Yamaha AEX 1500

The finish is a gloss over flame maple blonde. Since it's a jazz guitar it features an arched top with "F" holes, single cut-away and a 16inch body width. Tuners are yamaha but feel live grovers, very smooth. All the hardware is gold plated. The scale is a standard 25 1/2 inch and a fast slim neck with an ebony fretboard and floating bridge. It came with a neck adjustment tool, hex wrench and since my wife bought it as a present, she forgot to order a case. I bought a Gretsch case that fits it just fine. Mine is probably a 1998, so I've been playing it about 10 years. It's my primary solo gig guitar. The guitar has only 20 frets which may suit some people fine, I wish it went all the way to D. The wood is gorgeous flame maple and flame sycamore on front back and sides and has a yellow tinted blonde color that really stands out. The onboard electronics include a piezo acoustic pickup in the bridge and a humbucker at the neck. All metal parts are gold plated. The top looks simple with a pickup selector, volume and tone control. On the side however, there's more options. There's a 3 way EQ and a blender that allows you to blend the pickups together. To me, this is the most import feature. The acoustic pickup in the bridge is all treble and would be worthless without the humbucker. Blending the two produces a beautiful, warm jazz sound with a little sparkle from the bridge.

I use this guitar for solo gigs. I've tried it in band situations and it can't reach an acceptable volume when playing in a full band, without excessive feedback. The sound when I play alone is great. I almost always get favorable comments from the audience on the beautiful sound and looks of this guitar. The humbucker alone has a beautiful sound. I happen to favor the 2 together for clarity. I wish the nut width were a little wider like an acoustic, but it's a small complaint because I've been using this guitar for years now and love how it looks and sounds. I'm only giving this an 8 in sound because I've not found it very useful when playing with others because of the feedback issue. It would probably be OK if played thru a small amp and pumped through a PA but you'd have to turn the drums and bass player down an awful lot to pull that off.

The action from the factory was very good, but it came with heavy strings which I immediately changed to something lighter, then had to adjust the neck rod. The front and back flamed wood was bookmatched very tightly. It almost looks like tiger stripes with the flame really standing out. Since it's a top of the line guitar from Yamaha, it came that way. There was nothing that needed correction nor attention. The ebony fretboard was particularly beautiful because it had been polished to a high gloss finish. The one flaw that developed in the first year of my playing was a faulty input jack that started making a lot of noise and cutting out as I was playing. I replaced the jack and that solved the problem. It was easy enough to reach and replace because of a panel on the back that allows acess to the insides.

The guitar has proved more durable than I at first expected. Although it's in the medium to heavy range, arch top guitars are certainly more delicate than your average solid body. I've had to replace nothing over the last ten years and the gold hardware is hardly worn. The finish has been extremely durable and I've scratched the back a bit with belt buckles but it still looks like a new guitar. The over-sized strap buttons have been solid and reliable. I like over-sized; less chance of an accident. The only time I've carried another guitar to a solo gig is when I'm playing in other tunings and don't want to re-tune during the gig.

I've never had to deal with an issue on this guitar. The output jack I replaced was simple enough to do myself. The guitar came with a lifetime warranty and I have no reason to believe that Yamaha wouldn't back it up.
Without real experience dealing with the factory I'm only going 7 on this category

I've been playing over 30 years, started playing guitar at 12.
I bought this guitar because I was impressed with Martin Taylors solo jazz style and I learned a bunch of his songs and then expanded to writing my own. I own about 8 guitars and they all have a place in my playing. For band gigs I play single coil solidbodies. For solo or duo gigs I play acoustic or archtop guitars. One guitar has a whammy bar which I like to use on some songs. Others I keep in various tunings. The three issues I'd like differently on my Yamaha are the weight when it's in a case, the overly bright acoustic pickup and the fingerboard nut width. None really bother me much, just something I'd prefer over what it is. I didn't compare this guitar to any others when I bought it because there weren't any other jazz guitars that featured acoustic and electric capabilities. I'm considering either replacing the piezo on this guitar or just adding a different one so that I could play it as an acoustic electric without using the humbucker. Maybe some day I will, but I enjoy this great guitar a great deal as it is.

MIJ, laminated, humbucker and a piezo pickup,yamaha tuners

Jazz, and all its little Niches can be well covered here. As for the amp I use a blues deville 410 MIM and am very happy with the results. Very Very Warm tones, I am a big fan of the tubes amps it just make the guitar sound real

everything was perfect from the factory even the action was set the way I like it

As far as hollowbodys go this is sturdy but that doesnt mean its indestructable.

