PSA: Yamaha L-series MIJ model blowout at Yamaha Music London

Whitecat · June 2020

Cheapest I've ever seen these new in the UK!

https://www.yamahamusiclondon.com/Guitars/Acoustic-Guitars/L-Series-Acoustic-Guitars/

26-series £1695
36-series £2195
56-series £3495

They also have an ex-demo LL56 at £2995.

These are the non-cutaway non-electro versions, appears that's all they have, but they are indicating all nine variants in stock as of this post.

Plus if you add one to your cart something comes up about a free soundbar/subwoofer for your home theatre for some reason, worth about £300...!

I noted that Peach was blowing out the 6 and 16 series, I'm kind of assuming between that and this clearout that the L-series has been discontinued (again) ?

Epsilon · June 2020

I honestly had no idea that Yamaha even made guitars that expensive!

FreddieVanHalen · June 2020

I have an LJ26 that I got secondhand for not that much less than the prices that are being offered here. It's a seriously nice guitar.

I might have thought about getting an LS56 but I seem to have spent up this month already @Whitecat ;-)

Whitecat · June 2020

Epsilon said:

I honestly had no idea that Yamaha even made guitars that expensive!

A lot of people don't and wonder if undermarketing possibly led to the lack of sales that may be contributing to the discontinuation. There is a dearth of info on these out there, but there is a small cult of happy owners that pop up on various forums/socials who seem to "get it"...

My main acoustic at the moment is an LL36 and it is every bit as good as anything from the major builder's high end stables and just as nice or nicer that all but the craziest high-end luthier-built stuff.

FreddieVanHalen said:

I have an LJ26 that I got secondhand for not that much less than the prices that are being offered here. It's a seriously nice guitar.

I might have thought about getting an LS56 but I seem to have spent up this month already @Whitecat ;-)

LOL... and here's me with a pocketful of cash earmarked for far more sensible purposes...

At these prices I think the 36 is the sweet-spot personally. The 56, other than having slightly better tuners (Gotoh 510s) is cosmetically and materially identical to the 36, and the mysterious aura of 'single master luthier' construction is the only justification for the upcharge... but that said, who knows, maybe that matters more than I think... would be nice to sit down and try them all but that obviously isn't possible yet...

Epsilon · June 2020

Whitecat said:

Epsilon said:

I honestly had no idea that Yamaha even made guitars that expensive!

A lot of people don't and wonder if undermarketing possibly led to the lack of sales that may be contributing to the discontinuation. There is a dearth of info on these out there, but there is a small cult of happy owners that pop up on various forums/socials who seem to "get it"...

My main acoustic at the moment is an LL36 and it is every bit as good as anything from the major builder's high end stables and just as nice or nicer that all but the craziest high-end luthier-built stuff.

I've no doubt that they're excellent guitars given Yamaha's reputation for outclassing almost everyone in terms of quality per pricepoint. I can't help but feel that they've placed this product in a very challenging market segment given what the brand is usually known for, however. I imagine most people would see a >£2.5k pricepoint and think "I can get a nice Martin/Taylor/Lowden etc for that money and not have to lose a bomb if I resell", plus less tangible factors like mojo and prestige. I guess maybe Yamaha thought they'd take a risk but perhaps it hasn't paid off in terms of sales, hence the discontinuation.

Lodious · June 2020

@Whitecat What's the neck profile and general tone of these like? There is hardly any decent demos of these guitars out there.

Whitecat · June 2020

Lodious said:

@Whitecat What's the neck profile and general tone of these like? There is hardly any decent demos of these guitars out there.

It’s on the slim side, slight V (but not pronounced) with not too much taper.

Tonally I think this is the best video out there at the moment comparing the LS to the LL.

https://youtu.be/TFu5f8aGg1c

The LS has that small-body focus to it, loads of overtones and detail. The LL is more piano-like in its range but never ever “boomy” like a regular dreadnought shape can get sometimes.

Epsilon · June 2020

Double post, and...

Epsilon · June 2020

Triple post, sorry!

Whitecat · June 2020

Epsilon said:

Whitecat said:

Epsilon said:

I honestly had no idea that Yamaha even made guitars that expensive!

