Hand selected materials, handcrafted construction - at an amazing price.
With a solid Engelmann spruce top, multilayered mahogany/rosewood reinforced neck, and ebony fretboard, the Yamaha LL16 acoustic guitar can be judged an excellent deal on materials alone. Yet where this dreadnought really shines is on the strength of its handcrafted construction by expert Japanese luthiers. Every step in the creation of this excellent instrument, from tonewood selection to hand-sanding the frets, is done in a small factory by master craftsmen.
Body top
Most manufacturers are using Sitka spruce tops for their high end models. In Yamaha's experience, Engelmann spruce (Canada) naturally suits the role for top woods better than any other. The overriding quality for body top material is an allowance for resonance and Engelmann spruce has this attribute in abundance. It is a light wood that is easy to work and enables a good tone response with a wide harmonic range. Visually Engelmann spruce is comfortable on the eye and its opaque light yellow tint is reminiscent of a mature acoustic instrument.
Back & side
Yamaha uses solid rosewood for both the back and sides on all the LL16. The rosewood blends extremely well with the Engelmann spruce top. It disperses resonance evenly and effortlessly.
Neck block
The neck block reinforces the neck joint. Yamaha has improved the conventional C block design by enlarging the surface area that is in contact with the top of the guitar. The block securely meets the underside of the top adding a real depth to the tone of the instrument.
Bracing
X-bracing maps out the vibration patterns of the guitar. Each of the eight braces has been carefully positioned in order to bring out the tone in a balanced fashion and find a natural harmony with the guitar's tone woods.
Multilayered reinforced neck
Traditionally, an acoustic guitar neck is carved from a single timber block. As the grain of the timber has to be angled at about 14 degrees to accommodate the headstock, it leaves itself vulnerable to excessive stress. To alleviate the potential of neck movement over time, Yamaha has introduced multilayered necks.
The LL16 model features a strip of rosewood set into the center of the mahogany neck. Rosewood has been chosen for its rigidity and the way it complements mahogany tonally.
Bridge
The unique larger bridge on the LL16 provides a more efficient transfer of the string vibrations to the body of the guitar, giving a tight, clear midrange and a full, balanced tone. Handcrafted with chamfered edges, the bridge design offers a perfect balance of tone, comfort, and style.
Yamaha has over thirty years experience of crafting quality steel string instruments by hand. Today's L series guitars are a testament to the decades of that extensive research and development work.
Yamaha design themes center around the following points:
A balanced tone and response. The ultimate goal. Bass and treble must complement each other, encouraging inspiration from the guitarist rather than compensation.
Dovetail neck joint. Since the '70s, Yamaha has adopted a unique dovetail neck joint. This particular joint gives the guitar the excellent surface to surface (neck to body) contact. In the joint there is nothing but timber. This enables and indeed encourages resonance flow from the neck to the body, aiding the achievement of a balanced tone and response.
Blending of woods. Yamaha's experience of blending quality woods ensures that the highs are really sustained and note texture is under maximum control at all times by the player.
Body Designs. Yamaha's original L series has shoulders that are slightly more slender than a standard dreadnought design and the body has been designed to be subtly wider. This gives the guitar a more definite tone.
Lacquer expertise. Without a doubt, one of Yamaha's most significant strengths. They work very closely with lacquer manufacturers. The focus being less is more. Specially developed finishing materials, unique to Yamaha are used on handcrafted models. Ultimately, this gives the guitar every chance to breathe and tonally shine. A good acoustic guitar must feel alive and not simply just sound good!
Yamaha L Series LL16 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar with Case Features:
Body Wood: Solid Rosewood
Top: Solid Engelmann Spruce
Scale Length: 650mm (25-9/16")
Neck Joint: Dovetail
Neck Wood: Mahogany/Rosewood (3 ply)
Fretboard: Ebony
Frets: 20
Nut Width: 44mm (1-3/4")
Bridge: Ebony
Tuners: Die-cast
Hardware color: Gold
Finish: Hi-Gloss
Want a great handmade acoustic without paying for a name? Order this one today.
Yamaha L Series LL16 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar with Case
Posted by My2Girl'sDad from California on Dec 12, 2008
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist
Reviewer's Play Style: Many
I recently received my new Yamaha LL 16. I ordered it based on excellent reviews in other sites, the materials used, the hand made construction, and the satisfaction I have had with my other Yamaha guitar.
