After playing many acoustics in the last months, I found her! The other day I was presented with three LL6 AREs. In natural, black and brown sunburst. I checked the wall again and found one in dark tinted, hiding. Almost missed her. She sang to me like none of the others. Checked cosmetics, was very pleased, plugged into a thr5a, incredible for the price! I immediately put money down make sure she comes home with me. I watched a lot of your videos a lot of times and I'd like to thank you for these reviews! They help people more than you think, I'm sure. Oh yeah, you said the nut width on this one 1 11/16, its not, its 1 3/4. Hehe. Thanks again Jarvis! Will keep watching your videos ofcourse!
I have had one of these (unmodified) for about six months now, and I have to say I had owned Martins, Taylor's, Avalon, Epiphone, and many others, but this guitar blew them all away both on playability and sound. For the price absolutely unbeatable. I play finger-style mostly. They are best treated gently.
Yamaha is definitely underrated when it comes to guitars . Was blown away by my lil bros Yamaha nylon . Small guitar, extremely light but surprisingly loud just fills the whole room
Kent Seyhun Yeah - I went on a quest about ten years ago for an acoustic. I played Martins, Guilds, Taylors, Fenders, Gibsons, and for the money, when I picked up my LL6, I knew that was the one...
Hi Jarvis- I'm hoping you'll have availability to answer this question. Do you find that Yamaha generally sets their neck angles a little too straight, causing string action to be high and resulting in shaving the saddle way down? I have an LS16m that I bought at start of 2015 and it now almost needs a neck reset (never left my home). It was that way when I bought it. I still bought it because the tone of this ONE was jaw dropping for me. I went to the store to purchase a Martin 000-15m w/ my 15% off coupon but couldn't justify the purchase after I tried the Yamaha. After I had it setup, there was nothing left to shave on the saddle, meaning it was as low as it could go. I also took out the piezo, dropped a bone saddle, and had straight bone to wood contact. Sound is amazing! Proving A.R.E. is no joke and no gimmick. I have 70's, 80's & 90's Yammys and find their necks always need a little more angle. But I could be wrong. Would love your imput! Thank you so very much for everything you teach us on here!
This could be. I have this guitar, which I bought about a year ago, and just took in today for a setup. The luthier raised a similar question, and is going to adjust it.
I have LL 16 from 2006 and want to replace tuners. What are the kind of tuners I should replace with? Not sure what to look for on the internet. thank you for your review of the guitar also!
Whats preferable a LL6 with ARE but laminated back and sides or an all solid LL16 without the ARE top? From my experience the LL6 with ARE treated top is better sounding than the pre 2014 LL16 which though all solid didnt have ARE.
Do you use graph tech Tusq for your saddle? If so can you tell me the product number please? There are two that they offer for Yamaha,one 1/8" thick #9280 or 29/32" thick#9110. Great reviews by the way!
The new one has 3 PCs neck.. ARE tops which means it’s aged through a special process that results in a more played in aged tone .. they also improve the bracing .. maple binding on body ( previously is plastic ) .. plus also a passive pickup
Really it's guitar is like . But those of your happy smile than guitar will in the mood🙆 By the way, I have a ＬL16D A.R.E. The difference is only decoration of Avalon shellfish to the binding.
I'm thinking seriously about trading something in for an LL16. What are the body dimensions on these? They look a little less boxy, more streamlined than a Martin or Guild dreadnought. Are they comfortable to play? Thanks.
I own one with solid Rosewood back and sides. love it. I use a fishman rare earth blend mixed with the piezo in a 70% fishmann 30% piezo, FANTASTIC!! I just want to point out, I have never ever had tuning issues with this guitar even after strumming or bending like mad!!! You should stress the strings when changing strings or when changing tuning: pull them and wobble them when pulled in at least 4 different points, lets say at the sound hole, at the 16th fret, 12th fret and 7th fret. and retune every time till it won't go out of tune anymore when pulling the string. I never had tuning issues, never. And another thing: you say at the end that the sound is bright because it's a new guitar. Well that's not correct. Buying a yamaha guitar with ARE technology is all the point. ARE technology makes your guitar sound like a 20 year old played guitar. tha't what the ARE technology is all about!!
