Yamaha APX600 belongs to the manufacturer’s APX series that aims to bring an affordable acoustic guitar to electric guitarists.
Additionally, it also gives players who are accustomed to steel-string guitar more versatility and playability because of its slender body.
It has the APX-shape body, 25-inch scale length, simple electronics and the promise of great sound.
Well, you cannot appreciate all the specifications if you don’t know what they really mean to the guitar.
So, I’ll share with you all my thoughts and opinions when playing the guitar. In this way, you’ll get to know what Yamaha APX600 is and isn’t.
Pros
- Has amazing looks with outstanding sounds
- Thin-bodied guitar, but delivers powerful sound output
- Action is wonderful and the strings are reliable
- Stays in tune and the built-in tuner makes tuning easy
Cons
- Neck binding is really that good
- Some aren’t satisfied with the electronics, but for its price, it’s the best you’ll get
Contents
Design & Construction
If you have the eye for detail, you’ll notice right away that there’s a little difference in this guitar, particularly, the size and shape. It has the unique APX-shaped body, like the original Yamaha series with Ivory and black body binding.
It’s a thinline single-cutaway acoustic-electric guitar made with Sitka Spruce top, three-ply Nato back and sides, as well as the glued-in neck. The body has a glossy finish, while the Neck is satin-finished, particularly for the Black model referred to this review. There are other two color options, the Natural and the Sunburst.
To complement the fit and ease of the thinline body, this guitar comes with a Rosewood fretboard that has 23 5/8-inch radius, 25-inch scale length, and 22 frets with the typical dot inlays. The Spruce soundhole has ABS + Abalone inlays, but, it doesn’t come with a pickguard.
If you look into the hardware department, mostly, you get something similar to the original Yamaha models. These include the die-cast chrome tuners and the standard rosewood bridge. I’ll just mention that the headstock has an interesting rosewood inlay, too, of course, with the Yamaha logo.
You can also find the urea nut and saddle pretty good with the black ABS with white dot bridge pins on a rosewood bridge, as mentioned earlier. This guitar has 43mm nut width with string spacing of 10mm. It has six strings gauged .012, .016, .024, .032, .042, .053.
So much for the common aspects. Now, the real deal in APX600 is the electronics, particularly the System 65 + SRT Piezo pickup and the built-in tuner. This will greatly improve the performance of the guitar and your performance, whether onstage on in-studio.
This piezo pickup system has three-band EQ controls, volume knob, and a midrange frequency slider. When you plug the guitar in, via Line Out, it will deliver a great amplified tone. The onboard tuner, on the other hand, helps you keep the guitar in perfect tune.
The overall construction is commendable and the finish and aesthetics are great, as well. The abalone soundhole rosette and the fret inlays, though, smaller simply highlights the gorgeous black glossy body of the Yamaha APX600.
Playability & Performance
From the construction itself, I can assure you that it’s fairly easy to play. The scale length is perfect, plus the cutaway helps you access the upper frets quickly and easily. Though the string spacing is narrower, the comfort of the fretboard allows you to do fast play.
The slim neck is worth mentioning, too. Aside from the fact that it gives you comfort in accessing the higher frets, it also fits in anyone’s hands. This allows you to feel the natural fit of your hand to the back of the neck, hence you to go up and down the fretboard fluidly.
Then, there’s the right action of the strings out of the box. You can easily do even barre chords at the upper frets without sweating. No buzzing whatsoever, you’ll just get one hell of a great-sounding guitar. Yet, if you feel like you need to make the action a bit lower, you can sand down the saddle to probably get around 1.75mm on the low E.
Oh, the tuning machines are very reliable in keeping the strings in tune. It even came perfectly strung, already. And, because it has a built-in tuner, keeping the guitar in tune is just a breeze.
Some players changed the factory strings to the reliable Elixir strings because they feel that the original strings are a bit squeaky and rough. Of course, it’ll feel rough, especially if the guitar has been in the display for quite some time. In my case, I just cleaned it, and the strings still work fine. Changing to newer ones will have some advantage, anyway.
Sound
I’ve been surprised at how playable it is, but I never thought it’ll have a powerful sound. With its slim body, don’t say it will not go any louder, it will. Firstly, thanks to the Spruce top, rosewood fretboard and the bridge that made this a superior guitar, not just with the built, but with tonality.
When playing this guitar acoustically, it really has a loud voice, despite its shallow body. But, it may not be super full, like the sound coming out of a dreadnought body. You cannot expect that from a thinline body shape. However, it does have well-bodied lows, crisp and bright tones.
And, of course, I shouldn’t forget to mention the pickups, since it’ll turn magical when plugged in. Through an amp, you’ll appreciate how good its sound output is, especially on the clarity. With the good and reliable piezo pickup, plus a few preamp controls onboard, it’s no doubt a great guitar.
Value for Money
As far as the sound and comfort are concerned, Yamaha APX600 is a well-priced guitar. It is equipped with steel strings that promise brighter and louder sound. And, this acoustic-electric guitar delivers, even better sound quality.
You just got a guitar made of popular tonewoods and trusted craftsmanship. It has a flawless finish to keep everything compact and intact for a beautiful-sounding guitar. The tuners and the bridge are reliable, too.
It’s a mystery how Yamaha was able to make such a great guitar and offered it at an affordable price. Anyway, it’s Yamaha and it should live by its name. So, just enjoy this wonderful guitar that really fits anyone’s pocket (I mean, budget).
Verdict
Big sounds coming from its slim body. Excellent playability and fits the hand perfectly. Loud enough, even when unplugged. These two are just among the many positive reviews of the mighty Yamaha APX600.
With a unique shape and design, this acoustic guitar features Spruce top, Nato back, sides and neck and rosewood fretboard. Both the finish and the cutaway ensure that the guitar is playable and fits any profile of the player.
From the materials, the build and the piezo pickups, everything is carefully selected to deliver the best of everything. Playing this awesome guitar is a joy to the heart.
