NGD Yamaha AC5R REVIEW
 

Well...I thought I could upload the pics using IMGUR but it's not working. Sweetwater sent me a set of hi-res pics of my new guitar but I cannot seem to get them to load using the same method I used with my Photobucket account. Anyway, here's a link to those pics. Seems like a lot of guitar for the money, should be here Friday.

https://imgur.com/gallery/oMNE3

Very nice guitar. Congratulations.

Here are a couple of your pictures.

https://i.imgur.com/xiWANuGh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0KQEGu6h.jpg

Thanks, Paul. I see you are a charter member, as am I. Doesn't that enable some kind of easier method to post pics? If so, can you share it? Thanks.

Hi, charter membership makes no difference. I just clicked on your link to open your Imgur album, then selected each image, then “Copy Link” for each and posted each using “Go Advanced” option (yellow mountains at top of AGF) BTW, to size you can insert S, M, L, or H right before “.jpg” - I used H for Huge thumbnail.

Nice looking Yamaha. I'm sure you will be happy with it. I have been looking at the A5R. I owned an A1R for a while but sold it cause I was going to buy another guitar. The A series are really nice guitars. Let us know what you think of it.

With the exception of sizing it I thought I did the same thing as you. Obviously pilot error on my part. Thanks for your help. Cheers.

I love these guitars. If they had them in 1-3/4" nut width, I think I'd have one for gigs. The pickup system is excellent.

+1…Auraish electronics, nice guitar, congrats!

Hope you love your AC5R! I looked at a AC3R the other day and it was my favorite of the sub-$1,000 guitars I played. I even liked it better than a Taylor 214 I played that day.

I'm looking for an all around reasonable priced guitar that -
1. sounds great plugged in,
2. and sound great recorded with a mic. (this is my only question mark with the AC3R).

I played electric for many, many years and I think that's why I'm drawn to guitars like the AC5R/AC3R.

Best of luck with your new Yami! I bet you're gonna love it.

These are great guitars! Enjoy!

Beautiful Yamaha... I just picked up an FSX730SC and I love it! Enjoy!

Got the A3M, very happy with it...The next step up would be the A5M or R Looking forward to that day :)

Hey Ruppster,
Really happy for you on this NGD, really envious too I'm sorry to say. I've been itching for this very guitar. I am a big fan of the Yamaha A series guitars and this model is exactly what I am hoping my next purchase will be.
I'm betting it brings many years of enjoyment to you! Tell us more about your experience getting to know it, plugged in and natural, if you have the time.
All the best!

Thanks, I have four very different gigs next week so that will be a good test. I hope to lock myself up with it, my gigging rig, my J45 custom and Martin GPCPA1 to do some side by sides at the house this weekend. Fun project to look forward to...

My new Yamaha AC5R was delivered today. Fortunately, the temperature was about 60 degrees so I didn't have to wait to open it. Some first impressions:

- Workmanship, fit and finish are outstanding. As good as or better than my more expensive guitars. About what you'd expect from Yamaha. The wood binding is very attractive and the aged spruce top is just beautiful and is aged using a patented process by Yamaha that, according to them, gives a warmer, deeper tone. Warmer and deeper than what they don't say.
- Playability. Was surprised how low the action is right out of the case. That, combined with the neck shape, remind me of playing my Taylor. I like the action lower so I think it's a plus but I feel some players will not care for it.
- Tone. Unplugged tone falls somewhere between Taylor and a OM Martin. Not quite as jangly as a Taylor and maybe a tad more bass than an OM. It comes with Elixers, which I'll change out for some D'addario J16's sometime soon.
- Plugged in. This is where the guitar comes to life. There are four small, unmarked knobs on the top of the guitar. One controls bass, another treble, one is a volume knob and the fourth is the magic knob. You can choose between two mic models, either a Neumann U 67 or Royer R-122, by pressing the knob then turning it to blend it with the piezo pickup. Truly a simple process that works very well. There is also an automatic feedback buster that may be the best I've used. Unlike the Aura system on my Martin GPCPA1, you don't have to hunt down the offending frequencies, the guitar seems to do that for you. I took the guitar down to my local certified guitar tech and he couldn't get it to feed back, which amazed him. That's not saying it can't be done, just that he couldn't do it in the confines of a crowded music store.
- Price. This guitar has a street price of $1,399. For that much money it is an amazing value for the money. Hand made, quality materials, innovative features, all from a company known for making solid musical instruments.

The below are of the actual guitar and were sent to me by Sweetwater when the guitar finally arrived. Because of the Rosewood issue and CITES these will not be hanging in too many guitar shops. If you come across one it's worth playing if for no other reason than to see what $1,399 gets you as opposed to its American counterparts. (This from a proud Gibson, Martin, Taylor owner).

Thanks for letting a proud new owner sound off for a bit...now back to playing.
Cheers.

Thank you for the update Ruppster. I must find one to play now!

Congratulations on the new Yamaha! It's a beauty.

Yes, you can upload image files off your computer as attachments using the paperclip button http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...tor/attach.gif. Once you have oploaded them, clip on the button again to "insert all inline" and they will appear in your post.

Good to hear. I was thinking of checking out the AC3R. Has anyone been able to compare the sound of the earlier ones to the newer ones? To identify an earlier one, the earlier ones have a tuner and a rectangular insert where knobs are, and have three mic models. The newer ones have just a few push buttons and different bracing. I was looking online at some used ones.

I did not see it mentioned, these guitars are made in Japan and are very high quality.

Congratulations

Where is it made?

Larry

These are made in Japan, solid rosewood back and sides, beautiful thermally aged spruce top. Great craftsmanship. Huge value for the money.

Testing quick pic upload feature
 

Attachment 5442
Test picture ac5r

Sounds like a winner.
Lovely guitar!
Congrats !

So Ruppster, what do you think of the unplugged sound? Does it compare favorably to some of your other guitars?

I compares very favorably but it is its own voice. Since it's a smaller body guitar it does not boom like a dread but it is meatier than my Taylor 612ce, which probably has alot to do with the maple sides and back on the Taylor. The Yamaha is bright but with some grunt. Much fuller than my Martin OMJM, not as dark as my J45.

Best advice is for you to go play one. If you do I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for the feedback, Ruppster!

I played a A3R at GC that other day, which I really liked. But it was a very noisy environment, so it was a little hard to evaluate the unplugged sound. May go back and check it out again.

Hello Ruppster, I'm new to the forum, but joined as I am trying to find out about the Yamaha AC5R (also looking into Larrivee LV03-R). Just wondering if you still have the Yamaha and what you've learned about it (likes/dislikes) over ther the years. Thanks!

Good evening. I do not have the guitar anymore but that is only because I have purchased two Matons and use them for almost all of my acoustic gigs. I find their preamp/pickup system simple and incredibly realistic. They models I bought are significantly more expensive than the AC5R but their construction and quality are very similar.

The Yamaha is a GREAT guitar, especially for the money and I recommend them without reservation if it fits your needs.

[QUOTE=martingitdave;5631080]I love these guitars. If they had them in 1-3/4" nut width, I think I'd have one for gigs. The pickup system is excellent.[Exactly , but wow that is a real nice guitar !!!

[QUOTE=eyesore;7337881]I'm seriously consider an A5R because I like a dread. Comparing it to a Takamine TAN16 or P5DC.