Yamaha AEX 1500

Earlier reviewers have given most of the relevant details. It's a laminated top archtop, smaller than some -- 15 1/2" or so at the lower bout. Mine is the blonde version, and has some quite attractive flame. Floating humbucker at the neck, and the piezo under the bridge. It has an onboard pre-amp with EQ that allows you to "dial in" the mix of the humbucker and the piezo. This is a very attractive feature. It came with a G&G case, fits snugly, very nice case. I don't think that a number rating for "features" really makes sense -- what is valuable about this guitar is the ability to blend the humbucker and piezo settings to taste.

I agree with others that this is not really a great substitute for an L-5 or comparable instrument. It doesn't have the big archtop sound; it's a laminated top with a smallish lower bout. If you *just* use the humbucker, you can get a passable straight-ahead jazz sound, but no better than that; it won't knock you over. Similarly, if you *just* use the piezo, it's not going to sound like a beautiful acoustic guitar.

But by blending the two pickups appropriately, you can get a really special fingerstyle jazz sound. That, IMHO, is where the value of this instrument lies. It's known as the "Martin Taylor" model, and I assume that Martin Taylor had some role in designing it. He uses the instrument, I think, on his CD "Portraits," and I bought this instrument because I wanted to capture the fingerstyle sound he gets on that CD -- quite acoustic-sounding, but with more presence than an acoustic. This instrument does it very well, and that's what I use it for.

I bought this guitar used from Joe Vinikow at www.archtop.com. I recommend him highly; he's got a bunch of great used archtops, and he works with his customers. The instrument came very well set up, and in immaculate condition. I can't credit Yamaha for this, since I didn't buy the guitar new, but the finish is nice.

The preamp crapped out after I'd had the guitar about six months. C'est la vie. I ordered another from Yamaha (unfortunately, it was not under warranty) and had it installed by a guitar tech. Everything's fine.

They sent me the preamp, so I guess I have no complaints (thus far) about Yamaha. I also get great customer support from Joe V. at archtop.com.

As I said, this guitar is special for the blended fingerstyle jazz sound. Otherwise, it's a pretty ordinary guitar for the money. I may replace the stock floater with a Kent Armstrong, which would likely spruce up the sound a bit. I play some other archtops, including a 1952 L-12 Custom (very similar to an L-5) and a 1968 ES-125CD. I've been playing 30 years. If this instrument were stolen or lost, I would neither buy it again nor get something else: I'm a member of GAA (Guitar Acquirers Anonymous).

first let me plug the guy who sold me this guitar, it is very rare to get the service that Eddie of dreamcatcher guitars gives. I wish you guys and gals could see the preshipping inspection list that came w/ this guitar. it seems that they go over every item on the guitar before it gets shipped. In my twenty years of buying guitars I have yet to see this. they are in roswell georgia and on the internet at guitar mall.com, thanks EDDIE for a wonderful guitarand great service.
well it finally came yesterday after a week of waiting on UPS this Aex 1500 is the nicest guitar I have owned after so many years of fender. not sure of the # of frets but it has less then my aes 1500 which has 22, so I am thinking twenty frts. this Aex 1500 has the mini humbucker in the neck and a piezo at the bridge w/ the controls and the mix on top of the guitar much like an ovation acoustic. the tuners are much like the aes 1500 in style and are gold in color as are the rest of the appointments on the guitar. I wish that guitar makers would stop putting gold on everything, better to put a high quality nickel finish which lasts and to my eyes looks better. the neck is much the same size as my lespaul DC standard which I stupidly traded for a "12str. ricky" so think 59 lespaul on the neck feel and size. the guitar is mint used and came in a black hardshell case w/ no markings and I am betting that this is not the case that yamaha sends these out in as I have the excellent Aes 1500 which came in a yamaha case and there was no mistaking the fact that this is one of yamaha's premo guitars.

when this guitar came yesterday it had #10 strings[roundwound] which I think might have been the original strings as the guitar looks so new. I was unimpressed w/ the sound a sort of ho hum tinny thin sound. but I have done much reading about what others have went through to get good sounds from it so I knew "they" were there waiting to get out{the sounds;-} it just took someone w/ knowhow to let the sounds out. it was also starting to distort more often and it sounded much like the type of distortion you get when your lapel mic battery is running down so I went and got a new battery and put in it and put new #11 gibson flatwounds on and there you go, a very fine sounding guitar {Rich Full& Bright sounding if thats what you want or darker if not}for almost everything that you don't ditort. this guitar can do a lot of sounds but its no rocker and as others have said, only slight blues distortion.
this guitar will feed back if left setting turned up by the amp, it loves to feedback and I am just crazy enough to like it. I am using the excellent line6 which will make any guitar sound fab. I tried it through my acoustic amp yesterday before changing the strings and it did not do so well,maybe it will sound better today.

this is where this guitar stands above everything else that I have ever owned {everything in twenty years of owning guitars} I cannot find one flaw and its so beautiful I am afraid to use it, much less take it out to play {but I will} I am overwhelmed w/ yamaha quality as my aes 1500 also has that going for it, but its well used and I did not buy it new. this guitars finish compares to a five grand gibson in quality. everything works well on it and it has an eboney fretboard.

this guitar should at least outlast me but it is a jazzer and by its very nature it is delicate. I would not gig w/out a backup because My other yamaha would get lonely and jealous and I can't have my grils fighting over me now can I{-;

I have not contacted yamaha yet but will shorly as this aex does not have a manual.

