Yamaha FS-TA Trans Concert - Brown Sunburst Review

TransAcoustic - Not Just A Gimmick

I've always been impressed with Yamaha's ability to produce excellent instruments at an affordable price as well as their technical innovations. Having owned their guitars and keyboards (well, motorcycles too!), I can attest to their quality control and overall excellence. A couple of years ago, getting back into guitar playing after a decades-long absence, I purchased their FG830… read more model acoustic from Sweetwater and was blown away by its tone, playability, construction and looks, to say nothing of its affordable price. It's a big dreadnought-sized boomer. My brother-in-law, an accomplished guitar player of over 40 years and owner of two Martins and two Taylors, deemed it an amazing guitar and he plays it every time he visits, always commenting on how impressed by it he is. I recently got the urge to add another acoustic to my growing little collection. I pored over Sweetwater's web site, setting different parameters for wood, price, size (I wanted a slightly smaller guitar) and I kept coming back to a guitar I'd heard played at Sweetwater over a year ago: the FS-TA. The TransAcoustic technology is amazing ... unobtrusive, powered by two AA batteries, allowing both reverb and/or chorus to be added with the push of a button. I was impressed with the sound but didn't want a "gimmick". I wanted a good guitar that nonetheless could be augmented by the TA feature. And that's what I got. Of course, Sweetwater's legendary service was amazing as usual. I ordered it on a Friday afternoon and had it in my hands on Saturday afternoon. The mahogany is gorgeous as is the sunburst spruce top. Fit and finish are virtually flawless. The action was literally perfect (frankly, a surprise, as a lot of Yamaha's feature high actions out of the box). After tuning it, I played a few favorites, not yet engaging the TA feature, just to make sure the sound and tone was what I wanted. It's simply excellent. And then I pushed the magic button and heard the reverb emanating from the sound hole. And then the chorus. Playing music is often based on inspiration. If an instrument doesn't sound good or is hard to play or even physically unappealing, it's much harder to be inspired. But, on the other hand, if an instrument is beautiful, easy to play and sounds great, inspiration often follows. And so it is with this guitar. If the TA were simply a gimmick, a parlor trick, I wouldn't and couldn't recommend it. But the TA feature adds so much more to the inspiration factor and allows me to play in a different mode and way than I usually would. That's a Good Thing. I think the FS-TA is a brilliant concept that's a game changer. You can play this guitar all day and never use the TA feature and be totally satisfied with its tone and playability. But having the ability to augment the sound with the push of a button is simply delightful. To say I'm pleased is an understatement. Another great job by Yamaha and by Sweetwater!

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"FantasticYamaha"

You can talk about Beautiful Music, but this thing will make you smile forever. Even with the effects turned off the tone is beautiful. It is my humble opinion that this is the acoustic guitar that the world has been waiting for. You have got to try it to believe it. Thanks to Robby and the Sweetwater Team for the excellent service and attention to details. The AG3-HC case… read more fits Perfect. PS: My Taylor T5Z is now second best!

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Best Guitar I've EVER heard

This guitar has sparked my interest in playing again, I own guitars three times the price of this and they can't hold a candle to the sound of this beauty! I STRONGLY suggest you pick one up TODAY! Once you hear it, you will know that I speak the truth. Unreal...

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Yamaha FS-TA - Brown Sunburst

First of all it"s hard to find a solid wood guitar at an affordable price. I have looked at so many in this price range and actually higher in price and none of them can compare to this Yamaha. It"s great for finger picking, easy to play with an awesome tone. To go above and beyond they incorporated an internal amp which acts like the tone wood amp you see advertised all over YouTube.… read more This guitar is probably the best at this price point and even higher.

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