Yamaha LL acoustics?

Started by Mikeymac, November 19, 2014, 03:23:31 PM

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I know some folks here have discussed the Yamaha FG series acoustics.

Anyone own/play the L or LL series? Looks like these (or some of them) are made in Japan.

I was looking at the lefty LL16RL ( link ).

Anyone? Thanks.
2021 C-03R TE left-handed
Larrivee owner since 1992

I have a Yamaha LL500.  This was the top of the handcrafted Yamaha line from 1999-2003.  Retailed for about $1500.  It is a great guitar, very articulate and responsive.  Sounds quite similar to my D10 Brazilian.  The equivalent model today would be the LL36, which retails around $3000.   The LL500 is very well crafted with quality woods and very intricate bindings and inlays.  Huge mellow sound.









https://soundcloud.com/247hoopsfan

1971 Yamaha FG200 (My original guitar)
1996 Yamaha DW5S
2002 Yamaha LL500
1990 Goodall Rosewood Standard
2007 Larrrivee JCL 40th Anniversary
1998 Larrivee OM5MT
1998 Larrivee D10 Brazilian "Flying Eagle"
1998 Larrivee D09 Brazilian "Flying Eagle"

I've never played one Mike, at least I don't think so but I know I've heard nothing but good things about them. These are the higher end Yammies and I would expect good things from them. I'm a big fan of Yamaha having owned quite a few of them. Not much help, I know.
Nice guitar Hoopsfan!  

i have a friend with a Yamaha LL-10 from around 1987 and its a wonderful guitar with great handmade craftsmanship.
all solid woods and beautiful finish. i remember playing it in the store before it was sold and it blew away the other guitars in the store.  I bought my fg450 at the same time and its aged into a fantastic sounding dread as well.
I'd have no reservations about recommending solid wood yamahas.
1975 Larrivee L style
2006 Larrivee OM-03 MQ
1967 Ovation Josh White signature, 12 fret, shiny bowl
yamaha fg450sa
washburn mg-70
line6 variax 300
Parker pm20 quilted bubinga
epi Thunderbird IV bass

Quote from: ducktrapper on November 19, 2014, 03:50:07 PM

Nice guitar Hoopsfan!  


Agreed ...  :+1:

I assume that was made in Japan? I *think* the one I'm looking at is, too.

Our local mom 'n' pop is a Yamaha dealer, and I think they have a righty version of the one I'm interested in - I'm gonna check it out tomorrow. Then I'll know country of origin and how the neck feels, how it sounds, etc.

One spec I like is 1 3/4" nut - uncommon on other Yammies.

I had ordered a Epi Casino through the store last July - it STILL hasn't arrived, and they got an e-mail last Friday saying the earliest it would be here is March (that's nine stinkin' months! It doesn't take that long to build a custom Larrivee!!!).

So I think I'm gonna apply the money from the Casino to order the Yamaha LL16RL... it will cover about half the cost.

Developing...
2021 C-03R TE left-handed
Larrivee owner since 1992

Yes, Mikeymac, my LL500 is made in Japan.  It has a cool leather label in the sound hole that says "Handcrafted in Japan."  These are made in the custom shop in Japan.   I am not sure about the LL16 you are looking at, but the LL26 and LL36 are made in Japan.   Here is a link to the Japan factory tour. 

http://youtu.be/wjMTFkiNoH4
https://soundcloud.com/247hoopsfan

1971 Yamaha FG200 (My original guitar)
1996 Yamaha DW5S
2002 Yamaha LL500
1990 Goodall Rosewood Standard
2007 Larrrivee JCL 40th Anniversary
1998 Larrivee OM5MT
1998 Larrivee D10 Brazilian "Flying Eagle"
1998 Larrivee D09 Brazilian "Flying Eagle"

Good friend has a Japanese LL from the early 90s. I love that guitar. Will see him later tonight on the gulf coast. He's bringing several instruments with him. Maybe the Ya.

Quote from: 247hoopsfan on November 19, 2014, 05:51:34 PM
 
Here is a link to the Japan factory tour. 

http://youtu.be/wjMTFkiNoH4


Thanks for that link - I did see that last night; that was part of what made me consider the LL.

