Yamaha CSF3M Compact Folk - Tobacco Brown Sunburst Review

Great Yamaha guitar from Sweatwater,my first time impressive experience with Sweawater... ! Great job !

I get used to shop on Amazone for photo gear many years..but when it came to guitars,it was kind of different products..I had to return my first online ordered acoustic guitar due to some defects on the guitar bridge (a full paid guitar with problem??!! )… then thr some research I've learnt of Sweatwater,its 55-point inspection,service and double packed shipping....these really… read more good,get rid of any problems first place when they come fr the manufacturers...thus a peace of mind,saving time for buyers later...So I placed my first trial order of this... Yamaha CSF3M ...and everything going thr very smoothly: my Sale Engineer : Jordan Firstenberg,the quick delivery time,the double packed boxes,the pre-inspection..etc...such a great experience for me. After my late afternoon first order,I got a follow-up call from Jordan about the info. shipment: many thanks to Jordan for his dedicated customer support...This guitar is very good ,esp. its price point: solid wood, small size but generous volume and brightness,balanced tone overall..smooth playability. Nice shape and color...You never be wrong with a Yamaha ( I also have a Yamaha Bass,more than 20 years old:still good,paint,finish,electronics...etc...)...trust me ... Yamaha guitars are like tanks....In short ,now I know Sweatwater is a good place to shop for music stuff... I am waiting my another electric Epiphone guitar order coming, and again,many many thanks to my Sale Engineer, Jordan F. , such a great and knowledge gentleman.

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Perfect!

I'd bounced around on two or three different guitars this size. I watched a video on this one, and was interested. Tyler Moore, my salesman, said that Yamaha was quality builds. I have a 90s bass, and used to sell Yamaha guitars. I always said that they had the technology that others didn't. So, I gave it a shot. I tell you, the guitar is perfect. Amazing tone. The action was a… read more little high for me, but a 1/4 turn on the truss rod git it close. I sanded the saddle just a bit, and it plays better than my electric guitars. The quality of woods and workmanship is amazing. Now, I'm considering an LL-16M, too.

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Exceptional value

In my search for a compact alternative to my dreadnaught- and orchestra-sized acoustics, I came across the Yamaha CSF3M, dubbed a "modern parlor guitar" by the manufacturer. In my experience, most such guitars are junk or pricey high-end instruments. Inexpensive all-solid-wood guitars are rare, especially ones that are this well made and set up and that sound this good. The CSF3M… read more has a rich, resonant tone, balanced and not at all boxy. Solid mahogany back and sides are beautifully finished with lighter mahogany binding, and the neck, with a slight "V" shape, is very comfortable. The short 23.5" scale is easy to navigate, and the 1 11/16" width at the nut is about the same as many electrics. The CSF3M comes with a nice-sounding pickup, surprisingly free of piezo "quack," and a sturdy hard-foam case. This little guitar is fun to play and a terrific value for the money.

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Good Things Come in Small Packages

I've been having some issues with arthritis, and so went hunting for a smaller-bodied, shorter-scale guitar. A friend of mine said that Yamaha does "amazing things really cheap," and I played a CSF3 at a local store the other day. Seemed louder, and had more bottom than the competitor that they had in stock (you know, the small guitar by a big name that comes in several different… read more "flavors"), and I played 3 - 4 of those. I just received my Yamaha CSF3M, played it, and it truly packs a lot of value into that wee package: All solid woods (sitka/mahogany), 23 5/8" scale, proprietary pickup which is REALLY clean and accurate, but passive, so requires some serious preamping. That's no problem, as I've become something of an acoustic guitar preamp hoarder. If you are NOT, however, expect to have to boost the signal some. It really sounds great. No, it does not have that sonorous bottom end that I love on my dreadnought and jumbo guitars, but, physics is physics. For its size, it's great, balanced, comfortable, and, yeah, charming. The included bag, by the way, is identical to the one that ships with that OTHER guitar I mentioned earlier. Hard-sided, well-padded, and black, not tan. Super value all 'round! Finally, let me not forget my man, Chris Sanders, who is beside me all the way on this stuff. He's what makes Sweetwater great!

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Just WOW

This little guy sounds amazing!! Though I bought this from my local store with a trade and a big discount, I had to post a review since Sweetwater is amazing and buy a lot from here. The sound is not tinny at all and has a full sound. It being solid all around and with mahogany my favorite wood type for back and sides, you can really hear the tone and depth of the body. Body is… read more light and feels nice in the hands. The pick up is okay. Pulled it out and put one I liked in it and upgraded to a bone saddle. Yes, I picked this over the Taylor GS-Mini and Martin D Jr. GS-Mini always sounded like it went bad. D Jr., I wanted a different body shape. Also I prefer a gloss finish over a satin finish. Tone changes there too. I'm so pleased with this!

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