Yamaha LL16M ARE Original Jumbo - Natural Reviews

I don't have a lot to add that others haven't already mentioned, but reviews are important and my LL16M compels me to add my 5 star rating. Quality control is top of line that you would expect from Yamaha. Out of a dozen guitars, this is the one that I pick up every day. Sure, it is an outstanding value, but I don't feel the pull for a more expensive guitar. It is a beautiful looking, sounding and feeling instrument. I am one with this guitar.

I bought this LL-16 ARE almost two years ago and I am still enthralled by it. It is my second Yamaha. I also have an FG-830, and I really like it too. The 830 doesn't get a lot of playing time now that I have the LL. I got the LL-16 ARE because I wanted an all solid rosewood dreadnought. O.K. It's technically not a dread, but it's close enough for all practical purposes. I really like the shape of it. The slightly deeper waist makes it much more comfortable to play than a traditional dreadnought, especially when seated. I know this for a fact as I also have a Martin D-18. The strings that it settled on were phosphor bronze 13-56 gauge coated. Elixer Nanoweb seem to be the best sounding on this guitar. Unlike my other guitars, I did not change out any parts. I left the saddle and nut and the bridge pins in that it had. The only additions that I made were a strap button on the heel of the neck and an additional strap button just above the existing one on the other end. I put that in to accommodate a strap lock for my guitar strap. The existing strap button/TRS jack cannot be used with any strap locks that I have found, but no big deal. Besides it allows me to have the strap lock and still have access to the jack. All of this so far is good, but the best part is the sound of this beauty. It is loud, full, balanced and clear. I can't be more pleased with it. This guitar has cured my GAS for a multi thousand dollar Martin HD-28.

I'm a Martin man but not taking 3 grand out by the fire. My Sweetwater rep (Mitch Frazier) suggested this LL16M.
Best advice ever! Love this guitar and it's priced to use in the real world. Thanks again Mitch (for the millionth time)

I already got the LL16D and FG3. I adore them both. In both cases I did both saddles in bone and removed the undersaddle p/u from the 16D along with adding a bone nut. In both cases the depth and body of tone improved along with adding buffalo horn pins.

So far I am loving the 16M as is. The urea and 80/20 strings add a sparkle that I really enjoy despite the undersaddle p/u. I did upgrade to buffalo horn pins.

The tone is incredibly balanced. The mahogany b&s imparts mahogany warmth and woody tone bur the choice of urea and 80/20 makes this a different beast from my Guild D20 all hog and the FG3.

Construction is immaculate. There is a solidness to it but tone is not sacrificed. The Engelmann top imparts a sweet resonance and sustain.

The shell rosette really pops out and adds a tremendous amount of class as do the maple bindings. Check out HP Cormier's review (but search for LL 16M to get a direct hit).

The body is about half an inch wider on the lower bout and so more boost and tone emerge like a Gibson AJ although more focused like a Martin D18.

You can't go wrong with this model. I'm not even going to say "for the price". Just "period". Yamaha's Japanese QC and values are readily apparent. This was ready to roll right out of the box, although I did tighten the screws on the tuners just a tad to improve stability, the Gotohs are sturdy,reliable and will outlast you or I.

Don't hesitate.

I wanted an acoustic guitar that didn"t cost a lot but had a great sound for the studio ,just guitar and a really good mic .I play several different guitars before checking out the Yamaha and I was blown away it met all my expectations and more it sounds fat and rich better than some guitars that cost a lot more, this is one of those sleeper guitars that will blow you away without breaking the bank. Thanks..Sweetwater is the best music store ever!!!

I needed a backup guitar and didn't want to spend a fortune. After a lot of research I decided to try out this guitar. One word--OUTRAGEOUS!. It does not like plastic-capped instrument cords, so if you buy one of these gems, get a metal-capped cord(its right there in the owner's manual, so RTFM). Great, meaty sound, and very playable right out of the box. I haven't had a Yamaha guitar in a long while and this one made a believer out of me.

I got this guitar in the mail from Sweetwater today and I couldn't be happier. I had them switch out the saddle and upgrade it to a bone saddle. The action is perfect, intonation perfect, just about everything perfect on Sweetwater end of the deal. This guitar sounds better than guitars I've played that sell for two or three times as much. If your in the market for a high quality acoustic without paying over a grand this is definitely an amazing guitar. Cheers Yamaha!

Let's keep in mind this guitar is firmly in the "affordable" category. I've own or have own some pretty decent acoustics over the years. Perhaps the most costly spruce top dread I've owned is a Martin D-16GT, the example I owned was not great and it was a colossal disappointment. I also owned a Taylor 3 series dread and it was very similar to this guitar, but it didn't have as good of a low end as this guitar. The guitar is very balanced and has a very even tone that allows all the strings to ring out. I think Yamaha has a winner here because they have been able to implement the quality control we expect from Japanese guitar makers in the Chinese factories, that have produced some great instruments, but sometimes lack quality control or consistency. This Yamaha cracks the code in my opinion and is better than US made instruments I have purchased at more than double the price. I am very pleased.

I'd been learning to play on a FG800 and decided to switch up to something nicer after deciding guitar was something I was going to be playing for a long time. The LL16M was a natural choice for me, and I have to say it sounds amazing. The fit and finish on the guitar is wonderful, the case is nice, though I may eventually get a solid one to protect it from my kids :). The resonance of the guitar is worlds away from my FG800, and barre chords sound divine.

The neck is virtually identical to my eye and touch to the FG800's new neck that has changed from the FG700, and plays quite well. The spacing on the nut is appreciably wider than the FG800 and feels great for strumming or finger picking.

Sweetwater was wonderful to work with (this was my second try for a solid wood guitar) and Nick, my engineer, was very understanding and helpful as I made up my mind. Definitely plan on using Sweetwater for all my future instrument purchases. Wonderful folks.

This is the first guitar I've ever purchased and I've been very pleased. After spending a lot of time as one of the few guys in my group of friends who doesn't play, I decided to give it a shot. I've always wanted to learn and once I pulled the trigger, I received a lot of advice on what to look for in an instrument. I wanted something well made that I could grow into, and this really fits the bill without being overkill. The looks are understated but handsome. I'm a bigger guy and wanted something scaled for me-this is a good sized instrument with an action that seems not too high, not too low, but easy to play in a way that makes you want to practice. All my very experienced friends who've tried it comment on how good it sounds and how well set up it is. Also, this thing is LOUD, but the mahogany back and sides seem to give the sound a nice and warm cast. I'm learning that if I want subtle, it will do that, but when I want to dig in it really puts out sound. I can feel that whole thing vibrate when I play. I'm told its more than enough guitar to eventually gig with. That may be a long way off for me, but I completely believe it. If you're on the fence, do yourself a favor and get this one.