Yamaha Red Label FSX5 Review

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Great guitar.

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Just perfect

Totally removed me from thinking Yamaha only produces cheap guitars. This fsx5 is absolutely fine, cant be more satisfied with this purchase. Took almost two months to get this guitar but definitely Worth the wait.

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Distinct tonal difference from the FGX5

I have now had the opportunity to play both of the MIJ models of this guitar (FGX5 & FSX5) and they are of course similar in construction, look and feel and they both just ooze quality. You can't help but to think they'll last a good long time (like generations). They both sound very nice, but you'll get more mid's & trebles from the concert body shape and more bass from the dread'.… read more If you like a smaller body, this FSX5 is a great choice. And if you play mostly fingerstyle I also think the FSX5 takes the edge. Flat pickers in a bluegrass band would do better with the dread'. Both models just shine though when plugged in! The "atmosfeel" electronics are able to be dialed in or blended between a under-saddle piezo and an internal microphone. There is also a volume control and treble/bass EQ control, so no matter what style you're playing, or who you're playing with, you'll be able to dial in a perfect tone for whatever you need. The plugged-in tone really is remarkably good. The neck shape on both is extremely comfortable. They fill the hand, but don't feel oversized not too thin for sure. The neck is closer to strat' shaped than LP shaped. Yamaha just nailed it with these two models. I'm hoping to see a rosewood version in the future. The big names in guitar making probably just want these to go away. You can't go wrong on either model. They are exceptional.

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Outstanding and awesome guitar

I purchased this guitar last year from Sweetwater. I had to wait two months for the guitar to get here but when it did wow. I have primarily played a Seagull coastline. I have played Martin's,Taylor's and the like. The guitar came setup and ready to play. A little tuning, very slight adjustments. The action was better than I could have imagined. The neck felt good in my hands, the… read more seagull can feel a little big at times, the neck just felt perfect. Then as I strummed it I was truly amazed and just fell in love with this guitar. The fit and finish on this guitar is a masterpiece. The ebony bridge, pins, frets, binding, and pick guard finishes off its understated yet proud appearance. I bought this guitar because I have played around with all kinds of guitars but always thought Yamaha's were often overlooked gems. My girlfriend and I both play this guitar although she gets alot of time in with her. Its our guitar and we could not be more pleased. If your on the fence about this guitar buy it and your doubts will be over, you will love this guitar just like we do. Thanks for Sweetwater for getting me this guitar and for being patient with me as I did call alot while waiting.

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I'm not sure there's a better guitar for the money.

I worked for a small high-end acoustic guitar manufacturer. My roles covered many areas from quality control to wood purchasing. Unfortunately even at staff pricing I wasn't willing to go that far, so when I was in the market for a good guitar to play at church, I dove into the realm of $1500-$2500 guitars, knowing I wouldn't see the fit and finish I was used to. Initially I was… read more looking for an acoustic I loved that I would then install a decent pickup in, but eventually I started to entertain maybe buying a guitar that was average acoustically but great plugged in, like a Cole Clarke or Takamine (I've not played a Tak in a while, so forgive me if they sound great acoustically now). I have a guitar that I enjoy acoustically, but it has a K&K pickup and is really resonant: Those two things plus a loud band equal feedback…lots of it. To make a long story longer...it was actually an ad where Yamaha touted giving over 700 guitars a year to help people with PTSD that got me researching to see if they had something that would suit me. I'd played a 1970s Red Label and knew that it was a guitar that punches above it's weight, and I'd played a Transacoutic guitar, but the additional weight and styling put me off. When I came across the new red labels, they seemed to tick the boxes; understated looks (love the symbol only on the headstock), no plywood, mahogany back and sides (personal preference), a really well rated pickup, the FSX5 smaller body seemed to have a punch that would sit well in my band, and a good reason to spend with the company. The problem is, you can't find them anywhere to play, so I took a punt on an ex-demo from Sweetwater. (I'd never bought of them before and sought the advice of a friend who had and said they were great. He was right, Cameron was very helpful). So what's the guitar like? After two weeks including two Sundays at church. I love it. I really do. It's got a comfortable neck for me (slightly thicker than a Taylor) and it's well balanced physically. The action is very good though not perfect for me. I'll lower it when I change strings, but I could play it as it came ad infinitum if needed. The nut and neck relief are perfect, it's just the string height is a little higher at than I'd choose. It's got a very balanced acoustic tone that keeps me wanting to play. That tone plus it's fit and finish definitely compares well against what you often find in the $2000-$3000 range. The Atmosfeel pickup, though kinda stupidly named (IMO) is freaking fantastic. I've heard so many acoustic pickups and this one makes me feel like I stole this guitar for the price. It's SUPER easy to dial in your tone. In a band setting, I take almost all or all the mic out, but because of the mix of the piezo and soundboard transducer, it never gets quacky or harsh, cutting through the mix with a really pleasant sound. I've been looking for that for SO LONG. Playing at home on my Bose S1, I dial up the mic and the bass cut and get a more neutral sound. To be honest, I find it hard to get a bad sound; just dial in what works for your situation. I have a friend who loves the body sounds off the mic for looping beats on his FGX5. That does take out some of the treble cut, but he dials it back in with EQ. What else…The case is nice for the money, though I use a gig bag. I did manage to play an FS3 (Chinese made and no pickup) and my FSX5 (Japanese made) is better. It's more tonally full and more responsive. I really like that Yamaha includes a truss rod tool and a feedback buster (again….I'm on a loud stage). As you can tell, I'm super happy with this guitar and enjoy the fact that I've found and excellent guitar without a high-profile brand name one it (arguable for sure, but no-ones going to look at it and say oooHHHHhh, you have a YAMAHA, fancy man). So why not five stars? Well, I'm being tough on it: It's eight stars for the money really. But objectively, there are better guitars, with more care taken in fit and finish and more inspiring tone…but they are usually a WHOLE lot more money. This is not the guitar that makes me tear up just for the beauty of its tone (if you've never experienced that…keep looking), but it's one that makes me smile a lot, especially on stage, where at last, I plug in, dial in and don't have to play to cover the weaknesses of the pickup. The main problem now is that if I sound bad on stage, it's all on me.

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