Review & Demo of Yamaha LL-TA Transacoustic Guitar

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PLAY IT FORWARD - Someone gave me a guitar when I was 15, and it changed my life.
So I want to pay it forward. Support me on Patreon to help me on my mission to put free guitars in the hands of youngsters, new adult students, or just generally people I meet who could use a guitar. Every little bit helps! www.patreon.com/user?u=435234...
While this isn't a "budget review," per se, at around $1,000, this guitar is still affordable, and you're getting a lot of bang for your buck. (The FS-TA is under $700, which is has mahogany instead of rosewood). This is a quality instrument in its own right without the effects, but if you play fingerstyle, you may never want to play a regular guitar again. The experience of the reverb coming through the guitar makes it come alive, and oddly, it feels more natural, like you're sitting inside the guitar.
It's worth the hype. It has it's place, but it's not a gimmick. I think it's a true advancement for the instrument, like it's coming home in some sort of ancient future way.
#Transacoustic #Transacousticguitar #YamahaGuitar #YamahaLL-TA #busydadguitar
--Contents--
0:00 - Intro
0:20 - Review
9:44 - Demo
#busydadguitar #intermediateguitar #intermediateguitarist #levelupguitar
Facebook: / justinbishopsmusic
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Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=435234...
Blog: justinbishopmusic.com/blog/

[@tom5216]

I bought one of these recently. The thing is that without the effects it’s an absolute canon of a guitar with a beautiful tone and immensely good build quality. The effects are just the icing on the cake. The pickup is excellent. I have 3 Taylor acoustics which I love but recently woke up to Yamahas. I initially bought an A3R and loved the tone though it doesn’t have the volume of my Taylors. I then bought the LLTA and an AC3R on the same day. The AC 3R is wonderful, so easy to play, articulate and can hold its own with any other guitar I’ve heard. Great finger picker. The LLTA however is just amazing and blows me away. Yamaha are hitting it out of the park these days. Don’t confuse these guitars with the FG series of old. The high end Yamahas are as good or better than the big 3 guitars at 3 or 4 times the price.

[@georgemccuskey4078]

you nailed it !!! this instrument will inspire you. Ive written 4 songs this year on it, that i never would have. That im sure of. Kudos yamaha!!!Thru the P.A. ?Stellar!!!! I've never had so many people come up and tell me how good it sounds.

[@paulurban6330]

Terrific review!..Thank you for taking the time to try and explain that crazy guitar with the Great pyramid technology...you sold me on it. I too am a fingerstyle player so I'm really looking forward to this yamaha...thanks again

[@combolife]

I am going to buy one. Great review, didn’t want you to stop playing, awesome playing!

[@byrnejjoseph1]

Great review. I own one and absolutely love it. Owning this makes you want to play. After 1 year that hasn't changed.

[@stevenshockley4237]

Got an FG-TA yesterday and it is blowing me away

[@alex_acoustic]

That's the review I wanted to see! Thank you. The main thing is: showing any style of playing and how it sounds on this guitar. And that's what you did here. From Bluegrass to Strumming or Fingerstyle or whatever. Thank you!

[@robotusa88]

Thanks, best review of these I have seen. Nice playing. Gonna git one :)

[@kevfirey7799]

Thanks for review , been looking for a while almost sold on this beautiful guitar vintage colour looks great also

[@davewray9909]

I absolutely ADORE mine! X

[@cmos1981]

wow, this sounds amazing! IMO it sounds a lot better than the FG-TA. Thanks for the great review

[@richardn5385]

Justin, that was a great video. I enjoyed it very much... not only the soundbites of your playing, but the whole "story" about how you feel how it was meant to be. I've been playing guitar for about 33 years and these Yamaha Transacoustics have blown me away. You are 100% right, it's not a gimmick, not a gadget, but it's the real deal. The last few years i have been heavily into classical guitar so i bought the Yamaha CG-TA a little while back and it's simply awesome, eventhough i have a few other high-end classical guitars. Next on my list is this Yamaha LL-TA because not only is this guitar of great quality and of great sound without the effects, but with the transacoustic system i enjoy them 10 times more than ANY other acoustic guitar brand/model, hands down. So thank you for showing your love and passion for this Yamaha and for actually convincing me to do something i should have done already, and that is to buy this guitar.

[@justinbishopmusic]

You won't regret it! I play it way more than my Guild D55. It just feels natural, like you're playing in some grand concert hall even if you're just sitting on the couch! I didn't realize they had a classical model. I'll add that to my list. How many guitars do you really need? Just one more...

