Yamaki AY374S Review

History:

Purchase: Puchased used (in practically new shape), in Los Angeles for $275 in late summer 1982. Bought it from the original owner, who, himself, paid $400 new earlier that summer. He started to take lessons, but life overtook him, and he felt that it wasn't quite the right time to learn a new instrument (all to my gain).

Pros: Medium strength action and a terrific sound for small rooms and audiences. It is not a "commanding," large-room, kind of guitar. Its not made for big-scale performances. There is a quality about it that makes it very capable of a wide range of emotive expressions. It excels at ballads and meditative praise, quiet tunes to stir the hearts of listeners and even the performer. It has the personality of a guitar that means business and possesses no quirks whatsoever.



Cons: My example has lost some of the beautiful, original, auburn-brown color on it's main soundboard, especially in the area where one tends to rest one's hand. I call them it's blonde streaks. Because of it's medium strength action, one must keep up their callouses in order to be able to play sets of an hour or more. I downtune and use a capo on occasion, in order to minimize the action.

AY374S Quality: Very well constructed. Mr. Stoughton gives the materials in his review. My neckboard has pearl, diamond-shaped inlays. In the 22 years I've owned the guitar, it has never been in the shop for the failure of any component. I've only taken it in for routine fret and saddle work. This guitar has been coast to coast several times and shows little wear. The finish is still glossy and unmarred, with the only exception being a slight lightening and discoloration of portions of the top, as mentioned.

Yamaki Summary: I've played Martins, Takamines, Yamahas and a variety of other steel stringed acoustic guitars over the years, and for some reason, I'm always drawn back to this Yamaki for it's reliability and lack of any quirks. Just a solid performing instrument through and through. Among the best of the low-priced guitars I've ever played, and often equal to many of the higher priced ones too.

Rating of this product: 5

This Yamaki Acoustic Guitars Review Submitted By: John Robbins

Date: 2004-10-04

Usefulness Rating: 5 out of 5. 4 reader(s) voted.