Carlo is right when restringing your guitar pull and bend the strings at the sound hole and on the neck then retune and your guitar then strum it if it goes out tune again and it will stay tuned
Thankyou for the great reviews. Just saving up and looking to buy a new guitar. Still learning to play. Any advice re choosing between LL16 or AC3. Enjoy singer songwriter/unplugged stuff on guitar but also now doing a little bit of recording in logic. How balanced is the bass on LL16 and how full is the sound AC3. Also prefer a narrow neck to get my hand around. Any difference between the two? Looking to play both but would appreciate any advice.
Hi Jarvis , checking out whether do you have a fmi bone saddle for a yamaha FGX720sca ..I know it isn't the higher priced guitar...just curious how much it would cost one...
Nice review, thx for that.... what's is your opinion after testing so many guitars. What could you say or advices if you have to choice between the ll16d and the gibson j-15.
Kugan Senivasan I couldn't say which is better, because i didn't play the Gibson J-15, but i tested some more expensive guitar from Gibson. And they are really amazing, but if i put the price on it, is not that worth to give so many money for that little higher end. I owned the LL16D , and i'm very excited and love this guitar. Never thought that i could be a big fan of this guitar. I changed The saddle and nut to bone and spend little 100€! But, in combination of the A.R.E treatment on the top. The sustain and sound are amazing. Now I have an amazing guitar for less than 1000€. :-)
Are you able to tell an appreciable difference between this and the original LL16, as far as tone/resonance? I bought the LL16, which I've had now for 2 years, and am kicking myself that I bought it just before thy came out with the new A.R.E. version. Unfortunately, being used, I'm afraid that for what I could get for it, and with the extra $200 for the newer model, it just wouldn't be worth trying resell it and then pay the difference for the newer one, though might be if the tonal/projection differences are significant/noticeable enough. Although I'm sure you haven't played the two side by side, can you tell at least from memory if there was that noticeable of a difference? I mean, can you hear it? Thanks, Jarvis, and keep up the good reviews. :)
51MontyPython same dilemma here bought older ll16 version when ll16 A.R.E came up. if you would ask me. i would NOT resell the ll16 I currently have now for a newer ll16. I believe A.R.E is just speeding up the evolution process of the top so it would sound better and would seem like that it was played for a long time. well in my opinion i would want my guitar to evolve whith me playing it (i hope that makes sense.)
Duke Hulsey Naw, man, that actually _makes_ [perfect] sense. I think I can safely say my Ll- 16 has definitely shifted it's tone _somewhat,_ from when I first got it (for the better, of course -- more bass, it seems, which is also more fine tuned in definition at least than it was when I 1st got it). I think I would probably rather prefer a more natural aging process. Though, I wonder how the advantages/disadvantages would change compared to the A.R.E.s. (especially if in a more humid as opposed to drier environment/climate.)
51MontyPython yeah mine's starting to open up too. it was tight at first but yeah the separation of notes now compared last 2012 was a big difference in my case. that's a good question. we might just have to play an A.R.E guitar to hear for ourselves. i got a question for you though.. did you replace yours with a bone saddle and/or bridge pins?
Duke Hulsey I did at one point, but as for which sounded better was hard to tell really. I just ended up putting the original saddle back on it. I think it actually did sound better than the bone at least at the higher registers (less volume with the bone).
51MontyPython i completely replaced mine. the tuners as well.. bone sounded better in my case though.. maybe depending on the players' style? as long as it works perfect for us does'nt really make any difference i guess hehehe
+The Guitar Spa Singapore Thanks brother, I'm ordering it today! one more question.. What is that beautiful song that you play fist on your videos? it makes me happy and gets stuck in my head when I watch your videos:)
+Ev Laf Did you pick up the Yammy? I have an LS16m, the smaller body. I absolutely love it. Jarvis is right, the plastics sound good but upgrading to bone is a whole other world. I use Bob Colosi's bone saddles and they are a perfect fit. I basically disconnected the pickup as I have no need for it and the saddle now makes direct contact with the ebony. Not sure if this has a hue impact, but it sounds great to me.
+Ronnie Williams yes. I bought the ll16 and it's awesome. I pair ir with the baggs Para di and it sounds beautiful and real through my Roland ac60. I haven't upgraded to bone because I don't know if it will affect the sound from the pickup but I still think its the bed guitar I've owned and I've had martins!