I have been playing 9 years, and on top of this guitar I have an ovation 1763 classical, and an american deluxe stratocaster. The amps are a yamaha DG80 210 modelling amp and a fender Blues Deville. If stolen I might get a heritage H575. I love that it doesnt feed back like a carved top, I hate that it isnt a carved top but I really enjoy the neck it is the best neck I have ever played on plain and simple. Compared to other guitars there isnt much in its price range except maybe a nice used heritage (both are great deals). On a final note if its good enough for Martin Taylor its certainly good enough for you.

Superb In every way: much better than the Gibson ES135 that I sold to buy it.
Original humbucker! I wouldn't change it.
Mine is the Sunburst version

Superb. I cannot understand the pickup comments by other users as this guitar gives a unique sound, especially when mixing the two pickups.
Read the comments like "doesn't sound like an L5" An L5 doesn't sound like an AEX1500! I like a hint of brightness and definition to my jazz box sound.
Listen to Martin taylor in the 90's, Chuck Loeb on his album "eBop", Listen to Vinny Valentino of late.He alternates between a AEX1500 and a Yamaha SA2200.
It's got to be the most versatile Jazz box on the market

As well made as any guitar that I have owned, or ever played.
Superb neck and action.

Not owned long enough, but should be fine

Jazzer with mini humbucker and piezo in the bridge. Acrive pre-amp, superb blond maple finish and ebony fretboard. Gold hardware, stunning looker! Great for jazz, blues and acoustic work.

Deep jazzy tones from the humbucker. The tone is superb, just add fingers! Piezo produces a useable acoustic sound, albeit not quite there if you use flatwounds. However, very good with acoustic strings. Pre-amp is useful tool for blending the sounds, although you're stuffed if the battery fails. Leaving that aside the sound is great. I played in a big band recently (doing my Freddie Green impersonation) and the sound was spot on. Never had problems with feedback, but then I play mostly clean.

Bought from one of New York's 48th Street stores in September 2000. I tried every jazz guitar in the shop before settling for this one. Flawless in every respect, a perfect jazz box.

It's lasted 7 years so far, although I have not gigged it that regularly - thse duties fall to the Strat. It's my "Sunday best" guitar. It's reliable and still looks new. However, I would not go into a live situation without spare batteries for the pre-amp.

Never needed it!

Been playing for 30 years, with a Gibson Marauder as my main guitar until the 90s, when I switched to Strats. Always wanted a jazz guitar and this was the best I could find. If lost I would collect the insurance and buy another, if stolen, I'd start a small war.

Beautiful finish and figured woods, absolutely faultless finish all round. Lets face it folks, the Japanese have got it together,this is a beautiful design and sits comfortably, not too heavy either.
The idea of a piezzo and humbucker on the same instrument, separated or blendable seems to be yamaha's invention, i did own the AEX 500 at one time.
Great because you can be playing electric guitar then switch to a real accoustic sound in a split second! That is so useful.

Don't expect a Gibson or heavy duty jazz sound, the stock humbucker pickup is in my view the worst thing about the otherwise faultless guitar. It is also a real problem trying to find a replacement that will fit the space. HOWEVER my clever guitar tech found a way: I noticed the Seymour Duncan SM1 mini HB's were the right size, although body mounted. I bought one, and he managed to extract it from its casing and get it into the casing of the Yamaha p/u! It works beautifully and now the guitar sounds more like a Gretsch doing jazz..and has a lot more character.
I play it through a variety of amps including a custom built 5 watt valve (class A)(for jazz sounds), a fender blued deluxe, Roland BC30, Fender Accoustasonic Jnr. With the accoustasonic there are 2 channels..one can be set for the accoustic p/u, the other for the humbucker and a simple footswitch used to route the signal for fantastic sound.
Accoustic sound: excellent if you adjust the graphic properly, also RECORDS exceedingly well, so have used it in the studio a fair bit.

No flaws, all fine and dandy

Any hollow archtop will produce feedback given half a chance, not its fault really! Most yamaha guitars are built to last, witness the early ones that still turn up everywhere. Actually the build is not unlike that of the Gretsch Double Anni i have, which was made in the Terada factory...maybe AEX came from there too?

