Very impressed with overall sound. Bought it used and had problems with low output and 60 cycle hum. Turns out it was a bad under saddle transducer. Replaced it and it is now amazing. Very quiet, notes are very well articulated, and the reverb channels 1 and 2 work surprisingly well. Very natural sounding, no piezo "quack" common with other under saddle transducers and absolutely no feedback at all. String balance is very good, warm, natural, and a lot of sustain even on the dry channel. Very musical when going into an amp and very plush sounding when plugged into headphones.

Purchased used so the headphones were missing. Just fine the way it is. It does not need a built in tuner. Works nicely with the DC converter. There's even an anchoring tab on the back to secure the converter's cable. Nice touch.

Very easy to use. If you need instructions, then you probably shouldn't be playing this guitar. With the basic controls, lots of variation of tones available. Much more comfortable than a standard classical guitar. The neck is well shaped, the frets well dressed, and the overall feel is very playable due in part to its light weight and ergonomic lower bout. Be warned, this guitar's preamp will go through a lot of 9 volt batteries especially if you use the DSP reverb channels. I just keep it plugged in to the dc converter.

Since it was purchased used, it seemed to have held up fairly well considering the previous owner traveled with it a lot. I'm not a big fan of new Asian made guitars but the build of this Yamaha is quite good for a mass produced instrument. The fit and finish are impressive as is the electronics. As with anything, the guitar should last for decades with care. Because it's nylon stringed, there won't be that much wear on the frets and the nylon strings are very easy on the mahogany neck.

I think this guitar is worth every penny. I haven't heard other travel-type guitars but I'm very pleased with this Yamaha. I don't really think of it as a practice or travel guitar but instead a really exceptionally sounding amplified nylon string guitar that can be taken on trips.

Yamaha had no real answers to the low output problem and the 60 cycle hum. They suggested authorized guitar repair shops in my area but that would be costly. I contacted B-Band Inc., the makers of the pick up system and they were the ones who recommended replacing the under saddle transducer pick up. It took about 15 minutes to install and it was the solution to the problem. The B-Band customer support was very helpful. BTW it was $39.00 for the replacement pick up.

It doesn't look like anything out on the market currently. Very 'artsy" with its outline frame, natural maple futuristic body and classic rosewood fingerboard and headstock shape. A nice styling touch is that Yamaha tastefully, did not plaster their name on the headstock. A lot of guitar companies put together really good looking guitars only to cheapen the appearance with a really tacky or ugly logo or brand name lettering. Yamaha instead has a little circular decal of their "triple tuning fork icon", which they also use on their motorcycles.

hobbyist/musician

rock, blues, jazz, Brazilian jazz

Fabulous overall sound, especially through an amp, but sometimes sounds a little flat on the upper strings in clean mode. I need to experiment some on different gauge strings to tidy up the occasional flat sound. The supplied earbud phones are just OK, I use a pair of Sennheisers for excellent sound response when using 'phones.

This is an extremely lightweight thin body guitar that is easy to use both seated and standing. You barely notice it even after a long session. The neck is nicely curved and although narrow, has plenty of room for most style of players. Fingerpickers may find it a little crowded on the fretboard.

Overall excellent quality fit and finish for all the working bits, but a minor complaint about the cheap 'trapdoor' lid for the onboard 9V battery.

Unique market niche, so a bit hard to compare, but rates very well against similarly priced electric acoustics.

I have lost count of all the "How cool is THAT!" comments I have had since first using this guitar. Space age looks, with the natural wood colouring make it a real eye catcher. The light weight, rich sound and ease of playing are a real joy.

Enthusiastic amateur.

Gospel, Folk, Traditional Country.

I feel that the majority of other reviews of this product are misleading. Meaning no offense, but most of the people who consider that this instrument sounds "terrific," and "better than anything I've ever heard," have apparently little or no experience with a quality classical guitar. Very simply put, the Piezo "quack" on this instrument is undeniable. That's not to say that it's a bad product, it's just to say that I vehemently disagree with those who are "amazed" at the sound. I have owned about half a dozen classical guitars in my life, and have played a great many more. I currently own a nice little Washburn instrument with a solid Cedar top and B-Band electronics that cost me about $300 brand new, and sounds great for the price. That Washburn runs rings around my Yamaha SLG100N, plugged in OR unplugged. There's simply no comparison. The SLG100N has a nice neck, feels great and is a terrific choice for a rehearsal and travel instrument, which was my purpose in purchasing it. But I wouldn't even think of performing with it, the electronics are SO "quacky." Now, it may be that I just got a bad instrument where the electronics are concerned, but "Piezo quack" is a fact of life with all but the highest-end piezoelectric pickup systems - and this one has no "acoustics" that would allow for any other type of amplification - so I doubt it. I think it just is what it is. I advise NOT picking this thing up if you think it's going to be a versatile instrument to play out with, especially if you play a classical or jazz repertoire where sound quality is a must. This is a practice and travel guitar, period. You are sacrificing the qualities of a "real" performing instrument in order to be able to practice your scales and learn your pieces whenever and wherever you want. It's great for that, but nothing more.

