I played one of these at Guitar Center a couple of weeks ago, and the sales kid also tried to sell me on a Martin Jr something, which I played two chords on before deciding it was junk compared to the Yamaha. I'm so impressed at how full and rich the sound is out of the Yamaha.
Yup I tried this at a Guitar Center too, this is such a great guitar. I also tried a bunch of Martins around the $1200 range but this was way better than any of them.
Bought this guitar, not knowing anything about it. It was so easy to play and lovely tone. I play it everyday and if anything ever happened to it...I would immediately buy another one. I am an amateur player...open mic and jams. I love, love, love this guitar
Bought this yesterday at guitar center, it was on sale. Went in for a hollow body, left with this 😂 I played it and I was shocked!!! It sounds so beautiful Also I’m a small man, so this is just a normal sized guitar as far as I’m concerned 😂 After I set it up to my liking, I just have not been able to put it down. Even before I set it up, it felt incredible. This guitar is money well spent
Thanks so much! I fell in love already with the looks and size of this guitar, but made the decision to buy it only after I heard how it sounds here in your video. 🙏
Alamo Music Center I have a Martin d15m that sounds phenomenal but I have to try too hard to play it because of the strings and then I care too much about it to leave it out so it’s always in its case, my fs830 is beat up as hell as I’ve had it for 8 years and I play it all the time because it’s always hanging on the wall
About a year ago I tried a CSF1M at GC and was surprised it was the 1 and not the 3. Typically I will opt for all solid but IMO the CSF1M sounds great and for the price difference I dont think the CSF3M gets you much more. I just purchased a CSF1M from Alamo. The guitar finish and playability is spot on, typical of Yamaha. The gig bag is really good. The passive pickup is weak and needs a lot of boost to the PA, but not too unlike other passive acoustic pickups. I plan to replace with an Anthem. Acoustically the guitar is very good unplugged, and a great instrument for the price.
@telecaster9988 a very nice and pricey pickup made by LR Baggs. Depending on what version you'd want, they cost nearly as much as this guitar lol.. Great pickups tho
I spent about two hours at Guitar Center in Hollywood and played all sorts of smaller parlor guitars like the GS mini and Little Martin. I kept gravitating to the Yamaha no matter what. I originally went in looking to get the Martin. Walked out with the Yamaha. The gig bag it comes with is amazing as well.
Thank you so much for the answers im a big fan of yamaha instruments but in my country is a little difficult to have both models in the same store to compare with the gs mini (which is a great littlw guitar), but with your opinions i will definitely give it a try
It would be really helpful if reviewers mentioned the size, thickness and material of the picks they use. This would give a reasonable indication of how the guitar would sound with a thin versus fat pick. For example, Teja Gerken who does Acoustic Guitar magazine reviews uses thick picks, so all the guitars he reviews sound 'tubby'. Thanks for the review; the guitar sounds very nice for such a small thing-no trace of the prominent 'boxy' sound so often encountered in guitars this size.
Great review as always. Just played one of these today at my luthier's. I (and he) were very impressed as I am with what you played at 5:26. What was that? Just excellent!
The fingerpicking that you always test with- is it an ornamented (or inspired by) O Shendoah? It has these parts that sound right there and then you deviate for a bit (which is cool). What are your thoughts on this vs a GS Mini? Basic construction is similar, Im assuming that this one is slightly larger?
What style do you want to play? The FSX800c is a great guitar for fingerpicking, and it's just a bit larger than the CSF1M. If you are more of a strummer type O would recommend the CSF1M. I would also recommend you listen to some audio of both first! Hope this helps! www.alamomusic.com/yamaha-vintage-fsx800c-small-body-acoustic-electric-guitar-solid-top/ www.alamomusic.com/yamaha-csf1m-parlor-style-acoustc-electic-guitar-vintage-natural/
@@AlamoMusic Thank you so much Chris 😊 I actually just picked up my csf1m, it just felt right when I played it at the store. It's my first guitar (picking up a hobby in my late 20s). Love your content!
I’ve watched this video a whole bunch of times; thanks Chris and Alamo Music. I have played the CSF1M on more than one occasion, and I just fell for it. I have a CSF3M on layaway at a local shop until August 1. I got a decent deal on the solid CSF3M, but is it worth the extra money? I’m gambling that it is.