No dealings necessary

Been playing 38 years, have masses of kit of all kinds inc guitars, but this one gets played in a jazz duo (2 guitars)
One GREAT thing is that when there are only 2 guitars, its really good if they sound significantly different to each other. Nothing out there really sounds like this one so thats great.

feature packed,

Needs f-hole plugs for live playing or preamp setup which controls feedback. Other than this it is a dream.It is a bit subdued as strictly an acoustic, but amped it is a sonic masterpiece.

Superb, with a bit of fine tuning setup. Rock solid neck etc..

yes to everything on this one.

No use for this, but I know Yamaha, and they'll break their back for you.

You can't buy a better jazz box for the price in my opinion. I've used it live and it got all you want.

1997 The neck is solid as a rock. Frets have remained tight and with minimal lineup work this guitar has fingering to die for.

A bit prone to feedback live, but with preamp help it is great.

Factory setup- rating good

Never needed anything.

10- Best box for the money I think.

fit and finish is very precise and well done.

alot has been said about the non gibson sound of this instrument, and while i agree i do not think this is a problem.The ability to blend magnetic and transducer style pickups allows a full and tonaly accurate and articulate guitar. another interesting observation is allthough inspired by a finger style guitarist, this instrument has great potential when played in a plectrum style.This guitar is a versatile jazz box, and with the right selection of strings has great vintage jazz sound, mellow not muddy. If you like 9's 0r 10's for strings, stick to your 335

the fit and finish of this guitar is without a doubt in the range of guitars costing three to four times its price. I have owned, setup and restored many gibsons over 45 years of playing and the quality over this time has become poor at best, even the custom shop could take lessons from these fine luthiers at yamaha

archtops have some inherant frailtys, however yamaha has built a sturdy and road worthy jazz box capable of constant professional use with normal care.

n/a

i have been playing and working on guitars for 45 years, if lost or stolen i would replace this guitar, as for the price i do not feel you can get a better instrument. i have owned gibsons and played them for many years and i wont compare this guitar to a 60s or 70s vintage L-5 or a johny smith, however if you have played recent gibsons,even custom shop versions i think you will have to admit that the "new gibsons" are just not the instrument they use to be

This is a follow-up.
Yamaha uses the same battery case as on their lowest line of guitars, perhaps they shouldn't. Because this jazz wonder is obviously a professional guitar, and must be absolutely reliable.
I had some problems with this battery case, with some batteries the contacts are not tight and you get pops, noises and even sound interruptions. It is absolutely unacceptable!
I had a bad time during a gig because of this, and you're stuck because even with the balance full on the humbucker you ain't got no sound without battery! Dumb. On the other hand the design is symetrical so you can use a non-shielded very long cable without any problems, provided you don't use a pod or v-amp that are too touchy.
A zoom 503,for instance, works perfectly.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR BATTERY CASE, CONTACT-WISE, VERY CAREFULLY!
For the record, our drummer(yes, in very rare cases it happens) provided the solution: another battery... Thanks again pal!

This is a follow-up, I have this axe since 2001 and it only plays better. Better acoustic sound, and now I put normal electric strings (011-052, but with wounded 020 g-string) and I have better electric sound than with the elixir gore.
I set the action very low and I discovered it wasn't necessary because it plays wonderfully. I can't explain well but it always plays right, detuned a half tone or with higher action, I feel this guitar has some strenght in it, not like the others flatboxes I checked through the years.
As for the tone no problems, only gems newly found. The para-eq works well to reject feedback, but as I'm lazy I drive the yam through a zoom 504(first version, 18bit instead of 16 for the 2nd...) and I just stomp on the pedal if feedback occurs: the zoom faaastly find the faulty frequency and stops the feedback! It is magic, no other words.
Lately I found that driving the zoom through a behringer mic200 tube preamp gave the sound a far better snap and warmth, best of both worlds.
I have to say I don't like to play live with this guitar, too precious and things happen. But in the rehearsal room it does very well, but again I don't have John Bonham as a drummer hee hee.

I can only quote sir royce(or his pal i don't remember): Quality still lasts, when the price is long forgotten.
Not to mention it is very cute to look at, everyone of my pals wants this.

Japan-produced Jazzbox, laminated maple, very proper finish,
at first sight a very traditional style; but with some modern features
like the blendable Piezo-Bridge- PU. The look of the EQ-Unit doesn't
suit very well to the rest of the instrument - Yamaha could do this
one better!!
I found the neck-playability very comfortable for me as a player
with "medium gauge"-hands, tuners work very smooth. Guitar comes
with an excellent hard case.

