Yamaha LL16-12 ARE Original Jumbo 12-String Review

Very Happy

I wanted a Martin. Badly. I have a D28 six string and knew that it a twelve string would be awesome. But before I pulled the trigger on that I wanted to explore all other less expensive options. I saw the Yami (the nickname for their outboard engines which are the best). All the reviews were glowing. So I bought this for 1/3 the price of the Martin. The $ Martin was on wait. I got… read more it and started playing. The action was perfect. The fit and finish was almost perfect. The neck feels hairy toward the nut like it wasn't quite sanded enough. I can't see it, and it's still smooth and doesn't affect playing in any discernable way, it's just feels a tiny bit...hairy. No biggie. When I played it I was, initially, a bit disappointed. There is not a lot of low end. Unplugged it sounds just like the twelve string in Give A Little Bit. BUT THEN I plugged it in to a higher-end Fishman acoustic amp. Now it sounded perfect. Plenty of low with the bass know at about 10 o'clock. NOW it sounded as I hoped it would. Then this morning playing it unplugged, it sounded a bit more balanced with adequate low end. Again, not a lot of low end, but enough. If you want to know how it sounds unplugged I would suggest listening to a good recording of Give A Little Bit by Supertramp. Plug it in and it sounds much more balanced. My daughter made a good point (because she listened to it plugged and un and agreed with my assessment)...maybe they designed it that way. I am very happy. I have what I think is a very credible 12 string and I saved $. Hence, the five stars. Oh, and the woods are beautiful and look as good as my Martin's. (PS, I hate the ultra white plastic binding on the Martin. This has very nice wood binding.)

---

Cancel Comment

The Best 12-String Guitar I've Ever Owned

I have been playing guitar for a decade now. I own four other twelve string guitars, one acoustic 6-string guitar, and an electric guitar. Three of those guitars are Yamaha's. This one I have always had my eyes on and I wanted it so bad, the opportunity presented itself to buy it so I did. This guitar is the best guitar I have EVER played. 1. For a twelve string, action has been… read more the big thing for me. Something both my Epiphone and Applause Balladeer have been terrible at. The action on this guitar is PERFECT, and I mean perfect. I can go up the fretboard and down the fretboard and make clear and clean chords without buzzing or having to mash down on the fretboard. The action is very similar to my other two Yamaha 12-strings I own (the FG 411CE-12 and the FG 820-12). However, the action on this guitar somewhat beats my other two Yamaha's. 2. The resonance and tone of this guitar is unlike anything I have ever heard in my life. My other four 12-strings don't hold a candle to the resonance and tone of this guitar. My FG 820-12 and FG 411CE-12 come close to this. Both my Epiphone and Applause Balladeer both don't have this kind of resonance and tone this guitar has. 3. This guitar looks beautiful. It has the special binding around the headstock of the guitar, something I wished Yamaha would've put on the FG 820-12. The wood used on the body is very similar in looks to my FG 830 I own. It is very aesthetically pleasing to look at and also is one of the contributing factors as to why and how this thing sounds the way it does. This guitar has become the workhorse in my stable and you should add it as well. I can truly say this is the best guitar I own. Thank you to both Dontae Harris (who is no longer with the company who got me started) and to Ben Blanchard for taking care of me with excellent customer service and quick delivery time. This guitar was well worth the wait and I love it so much.

---

Cancel Comment

Awsome

Its a very nice guitar. Has a very nice rich tone especially with elexir strings. I got one and I don't want to change it. Totally worth it.

---

Cancel Comment

Best 12 String I Have Ever Owned Thank You Sweetwater

Over the past 35 years, I have owned 8 or 9 12 string guitars. Two were Guild 12 strings. Last year I was ready to sell my current 12 string and try again for a 12 string that felt and sounded good. This time I decided to give Yamaha another try. I had a Yamaha 12 string in the late 80's that was a very nice guitar. It felt and played great but I found a Guild that sounded better… read more and sold the Yamaha and got the Guild. The Guild was a Jumbo and I found it to be too large to play sitting, which is 99% of my playing. The Guild neck was very wide and my fretting hand hurt after about 1/2 hour of playing time. Moving forward, my Yamaha LL-16-12 fits all of my needs. The neck is thinner than the Guild, the body is smaller than the Guild. The tone is deeper due to the Solid Rosewood back and sides. I don't play plugged in so I can't give an opinion on the pickup. This is the best 12 string that I have ever owned. I highly recommend it to others.

---

Cancel Comment

Incredible 12 string

I already owned a Yamaha ll16D (6 string) and it plays and sounds like a top of the line Martin... While I also have a Gibson 185 Custom I still spend more time on the Yamaha.... so with that experience in mind I decided to try the 12 sting version. Now paying close to a grand for a Yamaha acoustic is not the norm but this line of guitars may be one of the best in the industry.… read more The guitar came with the lowest action I'd ever seen on a 12. I had light strings installed at Sweetwater as well as a strap button. Outside of that the rest is just what Yamaha sent. The fit and finish are flawless. The wood grain is tight and the tuners are fine. As for the sound.... WOW. I have owned many 12's over the years with mostly mixed results. This one sings. The fret board width and neck thickness fit my hands perfectly. The A.R.E process they use makes a real difference in how these guitars sound. Overall..... I'm thrilled. Thanks to Kurt and his great staff for all the help.

---

Cancel Comment