That first strum literally brought tears to my eyes. Guitar SOOOO reminds me of my Dad’s old, late 60’s, red label he played for 40 some odd years. Looks frikkin identical too! He passed away this past Xmas and I have his old Yamaha packed away safe 😢
I love a D-18, but I can't honestly justify buying one. I have 4 Yamaha's including an LL and a Red label. They are so good that I just feel like I don't need one. It won't make me play any better and the Yammies are so good.
I have been playing an FGX5 since they came out a couple of years ago. Excellent bluegrass guitar. I have a Martin HD28 and a Custom Shop D-42 with Adi top and the Yamaha is every bit the equal in quality. I too have a Red Label from the early 70's and it sounds awesome with 50 years age on it. Everything that Jake says in this video is absolutely true. By the way Jake, I am really enjoying that new Northfield Artist Model mandolin that you set up for me a couple of weeks back.
Last week I traded in my old telecaster for an acoustic guitar. Had 8 different guitars that I got to play through. Martin 15 series, blue ridge, Eastman and then finally played a Yamaha. LOVED the tone of the Yamaha and went with that. They’re easy to play and super rad. I’m totally sold on their guitars.
Yamaha has always been my guilty pleasure. Every picker in my family has owned/played a Yamaha at some stage in their musical journey! My Dad owned/played/gigged (bluegrass/classic country music) with a late 60’s, red label, FG-180 for 40 years until the pitted fretboard finally forced him to retire the guitar! I literally just ordered an FGX5 yesterday when it finally came in stock at a store about 3 hours away. They’re so hard to find a physical copy of one of these guitars in stock because of their popularity! You just can’t go wrong with a Yamaha FG! ❤
Also wondering about the pickguard? I would love an FG5 but as someone who's still a beginner/approaching intermediate it'd be better to get the FG3 personally.
The LL series - change out the plastic pins, saddle, nut with Tusq or bone, and it becomes a completely different guitar. More sustain, hamonics, and projection and the guitar will kick the butt of any guitar costing twice as much. Pins made the biggest difference, then saddle, then nut. It becomes a tone monster.
I have an LL16 and an FSX5. Awesome guitars. Can’t be beat for the prices paid. The FSX5 is especially nice with the Atmosfeel electronics. Sounds great either acoustically or plugged in.
How is the loudness of the LL16? I'm looking for a canon in that price range. Can it really cut through in a bluegrass/country jam? How does it compare to a Blueridge and Record King also in that price range?
the LL's are cannons. I have a LL16 in black that is awesome. I have a FG3 that I'd put up against any D-18 and I love a D-18. Try to play one and you will see they are lovely. All the good reviews can't be hype.
IMO..I own martin..taylor..hi end PRS..Takamine ( Jap)...but my Yamaha 16DLL is the most playable..best sounding..most beautiful tone of any guitar I own...Fact..imo..no better tone combo than Spruce/rosewood
Yea! What’s with the pickguard on that Yamaha? Did you change it ? I bought an new LL16 a couple of years ago and it had the same pickguard. What’s up ?
That first strum literally brought tears to my eyes. Guitar SOOOO reminds me of my Dad’s old, late 60’s, red label he played for 40 some odd years. Looks frikkin identical too! He passed away this past Xmas and I have his old Yamaha packed away safe 😢
I love a D-18, but I can't honestly justify buying one. I have 4 Yamaha's including an LL and a Red label. They are so good that I just feel like I don't need one. It won't make me play any better and the Yammies are so good.
I have been playing an FGX5 since they came out a couple of years ago. Excellent bluegrass guitar. I have a Martin HD28 and a Custom Shop D-42 with Adi top and the Yamaha is every bit the equal in quality. I too have a Red Label from the early 70's and it sounds awesome with 50 years age on it. Everything that Jake says in this video is absolutely true.
By the way Jake, I am really enjoying that new Northfield Artist Model mandolin that you set up for me a couple of weeks back.
Last week I traded in my old telecaster for an acoustic guitar. Had 8 different guitars that I got to play through. Martin 15 series, blue ridge, Eastman and then finally played a Yamaha. LOVED the tone of the Yamaha and went with that. They’re easy to play and super rad. I’m totally sold on their guitars.
Yamaha has always been my guilty pleasure. Every picker in my family has owned/played a Yamaha at some stage in their musical journey! My Dad owned/played/gigged (bluegrass/classic country music) with a late 60’s, red label, FG-180 for 40 years until the pitted fretboard finally forced him to retire the guitar! I literally just ordered an FGX5 yesterday when it finally came in stock at a store about 3 hours away. They’re so hard to find a physical copy of one of these guitars in stock because of their popularity! You just can’t go wrong with a Yamaha FG! ❤
I just got a red label FS5 and I have been having a blast playing it!
What’s with the pick guard on that first one…that wasn’t a Yamaha pick guard?
Also wondering about the pickguard? I would love an FG5 but as someone who's still a beginner/approaching intermediate it'd be better to get the FG3 personally.
Yamaha Guitars are the best bang for the buck period.
Yamaha makes the best acoustic range of guitars available. And they really make some beautiful instruments.
The LL series - change out the plastic pins, saddle, nut with Tusq or bone, and it becomes a completely different guitar. More sustain, hamonics, and projection and the guitar will kick the butt of any guitar costing twice as much. Pins made the biggest difference, then saddle, then nut. It becomes a tone monster.
Every word true. The Yamaha FGX5 sounds and plays incredibly.
Great instrument.
I have an LL16 and an FSX5. Awesome guitars. Can’t be beat for the prices paid. The FSX5 is especially nice with the Atmosfeel electronics. Sounds great either acoustically or plugged in.
Love the color on the last one.
Love my fgx3
Wow that is amazing! They are very hard to come by here our local. You guys are so lucky to have them.
Best guitars in the world .
What pick guard is that on that first one I’m gonna put that on mine
Did you change the pickguard on that one?
FG3 or FG-TA which one sounds better acoustically ??
How is the loudness of the LL16? I'm looking for a canon in that price range. Can it really cut through in a bluegrass/country jam? How does it compare to a Blueridge and Record King also in that price range?
the LL's are cannons. I have a LL16 in black that is awesome. I have a FG3 that I'd put up against any D-18 and I love a D-18. Try to play one and you will see they are lovely. All the good reviews can't be hype.
What's up with the bogus non Yamaha pick guard on that fg3?
IMO..I own martin..taylor..hi end PRS..Takamine ( Jap)...but my Yamaha 16DLL is the most playable..best sounding..most beautiful tone of any guitar I own...Fact..imo..no better tone combo than Spruce/rosewood
Dont remember its Engelmann spruce,its amazing. Check my channel to see it with a custom piclguard,its lovely.
What Martin model/s were you comparing it to?
@@v2807 000-17 in whiskey
Yea! What’s with the pickguard on that Yamaha?
Did you change it ? I bought an new LL16 a couple of years ago and it had the same pickguard.
What’s up ?