I just got a Yamaha LL16 from Sweetwater that I waited about 4 months for. It is going back. I hate it! Sounds horrible to me , with little to no bottom end response. The brightness of the guitar sounds lifeless and low quality. That is my opinion.
After playing many acoustics in the last months, I found her! The other day I was presented with three LL6 AREs. In natural, black and brown sunburst. I checked the wall again and found one in dark tinted, hiding. Almost missed her. She sang to me like none of the others. Checked cosmetics, was very pleased, plugged into a thr5a, incredible for the price! I immediately put money down make sure she comes home with me. I watched a lot of your videos a lot of times and I'd like to thank you for these reviews! They help people more than you think, I'm sure. Oh yeah, you said the nut width on this one 1 11/16, its not, its 1 3/4. Hehe. Thanks again Jarvis! Will keep watching your videos ofcourse!
I have had one of these (unmodified) for about six months now, and I have to say I had owned Martins, Taylor's, Avalon, Epiphone, and many others, but this guitar blew them all away both on playability and sound. For the price absolutely unbeatable. I play finger-style mostly. They are best treated gently.
I have a LL16 prior to the a.r.e.
Best of the handmades.
I wouldn't trade it for a Martin. Its incredible.
i would and then sell the martin and buy another LL16 easy money
Really love how much you're enjoying playing this
Glad you enjoyed it
You are the happiest man in the world.
yes dude
Yamaha is definitely underrated when it comes to guitars . Was blown away by my lil bros Yamaha nylon . Small guitar, extremely light but surprisingly loud just fills the whole room
Kent Seyhun Yeah - I went on a quest about ten years ago for an acoustic. I played Martins, Guilds, Taylors, Fenders, Gibsons, and for the money, when I picked up my LL6, I knew that was the one...
The response of his ear is wonderful.
catching the error of 0.5Hｚ.
These sound as good as guitars 2 and some times... 3 times the price! The musicality and the clarity is there. Yamahar get one today
4:42 "always my g-string! let's come closer.."
Good review as usual, Jarvis.
Hey thanx for your great review!!.. man what's the difference between LS16 and LL16???
Would love to see a review of the LL16-12 string . Can not find any RUclips reviews or sound samples . Keep up the good work 😀
Very raw sound....of strings, buk other is ok, thanks, mine guitar is LL6 non ARE which i like more
Hi Jarvis- I'm hoping you'll have availability to answer this question. Do you find that Yamaha generally sets their neck angles a little too straight, causing string action to be high and resulting in shaving the saddle way down? I have an LS16m that I bought at start of 2015 and it now almost needs a neck reset (never left my home). It was that way when I bought it. I still bought it because the tone of this ONE was jaw dropping for me. I went to the store to purchase a Martin 000-15m w/ my 15% off coupon but couldn't justify the purchase after I tried the Yamaha. After I had it setup, there was nothing left to shave on the saddle, meaning it was as low as it could go. I also took out the piezo, dropped a bone saddle, and had straight bone to wood contact. Sound is amazing! Proving A.R.E. is no joke and no gimmick. I have 70's, 80's & 90's Yammys and find their necks always need a little more angle. But I could be wrong. Would love your imput! Thank you so very much for everything you teach us on here!
Well
It could be due to humidity that's why TOP swells too much
This could be. I have this guitar, which I bought about a year ago, and just took in today for a setup. The luthier raised a similar question, and is going to adjust it.
Jerry6750 great
Jerry6750 When you say adjust, are you referring to the truss rod? Or was he questioning the neck angle? Thanks
Hi Jarvis, how would you compare this Yamaha with Yamaha fg 180 50th anniversary edition ?
I have LL 16 from 2006 and want to replace tuners. What are the kind of tuners I should replace with? Not sure what to look for on the internet. thank you for your review of the guitar also!
How it compared to ll16 non are version? Can't find the are version on indonesia. Or with ac3r?
Hey Man!! How long have you been playing the guitar? You really know it and show passion for the instrument, well done.
Thanks for this great review !!
Whats preferable a LL6 with ARE but laminated back and sides or an all solid LL16 without the ARE top? From my experience the LL6 with ARE treated top is better sounding than the pre 2014 LL16 which though all solid didnt have ARE.