[@deej19142]

Stairway.....:just kidding" Hahahaha! Come on man I love me some Stairway! I just picked up the Yamaha FG_TA last week, total impulse buy. I just stopped in the local music store to get a set of strings, and long story short, I now have more guitars now than motorcycles. Oh well. This is my new favorite guitar.

[@justinbishopmusic]

“Accidental purchase” 😂 I have a couple guitars worth more than my car!

[@juliekrol]

Great review of this guitar, you’ve sold me 😊

[@standardvideoproductions1950]

I can understand your loss for words. I have just purchased the new FGC-TA (cutaway) and it is mind blowing and inspires me to advance my techniques and frankly, the sound as you say kind of fills in the gaps. For those listening in... the sound coming from your speakers doesn't do the instrument justice... you have to hear it to believe.

[@lhvent]

I have an LL6M ARE, and I love it.

[@systemsoversymptomsvisionw9806]

I got an FS-TA, concert body with sunburst. It's such a beautiful instrument! Then again, Yamaha guitars always have been... I grew up on Yamaha. The FS-TA has Mahogany on the sides and back, with a spruce top, and nato neck. I'd never heard of nato wood before, but it's beautiful as well. I just love everything about it, and love picking it up and practising.

[@justinbishopmusic]

I was going to go with the FS-TA first, but I decided to fork over a little more for the rosewood and aged spruce of the LL-TA (also...they had these in stock!). I do wonder if it's worth it for the money. Can you tell any big difference between the tone of yours vs mine?

[@systemsoversymptomsvisionw9806]

@@justinbishopmusic I'm not an expert by any means. I assume the more expensive ones are better, but whether that is for sound or for the quality of the build, or the quality of extras, etc., I don't know. Generally, I've always thought that a decent mid-range guitar is good enough for anybody, and that it is the quality of the musician that matters. For me, even my FS-TA was more than I was planning to spend - I was going to buy a used Washburn off Kijiji for about half the price, but became enamoured with these transacoustics due to youtube videos. I'm just getting back to guitar learning after a 30 year absence. Anyway, I would be happy with your choice if I were you. You have a beautiful instrument of superior quality. And, if it matters, I suspect excellent re-sale quality as well.

[@dkfi]

Great review! Just got one too... the only thing that I hate is the second missing strap attachment on the body of the guitar. I'll have to get one of those ugly link straps that go on the headstock :( .

[@johnhastingsinfo]

Incredible

[@noahspray5560]

Love your style sir. Makes me want to really brush up on my acoustic, but holy cow! I have a lot to learn. Will you teach me how to play "Where I Go" by miss Merchant please. Its a beautiful song, and I would like to hear it on that guitar.

[@lhvent]

I my Yamaha FG830 and LL6M ARE. Yamaha's engineering is top-notch.

[@questocd174]

I got one and I absolutely love it.

[@justinbishopmusic]

I can't put mine down!

[@carlomanalo18]

May i know how much did you buy for that beautiful guitar? Thank you!

[@questocd174]

@@carlomanalo18 699 I think. Music shop was real cool on payments. Date kept being pushed out while Yamaha made it cause of covid. Black dreadnought.

[@carlomanalo18]

@@questocd174 Thank you. I hope it may not cost a lot here in Philippines. Be safe Sir!

[@cdbrown30]

Wow 😯 I may have to get one.

[@justinbishopmusic]

If you love playing around the house, especially fingerstyle, it's a game-changer!

[@dallasfoster9016]

Love my llta! Only thing is the tuners are already slipping, only had it 3 months now

[@Stevesoffthecouch]

Seems similar to the Tonewood unit but built in.. Sounds great.

[@justinbishopmusic]

Yes, I think so. But you don’t have to attach anything. Still fits in the case.

[@brettdeross107]

Awesome review man. Fantastic playing and great commentary. That’s a sub from me. What mic did you use during this recording? It’s astoundingly clear!

[@justinbishopmusic]

Thanks! It’s the Aston Origin: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/OriginMic--aston-microphones-origin-large-diaphragm-condenser-microphone

[@donnyh3497]

I have been searching for my next guitar and I predominantly play finger style. I am 98% sure that it's going to be the LL-TA

[@filippodb114]

it seems to me that the treble sounds greater then bass sounds. It Is true?

[@rvmusictv0122]

I want to have one❤🙏

[@dangatton7138]

justin thx for the review. Im looking at the LL-ta also but would like the new red label FSX5 or FG5 also. do you know if the red labels and LL series are comparable quality and sound for the money or the red labels ranked higher?? also after 5 months what do you think of the LLTA??

