I once read a comment that stated "guitars don't know where they are made", which is certainly true. A good guitar is a good guitar no matter what is written on the headstock - something that would've saved me a lot of money if I had realized it sooner.
Very true. There are manufacturers that make guitars very well. That just means they're well made. Doesn't mean they always sound better. Buy what you like. Thanks for your comment and for watching.
Once again, thank you. I really enjoy your no holds barred, down to earth reviews. Even though I've been dabbling with an acoustic guitar for years I don't know anything about supporting equipment. While I just messed around home it didn't much matter, but I've began doing some songs (solo) in churches lately, so now I need to make sure the sound is as good as possible. You've helped, thank you!
Awesome video and I totally agree with everything you said! I have an old Squier acoustic which my son gave me and it’s worth new was somewhere between $100.00 and $200.00, but it does have a plastic sut and naddle. Sorry I just had to toss that in, I thought that was awesome. Again Loved this video and your honesty!! Stay well!!
Thank you for your comment. Truth is many upper end guitars don't use bone. It's some other man made product. If people really didn't know would it make any difference. The main thing is it's a gift from your son. I'm sure it sounds wonderful. I have an old Yamaha replica of a Martin D35. It's from the 70s. Plastic nut and saddle. Laminate back and sides. It sounds great. They are all guitars that makes them great. Thank you so much for watching.
For me, because I'm not professional was a little bit difficult to see the difference, all guitars were so clear with amplifier. But learning sound engineering it was very interesting. Thank you!
Greetings from South Australia it gets very hot here too I have a Yamaha ls16 and I love it Yamaha make very good instruments even there budget stuff is good
I used to not care when I didn’t know anything about them. But once I got my hands on all solid wood guitars I noticed a clear difference. I went out and bought a Martin D28 and got spoiled. Then I had a Martin HD28V, Gibson Advanced Jumbo, and now back to a Martin again. I never ever put down anybodies guitar but for me I just gotta have at least one all solid wood guitar around to play. If I had never touched a Martin D28 I probably still wouldn’t care or know the difference. But when I first played a D28 in person I had no idea a acoustic guitar could sound so good. But that’s just MY ears and nobody else’s 👍🏻 And I’m not hung up on brand names I just like guitars made of all solid wood. Epiphone is making some fantastic solid guitars now for great price!
You’re 100% correct I found some really good cheaper guitars by going in the music store listening to and putting my hands on them. Good strings and setup and they have been solid.
Bought an FSX5 yamaha 1 month ago, it is literally up there competing with martin/gibson at a lower price point. Its still not a cheap guitar, but worth every penny!
I totally agree. The 5 series is unmatched it price when compared to the big 2. In my opinion they sound better. Which is really what it's all about. I still love Martin and Gibson. Sometimes you get more than you paid for. That doesn't happen very often.
I bought my Yamahas back in the 70's. they sounded great then they sound better now. They took making serious guitars back then, always appreciated it.
I went to a local music shop yesterday to see what the new Gibson G-bird was all about and it wasn’t bad. Played very well but didn’t have the sound I was looking for. Decided to play everything in the $800-$2k range. Remembering a yamaha acoustic that I should have bought at a pawn shop years ago I picked up a few to try out. Happened to be a FSX3 and my lord did that guitar resonate with me. Even after trying the Martins, Taylor, Gibson, Seagull, and some others, I just couldn’t find anything like I felt with that Yamaha. To my ears: blew away everything including a Gibson J-45, which was above my price range. Ended up putting the FSX3 on layaway. Issue is, I thought it was made in Japan, so I’m gonna see when they expect a FSX5 and hopefully A/B the two before making a final decision. Like you said: even two identical guitars from the same line can sound different. Though I doubt it, if the 3 sounds better I’ll stick with it, but I really would prefer Japanese workmanship. Great channel btw!! Started with Alamo while researching and discovered you this morning. Much appreciation for the honesty, especially in todays society.