I have been playing over twenty years my styles range from country to mild jazz and blues. I write christian gospel music for the Lord Jesus Christ, the creator of the universe {you could too} Jesus is looking for a few good guitar players.
I have owned many guitars over the years but this is my first true jazzer. if it were lost or stolen I don't know that I could afford to buy it again but it would not make me happy to lose it. as far as what do I love about it, I cannot love an inanimte object; however, I do like its excellent sunburst finish and I don't dislike anything about it. my fav features so far are the sounds and the neck and the looks OOOOHHHH BABY! yes I compared, I always compare! I decided to buy this guitar a long time ago after I bought my aes1500 as I could not choose between the two at that time, so I bought the aes knowing that later I would get the aex. it will be my last one for a long time. I hope to be able to use this fine guitar in local churches doing the music I have written as it readily becomes an excellent playing acoustic and fits in at any social level. yes you have to consider those things when you are in you forties as people judge you a lot by your appearance after you reach a certain age. you can be dumb and ignorant up to thirty but after that you had better get your act in gear or you are the loser even if you "are" just a dumb guitarist, I am speaking from mine own experince of course and judging no one{-; thanks for reading and be carful on those internet trades!

Made in 1997 in Japan. 20 Fret laminated maple full bodied Jazz guitar with floating humbucker at neck and piezo pickup in bridge. Single volume and tone for humbucker with equaizer near neck for piezo. Binding is dark cream on a antique sunburst body.
Looks are impressive with grain in wood clearly visible. Gold fittings are a bit tarty but overall the guitar looks very pleasant.

I play jazz and blues. The beauty of this guitar is the range of tones it can come out with. Try rock and it will feedback horribly. However treat it as a jazzer or gentle blues or straight rythm and you will find the guitar coming into its own. I had real doubts about the sound until I changed the strings to chrome 12 flat wound. This compliements the guitar beautifully. It seems alergic to some strings bizarrely - wrong strings, the guitar sounds deeply inadequate.
I also own a Gibson Tal Farlow and the Yamaha can produce all the same sounds and, courtesy of the bridge pickup, a lot more. Clear brilliant sounds right through to the muddiest of throbbing jazz riffs.
First rate.

The action is fine with no buzzing although the higher frets are not as responsive as I would like. Same can be said of the Gibson Tal Farlow, so it is not a strong criticism.
No obvious flaws externally but some shavings and glue showing internally (there again who goes looking inside my guitar except me when I have nothing better to do?).
Bizarrely given the budget difference, Yamaha offers on this instrument a better level of presentation and finish than I have seen on the Gibsons I have. I had one problem with a connection but was mended by the dealer within five days, so no complaints.

Only had it for three years and so cannot state long term durability. Gigs are no problem but you must treat it delicately, again like any jazzer. Everything is fitted well and seems very solid, no loose hardward and well set up.
I think however the finish will last well but, as I say, an impression not tried and tested fact. Three years of playing and the guitar is as good as new. Interesting fact on finish - Ihave acid sweat and blemished the gold finish on Gibson Tal Farlow in one year. No such sign with the Yamaha.

Pretty naff in Europe it has to be said. However Yamaha USA have happily answered my queries. FOr a low budget guitar manufacturer, their response, detail and kindness is very impressive.

Someone said of my AEX 1500, it plays beautifully but it is not a Gibson L5 CES - and there you have it. If you are led by brands, you'll be disappointed. And as a Gibson owner as well, I am as guilty as the next guitar snob. However, Yamaha took a very interesting idea (humbucker and piezo on a full bodied jazz box) and delivered a very versatile albeit eclectic instrument, capable of a great range of sounds from the piezo and hb/piezo blended, as well as the traditional jazz Wes Montgomery sound you would expect from the pure hb.
I would buy this guitar again without a doubt and would strongly recommend it to others. A great buy. Wait a year and (sad to say) you'll pick one up cheap as Yamaha's resale values are about as cheap as my mother-in-law (who needless to say is very cheap).

A very well thought out design. The main feature of this guitar is the combination of a mini humbucking pickup and a piezo transducer in the bridge. The built-in pre amp has a three band e.q. for the transducer (with a variable mid range) and a knob for balance between the magnetic pickup and the bridge transducer. There is also a three way pickup switch, a tone control for the humbucker, and a master volume control. The body is laminated sycamore and maple and the fretboard and bridge are ebony. It a beauty to look at and comfortable to play. This model is made in Japan--I believe that Yamahas are made in Taiwan.

Unplugged, it has a better sound then you might expect from a laminated guitar, but it is unexciting (at best) when plugged in. The bridge piezo sounds like most bridge transducers (squawky mid-range, thin bottom). I was hoping to use the bridge pickup to add some acoustic ambience to the humbacker, but the humbucker's sound is dull and mushy. I know a guitar in this price range isn't going to sound like a Gibson L-5, but I'm frustrated. Maybe a different pickup would help-if anyone has a suggestion for a pickup with a great jazz sound that I could use on this guitar, please let me know. I've tried this guitar with various amps--it sounds best with an amp designed for acoustic guitar.

No problems here-I had to make a minor truss rod adjustment when I started using slightly heavier strings, but everything is put together exceptionally well. The workmanship appears to be great, and the frets are nicely finished and even.

No real problems in more than three years of ownership. There is an annoying rattle that pops up at certain frequencies, but nothing serious. The guitar still looks brand new.

I've never had to deal with the company. I don't recall how long the warranty is (or was).

In most ways, this is exactly what I want in a jazz guitar: it's comfortable to play and beautiful to look at. The sound just doesn't inspire me, and sound is (of course) by far the most important feature of a guitar.