houston area that were recommended as good, so I've been a little weary on shelling out 200 bucks on someone I have no clue about. Anyway thank you for the info, and good luck to you!

[@PePe_LePew]

Needs less talk and more playing

[@jeremiebau]

Too much talking not enough guitar

[@d35s2]

Sound is different than hearing and playing the guitar live which you should do anyway. I am very interested in the construction details, differences etc. I like this kind of reviwe more than just hearing it through my little PC speaker.... doesn't say a thing to me, even more about the quality of a player

[@michaelredison6396]

U guys are boring..the guy on the left didn’t even play a single note

[@cowieguitartuition3134]

Way too much talking, not enough guitar playing.

[@xetexuk12]

"Yamaha specialise in wood", hmmmm motorcycles more like. I can't take them seriously in this market, sorry.

[@colejustesen]

Yamaha started building instruments long before motorcycles (they started making motorcycles in 1955, guitars were in the 40s). They have a history of sought after instruments, specifically pianos. Both divisions are excellent at what they do.

[@SaumBoOdi]

Dear Christ, please do your research before you spew bile all over yourself. They have been making instruments since the mid 1800s. 🤦‍♂️ What a clown

[@valebliz]

Well you know jackshit, do some research before and avoid showing you're a moron.

[@dlj1285]

You and Erich Dennis must be buddies. I can see you both have the same well thought out logic in life...lol...my god...Shame on Yamaha for being successful in multiple product markets. It’s not possible. I’ll end with this. People like guys have no idea how ridiculous you sound to actual musicians who know what these higher tier Yamahas are all about. Superb instruments.

[@freebornjohn6876]

I thought the same, until I played a few of their guitars. Stunning quality, especially the handbuilt ones.

[@michaelredison6396]

U guys are boring..the guy on the left didn’t even play a single note