I'm a Blues Player, who made some steps into the jazz-jungle - also
try to do some interesting fingerstyle stuff (Chet Atkins-Duke Robillard - Danny Gatton-Joe Pass- Martin Taylor are my favourite material)and for this the AEX 1500 is a very good, professional tool.
Mostly I play it over a KOCH Multitone-Combo or my old Yamaha G 50-Combo with very little Reverb and I have no problems to get some
sounds, that I really like (warm, rich, full).The piezo blended to the HB-Neck-PU is really
great for fingerstyle-playing, it adds some crisp presence. The piezo sound
alone isn'nt very useful to me. With this guitar I've not so much
feedback-problems in a Band-context, as I had with other Jazzboxes.
As I'm really not a great Jazz-Cat - nearly every time I had this guitar at a Jam-Session, Workshops or so, there were people who come around saying: oh what a nice, full sound,... what a lovely guitar ,
ooh, it isn't a Gibson and so on ......

I play the guitar today as I bought it 1,5 years ago . I only changed
the Roundwound-strings to Thomastik-Jazz-flatwounds (12-Gauge).
The overall finish of this instrument is very fine - high japanese
workmanship standard - I owned several much more expensive guitars which
were not produced in that accurate way.

I Play my guitars mostly at home and sometimes on sessions, club gigs
etc. The Yamaha is a professional tool , which seems to make always
a good job without any allures.
You have to watch about the Battery status of the active PU - but
until today I haven't found any weak points in the construction.

The warranty is about 24 months - until today I have no idea, why I should have to use it!
No experiences with the Yamaha Customer Service!

I play guitar for 30 years (with more or less intensity....).My other gear
includes: Yamaha SA 2200 (also great ...), Gibson Les Paul Classic,
Framus Jan Akkerman-Model, G+ L-Tele, G+ L Strat, Music Man Silhouette,Larrivee D 05, Albert + Muller S 4 and a Lakewood A 32.
(and I owned many more in these years ago..)I would buy this guitar
again, if it would be lost or stolen. For any guy, who wants to lay
his hands on a real well made, good and flexible sounding Jazzguitar
I would recommend this one !
In this price range you would hardly get a better instrument!

All covered. Won't repeat.Mine has a honeyburst finish. Looks great.

This is the bit I would like to comment on.
Spent a lot of time trying to get the traditional Gibson jazz sound using flatwounds etc. Now realise that this is a different animal. Best seen as an acoustic guitar and played fingerstyle. It was designed with Martin Taylor in mind after all. His instructional video shows how the guitar can sound btw. Anyway now strung up with roundwounds (Elixer nanoweb 12's) and am a lot happier. Lovely acoustic sound with depth from the humbucker. Sounds good through my Polytone but continuing the acoustic theme,I intend to investigate an AER acoustic amp.
Bottom line: If you expect a Gibson jazz sound you will be disappointed. However it for fingerstyle jazz, it's happening.

Excellent build quality. Yamaha know what they are doing with quality control.

Treat with care and should last a lifetime.

In the UK, excellent. Requested wiring diagrams and other info.
All sent to me promptly.

Playing 40+ years. Owned all manner of gear. Use another Yamaha SA1200S (again excellent quality). If lost or stolen may invetigate the Godin Multiac for the same style. All the latest Godin's I've tried are great value.
Current use Strats, Teles and a Godin with P90's

Natural color, flashy bookmatched tiger maple, I put the pickguard away and it looks far better. 20 perfect installed frets, nothing will hurt your fingers here. Wise electronics, and passive master volume (great: you can disable the battery case when jack is plugged, convenient onstage to save batteries between sets).
The toggle switch(piezo-jazz pu-both) is a good idea to change sounds fast, but you hear it through the piezo... Come on, yamaha...
Tuners very accurate and smooth, a pleasure.
Well done guitar, far beyond the price asked for it. So you dare to take it live... Oh, and it comes with a good case with a strap to carry it in addition of the usual handle: very smart(it's a big baby you know)!