Thank you for your comments and kind words. Thank you for watching as well. For years I had been a Martin guy. In the 70s I owned a Martin D35. It was an extremely resonant guitar. Recently I sold my Martin om 28. It was obviously a well built guitar with the finest woods. However, my Yamaha FSX5 was the guitar that spoke to me above and above anything else I've ever played. Sometimes it's not about the name or model number. It's the bond between the player and instrument. Enjoy
@@davidmurphey9514 thank you for the quick response and I strive to speak only truth and at a minimum: not say things that are untrue. The price on the FSX5 has gone up to $1599 but my local store gives me 15% off. I may be able to talk him into 20 since I’d be moving up a model. Outside of country of origin and the better nut and bridge, what would you say are the noticeable differences between it and the 3? I couldn’t find much wrong with it.
@@redhatpenguin1241 you've basically described the noticeable differences. Appearance and soundwise I couldn't tell. However, the FSX3 didn't have the same feel or sustain to my ears. Which are damaged from years of abuse. All I know is I've never had one regret in buying my FSX5.
@@davidmurphey9514 big thanks. I called the music shop and my sales guy said they have asked venders not ship anymore for a couple months due to being overstocked, but if I pay in full they’ll have one shipped to the store. I definitely will try it out before leaving with it, but I feel like the difference in price can be nearly be justified with the hardcase alone. From my perspective…the most important part of a guitar is the neck and how it feels when playing. I understand that with acoustics the body and sum of hardware and other parts all have a huge impact on sound. Would you say the neck/fretboard/fretwork have a better feel on the 5? I read that the string spacing is a little wider on it compared to the 3, which is fine by me. Thanks again for all the advice and honest input.
@@redhatpenguin1241 the FSX5 is definitely easy for me to play. The nut with for me was perfect. If you have thick fingers as I do it's a must. Where you really notice a difference is when using a capo. The neck of the FSX5 will progressively get bulkier the closer to the body. I have not had to retune when using a capo. Because it gets bulkier towards the neck it's as easy to play at the 6th fret as it was the first. Not to mention there are boutique guitars that just don't sound as good. I sold my Martin OM28. It just didn't get the playing time my FSX5 does. I hope this helps but it's really how it feels and sounds in your hands.
I bought a used Montaya for $70 while on vacation just for something to keep my hands busy and that damned thing plays easier than my expensive guitars and it has sustain for days!
Thanks for your video. In my opinion the old Yamaha's are an overlooked guitar I've a late 70's Yamaha FG 450 it's without doubt my sentimental favourite it will never be sold even though it seldom gets used these days cost me about $250 in late 80's. But it doesn't sound anywhere near as big or as good as my Yariri MD60BG.
I love my old Yamaha FG 375. In many comparisons with other guitars I learned: Not every Martin sounds good. Don't look at the brand. Listen to the guitar. I've got a Taylor 415 and a Seagull , but I prefer my Yamaha. Furch Guitars are very, very good
Thank you for your comment. I've had many acoustic and electric guitars. Some I loved some just wasn't a good fit for me. I had a Martin D35 that I would match any acoustic I ever played. I also had an extremely well made OM28E that just didn't feel right in my hands or sound the way I wanted. However, a friend played it and for him it sounded completely different. It's not always the guitar. I own a 97 Taylor 412e. It is primarily what I use in my acoustic venues. However at home I record with my Yamaha FSX5 or FG5. These are the 2 I choose to primarily play at home. I've also had a top of the line Kremona classical guitar but prefer a 300. Dollar Ibanez. Just depends on what's a good fit. Either way it's all about what puts a smile on your face and the people you play for. Thanks for watching. Have a great day
Your brain over rules your ears. For many guitarists if the guitar has CF Martin on it then the their brain tells them it has to be great, certainly if they have just spent $4000 on it!.
Mr Taylor gave his company to his workers,how about that for humble...i started in 1975 taken a life time to aford a taylor,,recording i find they have the sound i always wanted ;-) yammah do not make anything not worth the value
If you cannot hear how greatly superior in sound the Martin is compared to a Yamaha, then I pity you. Yes, a better player makes a guitar sound better. But a better guitar also makes a player sound better. A better guitar is not a substitute for practice, but it will encourage you to play more because of the rewarding sound. I own over thirty guitars including several Martins and a top of the line Taylor. I have guitars better than either Martins or Taylors that are hand made masterpieces made from the rarest woods on the planet. There are good reasons as to why some guitars are worth thousands or tens of thousands while others are only worth hundreds. You should enjoy whatever guitar you have, but do not fool yourself that a guitar made with plastic or made with laminated woods is equal to a guitar made out out of solid and voiced tone wood. Furthermore, the solid wood guitar will age and "open up" better. It will improve in sound quality and in financial value with time. If your ears don't care about your guitar brand, then you have pathetic hearing and you should save the money. Good luck with that.