A lot of people don't and wonder if undermarketing possibly led to the lack of sales that may be contributing to the discontinuation. There is a dearth of info on these out there, but there is a small cult of happy owners that pop up on various forums/socials who seem to "get it"...

My main acoustic at the moment is an LL36 and it is every bit as good as anything from the major builder's high end stables and just as nice or nicer that all but the craziest high-end luthier-built stuff.

FreddieVanHalen said:

I have an LJ26 that I got secondhand for not that much less than the prices that are being offered here. It's a seriously nice guitar.

I might have thought about getting an LS56 but I seem to have spent up this month already @Whitecat ;-)

LOL... and here's me with a pocketful of cash earmarked for far more sensible purposes...

At these prices I think the 36 is the sweet-spot personally. The 56, other than having slightly better tuners (Gotoh 510s) is cosmetically and materially identical to the 36, and the mysterious aura of 'single master luthier' construction is the only justification for the upcharge... but that said, who knows, maybe that matters more than I think... would be nice to sit down and try them all but that obviously isn't possible yet...

I'm sure they're very nice guitars. Yamaha have a reputation for outclassing the competition in terms of quality and at almost every price point. I do however feel that most people seeing a >£2.5k price tag would probably just think "I can get a Martin/Taylor/Lowden etc for that money and not have to lose a bomb if I need to resell", plus less tangible factors like "mojo" or "prestige" playing their part. They've placed a product in a very difficult market segment given what the brand is ordinarily known for.

Absolutely. When Guitar magazine reviewed the 26 series they said almost exactly that, as they were reviewing them at their £3700 price - to paraphrase them, that it was worth considering them if you are marque blind because the quality is off the scale, but that at the prices they are getting into you can start talking to sole trading luthiers let alone get one of the major brands that would definitely be a faster resale.

Again, some more marketing would have actually been welcome. When you talk about a guitar being built by a single master craftsman, why not tell us who that is? Tell us their story, show us film of them at work on these, photo diary the process etc. Even on the “team built” stuff some more behind-the-scenes stuff would be great. Not hard to do but I guess they made so comparatively few of these they just didn’t feel that it was necessary/needed...

Lodious · June 2020

Thanks @Whitecat ....I have a LL36 in my basket....dithering if I should do it!

Whitecat · June 2020

Ooooh. Three words: free sound bar!!

rossyamaha · June 2020

Lodious said:

Thanks @Whitecat ....I have a LL36 in my basket....dithering if I should do it!

https://i.imgur.com/60CfAIw.jpg

artiebear · June 2020

Got a LJ56 on the way. I have always fancied on of these. The guys at Yamaha were absolutely superb to deal with, especially considering the way that the current situation is affecting normal work/trade patterns. really went the extra mile to provide great service.

Andy79 · June 2020

Gotta be one of the smartest moves I’ve seen here for ages. Well done sir

Whitecat · June 2020

artiebear said:

Got a LJ56 on the way. I have always fancied on of these. The guys at Yamaha were absolutely superb to deal with, especially considering the way that the current situation is affecting normal work/trade patterns. really went the extra mile to provide great service.

Nice. Look forward to the NGD post!

Lodious · June 2020

I'd be really interested to hear how you get on with the new guitar, they look amazing

artiebear · June 2020

Everything crossed that it survives UPS now

Not quite sure what day it will arrive as yet but will post some stuff when it does. Normally buying unseen is not on for me, but having experienced Yamaha quality for a long time, I am about as confident as I can be that it will be good. The deals across this range at the moment are as good as it gets for the quality on offer.

Andy79 · June 2020

Just a wider point on Yams. I have currently 2 70s ones and they are exceptional. The FGs get zero love on this forum but I maintain they are among the best sub £600 guitars money can buy no question.

The L6 I have is low down in the range but it’s an absolute rocket.

Whitecat · June 2020

Andy79 said:

Just a wider point on Yams. I have currently 2 70s ones and they are exceptional. The FGs get zero love on this forum but I maintain they are among the best sub £600 guitars money can buy no question.
The L6 I have is low down in the range but it’s an absolute rocket.

Full agreement. The entry-level stuff is amazing, and the MIJ stuff is absolute top shelf...