David, I bought a CSF3 about six weeks ago. I was first enthralled with a CSF1 and thought I liked the sound even better than the CSF3. I am one who subscribes to the theory that more expensive is not always better. You buy a guitar for the way it plays and sounds, right? Of course, they both played the same. I went back and forth between the two (they were hanging on different walls) and finally realized that I couldn't quite hold the memory of the sound from one to the other that way, so I commandeered two stands on the floor and sat them right in front of me, switching back and forth in seconds. After quite a while I was certain that I knew which one I liked best and thought I had proved to myself that the budget model was, in fact, my preference. Imagine my surprise when I made my decision and only then found the marquetry joining the two pieces of the back. "Funny," I thought, "I don't remember that." Turned out I had gotten confused in the constant back-and-forth and the one I preferred the sound of was, in fact, the solid back/side CSF3. Can't get more objective than that! So now I will never be playing this thing and worrying "What if I'd spent a little bit more..." And by the way, we buy for sound and playability (as I said before), but the maple binding on the CSF3 is beautiful.
Alamo Music Center, I’m going with the CSF3M and I’m picking it up this afternoon. When I consider that my current Yamaha cost $269, and I’ve played it most days over the last 3 1/2 years, this is a good investment.
I played one of these at Guitar Center a couple of weeks ago, and the sales kid also tried to sell me on a Martin Jr something, which I played two chords on before deciding it was junk compared to the Yamaha. I'm so impressed at how full and rich the sound is out of the Yamaha.
Yup I tried this at a Guitar Center too, this is such a great guitar. I also tried a bunch of Martins around the $1200 range but this was way better than any of them.
YES! Totally agree with you.
Basically just had the same experience. Sales dude was so keen on me spending three times as much.
Absolutely right. Martin’s cheap stuff looks and sounds offensively cheap.
Just bought one today, amazing value. Best parlor I could find at GC.
Just got one myself, it was the only one that got my attention at my local music shop. Great sound
Agreed! Glad you like it!
Bought this guitar, not knowing anything about it. It was so easy to play and lovely tone. I play it everyday and if anything ever happened to it...I would immediately buy another one. I am an amateur player...open mic and jams. I love, love, love this guitar
I think is the wood that really makes for the good unique sound of this style
Bought this yesterday at guitar center, it was on sale. Went in for a hollow body, left with this 😂 I played it and I was shocked!!! It sounds so beautiful
Also I’m a small man, so this is just a normal sized guitar as far as I’m concerned 😂
After I set it up to my liking, I just have not been able to put it down. Even before I set it up, it felt incredible. This guitar is money well spent
Agreed! It's a great guitar!
Thanks so much! I fell in love already with the looks and size of this guitar, but made the decision to buy it only after I heard how it sounds here in your video. 🙏
Retails for ‘about’ $399.99.
Great sounding guitar and spec for the price.
What is it about acoustic low end Yamaha guitars that sounds so good and feels so good to play
Right! I tend to play my C40 Yamaha more than my more expensive guitars.
Alamo Music Center I have a Martin d15m that sounds phenomenal but I have to try too hard to play it because of the strings and then I care too much about it to leave it out so it’s always in its case, my fs830 is beat up as hell as I’ve had it for 8 years and I play it all the time because it’s always hanging on the wall
Beautiful playing
Just bought a preloved almost new one with trade in of my new Cordoba classical guitar.
Good demo. Nice sounding guitar.
Sounds a lot better than the Martin Travel guitar!
Just bought this on sale after an exhausting few weeks of looking. Excellent-p
Just bought the CSF3M and its my favorite guitar now. Anyone know where I can buy a hard case for this guitar?
About a year ago I tried a CSF1M at GC and was surprised it was the 1 and not the 3. Typically I will opt for all solid but IMO the CSF1M sounds great and for the price difference I dont think the CSF3M gets you much more. I just purchased a CSF1M from Alamo. The guitar finish and playability is spot on, typical of Yamaha. The gig bag is really good. The passive pickup is weak and needs a lot of boost to the PA, but not too unlike other passive acoustic pickups. I plan to replace with an Anthem. Acoustically the guitar is very good unplugged, and a great instrument for the price.
Exactly my experience
Btw I did install an Anthem in the CSF1M and it sounds amazing. Was a really tight fit due to the guitar bracing lixation but doable.
What is an anthem?
@telecaster9988 a very nice and pricey pickup made by LR Baggs. Depending on what version you'd want, they cost nearly as much as this guitar lol.. Great pickups tho
It souds great... For the
Price and size, how it is compared With Taylor gs mini and guild jumbo Jr?
I spent about two hours at Guitar Center in Hollywood and played all sorts of smaller parlor guitars like the GS mini and Little Martin. I kept gravitating to the Yamaha no matter what. I originally went in looking to get the Martin. Walked out with the Yamaha. The gig bag it comes with is amazing as well.
