Yamaha FGX 3 | The Best Guitar You've Never Tried
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- Опубликовано: 31 авг 2022
- I've been playing this FGX3 for the last two months and really put it through its paces. What I thought would be a decent road guitar has turned out to be so much more!
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Very straight to the point yet detailed review. I enjoy this style of videos and have subscribed your channel!
Loved your review and your flowing, conversational tone. I really appreciated your impressions of the guitar. I’m excited to go find one locally (I hope) to test out. Thank you.
My goodness that sounds great. I am glad i picked that one in the test.
Thank you very much for the time and expertise you put into this video. I have been wanting one of these for a while now and it is nice to hear a clear subjective opinion. Personally, I think the guitar looks beautiful and wouldn't have wanted it designed any other way, plus, I was born in 1966 and so I would have that on my headstock.
I recently bought this guitar. I have a Martin D28MDE and love it. I had just sold my D18GE and missed my mahogany sound which led to this purchase. I love this guitar. Played it with some friends and they were blown away by the sound, quality, and feel of this guitar for 1100.00 with the pickup. I won’t sell it and it will get a major portion of my playing time. Most likely most of it. It is that good.
The sound is bold, love it
Good video!!! I love mine!! I have had it for a little over a year and it has only gotten better!
Well done!
1. I paused the video and typed my impressions before the reveal.
2. After the reveal, I was pleased to know I chose the YAMAHA both times. I don't own this, but have played all manner of YAMAHA musical instruments, and stand by YAMAHA as a company.
3. Interesting that my impression mirrors yours.
(Microphone test: (I watched this on a MacBook and listened via Bluetooth through the decent-sounding EOZ Air earphones):
Guitar #2 was my preference. It struck a balance between the darker, not as clearly-defined low-end tone of guitar #1(2nd pick), and the slightly shrill high-end tone of guitar #3 (3rd pick). (#2 and #3 were the most similar-sounding.)
Pickup test:
Guitar #1 (1st pick*) was my preference. Yes, the tone was still darker, but I liked it best in this context. The tone of guitar #2 (2nd pick*) was the most open, alive, and present of the three. (Gotta love describing stuff!) Guitar #3 (3rd pick) had the most typical piezoelectric tone of the three.
* I would employ the tonal differences between #1 and #2 for different musical applications. (As you said.)
I may (will, and have elsewhere!) catch flak for this, but the "ya" in YAMAHA, as pronounced in Japanese, is "yaw" as in in "yawn." (I live in Japan.)
I've got a FG3 (no pickup) and these guitars are fantastic. Plays nice, feels great, sounds amazing, looks awesome. Love the vintage tuners and overall look. I'm primarily and electric player and this thing is very smooth and easy to play with the factory gauge strings. If you're looking for a great sounding guitar at a decent price, this is a great option.
loved the Stonebridge D22sr most for mic'ed and plugged in! Thanks for the little shootout!
It’s an unbelievably underrated guitar for sure. The pickup is a misi air. Weird pickup but holy man.
Did a session this spring in universal music Canada where they had a producer from Nashville there and he was floored at how it sounded plugged in. If you go to my community tab I shared a link to a video from that session.
Always loved Yamaha ❤
They all sound great.
That's actually really impressive, Yamaha is onto something with this one 👌
Hell ya that's a lot of guitar for the $$
Superb pick up system.
On the 1st test, I thought all sounded pretty good. On the second test, I had a clearer choice of the first guitar. BTW I have the FG5, and it is definitely one I choose to play a lot. It took me almost a year to find one available, but now that I have it, it will outlast me.
Listening through my iPad, I picked #2 each time. It definitely stood out to me, in a great way.
Very good blind comparison. Peace. 🐰💙🇺🇸🎸🎶🤝✌️
The piezo pickup on the Yamaha is surprisingly good. Great video.
That’s cause it has the body sensor blended in all the time even with no mic.
Thanks so much for this great review. My main road guitar is a rain song, and if I am outdoors in the sun, it gets so hot. It’s ridiculous. I have been looking for a lower cost alternative and this just may be the ticket. I loved the blind, mic and pick up test. To my ears, the Yamaha sounded best on the mic and a little boxy in the pick up. I thought the Stonebridge pickup sounded the best - but I totally get the feedback factor.
Thanks again for a really fair review.
Really good "pickup test" nice music choice. Really gave us something to "chew" on. On first listen there was something about the character of #3 that stood out as "less than", the first two.(slightly more harsh or trebly).
I picked the Yamaha for both blind sounds. What a sound!
enjoyed that thanks for sharing
I have this FSX3 and it is a very nice guitar absolutely love it. Also have a few of the old FG Nippon Gakki Yamaha red labels.