TheOtherDennis · June 2020

rossyamaha said:

Lodious said:

Thanks @Whitecat ....I have a LL36 in my basket....dithering if I should do it!

https://i.imgur.com/60CfAIw.jpg

Not that you're biased at all, no, no, no, not in the slightest

Whitecat · June 2020

I wonder if @rossyamaha ;can confirm whether or not these are indeed discontinued? Is the focus on the A-series now that they do some of them MIJ too at a much lower price, or is there something else in the pipeline?

rossyamaha · June 2020

Whitecat said:

I wonder if @rossyamaha ;can confirm whether or not these are indeed discontinued? Is the focus on the A-series now that they do some of them MIJ too at a much lower price, or is there something else in the pipeline?

I haven't been told that they are discontinued so can neither confirm nor deny.

It's quite possibly just a good deal they fancied doing. Yes we do have Japan models in other ranges. A series, Red Label, NX. The L series are more traditional I guess. Something for the Martin fans but the ones I've played have all been stellar. The only thing I can compare them to is Santa Cruz or maybe Collings.

I'll try and fish out some photos I took from the factory. Seeing them being made was a wonderful thing.

Whitecat · June 2020

rossyamaha said:

Whitecat said:

I wonder if @rossyamaha ;can confirm whether or not these are indeed discontinued? Is the focus on the A-series now that they do some of them MIJ too at a much lower price, or is there something else in the pipeline?

I haven't been told that they are discontinued so can neither confirm nor deny.

It's quite possibly just a good deal they fancied doing. Yes we do have Japan models in other ranges. A series, Red Label, NX. The L series are more traditional I guess. Something for the Martin fans but the ones I've played have all been stellar. The only thing I can compare them to is Santa Cruz or maybe Collings.

I'll try and fish out some photos I took from the factory. Seeing them being made was a wonderful thing.

Thanks! I wish they’d publish more “factory tour” type stuff of their own volition - there is a little bit there but not as much as I’d like. Peeking behind the curtain is fun!

FreddieVanHalen · June 2020

@rossyamaha when you played the 36 vs 56 did you notice a massive difference? Or is it the kind of subtle difference that only a connoisseur of fine acoustics would be tuned into?

Lodious · June 2020

FreddieVanHalen said:

@rossyamaha when you played the 36 vs 56 did you notice a massive difference? Or is it the kind of subtle difference that only a connoisseur of fine acoustics would be tuned into?

I'd be interested in this too, and also differences between LL26 and LL36.

Whitecat · June 2020

Lodious said:

FreddieVanHalen said:

@rossyamaha when you played the 36 vs 56 did you notice a massive difference? Or is it the kind of subtle difference that only a connoisseur of fine acoustics would be tuned into?

I'd be interested in this too, and also differences between LL26 and LL36.

I can comment on the latter! 26 is finished in poly, 36 in nitro. 36 has closed-back tuners vs open-gear on the 26. 36 has abalone/MOP purfling, the 26 does not. Most 36s I’ve seen have nicer tops too - it’s not uncommon to see a 26 exhibit some runout on the grain, whereas 36s (and 56s) tend to not, which is amazingly rare in the world of Engelmann spruce these days, they obviously have a good stash and reserve the best stuff for the highest-end guitars. Almost all of these things are cosmetic of course and 26s can still sound spectacular.

rossyamaha · June 2020

@Whitecat @Lodious ;

I'm definitely no acoustic expert. My ears are pretty damaged so any subtle differences are lost on me. They both sounded great. Much sweeter and richer than I expected. I didn't really know what to expect if I'm honest. If I had to describe it, they were all like somewhere between a Martin and a Taylor. They had the mids and body of a Martin but the clarity and depth of a Taylor. Just really well balanced.

Lodious · June 2020

y'bastards.....LS36 on the way :-)

rossyamaha · June 2020

Lodious said:

y'bastards.....LS36 on the way :-)

Don't hate the the player, hate the game. ;-)

artiebear · June 2020

No guitar yet, but I have had lovely Yamaha soundbar and sub woofer delivered this afternoon, not a bad freebie at all, beats a set of strings

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PSA: Yamaha L-series MIJ model blowout at Yamaha Music London

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