Crushes it
Thank you so much for the answers im a big fan of yamaha instruments but in my country is a little difficult to have both models in the same store to compare with the gs mini (which is a great littlw guitar), but with your opinions i will definitely give it a try
It would be really helpful if reviewers mentioned the size, thickness and material of the picks they use. This would give a reasonable indication of how the guitar would sound with a thin versus fat pick. For example, Teja Gerken who does Acoustic Guitar magazine reviews uses thick picks, so all the guitars he reviews sound 'tubby'. Thanks for the review; the guitar sounds very nice for such a small thing-no trace of the prominent 'boxy' sound so often encountered in guitars this size.
What a little beauty
Sorry, but does anyone know what song is at 6:47? Would love to learn it!
Great review as always. Just played one of these today at my luthier's. I (and he) were very impressed as I am with what you played at 5:26. What was that? Just excellent!
How this compared to gs mini? I have my eyes on gs mini, but if this is at par with gs mini then I will buy this.
Blows it away
How do you compare this to the gs mini in terms of volume? I prefer the tone but I’m not sure if the yamaha is too quiet.
great review
The fingerpicking that you always test with- is it an ornamented (or inspired by) O Shendoah? It has these parts that sound right there and then you deviate for a bit (which is cool). What are your thoughts on this vs a GS Mini? Basic construction is similar, Im assuming that this one is slightly larger?
This little guy has good tone.
Hi, I play folk songs. Would you advise me Yamaha CSF3M or Fender PM-2 Mahogany?
Folk generally includes a bit of fingerpicking so I'd say the Fender! Best of luck!
@@AlamoMusic Thank you very much for your help. Your answer is based on the projection/tone, right?
Yes sir! However, Listen to a video of that guitar first. You gotta make sure you like it. (:
That's a great sounding parlor guitar. And since it's a Yamaha I'll bet the workmanship is outstanding. I have a 1973 FG-200 and it's still going.
Yamaha makes such fine instruments! Glad ya dig!
Hi Chris. I'm choosing between this one and fsx800c. Which do u think will be better?
What style do you want to play? The FSX800c is a great guitar for fingerpicking, and it's just a bit larger than the CSF1M. If you are more of a strummer type O would recommend the CSF1M. I would also recommend you listen to some audio of both first! Hope this helps!
www.alamomusic.com/yamaha-vintage-fsx800c-small-body-acoustic-electric-guitar-solid-top/
www.alamomusic.com/yamaha-csf1m-parlor-style-acoustc-electic-guitar-vintage-natural/
@@AlamoMusic Thank you so much Chris 😊 I actually just picked up my csf1m, it just felt right when I played it at the store. It's my first guitar (picking up a hobby in my late 20s). Love your content!
Glad you got your hands on one! Thank you very much for watching! It is very much appreciated!
thank you !
How tall are you good sir?
Great Guitar
Make some videos on Ibanez acoustics too. Keep up the Great work! Love the vids!
As long as your watching, we are shooting new vids!
I’ve watched this video a whole bunch of times; thanks Chris and Alamo Music. I have played the CSF1M on more than one occasion, and I just fell for it. I have a CSF3M on layaway at a local shop until August 1. I got a decent deal on the solid CSF3M, but is it worth the extra money? I’m gambling that it is.
I'd say that if you like the sound it is! Good guitars will last such a long time they're usually worth the investment!
David, I bought a CSF3 about six weeks ago. I was first enthralled with a CSF1 and thought I liked the sound even better than the CSF3. I am one who subscribes to the theory that more expensive is not always better. You buy a guitar for the way it plays and sounds, right? Of course, they both played the same. I went back and forth between the two (they were hanging on different walls) and finally realized that I couldn't quite hold the memory of the sound from one to the other that way, so I commandeered two stands on the floor and sat them right in front of me, switching back and forth in seconds. After quite a while I was certain that I knew which one I liked best and thought I had proved to myself that the budget model was, in fact, my preference. Imagine my surprise when I made my decision and only then found the marquetry joining the two pieces of the back. "Funny," I thought, "I don't remember that." Turned out I had gotten confused in the constant back-and-forth and the one I preferred the sound of was, in fact, the solid back/side CSF3. Can't get more objective than that! So now I will never be playing this thing and worrying "What if I'd spent a little bit more..." And by the way, we buy for sound and playability (as I said before), but the maple binding on the CSF3 is beautiful.
Alamo Music Center, I’m going with the CSF3M and I’m picking it up this afternoon. When I consider that my current Yamaha cost $269, and I’ve played it most days over the last 3 1/2 years, this is a good investment.
Good video-p
"About $399.99..." Good estimation.
is that china made?