I was perfectly set up from factory, no flaws, again amazing at this price. Exceptional materials and workmanship, truly handmade. A ringing, bell like tone, excellent bass and treble, clean all across the fret board. Excellent strings on the instrument. To use the old cliche, the quality and sound of the LL16 simply "blow you away". Some guitars have "it", and this one does!
I had played several Taylor, Martin, Gibson, and Epiphone guitars in all price ranges in stores prior to this purchase. None near this price range achieved this level of sound.
I have played for 30 plus years, previously professionally, have owned several high end instruments, and am very pleased with this guitar. Well done Yamaha.
Overall
Quality
Features
Value
I have 3 Yamaha acoustic guitars. This...
Posted by Sean from NJ on Sep 28, 2008
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: hobbist
Reviewer's Play Style: anything
I have 3 Yamaha acoustic guitars. This is most expensive one I've bought yet. I am not dissatisfied. The guitar is nice and sounds good. But I had to have a tech set it up. It is way better now. My FG 750S Yamaha acoustic is still my favorite. If I did not have tech set it up I would returned it.
Overall
Quality
Features
Value
Yamaha LL-16
Posted by David A. Tiangco from Virginia Beach, VA on May 22, 2008
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Musician
Reviewer's Play Style: Rock
This is finely built instrument. You can really see the attention to detail. It's got that rich tonally complex growl that only solid spruce and solid rosewood can give you. Resonance you can feel in your chest and sinuses. You can strum as hard as you want and get as loud as you want without tonal breakup. Great fingerpick sound too. I love it.
Overall
Quality
Features
Value
Yamaha LL16 Acoustic
Posted by Blues-ster from Long Island, NY on May 2, 2008
Experience w/product: I have used it
Reviewer's Background: 30 + years hobbist.
Reviewer's Play Style: Classic rock, Blues, Country
After reading the specs, some reviews on Harmony Central and going to Yamaha's website I decided to give this guitar a try.
The sound of this guitar was surprizingly good and the finish was perfect, but that's where it ends.
This is very important; Yamaha is VERY MISLEADING about this guitar. Most of the "info" and pictures of the construction on their website is for the LL26 & 36. So here's what you get with the LL16:
The top & back are solid wood, but they are NOT premium grade. The spruce top had 5 "grain" imperfections in it. (back & sides were OK)
The neck is a 3 piece laminate as they say, but they don't mention that the head stock is also a seperate piece that is just glued on with the face plate covering the seam. You can see it from the back of the neck.
The guitar is made in China, not in Japan by "Japanese Luthiers."
I believe the finish is NOT lacquer but looks to be polyurathane.
Even with the neck coming stock set up almost perfectly straight, the action was in the "finger bleed" section, way too high. Not worth spending more money to correct the problems.
Bottom line: If you really take a good look, it's not worth the price. I sent it back and will save for a Martin HD28.
You ARE NOT going to get a Martin or Taylor quality guitar that's "made in China."
Used Products are rated and sorted by Condition. Used products with Conditions 1-3 can be returned in accordance with our standard return policy. Used items with Conditions 4 and 5 are sold AS-IS and are NON-RETURNABLE. Our Lowest Price Guarantee DOES NOT apply to any used gear we sell.
There are no products for the condition you selected. Please make another selection.
Experience The Musician's Friend Advantage
Shop With Confidence - enjoy the protection of the Musician's Friend Advantage before and after the sale!
We'll Beat Any Price!
We'll beat any verifiable advertised price before or after the sale. Call 800-391-8762 for an unbeatable price quote.
45-Day Lowest Price Guarantee
If you find a lower advertised price within 45 days of your purchase, we'll refund the difference after verification. Some products are excluded.
If you are not completely satisfied with any product, return it for a full refund of the product purchase price, full credit, or exchange of your choice – no hassles! Stringed instruments priced at $1999 or more have a special policy.
On-Time Delivery Guarantee
If you don't get your gear on time, shipping is free and you get 20% off your next order. Details »
Help & Support
Questions or comments? Email or call us at 800-391-8762.
Gift Center | Catalog Quick Order | 
Canada