Love Yamaha I have the fs5 it’s so nice to play
Great review. I have the FG5 and love it. I installed a K&K mini. I wish I would have gotten the FGX after learning more about it. What song are you playing? sounds great
For the blind tests my choices were #2 for mic and #1 for pups. So I'm definitely getting the fgx3.
It’s such a great guitar
Bought FGX5. Neck was outstanding. Sound was very small and boxy and being a torrified guitar I didn't expect it to open up. Returned it for the best J45 I have ever played.
I’ve ordered one of these - the FSX5 but I just came across this video. Just wanted to say thank you. One of the best and most informative videos on this guitar line.
Thanks for the kind words. I’d love to hear your thoughts when you get it. I’ve got the fgx5 on the way and can’t wait to see the difference.
@@minimalistmusician That’s a deal. Went with the smaller body to focus on my Fingerstyle but I won’t rule out getting an FGX5 later on.
@@geremycope9042 That's great. Until recently I was all about small body guitars but have been digging the dreads a bit more these days. Have yet to try an fs in either model and hope to soon enough.
Personally I liked number 3 as it was just a tad bit brighter and janglier with a little more high end than the first two, but nothing sounded bad. The first two sounded very similar.
I liked the FGX3 for both pu and the mic - more body for both applications
- very impressive guitar for the price!
Agreed. It’s a top-notch instrument. It’s been by go to for gigging since I got it this summer.
I own a LL16 and a A3R which are fantastic but for sure the FG3. is just a bit better, maybe because it is mahogany rather than rosewood. Great review!
They all sound very nice and rich. Personally I like the Yamaha it’s a nice axe.
Thank you. Well done. I used headphones of course and picked the Yamaha correctly in both rounds. The Gibson and Yamaha sound quite similar to me in the first round (no pickup). I give the Gibson a slight edge. I like the Yamaha best in the second round (pickups). The other two had too much piezo quack, which I hate. I like the Stonebridge the least in both rounds. It isn't bad, I just don't think it measures up to the other two.
Thanks for watchin! It's hands down my go to for live applications although it holds its own in the studio too!
Definitely the FGX3 plugged in. The bass was really smooth.
When I was twenty back in 1968 I had a Chinese made fender strat and I thought it a cheap copy . I just got it out for the first time in 50 years and man that is a nice nice axe they make real good guitars I was wrong . Awesome instruments .
I have a yamaha fg830 from 2 years (lovely guitar).. but i think it's time to make a jump to the fgx3
I sold my Taylor to get this Yamaha FGX3. I had been waiting for one of these to hit stores for awhile and when it did, I tried it out and was back in there the next day to get it. The sound was much warmer and fuller than my Taylor. The build quality was also much better. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with Yamaha guitars.
Yeah super great instrument
I want one!
I love red labels. I have the FS5 and it is sweeeet
Love the review! I own the FG5X. It truly is the finest acoustic guitar that I’ve ever owned. I love great acoustics, and I think every major brand makes great guitars at every price point.
But, overall, the FG5X is really the best acoustic that I’ve ever owned.
I’d like to say that these Yamahas are really a sleeper in this category, but the truth is that they’re sold out everywhere and tough to find, so I think that people are figuring out just what great instruments that these are.
Kudos to Yamaha. They hit these right out of the park.
I would like an FGX5 but I can't really put out the 1500. Do you think FGX3 is close?
@@DavidBowman2023 I really don’t think that you can go wrong. Any Yamaha acoustic, at any price point, is going to deliver.
That Yamaha is a balanced guitar. That bass is deep and smooth. The blending is great. I’m impressed. Action may get me too. Wonder how it will age at its price range?
I imagine it will age great. It’s high quality wood so should be amazing
All Yanaha's age well...even the lower cost models
Fantastic demo. I ordered an FGX5 last month and expect shipment early November (at least that’s what I was told). I am big on Yamaha’s and own an AC5R as well as an FGX800C. Strum on…..
Nice! I’m hoping to see my fgx5 early in the new year. Very excited to see the difference
@@minimalistmusician tonewise I suspect that the diff between the X3 and the X5 will be minimal (no pun intended). Having said that, one can believe there is an upgrade of the X5 because of the bone nut/saddle and “maybe” a slight upgrade on the woods selected. Hope you can do a comparative video and share with us. Thanks…..
I had a Taylor that I loved. I bought a Yamaha to kick around with and now I own 4. Sold the Taylor even though I still liked it cause it sat in the stand all the time. For the Money Yamaha's are fantastic.
