Table of Contents
The Yamaha A3M is a traditional western-body acoustic guitar. It utilizes Yamaha’s acoustic analysis technology. Improvements in their scalloped bracing designs have created a powerfully bold new sound. This is new in the A series line of guitars. With the addition of their SRT2 pickup system, Yamaha has given players a workhorse of a guitar!
How’s your guitar sound these days? A bit bored with your current acoustic guitar? The Yamaha A3M will add some new life to your sessions!
Features
Let’s take a look at some key features of the Yamaha A3M Acoustic guitar.
- Solid sitka spruce top.
- Solid mahogany back and sides.
- 3 Piece mahogany neck.
- African ebony finger board.
- Dreadnought body with cutaway.
- 25.5 inch scale with 20 frets.
- Built in electronics.
PROS
- Materials and design.
- Very large sound.
- Very enjoyable to play.
- Great electronics.
- Venetian cutaway.
CONS
- A set-up may be required out of the box.
- Tuners are generic.
Body and Construction
This popular dreadnought-style body has a very warm yet rich tone. It’s a result of the solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The new scalloped bracing adds rigidity to the spruce top. It provides a full and present performance.
The traditional western body cutaway gives the acoustic a classic look. But it’s the A.R.E. (Yamaha’s high heat treatment) that gives this guitar it is a beautiful color.
On the back side, the mahogany and binding look great and are finished to perfection. The back and sides on the A3M, made also from mahogany, also contribute to the thick overtones of this guitar.
Neck and Headstock
The neck on the A3M is made of mahogany with a straight taper. The fretboard is rosewood with hand-rolled edges, 20 frets, and a 25.5-inch scale length.
The neck has great string spacing and a nut width of 1.7 inches. This makes for a very comfortable and easy-to-play guitar. Especially with the standard diameter neck shape. The headstock on the A3M is the signature Yamaha-looking shape that is found on most of their guitars.
Hardware
The Yamaha A3M uses a Urea nut and saddle as well as PVC bridge pins as stock parts on this guitar. The chrome-plated tuners were smooth and functioned without any tightness. They held tune well and did not let up when we truly dug in and played hard.
The A3M also comes with Yamaha’s own S.R.T.2 (Studio Response Technology) system. This is a combination of a piezo pickup and a microphone. The pre-amp is controlled with a master volume control as well as a 3-band EQ (Treble, middle, and bass).
Sound Performance
The A3M is an amazing sounding acoustic! The guitar is solid wood and has that well-balanced rich tone to it.
But it is very bold and has a stunning sound projection. This is still very articulate thanks to the solid spruce top.
The SRT2 electronic system really captures the rich sound of the acoustic and is dynamic. The EQ responds great, providing a good range of control. It just might be one of the best pickup systems we have heard of at this price point.
Playability
It is a great feeling acoustic for sure! The action was nice, the guitar almost feels like an electric model. It’s easy to play all the way up the neck, thanks as well to the cutaway.
The string spacing and neck thickness were right on, it’s definitely easy to play. It is easy to give the Yamaha A3M a good review when it feels like this.
Yamaha At NAMM
Yamaha can be found at NAMM each year and always brings some great guitars among other things. I always enjoy visiting their booth to see what they have cooking.
I find that the A series guitars are always a big hit, and it is no wonder.
One of the reasons we choose the A3M to be part of our recommended guitars is because they are a hit with players! So if you are a beginner, rest assured this is one great guitar!
Final Thoughts
With a good deal of acoustics under 1000, it can be tough to find something that is exciting and new. The Yamaha A3M is on the higher side of the price range, but for good reason!
This guitar is really impressive and will bring you an exceptional experience. Whether at home or on stage, you will be golden utilizing the electronic system.
Yamaha is a well-known builder and has many years of making great guitars. Their “A” series guitar brings the goods. It tells of their experience in manufacturing!
This is another one of those guitars that are hard to put down. It sings when you strum and barks when you really dig in!
The spruce top and mahogany body make a killer combo. Yamaha really created a wonderful acoustic here! If you are upgrading your current guitar, you will be very happy with the A3M for years to come.
If you own some very expensive acoustics, the A3M will fit in quite well and may even be quite the contender.