Here is the funny thing: I don't care about jazz! I wanted an ergonomical, atypical, pretty guitar and I found it. Let me explain before firing me:
The body is only 8-9cms deep and the saddle is high(archtop...) so it's very much natural for me(I am not a tall guy).
Construction-based the neck is close to you (not in the same line of the guitar) and it is very better to play without stretching your forearms muscles.
The scale lenght is atypical:640mm, longer than a gibson and shorter than a fender. For me it is perfection because it rings good but I still can play easily.
The sounds... Best piezo I've tried, accurate and warm. And mixed with the jazz pu you do what you want(I play with my fingers on the piezo only and when I use a pick I mix the jazz pu to have milder and midder tone, therefore matching the two sounds I use most).
Perfect if feedback is not an issue,though. (I heard that George Benson's guitarist is playing this very guitar so I figure it can't be wrong...!)
On the acoustic side I tried one which sounded about half as loud than mine(which was then new...) and it was not enough. Mine is loud enough for living room use, and with the pick and Di Meola stuff you hear this guitar from far;-) I mean it responds well for what it is.
Not a bassy guitar but you gessed it I think

Perfect. Maniac japanese luthiers.
Oh, if you look inside where the tail is fixed they used a poor block of cheap wood to reinforce the spot. I find that a real shame since everything else is near to perfect.
At least it will last long without problems and I like that.

I once had a nut problem with an apx 4-12 and they needed 10 weeks to send me a replacement nut... So better be a good prayer!

I like it much, and it is so unique I would buy another one without doubt. It's like it was made especially for me, incredible. I won't play a flat top again, that's for sure! Except for a nylon strings,but that's another story...
I just wish they make a silent toggle-switch, in fact I will on mine.
Price-performance ratio impossible to beat IMHO. That's all folks!

Made in Japan, purchase in the year 2000. Laminated Arch Top with 1 volume, 1 tone knob and a 3 way switcher. Pickup will include a std Yamaha minihumbunker and piezo on the bridge. Piezo should be active while the humbunker should be passive, but will require battery as hum does not work without battery.

Neck should be maple with ebony fret board. Finish of the guitar should be highly flamed top, side and back with a single cutaway. It has a 15 3/4 inch lower bout and a 2 3/4 inch thickness.

Floating ebony bridge with bone nut and a gold coloured byrdland tail pieces included accessories will be a beautiful hardcase. Tuner are Yamaha's.

The reason for the 7 on features are due to the fact that Yamaha uses low quality pickup for a should be above average guitar, And pickup are crucial to electric guitars.

Giving the guitar a good strum you will immediately realise its accoustic quality. Plugging in for the first time, I realise it does have load of problems like feedback, buzzing string and its lack of tonal quality jumps at you. With immediate effect I purchase a Kent Armstrong handwound pickup and brought it to the guitar shop to have it setup with guage 12 flat wound.

Running it through my 65 Fender Twin Reverb, these works had transform the guitar into a mellow, accoustic sounding pleasure, buzzing is gone but feedback was stubborn. Went on to search for a feedback control device, found the Accoustic DI from LR Baggs and that provided the finishing touch.

Feedback had been cut down and the accoustic qualities had been accentuated. It will provide a full Jazz quality sound and will be equally capable of sounding best when played fingerstyle. If like me Jazz is your game than this guitar will perfectly suit your need, otherwise seacrh elsewhere as this is a feedback monster when you add on distortion.

The cutaway had certain rough spot and there are two very minor crack on the paint job of the guitar shoulder under the lacquer finishing, not enough to be notice unless scrutinised closely this may be common due to drying effects in different weather. Other than these minor complaints the guitar is well build and finished. I would definitely suggest that anybody purchasing a new guitar to have it sent for professional setup, this will help to solve unknown problems and provide for individuality.

All Archtop requires care in handling, it has been with me for 3 years and still retain the glow and shine when I first had it. It will, I believe last you a life time if well taken care of. It is also a very dependable instructment and had not fail on me before.

Do not know as I have never dealt with them before.

I have been playing guitar since I was 11, but only got serious these couple of years. Other guitars that I own are Gibson ES175D, Epiphone Sheraton with Gibson 57 plus pickup and a couple of Accoustic. I would definitely buy another but would hate to lose this one as I had already set it up to my fancy, the price had gone up quite a bit too after my purchase.

This beauty has a fast neck, and its small size is comfortable for a small guy like me. The piezo will provide a beautiful Jazz fingerstyle alternative, but will definitely not fit a complete accoustic bill.

The observation that I had made by comparing with my Gibson ES175D is that this guitar had more accoustic quality, while the Gibson is more dark and moody (Jazz style) when played with the neck pickup. The Gibson is versatile and capable of rock and roll, its fault lies in its reliance on amp power, it sound dead accoustically. I can enjoy the Yamaha accoustic quality without having it plug in, but would never part with either.

