Great video! I have the LLTA, and let me tell you when these LL’s start to break in its like whoa!!!! I had played a 2 year old used one, but someone else bought it before I made up my mind that I couldnt live without it. I still kick myself about letting that guitar slip through my fingers. It was the best sounding guitar I have ever heard. So I ended up purchasing a new one even though it did not sound as good and seemed really tight. This new one has started breaking in now though, and it is really starting to open up and sound so much sweeter. It’s not quite to sounding like that used 2 year old LLTA, but I can definitely see it getting there over time. I’ve found this guitar really likes the StringJoy Foxwoods, and I am thinking of bumping it up from the 12’s to some 13’s in the next couple weeks when I put the bone nut and saddle on. I really like the fuller sound that comes from a heavier gauge string. The ONLY complaint I have so far about this guitar is the plastic nut, saddle, and bridge pins. I replaced the bridge pins immediately with a set of Bob Colosi bone ones. So with a little work and time, this will be a guitar I will never sell. It has already earned a permanent spot in my heart. These do need time to open up though. What you hear in store brand new is not the same sound you will hear 3-6 months down the road. It will get so much sweeter sounding fast thanks to the engleman spruce top. But, also because of that same top it can get overwhelmed pretty easy and you have to work on your technique more to keep it from getting overwhelmed. I’ve noticed as you get going it starts to feel like a jet is starting to roar to life underneath you and it will get really muddy really quick if you let it. Lol!
I have one. My tuning keys are golden. I have changed nut and saddle. Installed bone and zero nut. It’s fantastic. Playability is fine. Good guitar for the price.
I love the Yamaha LL16. Was able to play one at a music store, and the one thing I noticed is you can get more volume when moderately strumming or picking. Yes, strumming or picking to hard causes it to be muddy. Probably the downfall to Engelmann Spruce because the bracing needs to be thicker to control the vibration. Would have been nice if they had a Sitka Spruce or an Adirondack top version of the guitar. Still a great guitar. Still may add one to my arsenal of guitars.
Hi Benjamin, I love your videos - your playing brings out the best in the guitars. Could you please tell me what song you play at 7:25 ? I have heard this old folk song before and would like to learn it..
I have the LS16 but I’m not sure about the coated strings it came with. It’s lovely though. Was looking for the perfect guitar for a year and a half and knew as soon as I heard it.
Thanks for the demo. I'm considering the purchase of an LL16, and also the LL16D. How does yours compare to the Hummingbird (looks like a Gibson) hanging on your wall?
@@megablazeikenTCG122 Thanks for the reply. I can't get my hands on either one to try. I think I'm leaning to the Yamaha. I also like the little bit of flash that the extra abalone on the D provides. Thanks again.
Good guitar but not great. I own both the LS and the LL. They are polar opposites with the LS having pronounced low mids and excellent warmth but it lacks bass like all OM bodied guitars. As for the LL, it is LOUD with good bass and lots of higher frequency detail but it lacks the warmth of the LS and can sound harsh when strumming. Mine will probably be going up for sale on Reverb in the not too distant future. Shame because I really respect Yamahs’s build quality and longevity. Having said that, some people swear by the LL and if you like the sound then roll with it because these guitars are underrated.
@@gooey_smoogy I have yet to try the LL16M and would love to. I attribute the harsh sound more to the top and bracing than the back and sides. It’s because these Yamaha tops are very responsive to pick noise and finger dynamics unlike my Martin HD35 which can be played with any pick and sound great, whereas the Yamaha only sounds good with nylon picks. On the flip side the Martin is quite useless at finger style because it isn’t as responsive as a Yamaha. I have to accept that great finger-style guitars don’t do strumming so well and the LL16 is a great finger-style guitar. I have realized that the only guitar which can replace my LL16 is an LL26,36 or 56 and that’s a road to go down some day in the future.
@@gooey_smoogy Hi! I cannot compare the magogany version with the rosewood one in my local music store, I can only order one on the internet. Which one would you recommend? I like a warm tone but I also like if the guitar has resonant lows and chimey highs. Is the mahogany version balanced enough to have a little bit of both or should I go with the rosewood one for the very chimey tone? I prefer playing chords over soloing or playing bluegrass. Btw the mahogany version is also 175$ cheaper, but I don’t want the price to be the deciding factor.
I just recently got the ls16 and am thrilled with the mids and highs but that low E string is definitely a bit muddy. HOWEVER. With finger style the entire guitar is a dream. Haven’t felt the need for an LL because I have the FGX5 (which is pretty much perfect).