[@justinbishopmusic]

I haven't played the Red Label, but they look pretty much the same as the transacoustics but without the effects. If you like reverb at all, get the LL-TA (or the concert size). It is an unreal experience to play unplugged, and it sounds great plugged in too. If you're not a fan of reverb, then I'd say get the red label. After 5 months, it's the only acoustic I use. I've put my Guild D-55 back in the case, and I think I'll only get it back out if I have a live gig, and even then, I might just use it for alternate tunings.

[@dangatton7138]

@@justinbishopmusic thx alot.. I love the reverb. alittle anyways. I have a guild d50 and d46 Ash. this would really be a great addition . I have never owned a Yamaha but have played some. would love no amp with reverb available.. thx for your time.

[@ANTYRULZHARD]

Hi, I see you have a peg for a strap by the dove tail joint! Did you add that yourself or did the guitar come with it? And would it affect the guitar in anyway? Thanks!

[@justinbishopmusic]

It didn’t come with one, so I installed myself. If you drill a hole smaller than the screw, it shouldn’t affect the guitar. But if you don’t drill, it can split the wood. Best left to a professional if you have any doubts. It’s an inexpensive job. Not sure why they don’t install them at the factory. You can, of course, tie the strap to the headstock.

[@antonio.lovric]

​@@justinbishopmusicit didnt come? Thats really strange, because I saw many of these guitars with that strap button.

[@_musaholic_8631]

Hi Justin, hope your doing well, having issues with my LL-TA sitting well in the mix, I play acoustic for live gig, plugging into the venues PA system and I have tried everything to solve it, it sounds awful. Any advise will be most welcomed 😌 ☺

[@justinbishopmusic]

Hmmm…could be a faulty pre-amp. How does it sound when you turn off the reverb?

[@jaffarbaqi]

I am trying to decide which guitar to buy, the LL-TA, or the LL-TA. Would you please tell me the advantages of each? Thank you.

[@justinbishopmusic]

The LL-TA vs. FSTA? The LL has a high quality rosewood back and sides (more bass and highs) while the FS has mahogany (more mids), so the overall tone will be different. It depends on your taste. Also the LL's have ebony fretboard while FS will have rosewood. Another big difference is the torrefied spruce top on the LLs...it's an aging process, so the guitar sounds more like a vintage instrument because the wood has been artificially aged, improving resonance and tone.

[@MrCodyist]

I notice there’s no mention of bass/treble or EQ controls (when playing through a PA). How does the amplified sound compare to other guitars? Just curious… Thanks. 😉

[@justinbishopmusic]

Right, there’s no onboard eq. Just volume, chorus, and reverb. It has a better than average piezo sound, and I’m happy with the eq. But plugged in I tend to use the Fishman aura spectrum as a DI which has an eq on it.

[@neilhackett529]

There is some mid range EQ available on the FX only, press and hold vol. for 5 sec till led starts flashing .. Just got mine last night & read the manual ;) see: usa.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/5/1266955/ta_guitar_en_zh_ja_leaflet_a0.pdf

[@InfinityProTeam]

Hey thanks for the video. How does this guitar hold up in dropped tunings such as open D and C?

[@justinbishopmusic]

Mine came set up with great low action for drop D, but when I try to play Neon in drop C, it buzzes a little. Either raising the action or using heavier strings might help.

[@daveydoodle1916]

They need ta do it with Clasical Guitars! Give them help unplugged

[@justinbishopmusic]

Turns out they do! I hadn't checked before, so now I'm glad I know. It would make learning Bach or something crazy much more fun, in my opinion. Bach Lute Suite #4 is where it's at! www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha/CG-TA-TransAcoustic-Nylon-String-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-Gloss-Natural-1500000261437.gc?cntry=us&source=4WWRWXGP&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-OeBBhDiARIsADyBcE4Xa7Jhysv2dev0yLhcCW3bg1KKvbUN5LVHhsqrV7k9Msp2IduU8p4aArlREALw_wcB

[@johnwashburn3793]

I saw one today leaving a guitar store. It sounded amazing "dry". Now I want to return tomorrow. What do you think about it today? It has been a year. Great review!

[@justinbishopmusic]

I’m still loving it today! I play it out more than any other.

[@timshoemaker6466]

What type of battery, and how long do they last? Thanks

[@justinbishopmusic]

It takes 2 AAs. Lasts several hours. I use rechargeable.

[@achimschwirten]

What about the CSF-TA? Is it easier to play with my handycapped left hand (incomplete tetraplegia)?

[@justinbishopmusic]

In general, nylon string guitars are easier press down the strings, but they also have a thicker neck, so I’m not sure which would affect you more. My LLTA has a thick neck too. I like it, but for up the neck solos, it’s a little cumbersome. Chords, however, are easier.