Hey, Jarvis, do you prefer bone bridge pins over ebony? Or have you really tried both enough to tell?
Depends on the individual guitar .. If is plastic then the bone is better
The Guitar Spa Singapore
Thanks. I may try them on my LL-16. I just got a Blueridge BR-180 but not sure what the bridge pins are made of.
I want the 12 string version of this anyone think this better than a taylor.
Do you use graph tech Tusq for your saddle? If so can you tell me the product number please? There are two that they offer for Yamaha,one 1/8" thick #9280 or 29/32" thick#9110. Great reviews by the way!
Hi, how is the pick up compared to the SRT pick up on A3R?
Hey, I'm about to buy this new A.R.E model or the older Yamaha LL16. Do you think it's worth to pay 899€ for the new model, or 682€ for older b-stock?
Can someone tell me.. what the difference between this new ll16are and the ll16(older one) ?
The new one has 3 PCs neck.. ARE tops which means it’s aged through a special process that results in a more played in aged tone .. they also improve the bracing .. maple binding on body ( previously is plastic ) .. plus also a passive pickup
Hey what is the name of the tuners that i should get?
Really it's guitar is like . But those of your happy smile than guitar will in the mood🙆
By the way, I have a ＬL16D A.R.E. The difference is only decoration of Avalon shellfish to the binding.
What are you use the guitar string?
I'm thinking seriously about trading something in for an LL16. What are the body dimensions on these? They look a little less boxy, more streamlined than a Martin or Guild dreadnought. Are they comfortable to play? Thanks.
I own one with solid Rosewood back and sides. love it. I use a fishman rare earth blend mixed with the piezo in a 70% fishmann 30% piezo, FANTASTIC!! I just want to point out, I have never ever had tuning issues with this guitar even after strumming or bending like mad!!! You should stress the strings when changing strings or when changing tuning: pull them and wobble them when pulled in at least 4 different points, lets say at the sound hole, at the 16th fret, 12th fret and 7th fret. and retune every time till it won't go out of tune anymore when pulling the string. I never had tuning issues, never. And another thing: you say at the end that the sound is bright because it's a new guitar. Well that's not correct. Buying a yamaha guitar with ARE technology is all the point. ARE technology makes your guitar sound like a 20 year old played guitar. tha't what the ARE technology is all about!!
Carlo is right when restringing your guitar pull and bend the strings at the sound hole and on the neck then retune and your guitar then strum it if it goes out tune again and it will stay tuned
Thankyou for the great reviews. Just saving up and looking to buy a new guitar. Still learning to play. Any advice re choosing between LL16 or AC3. Enjoy singer songwriter/unplugged stuff on guitar but also now doing a little bit of recording in logic. How balanced is the bass on LL16 and how full is the sound AC3. Also prefer a narrow neck to get my hand around. Any difference between the two? Looking to play both but would appreciate any advice.
LL16 is fuller way louder and dramatic tone...AC3 is more contain
would you recommend the LL16 or the a1m?
Hi Jarvis , checking out whether do you have a fmi bone saddle for a yamaha FGX720sca ..I know it isn't the higher priced guitar...just curious how much it would cost one...
Yes I have only UNBLEACH Bone saddle as well as FMI saddle..email me at guitarsaddle@hotmail.com
Nice review, thx for that.... what's is your opinion after testing so many guitars. What could you say or advices if you have to choice between the ll16d and the gibson j-15.
David Grammenidis LL16D is better for me, personally. I really do admire Gibson J-15 and J-35's too. What are your thoughts on Maestro?
Kugan Senivasan I couldn't say which is better, because i didn't play the Gibson J-15, but i tested some more expensive guitar from Gibson. And they are really amazing, but if i put the price on it, is not that worth to give so many money for that little higher end. I owned the LL16D , and i'm very excited and love this guitar. Never thought that i could be a big fan of this guitar. I changed The saddle and nut to bone and spend little 100€! But, in combination of the A.R.E treatment on the top. The sustain and sound are amazing. Now I have an amazing guitar for less than 1000€. :-)
Are you able to tell an appreciable difference between this and the original LL16, as far as tone/resonance? I bought the LL16, which I've had now for 2 years, and am kicking myself that I bought it just before thy came out with the new A.R.E. version. Unfortunately, being used, I'm afraid that for what I could get for it, and with the extra $200 for the newer model, it just wouldn't be worth trying resell it and then pay the difference for the newer one, though might be if the tonal/projection differences are significant/noticeable enough. Although I'm sure you haven't played the two side by side, can you tell at least from memory if there was that noticeable of a difference? I mean, can you hear it? Thanks, Jarvis, and keep up the good reviews. :)
51MontyPython same dilemma here bought older ll16 version when ll16 A.R.E came up. if you would ask me. i would NOT resell the ll16 I currently have now for a newer ll16. I believe A.R.E is just speeding up the evolution process of the top so it would sound better and would seem like that it was played for a long time. well in my opinion i would want my guitar to evolve whith me playing it (i hope that makes sense.)