Certain solid wood guitars appreciate in value, but a lot don't, you only have to look on secondhand sites to see that. I agree that a good solid wood guitar will, all things being equal, usually sound noticeably better. But the player can make a huge difference too. One singer-songwriter friend of mine has a Yamaha OM he bought in a gun shop in 1984 for 95 dollars. And he makes that cheap laminated box sing. Maybe he'd sound even better playing the same stuff on Martin Authentic, but I've never heard anyone complain that his material is let down by his cheap guitar.
I once read a comment that stated "guitars don't know where they are made", which is certainly true. A good guitar is a good guitar no matter what is written on the headstock - something that would've saved me a lot of money if I had realized it sooner.
Very true. There are manufacturers that make guitars very well. That just means they're well made. Doesn't mean they always sound better. Buy what you like. Thanks for your comment and for watching.
Once again, thank you. I really enjoy your no holds barred, down to earth reviews. Even though I've been dabbling with an acoustic guitar for years I don't know anything about supporting equipment. While I just messed around home it didn't much matter, but I've began doing some songs (solo) in churches lately, so now I need to make sure the sound is as good as possible. You've helped, thank you!
Thank you for watching. God bless and take care
"Bone sut & naddle" It's Sunday after a long hot week...it can get to a man.
Ain't that the truth
Awesome video and I totally agree with everything you said! I have an old Squier acoustic which my son gave me and it’s worth new was somewhere between $100.00 and $200.00, but it does have a plastic sut and naddle. Sorry I just had to toss that in, I thought that was awesome. Again Loved this video and your honesty!! Stay well!!
Thank you for your comment. Truth is many upper end guitars don't use bone. It's some other man made product. If people really didn't know would it make any difference. The main thing is it's a gift from your son. I'm sure it sounds wonderful. I have an old Yamaha replica of a Martin D35. It's from the 70s. Plastic nut and saddle. Laminate back and sides. It sounds great. They are all guitars that makes them great. Thank you so much for watching.
For me, because I'm not professional was a little bit difficult to see the difference, all guitars were so clear with amplifier. But learning sound engineering it was very interesting. Thank you!
Thank you for watching
You made my point. When it comes to pickups in an acoustic guitar. There's not a lot of variance in tone. No matter who makes the electronics.
Ordered yesterday. Back order possibly 4 mos. Gotta wait. Completely confident tho.
Great. Let me know how it goes
Greetings from South Australia it gets very hot here too I have a Yamaha ls16 and I love it Yamaha make very good instruments even there budget stuff is good
I have never been disappointed by any Yamaha product. Thank you for your comment and for watching.
Fellow South Aussie. Felow Yamaha owner. (LL16D, LL16/12, FG820.) G,day mate.
@@Wobbz9413 👍
I used to not care when I didn’t know anything about them. But once I got my hands on all solid wood guitars I noticed a clear difference. I went out and bought a Martin D28 and got spoiled. Then I had a Martin HD28V, Gibson Advanced Jumbo, and now back to a Martin again. I never ever put down anybodies guitar but for me I just gotta have at least one all solid wood guitar around to play. If I had never touched a Martin D28 I probably still wouldn’t care or know the difference. But when I first played a D28 in person I had no idea a acoustic guitar could sound so good. But that’s just MY ears and nobody else’s 👍🏻
And I’m not hung up on brand names I just like guitars made of all solid wood. Epiphone is making some fantastic solid guitars now for great price!
Thank you for watching
You’re 100% correct I found some really good cheaper guitars by going in the music store listening to and putting my hands on them. Good strings and setup and they have been solid.
Thank you for watching.
Isn't it funny what you hear when you have an open mind. Thanks for making my point. Have a great day
Bought an FSX5 yamaha 1 month ago, it is literally up there competing with martin/gibson at a lower price point. Its still not a cheap guitar, but worth every penny!