The guitar is a quality design, and the electronics are functional for a practice instrument. However, those people who claim you "don't need a tuner" with it are just silly. Of course you do. At the price you pay for this thing, a tuner should be standard. This instrument is way to expensive for what you get, not to have it included.

It's reasonable, save for needing to put it together (that's a trade-off for what it's to be used for, of course), and it's awkward having to plug it in unless you go with the battery.

Very well made. I'm somewhat surprised that the B-Band electronics are as "quacky" as they are, but I assume that's what you get when you go with a solid chunk of wood, and no sound chamber.

This is the biggest disappointment. For what you are paying, I don't blame folks for wanting more than you get with this product. Better sound would be nice (but not fully necessary - it's a PRACTICE GUITAR). An onboard tuner is absolutely a must. As it is, this instrument is priced about $200 higher than I would have expected, given what you get.

N/A

I'm very busy, I work in an office, and time is of the essence. This is a great solution for someone like me who'd like to keep up his "chops" but doesn't want the inconvenience of a full-sized classical guitar cluttering up his office space. And of course, I don't disturb anyone when I'm playing it!

Amateur

All Kinds

It's like playing in a cathedral with the reverb on. Still the sound is pure and natural as can be a classical guitar.

reverb is a miracle, also the volume and tone control is ideal.

You do not play this guitar, the guitar plays you. It's amazing how creative you can become just playing it. Ideas just come by themselves

Aha, he a small 9 because the removable part of the body is not very stable.

cheap investment for life, best deal ever, you will never need an other classical guitar.

never needed it, so it must be very good

No I have it and will keep it

hobby musician

rock, jazz, fusion, classical

I can not rate this guitar high enough..first a fantastic design in every respect...simple effective natural...yes the side frame is made from laminated wood! not resin or plastic...Its inovative yet retains the simplicity of a real classical guitar.. The b band pick-up gives this guitar a very natural sound and the onboard reverb just makes it better! Its a future classic in my opinion... Use a acoustic xciter with this guitar and you have something really hot and that can match the best electro acoustics at any price!!! After saying the above... a trussrod version would be very useful!and also a bridg that allows for more pro adjustment to lower the action!...but then the purity would be lost

active musician

jazz rock pop

The built in reverb feature is 3rd rate. Leave out the reverb and put in a built in tuner. If I ignored this fatal mistake by Yamaha, I would give this guitar a 10!

It's a lot of money for a hunk of wood and a crumby reverb.

Active Musician

All

Not much ... The B-Band pickup is outstanding, both with headphone and through a studio board.

B-Band : 10 Reverb : 09

Can't beat a Quality instrument for under $400

Don't know...I've had no problems with this guitar

I own it the sheer genius of its design

Classical, Folk, Folk rock, Blues

Excellant and loads of combinations. It is easy to play with a few on-board effects like reverb. Many different sounds can be created using the correct equipment.

Can be used silently using the headphones provided so you don't annoy the neighbours! Components are excellant and you can expect the usual Yamaha excellant quality..

Fantastically made as you would expect and reliable, I have never had a problem. It is not made to be thrashed but can be looked after very easily and the dismantling for the gig bag is excellant, and a great idea. Looks cool as well. Will last as long as I play the guitar.

Not bad but may seem expensive for a lack of body work!

No problems so obviously can only assume it is as good as the guitar itself.

Looks so cool and wanted it as soon as I saw. It sounds good too!

Hobbyist and hopefully musician!

Rock

sounds good with headphones but on an amp needs improvement also needs some color to it.

I think the product is made well but needs big improvement on the body. needs some color and liveliness.

the price is a little steep for the quality of this guitar. should be around the $300's max.

It has a very modern design with a boring look and you cant mix the two. there sould be some different colors to choose from.