If only I wasn't such a snob.... I hate myself for it, because I don't have a lot of money, yet I've always wanted Martins and Gibsons and over the last couple of years I've been living on bread and water, saving everything I could save, not allowing myself to treat myself with anything, just to be able to save enough money to buy me those guitars. And yes, off course I'm happy with what I have right now. But at the same time I feel terrified to take my expensive stuff to bar gigs and such.
Funny thing is... I've always had a weak spot for Yamaha guitars (and other musical gear they make). Not everything, but what's not to like about the Revstar series guitars? They're great!
And indeed, this guitar, or this series of guitars, they're all amazing. I like the natural sound, I like the versatility of the pickup system and I like the prize! Especially of the Chinese made versions. And now that I have my share of Martins and Gibsons, I know I feel perfectly fine playing one of these Yamaha's.
That's how my brain works. When I started to play the guitar 42 years ago (yes, I'm that old and I still behalve like a child), I was playing merely electrics and I had to have a bunch of USA made Fenders and Gibsons first before I started to become okay with playing cheaper guitars. I don't care anymore now.
I don't really NEED more guitars, but the virus got me again. And I suffer from a severe case of Gear Aquisition Syndrome. Now that I saw this video, I'm tempted. Really tempted. I'm a mess. 😖
YAMAHA guitars are manufactured in China under a severe environment where quality is not compromised. Even in Japan, the sound of YAMAHA guitars remains popular. Thank you from 🇯🇵🙇♂️
Hi. Great job with your video on Fgx3. Great guitar. Sound very well. What kind of strings do you use? Do you change your nut ? Thank you.
Thanks. Daddario xs strings and yeah I changed the nut.
Could you do a review on the Yamaha LL TA transacoustic, I’ve 2 and prefer them over my Taylor and Gibson J45
Just bought a FSX5 and extended my Yamaha line. Last one is a LL16. Both are good guitars.
Long Time ago but I’m interested in your feedback. I own the LL16 (which I love) and thinking about a smaller body with good sound. Can you comment on volume / projection / sound differences and whether you use both and find them both useful?
I liked the Stonebridge best for both tests.
Great info; ty! YAH bless❤
I was able to play the FG3 for about an hour yesterday. It broke me. I have to have it. Shocking how good it sounds and how great it plays. Now Im selling my epiphone IBG J45 so I can buy this guitar. Easily one of the best guitars I’ve ever played or heard. It’s not all jangly and bright like a lot of modern guitars, but more warm and refined. You can play loud with it, but it doesnt scream at you. I gotta buy myself one. Lol!
Is it suitable for fingerstyle or strumming?
It's much lighter than the IBG epiphone too.
I spent 30 mins in a room with both and the yammy was way better.
Actually I think those epiphones are overrated. The red label Yamaha's are unbeatable at the price point.
Only Eastman can compete.
@@kaberigomes2117 Yes. But the FG is more of a strummer, and the FS more fingerstyle.
But that goes without saying.
Personally, I like fingerpicking dreads more than I like strumming OMs.
@@banjo1434 ya the FG3 is about a pound lighter than my Epi IBG J45. And thats with that stupid thick pickguard removed also. With that on the fg3 would be more than a pound lighter. I’ll tell you though, the sound is great with the pickguard off and tusq bridge pins in. The FG3 I still think sounds way better though. Hopefully picking one up this weekend.
@@banjo1434 Which Eastman?
no. 2 clearly both acoustically and on pick up. Was very clear if your listen with good quality headphones.
How does it stack up against the fgx5? Is the 5 series worth the extra 500?
Very close, #1 was my favourite both times round.
I ordered both an FGX3 and an FGX5. the FGX5 arrived with a cracked neck in its beautiful case. Yet the nice case seems to be ineffective since it does not keep the neck still. No guide near headstock like in high end cases. The tone was Different but not better in my opinion than the FGX3. I did not bother to get another FFX5. Kept the FGX3.
Very revealing. Totally agree about the J35 pick-up - not great was it?
It certainly leaves a lot to be desired. I do love that guitar but pickups have come a long way and it would be nice to get something better than a basic piezo in a Gibson.
The Stonebridge for me on the pickup
Yeah it's a killer pickup and it doesn't take a battery.. you just charge it off the input jack. MISI Air
Nice video and nice blind test "touch".
Unplugged sound, I would say 2-1-3 and as for the plugged again, 2-1-3.
Nr 1 and 2 on mic test were very close but I liked the more bell like sound and clarity on number 2. As for number 3 sumething buzzed on the high notes and I did not like that at all.