Also the lefty Yamaha 335 style (SA1000) I bought last Jan./Feb. - it was made in Japan in '82 and is a great instrument. I would part with my RS-4 before I'd part with the SA1000 (in part because it's so rare - I could find another RS-4 if I needed to replace it ... but also because the Yammy is really a well made, great sounding instrument).
2021 C-03R TE left-handed
Larrivee owner since 1992

Quote from: 247hoopsfan on November 19, 2014, 05:51:34 PM

Yes, Mikeymac, my LL500 is made in Japan.  It has a cool leather label in the sound hole that says "Handcrafted in Japan."  These are made in the custom shop in Japan.   I am not sure about the LL16 you are looking at, but the LL26 and LL36 are made in Japan.


I'm beginning to suspect the LL16 is made in China - an all solid wood guitar for $899 MAP is right in the range of the Chinese made Guilds and upper end, all solid wood Epiphone acoustics. We'll see this afternoon. That will definitely affect my buying decision - it will have to be a superb guitar if made in China, because I can pick up a used all solid wood Larrivee for that price - and I'd like to have a rosewood L body someday.
2021 C-03R TE left-handed
Larrivee owner since 1992

The store had a righty LL16R (R for rosewood). Made in China. It was well built, and I was impressed with the sound (strumming and noodling upside down, which I do often in stores!). The neck felt okay, a little chunkier than a Larrivee, but this was hard to judge because I was trying it upside down.

I'm still of the mind that $800 is a little steep for a Chinese guitar, especially when you'll take a huge hit if you have to sell it. I decided I'll hold out for another Larry down the road...I've got some guitar downsizing to do anyway, and am pretty happy with my current Larrys...

2021 C-03R TE left-handed
Larrivee owner since 1992

Yep, I thought the LL6 and LL16 were made in China.  The LL26 and LL36 are MIJ, but the price is really steep!  Interesting that the neck seem fatter than Larrivees.  The neck on my LL500 is super slim and fast, noticeably slimmer than my Larrivees.
On another subject, how do you like your C10 Sliver Oak?  Is the sound different than rosewood?
https://soundcloud.com/247hoopsfan

1971 Yamaha FG200 (My original guitar)
1996 Yamaha DW5S
2002 Yamaha LL500
1990 Goodall Rosewood Standard
2007 Larrrivee JCL 40th Anniversary
1998 Larrivee OM5MT
1998 Larrivee D10 Brazilian "Flying Eagle"
1998 Larrivee D09 Brazilian "Flying Eagle"

The L series are handcrafted guitars. The L6-16 (LL; LS or LJ) models are made in China whereas the L-26/36 and above are made in Japan.  They are all well-made. Japanese QC (quality control) though made in China - those 6-16 models.  Don't prejudge the quality before you've objectively handled the guitars, that would be my advise. I've owned several Yamahas in my short life time of 50+ yrs, and i'm always impressed with their consistent workmanship.   I've owned the 16 series and currently have the LL-16 12 strings.  Good value for money.  That's my input for the objective ones. :-)

BTW, Pls note that the current L series - 6, 16, 26, 36 are newer numbering format.  In the earlier years they have L-5, L23, etc. I do think they were made in Japan (though stand to be corrected). 
Yamaha LL-16 12 strings
Yamaha LL-TA
Tanglewood TW-15 DLX
Alhambra 5PA-PT
Mcilroy A25


"He who thinks he has all the answers probably hasn't heard all the questions."

Thanks for the further input.

There's a used lefty LL16 on ebay right now, buy now for $599, so it can be had for less. That's not a bad option - if I could get it for $450 or less I *might* do it.

But as I said earlier, I also need to do some downsizing, and when I think about it sensibly, the LL16 doesn't really add anything I'm not already getting from my current acoustics. But they are nice, well built guitars. I haven't heard one plugged in (other than online).

:thumbsup
2021 C-03R TE left-handed
Larrivee owner since 1992

World champ finger style guitarist Don Alder uses Yamaha LLX guitars as his stage guitars.  Sweet Guitars. cool player
http://www.donalder.com/gigstuff.htm
http://www.donalder.com/vidclips.htm
Dave
I love those older Canadian made Larrivees!

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