Experience with Yamamoto Guitars/OM Talus?

chippygreen · #1 06-03-2018, 03:20 PM

Hey AGF, I was wondering if there are any owners of Tony Yamamoto-built guitars out there, specifically the Talus (his OM size) who might be willing to share experiences with their guitars. I'm interested in

- what you think of the dual bevel/manzer wedge design
- tonal signature/tonewood comparisons to other guitars you have
- general impressions and the style of play you enjoy with it.

Comments on Tony's other guitars also welcome, but I'm more interested in feedback on 6 string instruments than his baritone, 7 string or 12 string instruments.

Thanks!

Lake Sagatagan · #2 06-03-2018, 04:22 PM

If I had your questions, I would call both Eric Schoenberg's (http://www.om28.com/) and also Stevie Coyle at Mighty Fine Guitars (http://mightyfineguitars.com/.) I wouldn't expect them to say anything bad about Tony's guitars; they've each had a number of them come through their shops. But they would give you an honest comparison with other luthiers. And, I can't speak for Stevie, but I would ask if he could set up a Skype demo for you.

sevenpalms · #3 06-03-2018, 05:03 PM

I briefly owned one of his earlier builds. It was a OM size but not certain if it's the model you mention...sold it here on the forum as I was leaving the country...but I thought fit and finish were exceptional! I love it when engineers become luthiers...good things happen and you know it's gonna be precise (i.e. Tony Yamamato, Rod schenk, Kevin Ryan, etc..). Good luck.

M Hayden · #4 06-03-2018, 05:42 PM

Tony’s work is exceptional. I’ve played a lot of his output, and find them all worthy instruments. The pawlonia wood instruments are surprisingly nice given that they’re weightless - super light and tremendously responsive.

chippygreen · #5 06-03-2018, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lake Sagatagan

If I had your questions, I would call both Eric Schoenberg's (http://www.om28.com/) and also Stevie Coyle at Mighty Fine Guitars (http://mightyfineguitars.com/.) I wouldn't expect them to say anything bad about Tony's guitars; they've each had a number of them come through their shops. But they would give you an honest comparison with other luthiers. And, I can't speak for Stevie, but I would ask if he could set up a Skype demo for you.

Thanks! I actually discovered them through MFG. Stevie's got some construction outside his place and we're due to connect when that's quieted down, so I thought I'd do some informal asking around in the meanwhile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sevenpalms

I briefly owned one of his earlier builds. It was a OM size but not certain if it's the model you mention...sold it here on the forum as I was leaving the country...but I thought fit and finish were exceptional! I love it when engineers become luthiers...good things happen and you know it's gonna be precise (i.e. Tony Yamamato, Rod schenk, Kevin Ryan, etc..). Good luck.

Thanks for the commentary - did it make a strong enough impression to compare to other luthier built guitars you've played/owned?

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Hayden

Tony’s work is exceptional. I’ve played a lot of his output, and find them all worthy instruments. The pawlonia wood instruments are surprisingly nice given that they’re weightless - super light and tremendously responsive.

I did see a Doug Young YT video on the pawlonia instruments and it piqued my interest, but the recording quality wasn't the absolute best - would you describe them as nice despite the weight (i.e. if weight matters, this is a good compromise), or nice because of the weight (i.e. the quality of the tonewood does something other woods don't). I did see Doug ordered a small sized 12 string guitar in pawlonia, and I wondered if that was because he felt the wood carried treble well and what that meant in terms of midrange and bass responsiveness. But definitely piqued my interest...

tadol · #6 06-04-2018, 09:18 AM

Whenever I’ve been able to drop by Mighty Fine and say hi to Stevie, the Yamamotos are always on my must try list. I’ve not played a bad one, and the Talus is definitely my favorite model. I’ve been lucky to catch a couple that were pre-sold, so never made it onto the wall, and I certainly understand why. They are very well built, and are incredible examples of modern guitar sound. Stevie has been working with Tony for a while, and is one of the best people I’ve met at listening to guitars, as well as to players, and he would be a tremendous resource if you wanted to spec a Talus for yourself, or just have Stevie put a sold tag on one before it makes it onto the wall.

If I had a larger house, I’d love to have one myself -

RRuskin · #7 06-04-2018, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chippygreen

Hey AGF, I was wondering if there are any owners of Tony Yamamoto-built guitars out there, specifically the Talus (his OM size) who might be willing to share experiences with their guitars. I'm interested in

- what you think of the dual bevel/manzer wedge design
- tonal signature/tonewood comparisons to other guitars you have
- general impressions and the style of play you enjoy with it.

Comments on Tony's other guitars also welcome, but I'm more interested in feedback on 6 string instruments than his baritone, 7 string or 12 string instruments.

Thanks!

I have that model here at the moment. It's a very impressive instrument that is extremely responsive and well balanced. Fit and finish are 1st rate.

RR

El Conquistador · #8 06-04-2018, 09:54 AM

I have one of Tony's OMY built for me in 2007.

It is a truly fine guitar. Lite as a feather, plays like butter, and, the sweetest sounding guitar I have ever heard with tons of sustain. A finger picker's dream.

Steve

jojobean39 · #9 06-04-2018, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Conquistador

I have one of Tony's OMY built for me in 2007.

It is a truly fine guitar. Lite as a feather, plays like butter, and, the sweetest sounding guitar I have ever heard with tons of sustain. A finger picker's dream.

Steve

Pretty guitar.

chippygreen · #10 06-04-2018, 07:42 PM

That's gorgeous!

And thank you everyone for the additional feedback. Certainly everything is consistent with what my own ears are telling me from the several videos that are out there.

tyamamoto · #11 06-04-2018, 09:29 PM

I'm not sure you can see this link but this is my Facebook video page.
There are a lot of casual video clips....

Tony

https://www.facebook.com/tony.yamamo...OUZZd2pSc2c%3D

M Hayden · #12 06-04-2018, 10:01 PM

What I meant by the weightless comment was that they sounded amazing even though they’re much lighter than comparable instruments.....the sound is everything you could want - rich, clear, full - like a good classical in terms of wringing every drop of sound from the materials.

dantin · #13 06-06-2018, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyamamoto

I'm not sure you can see this link but this is my Facebook video page.
There are a lot of casual video clips....

Tony

https://www.facebook.com/tony.yamamo...OUZZd2pSc2c%3D

Boy, there are some really interesting videos here. Well worth a look.

Jeff Scott · #14 03-07-2024, 08:12 PM

I just found this thread! I assume the OP got one?

I have a Talus VS-12 that I bought from Tony in 2016. It has a paulownia top with cocobolo back and sides, plus lots of other great woods throughout the guitar. Mine has the Manzer Wedge™ and three bevels (arm, chest, and leg).