Plugged, again 2 and 1 were very close but Nr 2 sounded cleaner and more natural. Nr 3 had some piezo-ish sound to it. Not too bad, but the most unnatural of the 3. Did you mention what were the pickups maybe?
Great observations.
The Yamaha has their proprietary pickup in it. Gibson is an lr baggs piezo and the stone bridge is a misi air (mic pickup blend).
Both samples of the Gibson were 'lacking' somewhat. The acoustic Yamaha was my favorite while the Yamaha and Stonebridge electronics sounded exactly the same to me. All the being equal - and the yare not - The Yamaha is a clear winner. I'd really like to hear your review of the FGX5.
#2 for the mic. More open top end and a slightly tighter bottom end. #2 for the pickup as well... Something special going on there. It even inspired you to play differently, more strummy strum ;)
Yamaha and Stonebridge! Haha. Cool! Fun test my friend.
Ya! That Stonebridge has a MISI pickup with a mic that sounds unreal for sure. Just not usable at volume unfortunately.
One gripe I don’t like is the printed emblem on head stock I prefer the old ebony lettering. Otherwise gorgeous guitar
hey great videos I recently discovered your cannel from 5 watt and I noticed your in north bay so hello neighbour from Sudbury lol
Amazing! Love Keith's channel! I grew up outside of Sudbury actually but don't get there often these days. Cheers and thanks for watching!
@@minimalistmusician cool were abouts I have friends that live in warren and sturgeon about half way between Nbay and suds I grew up mostly in Garson but I'm heading back to Vancouver now and leaving good old northern Ontario lol
@@604-enduro-Vancouver Oh nice that's a great move! I was in Capreol for years and went to high school in Sudbury.
All 3 sounded great. Preferred 1 and 2 in both
Great review! Really like the blind taste test. I was # 2 on the mic test. BUT wasnt much of a difference in all 3 really to me. BUT I thought the pickup test was hands down # 1 So to my untrained non professional ear I picked the Yamaha on both test. Gotta have low action. And I do like having a good looking hard shell case that might have the brand name on it . A matching pair you might say. Would like to test drive one of theses Yamahas. I bought a Cole Clark awhile back . Most money for the worse guitar ever . Maybe I can trade it for a Yammy 😁 👍
I have yet to try a Cole Clark. My biggest issue with the Yamaha is that they all come with too high of a nut but quick trip to the repair guy and it’s all good
@@minimalistmusician Ya and I guess having a set up is just part of the deal.
Hah, I picked the Yamaha in both cases! Great job.
how does this compare to the fs3 which is the concert for this model? which is more balanced?
Why do you prefer matte over gloss finish?
Any opinion on the Atmosfeel System vs the SRTII? I am trying to decide between the FGX3 or an A3r
I haven't played the SRTII in quite some time but think that the atmosfeel is more usable for sure and works better for me from what I remember.
I liked the Gibson it was a little thicker.I was thinking about buying a Yamaha but now I don’t know?
Pausing to keep myself honest. I like 3 the best. 2 has a slightly odd treble/high mid which I'm not crazy about but only in comparison to the other two.
Edit: for amplified, 2 is head and shoulders about 1 and 3. But I don't really love the sound of acoustic pickup systems and I'd probably just use an IR on stage. None of them sound great to me.
Edit 2: ok that was informative. I've noticed that I don't love the high end sound of a good Yamaha - just like I really don't like the strong mids from Taylors. Even when Bert Jansch was playing Yamahas in the '70s I didn't love that sound on records. So it's a pure taste thing. What I do like are Gibson J45 types. So that's pretty consistent for me.
Turns out I liked the Stonebridge both times.
It appears I have to go look into this brand.
Edit to add: ahh that makes sense, Stonebridge appears to be affiliated with Boucher, and I absolutely love Boucher guitars.
Yeah-maha
I'm picked the yamaha on both tests. Maybe the J50 might've been better unplugged
Thank you for the video, if I may, its Ya Ma Ha pronounced..smile great sound!
This or Yamaha LL16D?
Thank you so much for your art and work it takes to do what you do. This video played a role in what my calling is in this life. So many pieces of the puzzle were put together today. It was His will I met you today. The day ended with my gift From Him, and I purchased this ax today. You are one piece of my puzzle, and when I put you in my puzzle it made a change in my life. You make me smile and my heart sang helplessly holding along with you. May you be blessed beyond your wildest imagination. Love michael.
These are terrific guitars, you can’t go wrong with Yamaha generally - superb quality. Yamaha’s problem is that it isn’t a sexy, aspirational brand, in the same way that say Gibson or Martin is. This is why they’re unfairly overlooked, I think. A pity, as they’re fantastic.