I believe the best that I can afford is right before me, these instrument are just a means to my goal and that is to play well. Like others the desire to have something better will always be there. Here an advice from Larry Coryell(Jazz Great), (The type of instruments that we are playing will be meaningless if our playing is not there and our finger does not speak the same language as our heart). These are not the exact words but close enough.

has both piezo pickup and mini humbucker that you can blend together or use seperate also has tone controls for each, the acoustic sound that this guitar produces is amazing not the same as my taylor but a nice sound of its own really nice when you blend it with the humbucker , the fretboard is eboney very nice finish , the neck is very narrow for a jazz box very nice feel to it. the top is flamed maple mine is the sunburst finish very classy looking , beautiful finish very good craftmanship in building this guitar.

great warm jazz or blues sound from the minihumbucker , the acoustic sound is very nice also , nice variety of sounds .

the guitar showed up with excellent action setup nicely, great feel ,the finish is flawless , beautiful wood .

my control pots have become loose and needed tightening other than that built very well .

havent dealt with them yet.

well worth the $1200 that i spent i would buy it again it has become my favorite guitar of the seven that i own ,i use it playing for my church in a praise and worship band , if you have any questions about this guitar feel free to e-mail me at guitarhal@juno.com.

22 frets. spruce top. one volume, one tone, controls on the upper outer edge for peizo and a three way selector switch. one floating small humbucking pick up, floating ebony bridge. this guitar has an active preamp. its in the stlye of a med to small bodied jazz guitar with a stressed, arched top. its slightly thinner then your average jazz box. great tuners holds (rough) tuning for days. came with case and lucky for me a lead (woo hoo). gets a high score for the peizo.

well i play jazz on it... but yes it caters very well to a varitey of sounds i need within that sphere however it does not have the perfect tradtional jazz sound its quite a lot brighter and more lean. with enough tamporing and the right set up i'm sure it could easily have those sounds though. absolutly no noise. i rarely use the piezo but evertime i do i'm pleasently surprised. it a very passable stage sound acousticly but with my flat wounds it does sound alittle dull.

the guitar was perfect for me. a very slim/ fast neck for a jazz guitar and a fairly small body make for comfortable playing. its sutnning to look at, mine is a faded burst with gold hardware. absolutly no noise in the controls.

hmmm well i must confess i have played a rock n roll set with it. believe me it can be done theres no wrong in doing it. i fear the floating bridge waw built to take the punishment of this but fair enough. as far as it goes i don't have to replace the battery in this nearly as much as my nashville tele and i have the absence of mind to leave this guitar plugged in. nice generous strap buttons, very solid. its very dependable. i use it often without back up.

I have been playing for seven years. i own a nashville special telecaster with a piezo (kill me, two active guitars i will be buying 9v batteries till the day i die) i compared it to and epiphone and an ibanez. they're both in the same price range and there is no comparason to be certain. this guitar is miles above the rest. the epiphone sounded very weak and the ibanez had lots of fine charator but little versatility. for the money its unbelievable.

Hello kind reader, I'm re-submitting a somewhat abbreviated but importantly amended update to my earlier review one just below. An astute reader kindly remarked that 9/16 of an inch was an impossible measurement for string clearnce from the neck pick up and he was very-very right! That was a mistake I should have noticed on proofing my review thoroughly and the correct measurement is anywhere in the neighborhood of 9/32 to 7/16 of an inch.

In my earlier review I felt that I found my ideal set-up amp wise and that has remained the same. However, important detail changes in the amp were made and I wish to share them. I play through a 2X10 60w Crate Tube amp and single 12" speaker ext. cab, truly a great, yet affordable, smaller to medium size combo and cab. I feel that no boutique solid state amp can produce the detail that a full tubed, in this case, 7 tubed (5 pre amp, 2 power) amplifier can. A solid state may give you a reliable, convincing sound if you play the same settings day in and out with this guitar, I agree, but very little else in terms of tailoring a unique sound. I found that with the AEX it is preferable to have the power section work harder than the pre amp so that feedback can be kept to a reasonable minimum and so that the output signal is fully detailed without being mushy. I'm now using a Svetlana 6L6GC matched duet; what a marvelous, modern 6L6 tube, simply amazing, so detailed and rich and virtually no microphonics! For your pre amp, find the best East European 12AT7/ECC81 for your phase inverter stage (I found what appears to be an unlabeled and older NOS Yugoslav tube, it maybe a JJ though) it so critical to have a relatively quiet, controlled yet powerfully detailed signal get to your power tubes to fully interpret the AEX's very complex signal and most of the heavy work in getting that through the pre amp depends on this critical stage. 3 12AX7s, in this case the Electro Harmonix EHs are a great modern high performance tube that work well with virtually no microphonics are used in the 3 remaining tone shaping and pre signal stages. Again, very critical to get it to suit your needs correctly so tube swap carefully and really listen to your results. Definitely get a JJ Tesla 12AU7 for your reverb/presence drive, most likely a 12AT7 can't deliver there. Finally and very important to note is your choice of cable: Monster Cable Performance 500 Jazz model available in various lengths, 12 or 21 feet should be reasonable and it is world class standard in performance. Thanks again to that kind reader's remarks and finding my mistake. As always, please feel free to ask any question or share your comments and insights with me.

