NAMM 2011: Yamaha Guitars has every reason to be excited about their brand-new A-Series of acoustic-electrics. When company Product Manager Armando Vega gave us a private look at one of the models, we knew we were seeing something special.
What Vega showed us was the gorgeous A3M, which features a solid Sitka Spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, ebony fingerboard and bridge, and a System-63 SRT preamp.
Stunning to look at? You bet. But how does it sound and play? Well, we were in for a rare treat, as finger style phenom Don Alder, who has been winning just about every award a guitarist possibly can of late, gave us a one-on-one demonstration. My oh my, how this guy can play? You might not have Don's command of the instrument (who does?), but with the A-Series of Yamaha guitars, you'll sound truly magnificent.
Get the MusicRadar Newsletter
Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar World, Guitar Player, MusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.