I have had the FGX3 now for 2 years and it is my go to guitar.
I have a LR Baggs Anthem in my Eastman and a B Band in my Martin D28 and the Yamaha out shines them along with every other guitar I played.
And I jam with a very loud group of people and I have had it up to 9 on a 100 watt amp with no feed back and am very happy with the Yamaha so much I very seldom play the Martin & Eastman
Hi, my favorites were 3,2 and 1 far behind then 2,3 and 1, I didn’t knew stonebridge before. The Yamaha sounds great as well, not a fan of the gibson here.
I agree plugged in the Gibson doesn’t even hold a candle to either of the other guitars. On the mic they all sound good to me and really it’s just about the sound you’re looking for. When I brought that Gibson home last year and played it against the Stonebridge my first thought was that it sounded worse because it wasn’t as full but recording it in a mixed sometimes it’s the perfect guitar
I love Yamaha❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Before I hear the reveal, in the first test, I liked both 2 and 3 better then 1...but in the second test, I liked #1 the most.
# 2 all day
Yamaha is doing some amazing things as of late
Absolutely both in the acoustic and electric world!
My FG830 plays so good that I liked it better than the D-28 I played at the Martin Factory Tour.
...as always.
I adore this guitar after playing it in store, nothing compared in any price range. However, I can't stand how plain and uninspired it looks hahaha I wish the A series sounded like this.
The FG5 pick guard actually is the same black plastic with a wood vinyl sticker that is easy to peel off. They are NOT wood.
The Gibson without pickup and the Yamaha with pickup sounded the best to my ears.😢
What about LL-TA or LL16 by Yamaha, same price range as FGX3
I own a Yamaha FG5 and a Gibson J-50...I love them both...but IMHO the FG5 is just a better guitar...i.e. easier to play, build quality, tuning stability & sound quality. My J-50 is a very good guitar, but price/value combination of the FG5 is crazy good. 👍
Need recommendations between Yammy fgx3/5 or blue ridge br140/160
At this point I’ve only played the fgx3. I’m waiting for my 5 to get here hopefully early 2023
what is the best sounding guitar between the FGX 3 and the FG-TA ?
I played an fg-ta and hated it. But wanted the trans acoustic feature. I rolled the dice on an ll-ta and its basically the best guitar i have. I had to keep some parts from rattling inside and and the battery compartment. But after that it’s the best bang for buck guitar. I reach for it in most circumstances.
Stonebridge sounded best on the mic, Yamaha on the pickup, IMO. Yamaha's higher end guitars are great, I have a couple of APX-1200IIs that I use for almost all my acoustic stuff. Really tempted by one of these though (maybe the FG5) - damn you, I'd just got my collection down below 14 for the first time in years! Thought we were supposed to be minimising! 😀
They do make great stuff for sure. The Stonebridge is certainly the fullest sounding but they all sound good to me on a mic and it’s so subjective and depends on what sound you’re looking for when you’re recording. I actually reach for the Gibson more often than not when I’m doing recording sessions because it sits in a mix so well. I know! I’m waiting to hopefully get my hands on a five early in the new year and I’m really curious to see how the two compare.
So the fretboard edges on this feel “rounded” ?
Wouldn’t say the fretboard edges are rounded but the frets have been done very nicely for sure.
On mic, I prefer J35, Yamaha, Stonebridge in that order. Through pickup I prefer Stonebridge, Yamaha, J35 in that order. I’m surprised.
You said the fgx3 has solid back and sides but I’ve heard they are lamented,,what’s correct?
Solid. Check the Yamaha website
@@minimalistmusician thanks I did.
My Yamaha FG830 plays and sounds as good if not better than some guitars 3X the price. My go-to guitars are my FG830 and my Alvarez AD66SHB Mahogany Top guitar. Martin is great, and I do have a DX1RAE X Series model that is great. That being said, I would take these guitars over a high-end Martin.
I bought a Fg830 for my stepson for his birthday. Played some Mexican Martins and some others like a Breedlove and a Guild. Yammie beat them all.
Interested in a Hog, may spring for that Alvarez myself.
I honestly picked the Yamaha both times. Crazy coming from a Martin owner.
My God, Yamaha take my money!
Gibson was the best and yamaha the second imo. Theres something about the other one i dont really like but i cant quite express it with my uneducated ear. Solid review, good luck
Just add Tusq saddle and ebony bridge pins, probably Yamaha is the best recording guitar available. I guess FGX5 comes with those and a hard case off the shelf.
That’s right. Hoeing to have one of those in the new year. I’ll be excited to compare them.
Guitar #1seemed warmer in the first set.
The yamaha definitely sounds best with pickup