Great video! I have the LLTA, and let me tell you when these LL’s start to break in its like whoa!!!! I had played a 2 year old used one, but someone else bought it before I made up my mind that I couldnt live without it. I still kick myself about letting that guitar slip through my fingers. It was the best sounding guitar I have ever heard. So I ended up purchasing a new one even though it did not sound as good and seemed really tight. This new one has started breaking in now though, and it is really starting to open up and sound so much sweeter. It’s not quite to sounding like that used 2 year old LLTA, but I can definitely see it getting there over time. I’ve found this guitar really likes the StringJoy Foxwoods, and I am thinking of bumping it up from the 12’s to some 13’s in the next couple weeks when I put the bone nut and saddle on. I really like the fuller sound that comes from a heavier gauge string. The ONLY complaint I have so far about this guitar is the plastic nut, saddle, and bridge pins. I replaced the bridge pins immediately with a set of Bob Colosi bone ones. So with a little work and time, this will be a guitar I will never sell. It has already earned a permanent spot in my heart. These do need time to open up though. What you hear in store brand new is not the same sound you will hear 3-6 months down the road. It will get so much sweeter sounding fast thanks to the engleman spruce top. But, also because of that same top it can get overwhelmed pretty easy and you have to work on your technique more to keep it from getting overwhelmed. I’ve noticed as you get going it starts to feel like a jet is starting to roar to life underneath you and it will get really muddy really quick if you let it. Lol!
I have one. My tuning keys are golden. I have changed nut and saddle. Installed bone and zero nut. It’s fantastic. Playability is fine. Good guitar for the price.
I love the Yamaha LL16. Was able to play one at a music store, and the one thing I noticed is you can get more volume when moderately strumming or picking. Yes, strumming or picking to hard causes it to be muddy. Probably the downfall to Engelmann Spruce because the bracing needs to be thicker to control the vibration. Would have been nice if they had a Sitka Spruce or an Adirondack top version of the guitar.
Still a great guitar. Still may add one to my arsenal of guitars.
I have an LL6M ARE that I found used. A great guitar in every sense.
They are!
Hi Benjamin, I love your videos - your playing brings out the best in the guitars. Could you please tell me what song you play at 7:25 ? I have heard this old folk song before and would like to learn it..
Thank you so much, appreciate it! , the song is called Church Street Blues
Подскажите, что предпочесть Yamaha LL--16m или FG-3 лучше будет?
I have the LS16 but I’m not sure about the coated strings it came with. It’s lovely though. Was looking for the perfect guitar for a year and a half and knew as soon as I heard it.
I've never liked coated strings. I'm happy to switch phosphor bronze strings often.
❤️🎶🎵👍🎶🎵🙏😎
Great video! Why are your tuning keys are silver and not gold?
It was a used one from GC and someone swapped the tuners
Thanks for the demo. I'm considering the purchase of an LL16, and also the LL16D. How does yours compare to the Hummingbird (looks like a Gibson) hanging on your wall?
It’s got punch, my humming is a Epiphone but the Ll16 s sound more like a 40s style martin
But also have a airy open tone
@@megablazeikenTCG122 Thanks for the reply. I can't get my hands on either one to try. I think I'm leaning to the Yamaha. I also like the little bit of flash that the extra abalone on the D provides. Thanks again.
checkout the fg820 im in love with mine
Hey thanks for the review. How does this guitar handled drooped tuning like Open D and C?
It’s very boomy, should work well.
Hi, it is also suited to drop tunings as it has a 25 9/16 scale, which is longer than Martin. Regards Nick
@@turrafirmaguitarchannel if it’s a longer scale drop tunings are more adequate
Good guitar but not great. I own both the LS and the LL. They are polar opposites with the LS having pronounced low mids and excellent warmth but it lacks bass like all OM bodied guitars. As for the LL, it is LOUD with good bass and lots of higher frequency detail but it lacks the warmth of the LS and can sound harsh when strumming. Mine will probably be going up for sale on Reverb in the not too distant future. Shame because I really respect Yamahs’s build quality and longevity. Having said that, some people swear by the LL and if you like the sound then roll with it because these guitars are underrated.
Have u tried the LL16m? That one has the mahogany back and sides that should provide more warmth.
@@gooey_smoogy I have yet to try the LL16M and would love to. I attribute the harsh sound more to the top and bracing than the back and sides. It’s because these Yamaha tops are very responsive to pick noise and finger dynamics unlike my Martin HD35 which can be played with any pick and sound great, whereas the Yamaha only sounds good with nylon picks. On the flip side the Martin is quite useless at finger style because it isn’t as responsive as a Yamaha. I have to accept that great finger-style guitars don’t do strumming so well and the LL16 is a great finger-style guitar. I have realized that the only guitar which can replace my LL16 is an LL26,36 or 56 and that’s a road to go down some day in the future.
@@gooey_smoogy Hi! I cannot compare the magogany version with the rosewood one in my local music store, I can only order one on the internet. Which one would you recommend? I like a warm tone but I also like if the guitar has resonant lows and chimey highs. Is the mahogany version balanced enough to have a little bit of both or should I go with the rosewood one for the very chimey tone? I prefer playing chords over soloing or playing bluegrass. Btw the mahogany version is also 175$ cheaper, but I don’t want the price to be the deciding factor.
I just recently got the ls16 and am thrilled with the mids and highs but that low E string is definitely a bit muddy. HOWEVER. With finger style the entire guitar is a dream. Haven’t felt the need for an LL because I have the FGX5 (which is pretty much perfect).