Yamaha L series - Page 2

Justinian · #16 01-14-2019, 10:32 AM

New "L" model just announced:

https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/yamaha-llx26c-areii

L20A · #17 01-14-2019, 11:14 AM

I have posted about my 1981 Yamaha L-20A before.
I got it in a trade from a buddy back in about 1985.

The guitar has a solid Spruce top with a solid Rosewood three piece back and solid Rosewood sides.

I also own a Martin D-35 that looks a lot like the L-20A.
They both sound like a Rosewood B and S Dred and both have plenty of Bass.

The L-20A is slightly softer sounding than the Martin.
It sounds very nice when played either finger style or picked.

Mine shows a lot of mojo as it has been my go to anywhere guitar for many years.

YamahaGuy · #18 01-14-2019, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justinian

New "L" model just announced:

https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/yamaha-llx26c-areii

It will probably only be release in small batches of 40 per country like the Koa A-series.

The ART system is THE BEST! I will buy this guitar if I can find one here in the states (US).

Justinian · #19 01-16-2019, 07:29 AM

Another new "L" model on the market:

https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/yamaha-ls26-are-ii

AndrewG · #20 01-16-2019, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justinian

Another new "L" model on the market:

https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/yamaha-ls26-are-ii

Lovely; I owned its big brother, the LL26, which was truly outstanding. However, the Chinese L*16 models give little away to the considerably more costly Japanese guitars. I just wish people would drop the 'beginners guitar' attitude so often displayed whenever Yamaha is mentioned; these are seriously impressive instruments, well worthy of an audition.
I get what the reviewer says about established competition, as well as having a custom build for similar money. The problem with the latter scenario is that you won't know if you like your expensive custom until you get to play it. And if you don't like it? (I speak from experience).

Beakybird · #21 01-16-2019, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justinian

Another new "L" model on the market:

https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/yamaha-ls26-are-ii

The article doesn't say what's changed from the LS26 ARE already on the market.

AndrewG · #22 01-16-2019, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beakybird

The article doesn't say what's changed from the LS26 ARE already on the market.

How's your little CSF? I've been looking for a small guitar and that could be the perfect complement to my small Yamaha family (LL16 A.R.E and Revstar RS720B). The few videos I've seen sound fine, and the laminate b/s CSF1 sounds great too.

Nick84 · #23 01-16-2019, 09:35 AM

I have the LJ16BC arriving tomorrow. Whilst I’m not a huge Billy Corgan fan this model was cheaper than a standard LJ16 in the sale and has nice Gotoh tuners and a few nice upgrades making it a no brainier to go for the BC model. Hoping I love it!

Nyghthawk · #24 01-16-2019, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick84

I have the LJ16BC arriving tomorrow. Whilst I’m not a huge Billy Corgan fan this model was cheaper than a standard LJ16 in the sale and has nice Gotoh tuners and a few nice upgrades making it a no brainier to go for the BC model. Hoping I love it!

For some reason the LJ Yamahas are hard to find in the US. In the UK and Canada they are available. I would love to get a chance to try one. I hope you like yours! Based on the Youtube videos they are a great guitar!

Beakybird · #25 01-16-2019, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewG

How's your little CSF? I've been looking for a small guitar and that could be the perfect complement to my small Yamaha family (LL16 A.R.E and Revstar RS720B). The few videos I've seen sound fine, and the laminate b/s CSF1 sounds great too.

I really love it. It doesn't have lots of headroom for loud strumming, but for soft to medium strumming, flatpicking, fingerpicking - it has a very lyrical, sweet sound that the LL16 is too big to deliver. I just recorded a song with it, and I'll upload it and PM you a link later.

Still wondering what's new with this LL26. They already have an LL26 ARE.

AndrewG · #26 01-16-2019, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beakybird

I really love it. It doesn't have lots of headroom for loud strumming, but for soft to medium strumming, flatpicking, fingerpicking - it has a very lyrical, sweet sound that the LL16 is too big to deliver. I just recorded a song with it, and I'll upload it and PM you a link later.

Still wondering what's new with this LL26. They already have an LL26 ARE.

Thank you, I look forward to that. As for the LL26, I concur; I have the 2016 Yamaha paper (imagine that!), catalogue, and it is shown there.
Yamaha's high-end market is definitely Europe, and even the £6000+ models are available here fairly readily.
Just as a matter of interest here's the LL36 (£5000+), which I think sounds glorious:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W352pGKZi4

Nick84 · #27 01-17-2019, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyghthawk

For some reason the LJ Yamahas are hard to find in the US. In the UK and Canada they are available. I would love to get a chance to try one. I hope you like yours! Based on the Youtube videos they are a great guitar!

Mine arrived today and the fit and finish is impeccable. This guitar is bright, loud and brash (not in a bad way). It will settle once the new 80/20s wear in and I imagine the brass bridge pins play some part.

The neck is super comfortable. I’ll play it for a few months and let it settle before doing a set up. There isn’t much, just cut the G string slot at the nut a little deeper and take the height at 12th fret down a tiny bit (personal preference)

I’m looking forward to spending some time with it and trying out the zero impact pickup and seeing if it’s something I’d use live or not.

jonbee · #28 01-17-2019, 01:30 PM

I'm a fan of the Yamaha L and A series solid wood guitars. I owned an LS-16 and A3M. They are certainly not just "trade up" guitars, and hold their own. Based on their wonderful construction and Yamaha's long history, they should hold up very well for the long haul.
The real competition for the $ are the Eastmans, I think.

dgt178 · #29 01-17-2019, 04:54 PM

.....LL-16-12 A.R.E.......every time I jam with one of my buddies......he sets his guitar down, and always wants to play mine....

AndrewG · #30 01-17-2019, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick84

Mine arrived today and the fit and finish is impeccable. This guitar is bright, loud and brash (not in a bad way). It will settle once the new 80/20s wear in and I imagine the brass bridge pins play some part.

The neck is super comfortable. I’ll play it for a few months and let it settle before doing a set up. There isn’t much, just cut the G string slot at the nut a little deeper and take the height at 12th fret down a tiny bit (personal preference)

I’m looking forward to spending some time with it and trying out the zero impact pickup and seeing if it’s something I’d use live or not.

That LJ of yours is a good score. The L-series ship with Elixirs, so they'll settle down after a couple of days and lose that brashness (I'm assuming you haven't changed them yet). I love the L-series and have owned a few, including my current LL16 A.R.E. Enjoy

Edit; the pickups are ok, but could definitely do with an outboard pre-amp for tone shaping.