Yamaki AY333W

I acquired this guitar from my father who got it in the 70's. Absolutely second to none acoustic guitar. The sound this masterpiece sings has hardly been outdone by the many other guitars I have played. What a vintage shape and model, everyone askes me what I am playing and are all left with the same puzzling look when I tell them. If you can, get your hands on one of these vintage possessions.

I am so pleased to have found a discussion group about Yamaki's - to many people they are a mystery!

This guitar is a flat top acoustic - rosewood back and sides with a spruce soundboard. I understand that a lot of Yamaki's had a ceder top - but this is Spruce. The pick guard is black plastic in a very unique but odd shape - it is very rounded with a spur poiunting towards the bridge. The neck is stained brown, but from the grain it looks like it is maple. Most Yamaki's I have seen have a head that is patterned after a Martin - flat across the top. The head on my guitar is larger, and there is a "scallop-cut" in the headstock - the cut is starts in the top-centre about 1/4 inch then opens into an inch and a half wide oval shape. The bridge is ebony with a bone insert. The fingerboard is rosewood.

I have used this guitar mainly for finger-picking and it has been excellent. While I have used a regular pick occaisionally, there is no pick damage on the guitar. THe tone is very clear and bright - really marvelous. Now it is over 25 years old, I get a lot of peaople asking me what it is - and where I got it. I think it holds its own in the company of Martin's and Larivee's that the folks I jam with are playing. I recently put a Lace Sensor soundhole pickup on in and that is ok - but I am considering a B-Band pickup.

The guitar was ok from the shop - I started playing all over the neck immidiately. Most other Yamaki's I have played have necks that are like a Martin but this model has a neck that is very much liked the one on my 66 Guild Starfire - very rounded and shallow. The neck is a medium width that is very easy to play. It has had a couple fret dressings - and I may have to get the frets re-done in the futurte. This guitar has never had any major repair and has been very playable all the time I have had it. I have always had light guage strings on it - so it did not fall victem to the dread "Yamaki" disease. I have not found any flaws in the guitar - and I have babied it most of the time I have had it. There are a couple of ding's but nothing major in spite of the fact it has rarely been in a case except to transport it.

Probably the weakest part of this guitar is the tuners, they are some generic Japanese make (not the fancy Yamaki branded tuners on the 3153). That said, they have lasted well for almost 30 years and continue to hang in there. Otherwise, the guitar has been solid and gets better the longer I play it.

WHat support? The company disappeared in the 70's - but then the guitar has performed wonderfully!

I have played this guitar constantly since 1975/76 and it is in wonderful shape still. It has been my constant companion and I would be devastated if I lost it or it was stolen. I have been so impressed that I recently bought another Yamaki Dreadnought (a model 3153 with a cedar top - I will review this as well) so I can keep this one in good shape and use the other for playing outside my house. This guitar is priceless to me, no matter what I paid for it! (Unfortuntately the 3153 is becoming that way too!)

I also own what I think is a Yamaki Les Paul (just purchased), a 66 Guild Starfire thin-line archtop electric (owned since 71), a Squire Strat (62 replica - I had a real 62 but it was stolen in 71), the Yamaki 3153 I just acquired, a Yamaha Nylon string (APX-5NA - really sweet little axe, a Fernandez Nomad, and a National electric lap steel (8 strings, undated - early 60's?). Of these, the 2 Yamaki dreadnoughts are favorites and they get a lot of playing time.

For may years I didn't see any other Yamaki's around, although IU beleive a fair number were sold into Western Canada in the mid-70's. Lately, however, they seem to be popping out of the woodwork. I have seen several on local used-guitar sites, and even at jam sessions and events. One was recently listed fot $900 Cdn. I suspect as more people become aware of these fabulous instrements and realize that there aren't any more coming out of the Yamaki factory, their value will go nowhere but up! I am gald I have 2 of them - and am tempted to acquire others while they are available and relatively inexpensive. If I had to replace this guitar or the 3153, I would have to buy a Martin, Taylor or Larivee and even then it would not have the aged tone this baby has. I have tried them in the stores!