The electronic features of this model have been delved into considerably. Therefore, what I would have written here would be paraphrasing just about everything others have contributed in describing this unique guitar. The feature that really stands out for me, far and away the most important aspect of the instrument, is the quality of the woods used in it's solid and excellent design and construction and once that is appreciated, the shortcomings of the poor to adequate factory set-up that everyone should have been really be harping about should be seen as just that.
What was very troubling for me hardware wise is Yamaha's rather glib choice of their generic looking and functioning low geared tension tuners. A fundemental understanding that stronger tuning machines are needed for jazzers was ignored. I remedied that right away by replacing those clumsy, broad paddled excuses with a gold plated set of Grover tulip-bell shaped tuners, a night to day improvement in string tension and tuning, the fit was perfect as is, and aesthetically the headstock looks like a true classic jazzer with them. On to the second hotly contested gripe with the insrument-the mini humbucker. In a word it is 'excellent', clean, even, and very powerful and you wouldn't know it with the reviews below. The reason however is one that involves care and understanding of acoustic electric jazzers and all electric guitars in general for that matter. The setup of the pickup is what is at fault, is as, it was pathetically set too high, on my guitar literally 1/8 of an inch clearance from the strings. This is where I would love to give the pious who faun over their Gibsons a piece of my mind...did you bother to notice that the set up was all wrong? The answer is fairly obvious kind reader...The ideal clearance for string vibration is in the neighborhood of 9/16 of an inch, and, if you have nimble, confident and handy fingers and could do a modification, by all means do it. Moving the pick up will involve some handiwork including some ingenuity with using small tapered wood dowel plugs for filling in the existing mounting holes and some miniature precision drilling for the new holes in order to set up a new lower position for mounting screws for the pickup clamp which is non-adjustable and the reason for all of this in the first place. If you can't do this yourself, bring your guitar to a luthier with a care worn visage that reflects experience with jazzers. So far, 2 changes made but we're not finished just yet. The pickguard, very classic in it's huge gaudiness and curves and yet, as is, conributes to feedback problems. I cut it down to resemble a slim pickguard look, like on a Benedetto, which exposes a good portion of the lower F hole which would otherwise be covered producing an eddying and buffering that gets caught in the neck pickup. This is an excellent guitar and if Yamaha really focused on set up details with it no doubt it would be more expensive because of the tinkering and extra work that would have to go into a rethinking a proper setup it deserves and so I don't completely disagree with those who say 'you get what you pay for' but I see that statement as rather myopic and snobbish. I did more work on my guitar which would be so boring to describe in all of the tedious detail but it was worth it. Potentially, this is one of the finest guitars you can own if you have a loving appreciation of acoustic electrics. Can you imagine if Yamaha decided to make just a plain, one pick up version of this guitar thus leaving the body completely clean of cut outs for the piezo electronics...? I can.

Fantastic sound, period. I play her through a 2X10 all tube 60 watt combo that has Celestion Vintage 10 speakers and an excellent reverb stage. My clean channel has no gain control so therefore volume settings on the amp are at full gain. This is signicant because that is quite a bit of juice for a jazzer and those who play through tube amps know that great tubes and speakers make the difference, especially in delivering beautiful clear sounds at pronounced volumes that have the effect of filling a sound scape in a way that is like a piano with it's foot pedals pressed for sustain. This guitar can do all the beautiful churnings of that reflect Wes' hearty palette as well as a myriad of deep and clear sounds a la J. Smith, tone dial settings on the guitar are great. I hardly use the piezo and will go to it when chord comping has to be gentler in tone with a mini humbucker/piezo blend or articulation in the bridge has to accentuated there with finger picking away from the warmer area of the string near the neck pickup. I found that Thomastik jazz swing series medium strings to be the best match thus far, fantastic strings, try'em and you will find that they are very mellow and rich in timbre.

