Yamaha APX-3

I have a sunburst Yamaha apx-3 that I'll admit when I first got it, I loved! I thought it was the best. $500 CAD I paid for it. That was in 2004. Now, in 2008, I'm pissed. The neck is warped big time! i've always taken care of my 7 guitars. At fret 1 the strings are 2mm off the neck. At fret 12 they're now 8mm off.

It makes it hard to play.

Any advice on repair or warranty email dfwme@hotmail.com

Spec as listed here so no need to do it again. Tuners keep spot on tune despite their small size spindles.
It is oddly neck heavy - probably because the sound box is so light. It has to be held when not actually playing it if performing stood up or it hangs neck down which is NOT cool unless you are James Dean.
The neck is beautiful! Anyone playing a 57 Strat (like me!) will take an instant shine to it. Quite slim and quick.
Provided you bought it for being the APX3 and not because you couldnt afford the APX7, this has to score a 9

Unplugged it has a really good tone - a cross between a Jumbo and a steel strung Spanish guitar. Very loud considering its small body size. Good strong bass tone and not too 'thin' at the top end.
The single cutaway lets me get up to the 16 fret or so easily - reaching the very top ones is a bit of a struggle but who goes up there on an acoustic anyway??
Through a Vox VT60 in 'black 2x12' cab mode it can simulate everything from a Spanish to a Country dreadnought and even - shock horror - like a semi-acoustic !!! All thanks to the 3 way EQ and AMF midrange tweak control.
I know this is herecy but I can get quite a reasonable electric semi-acoustic (a la Epi Casino) tone out of it by playing with the settings.
Feedsback like the very devil in a small room but in a stage setting it seems OK provided you get some air between you and the amp.

Could find no fit faults, or electronic faults. It was perfect straight from the box. Frets nicely dressed and the action just a bit higher than my Strat.
My ONLY crit is that the finish, being MATT SATIN on this model, was not smooth and seemed to have dust inclusions in the finish on the body sides.

Can't afford a backup guitar so chose my Yamaha APX3 on the basis of being bomb-proof. Provided I dont sit on it, I reckon it will survive any thing!!
Strap buttons hold my leather strap with a grip of iron - just as well as my straplocks won't fit!!
I HAVE to depend on it - and it has not let me down.

Nothing to report yet in 6 months of constant use.

Been playing since the 60's. I also have a '57 Strat and a 1966 Burns (Baldwin)Virginian.
I play Hank Marvin ad Shadows music (yes- I AM that old!) but anything that takes my fancy really.
I can't believe that I did without such a great guitar for so long.
If it were lost or stolen I WOULD buy another.
I tried 6 or 7 other guitars and makes in the shop before I bought this - including some more famous and expensive names. This little beauty won hands down - especially when plugged in.

Bought October 2003, this review 11/2003. I have no connection with Yamaha Corp. or any retailer.

Feature details in previous review of this instrument seem accurate, so I won't duplicate them. Tuners are especially good for the price. Takes and holds open tunings well. No accessories included. Not all straps fit this model due to peg placement, for example my straplock will not fit.

Acoustic sound is quite satisfactory for a thin body, but the amplified sound is exceptional for the price range. I think this is because Yamaha have used the same electronics as they have in MUCH higher priced models. Feedback not a problem, especially with the pre-amp's AMF control, which lets you choose the mid-frequency characteristics. Sounds good with almost any amp. The powerful pre-amp benefits from some fiddling with frequencies to get the right sound. Note your settings with different amps. Seems to sound quite good with almost anything, tube or solid state.

Worked right out of the box. I tried several and found some difference between them, so as always, TRY EVERY ONE IN THE STORE BEFORE YOU BUY A GUITAR!! The salespeople even like it sometimes when you do. Setup was fine. Action took a bit of getting used to after my stratocaster, but is quite playable. Finish is simple and good. Workmanship and quality control very good for this price range.

Everything solid. I didn't buy a case and it has taken some abuse, getting thrown in my car without problems. I bought it partly as a "beach guitar", and it does fine. Finish looks good, if rather plain. The 9V battery seems to last forever. I use it for gigs without backup.

No need for repair yet. A manual for the electronics would have been helpful.

I'm mostly an electric player, but wanted an acoustic sound and a playaround/songwriting guitar and this fit the bill fine. For the price, how can you go wrong? I tried every under $350 acc/elec in the store, came down to a choice between this and the Takamine, which sounded slightly better acoustic, but FAR inferior when amplified. I like the APX-3, partly because of it's rather unusual acoustic sound and feel. Yamaha have extended a successful line into a lower price point and they have done it well.

Tinted Body (That makes the price difference) with a laminate (as opposed to solid) Spruce top. Other features include a Nato neck, Rosewood fingerboard with 24 frets, Rosewood bridge, Nato back and sides, black multi-body bindings and diecast chrome tuners. Electronics include a System 46 preamp with a piezo pickup.

As an intermediate player, it had everything I was looking for.

This guitar suits my style and needs perfectly. I dont need a typical acoustic guitar sounds such as that you'd get from a Guild, Taylor or Martin etc. It offers a typical thin bodied acoustic sound and does it VERY well. The tone is rich and full when unplugged and an extra bright sparkle is added when plugged in.

The guitar was great straight from the box. No need to tweak, or fuss.

didn't get to try anything even midly abusive with it.

Haven't needed any, YET...

This guitar offers value for money (Really Inexpensive). I compared it to Grestsch, Ovation, Washburn, Takamine and this guitar came top!