I totally agree. The 5 series is unmatched it price when compared to the big 2. In my opinion they sound better. Which is really what it's all about. I still love Martin and Gibson. Sometimes you get more than you paid for. That doesn't happen very often.
I bought my Yamahas back in the 70's. they sounded great then they sound better now. They took making serious guitars back then, always appreciated it.
Yamaha has always made great guitars. They never get the fanfare they should. Thank you for your comment and thanks for watching.
I went to a local music shop yesterday to see what the new Gibson G-bird was all about and it wasn’t bad. Played very well but didn’t have the sound I was looking for. Decided to play everything in the $800-$2k range. Remembering a yamaha acoustic that I should have bought at a pawn shop years ago I picked up a few to try out. Happened to be a FSX3 and my lord did that guitar resonate with me. Even after trying the Martins, Taylor, Gibson, Seagull, and some others, I just couldn’t find anything like I felt with that Yamaha. To my ears: blew away everything including a Gibson J-45, which was above my price range. Ended up putting the FSX3 on layaway. Issue is, I thought it was made in Japan, so I’m gonna see when they expect a FSX5 and hopefully A/B the two before making a final decision. Like you said: even two identical guitars from the same line can sound different. Though I doubt it, if the 3 sounds better I’ll stick with it, but I really would prefer Japanese workmanship. Great channel btw!! Started with Alamo while researching and discovered you this morning. Much appreciation for the honesty, especially in todays society.
Thank you for your comments and kind words. Thank you for watching as well. For years I had been a Martin guy. In the 70s I owned a Martin D35. It was an extremely resonant guitar. Recently I sold my Martin om 28. It was obviously a well built guitar with the finest woods. However, my Yamaha FSX5 was the guitar that spoke to me above and above anything else I've ever played. Sometimes it's not about the name or model number. It's the bond between the player and instrument. Enjoy
@@davidmurphey9514 thank you for the quick response and I strive to speak only truth and at a minimum: not say things that are untrue.
The price on the FSX5 has gone up to $1599 but my local store gives me 15% off. I may be able to talk him into 20 since I’d be moving up a model. Outside of country of origin and the better nut and bridge, what would you say are the noticeable differences between it and the 3? I couldn’t find much wrong with it.
@@redhatpenguin1241 you've basically described the noticeable differences. Appearance and soundwise I couldn't tell. However, the FSX3 didn't have the same feel or sustain to my ears. Which are damaged from years of abuse. All I know is I've never had one regret in buying my FSX5.
@@davidmurphey9514 big thanks. I called the music shop and my sales guy said they have asked venders not ship anymore for a couple months due to being overstocked, but if I pay in full they’ll have one shipped to the store. I definitely will try it out before leaving with it, but I feel like the difference in price can be nearly be justified with the hardcase alone. From my perspective…the most important part of a guitar is the neck and how it feels when playing. I understand that with acoustics the body and sum of hardware and other parts all have a huge impact on sound.
Would you say the neck/fretboard/fretwork have a better feel on the 5? I read that the string spacing is a little wider on it compared to the 3, which is fine by me.
Thanks again for all the advice and honest input.
@@redhatpenguin1241 the FSX5 is definitely easy for me to play. The nut with for me was perfect. If you have thick fingers as I do it's a must. Where you really notice a difference is when using a capo. The neck of the FSX5 will progressively get bulkier the closer to the body. I have not had to retune when using a capo. Because it gets bulkier towards the neck it's as easy to play at the 6th fret as it was the first. Not to mention there are boutique guitars that just don't sound as good. I sold my Martin OM28. It just didn't get the playing time my FSX5 does. I hope this helps but it's really how it feels and sounds in your hands.
I bought a used Montaya for $70 while on vacation just for something to keep my hands busy and that damned thing plays easier than my expensive guitars and it has sustain for days!
I know what you mean. I've had Ibanez 300 dollar acoustic guitars that do that. Thanks for your comment and for watching
Thanks for your video. In my opinion the old Yamaha's are an overlooked guitar I've a late 70's Yamaha FG 450 it's without doubt my sentimental favourite it will never be sold even though it seldom gets used these days cost me about $250 in late 80's. But it doesn't sound anywhere near as big or as good as my Yariri MD60BG.