[@achimschwirten]

@@justinbishopmusic Well, I have three classic guitars, a 4/4 spruce rosewood from 1973 by Viertmann, a 7/8 Duke cedar and a 3/4 Alhambra Cedar from my daughter. The big one sounds best, but is difficult to play. But now I want a steel string guitar and wonder which one fits best. Because I can't spread my fingers too much, I think a smaller guitar will fit better. I'm wondering whether it should be an FS-TA or a CSF-TA. The sound of the CG-TA would also be interesting, but too big.

[@justinbishopmusic]

@@achimschwirten the nut width is slightly smaller on the FSTA, though I’m not sure about neck shape and thickness. Have you seen my video on the Mitchell BST-CE 333? It’s more of a Budget guitar, but great sound and look. The neck is very thin and playable like a Strat or tele.

[@justinbishopmusic]

@@achimschwirten here’s the Mitchell video. I know the name isn’t very respected, but I can speak that the neck is very playable like an electric: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWHUgKWkhs9_h7s

[@justinbishopmusic]

@@achimschwirten Oh one last thing, if you don't need to plug it in, this Sigma is built mostly to Martin specs and has a beautiful solid top. It's slightly thicker than the neck on the Mitchell, but still very playable. I keep it out around the house all the time for fingerpicking. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpark2R7i5qKn80

[@LowkeyAnnie]

Awesome. 1💞❤️❤️

[@gordonmculloch4904]

Great review. It really is a fantastic high spec guitar (solid woods) for the price. Does anyone know what type of elixir strings they use? Cheers 👍

[@justinbishopmusic]

Thanks! When I ordered mine, I had it strung with Elixir Phosophor Bronze Nanoweb 12s. They seem to last forever with just a slight wear in coating where you strum. But the "new" tone lasts for months.

[@gordonmculloch4904]

Justin Bishop thanks for taking the time to reply. Much appreciated. 👍

[@russellmusictv4403]

Wish I could hear it compared to the LAG HyVibe!

[@justinbishopmusic]

You know, I made the decision to get the Yamaha based on this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hprFh6pud56Xj5I It's in French or something, but he demos both guitars side by side at like 5 minutes in. Ultimately, I chose the Yamaha because I thought the reverb had a more natural sound, and even though the LAG does more, I thought reverb would be the one I would use the most.

[@russellmusictv4403]

@@justinbishopmusic I saw that video too. It's literally the only one on KZbin.

[@russellmusictv4403]

@@justinbishopmusic The THV30 (their flagship model)features a solid sitka bear-claw spruce top, and bocote back & sides. The Yamaha is quality as well with the Rosewood and ebony etc. Wonder if Yamaha is better just as a basic acoustic and build quality.

[@grahamkelly8299]

I have this guitar. I love it, but it sounds terrible plugged in when playing live. And the guitar Luthier told me I could not install my chosen fishman pickup because or the transacoustic system inside. So beware

[@InfinityProTeam]

Is it still salvageable live?

[@ras.4913]

Take my money.

[@dougevans9975]

Can you hook a looper up to it??

[@justinbishopmusic]

Yes, it’s not built-in like on the HiVibe, but you can use a traditional looper pedal no problem.

[@dougevans9975]

@@justinbishopmusic ok. Thanks man

[@MrJavabali]

No pickguard no problem, even if you're a heavy strummer?

[@justinbishopmusic]

It has one! It’s just clear. You can probably change it out if you want a regular one.

[@MrJavabali]

@@justinbishopmusic Ah, ok thanks!

[@wjdavey3]

❤️🎶🎵👍🎶🎵🙏😎

[@jed1166]

Stairway to Heaven .. . “Just kidding” .... funny !

[@justinbishopmusic]

I used to play in the stairwell of my college dorm...and girls lived on the top floor...we called the "Stairway to Heaven."

[@jed1166]

@@justinbishopmusic nice story!!! Your college “Stairway” leads to Mark Knofler’s “ Tunnel of Love”😊.... re: “Stairway”, about halfway through my solo show, I say, “and now I’m going to play my favorite Led Zeppelin song, and everybody rolls their eyes, and I usually hear some audible groans... then I break into “Hey Hey What Can Say”.... everybody, including me, is relieved... BTW, I have ordered a Transacoustic.... can’t wait! Been playing 50+ years with spruce dreadnoughts, and looking for a new sound to reinvigorate me.

[@grahamwalker5015]

Singing in the dead of night...

[@justinbishopmusic]

I saw McCartney at Piedmont park. Never forget him singing that song in the pouring rain, in the dead of night, with 40,000+ of my closest friends.