Duke Hulsey Naw, man, that actually _makes_ [perfect] sense. I think I can safely say my Ll- 16 has definitely shifted it's tone _somewhat,_ from when I first got it (for the better, of course -- more bass, it seems, which is also more fine tuned in definition at least than it was when I 1st got it).
I think I would probably rather prefer a more natural aging process. Though, I wonder how the advantages/disadvantages would change compared to the A.R.E.s.
(especially if in a more humid as opposed to drier environment/climate.)
51MontyPython yeah mine's starting to open up too. it was tight at first but yeah the separation of notes now compared last 2012 was a big difference in my case.
that's a good question. we might just have to play an A.R.E guitar to hear for ourselves. i got a question for you though.. did you replace yours with a bone saddle and/or bridge pins?
Duke Hulsey
I did at one point, but as for which sounded better was hard to tell really. I just ended up putting the original saddle back on it. I think it actually did sound better than the bone at least at the higher registers (less volume with the bone).
51MontyPython i completely replaced mine. the tuners as well.. bone sounded better in my case though.. maybe depending on the players' style? as long as it works perfect for us does'nt really make any difference i guess hehehe
Jarvis. What do you like better.. ll16r ARE or the A3r? I don't know which one to get
Ll16are sounds way better acoustically and also well made
+The Guitar Spa Singapore Thanks brother, I'm ordering it today! one more question.. What is that beautiful song that you play fist on your videos? it makes me happy and gets stuck in my head when I watch your videos:)
+Ev Laf ALL the songs now I teach them in my Guitar Tutorial...all here ruclips.net/video/S7sDdxg1AHQ/видео.html
+Ev Laf Did you pick up the Yammy? I have an LS16m, the smaller body. I absolutely love it. Jarvis is right, the plastics sound good but upgrading to bone is a whole other world. I use Bob Colosi's bone saddles and they are a perfect fit. I basically disconnected the pickup as I have no need for it and the saddle now makes direct contact with the ebony. Not sure if this has a hue impact, but it sounds great to me.
+Ronnie Williams yes. I bought the ll16 and it's awesome. I pair ir with the baggs Para di and it sounds beautiful and real through my Roland ac60. I haven't upgraded to bone because I don't know if it will affect the sound from the pickup but I still think its the bed guitar I've owned and I've had martins!
cool guitar. great info
can i know the price?
So whats the difference between LL16 ARE and LL16D ARE
Watch the video - same guitar but only abalone TOP pufling
+The Guitar Spa Singapore Ah, maybe i missed that. Thanks
和泰勒114ce比起来怎么样？
What songs were you playing?
my own compositions dude...
The Guitar Spa Singapore Oh ok they sound great
Nice review. Just ordered an this guitar. But dude, get a clip on tuner! They're so cheap and much easier than tuning by ear!
:"( I really like to play guitar, but I don't have enough money to buy a YAMAHA guitar :(( I'm student and I really really love guitar :(((((
So, Just upgrade the pins, saddle, tuners, and pickup, and you would have a good guitar. LOL>
Truth of 73 wrong! Dont you ever change the nut and saddle of this model and you will regret it. Try one first no need to change anything.
This is very nice body
7 people need to learn to play guitar.
YAMAHA sounds like a woman, Martin sound like a man, but Taylor is very much like a personal demon
I just got a Yamaha LL16 from Sweetwater that I waited about 4 months for. It is going back. I hate it! Sounds horrible to me , with little to no bottom end response. The brightness of the guitar sounds lifeless and low quality. That is my opinion.