I agree. I have a 70s model and I'll put it up against any acoustic guitar out there. Thanks for your comment and for watching
I love my old Yamaha FG 375. In many comparisons with other guitars I learned: Not every Martin sounds good.
Don't look at the brand. Listen to the guitar.
I've got a Taylor 415 and a Seagull , but I prefer my Yamaha.
Furch Guitars are very, very good
Thank you for your comment. I've had many acoustic and electric guitars. Some I loved some just wasn't a good fit for me. I had a Martin D35 that I would match any acoustic I ever played. I also had an extremely well made OM28E that just didn't feel right in my hands or sound the way I wanted. However, a friend played it and for him it sounded completely different. It's not always the guitar. I own a 97 Taylor 412e. It is primarily what I use in my acoustic venues. However at home I record with my Yamaha FSX5 or FG5. These are the 2 I choose to primarily play at home. I've also had a top of the line Kremona classical guitar but prefer a 300. Dollar Ibanez. Just depends on what's a good fit. Either way it's all about what puts a smile on your face and the people you play for. Thanks for watching. Have a great day
Interesting comparison. Thanks for sharing. Like 17 and subscribed!
Thank you for watching
To me the Taylor sounds the best to me, but again I know nothing about acoustic guitars, but this was very interesting
The Taylor is my go to playing venues guitar. It's like a Timex watch.
Spot on! Yamaha makes some quality stuff. I happen to own 2 Yamaha acoustic guitars (LL16 and DW15) and a scooter too. So far so good
Best acoustic guitar I've truly ever owned. I agree with you totally. Thank you for watching.
Nice video
Thank you and thanks for watching
David it's Saturday
That old timer's disease.
I have a Martin Road Series and 2 Epiphone Masterbilts. I like my masterbilts better than
My Martin. Another good frien of mine likes them better too.
I do like both. I'm really impressed with the Masterbuilts. Thank you for your comment and for watching.
Your brain over rules your ears. For many guitarists if the guitar has CF Martin on it then the their brain tells them it has to be great, certainly if they have just spent $4000 on it!.
Thank you for your comments and for watching
What came first Chile's national flag or Texas national flag (they look the same) it was Chile's in 1817!
I have no idea
Yams are great
Thanks for your comment and for watching
Mr Taylor gave his company to his workers,how about that for humble...i started in 1975 taken a life time to aford a taylor,,recording i find they have the sound i always wanted ;-) yammah do not make anything not worth the value
Thank you for your comment and for watching
If you cannot hear how greatly superior in sound the Martin is compared to a Yamaha, then I pity you. Yes, a better player makes a guitar sound better. But a better guitar also makes a player sound better. A better guitar is not a substitute for practice, but it will encourage you to play more because of the rewarding sound. I own over thirty guitars including several Martins and a top of the line Taylor. I have guitars better than either Martins or Taylors that are hand made masterpieces made from the rarest woods on the planet. There are good reasons as to why some guitars are worth thousands or tens of thousands while others are only worth hundreds. You should enjoy whatever guitar you have, but do not fool yourself that a guitar made with plastic or made with laminated woods is equal to a guitar made out out of solid and voiced tone wood. Furthermore, the solid wood guitar will age and "open up" better. It will improve in sound quality and in financial value with time.
If your ears don't care about your guitar brand, then you have pathetic hearing and you should save the money.
Good luck with that.
Congratulations on the ownership of so many guitars. You can never have to many. Thank for your opinion and for watching.
Certain solid wood guitars appreciate in value, but a lot don't, you only have to look on secondhand sites to see that. I agree that a good solid wood guitar will, all things being equal, usually sound noticeably better. But the player can make a huge difference too. One singer-songwriter friend of mine has a Yamaha OM he bought in a gun shop in 1984 for 95 dollars. And he makes that cheap laminated box sing. Maybe he'd sound even better playing the same stuff on Martin Authentic, but I've never heard anyone complain that his material is let down by his cheap guitar.
I really love that Taylor it's one good sounding guitar .
They definitely get even better with age. Thanks for watching