Beautifully binded in cream and black 5 and 2 ply through out, ebony fingerboard with tasteful pearl dot inlays, excellent frets, very cleanly profiled. The neck...superb and comfortable, not figured maple but a beautiful selection of bonded rock maple. If you ever have to remove the piezo back plate you will notice a nice hunk of mahogany used to set the neck. Ebony and bone floating bridge and a bone nut. My guitar is the blonde/light amber finish which captures the excellent flame of the maple in all it's aspects. I wonder what a hand carved spruce top would sound like once in a while, and then I realize this is a very fine laminated box. C'est la vie.

I like this guitar's comfortable smaller dimensions which translate for me an ease in playing situations that 17 inch lower bouted guitars just can't provide. This guitar is very dependable once you get to learn it's particular idiosyncratic qualities. I'd use it without a back up and it is always treated as a hollow body jazzer, lotsa TLC.

I haven't dealt with Yamaha directly or indirectly in relation to anything involving the guitar but I've heard good and favorable things from others who have concerning their axes.

What I really love about this guitar is its depth of tone and in all honesty I have to once in a while turn a blind eye to how much wood had to be cut out for the piezo controls and back panel. Like I mentioned before I really hope that Yamaha makes a simplified one pickup version of the AEX-1500 and again would it be a thing or me of seeing a cleaner body with the same acoustic characteristics, who knows? What I do know is that this is a very sensitive instrument and a lot of time and consideration has to go into really understanding it. I'm partial to mini humbuckers as my other guitar is Gibson's excellent Nighthawk Landmark solid body which can emulate a hollow body jazzer because of its excellent woods and pickups but the AEX has far more larger jazz tone naturally when I consider it more objectively and subjectively too. I compared the Yamaha to several Guild's and Dearmond's, an older Ibanez and my AEX held its own unique voice in distinction to them. For everything I described in my modificatons to the guitar I can only hope it inspires other owners to think twice about giving up on it and I would welcome any correspondence to further explain what I did and to share some photos of my work.

Mine's a antique sunburst finish. Bought it new from Yamaha - the agents had it in the shop window for ages. Apparently nobody wanted it so sold it to me for a good price. I think it was about US$900. Features are covered in previous reviews.

Nice range of sounds, but it tends to feedback more than I like. My band has to fit in quite a small area, so the Yamaha is very prone to feeding back from the other musicians - notably the bassist. The piezo sounds quacky if used alone, but dial in the humbucker and it mellows out well. The humbucker if used alone sounds a bit muddy. Once again, dial in the piezo and you're OK. I use roundwounds cos I think flatwounds are too dull for this guitar. The guitar seems unusually sensitive to string types and gauges.

No complaints here. Set up well, nice finishes.

So far so good. Had it about 2 years.

No experience here.

I play jazz and honestly, this Yamaha is a far cry from my L5CES. You get what you pay for, so don't expect miracles. This guitar is very good value however, and is a good introduction to the seduction of jazz boxes. I've been playing 28 years.

Bought my Aex 1500 18 months ago from a dealer in Yeovil , Somerset , England. Very impressed with the support and service provided. Maple /blonde finish. complete with sturdy hard case. Only complaint was the lead provided by Yamaha, about 3 feet long and of dubious quality, Why bother insulting a #1500 guitar with a # 2.00 lead?? The tonal palate available from the pick ups is enormous.It sounds brilliant through an AER compact 60 amp .The battery life seems to be about 1 year, tone quality going 'off' before the warning light came on! Play ability is superb.the neck and action is close to heavenly. I run 052's to 012's which seem to suit it well.

The guitar provides every sound I require and more. It cuts through in a 7 piece band but produces mellow tones for solo work.The graphic and mixing facility is superb. It really suits the AER compact 60 amp I use .

Finish was superb, I've had some dodgy fret finishes on some ( more expensive) guitars, this was excellent from the word go and after a reset at 1 year old, I can't see how the guitar could be bettered in this category.

I have had no problems in the 18 months of ownership. The metal work looks like new, there are no blemishes on the wood. i never take a backup on gigs either!

No probs so no comment.

Have been playing for 29 years. I own an epiphone emperor in addition , which I use as a 'practice guitar' when away on vacation etc. I would have to replace the AEX if it were 'lost'. It is such a versitile instrument with such a varied tonal range and superb playability. I couldn't find anything to match it in the 'mass produced' sector of the market at the time of purchase

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.