Introduction
Yamaha’s prestigious L-Series represents the pinnacle of handcrafted acoustic guitar excellence. First introduced in the 1970s, the L-Series quickly became renowned for impeccable craftsmanship and the use of premium solid tonewoods.
The newest addition to this esteemed line is the LS16 ARE concert-size acoustic-electric. As a proud L-Series member, the LS16 ARE upholds the tradition of meticulous handcrafted construction along with top-notch appointments. This all-solid guitar features a solid Engelmann spruce top and solid Indian rosewood back and sides, treated with Yamaha’s patented A.R.E. technology for enhanced resonance and sustain.
From its premium materials to its elegant concert body shape, the LS16 ARE embodies everything discerning players have come to expect from the L-Series over the past 40+ years – world-class playability, rich organic tone, and incredible attention to detail.
Construction & Woods
The Yamaha LS16 ARE features an all-solid wood construction, with no laminate used. This allows the guitar to produce a rich, complex tone.
The top is made of solid Engelmann spruce, known for its strong and balanced tone. Engelmann spruce is a popular choice on acoustic guitars due to its resonant properties. The back and sides are solid Indian rosewood, which adds warmth and depth to the LS16’s sound.
The LS16 utilizes scalloped bracing, with braces that are precisely carved to maximize vibrational efficiency. This helps project the guitar’s sound.
The fretboard is ebony, which is dense and smooth. Ebony is an excellent choice for acoustic guitars, providing clarity and definition.
One unique aspect of the LS16’s construction is Yamaha’s A.R.E. wood torrefaction treatment. This proprietary process ages and dries the wood, enhancing its resonance and stability. The A.R.E. process allows the LS16 to produce a mature, seasoned tone right out of the factory.
Overall, the all-solid woods and meticulous construction of the LS16 ARE enable it to generate a bold, nuanced acoustic tone. The Engelmann and rosewood pairing delivers a great blend of warmth and brilliance.
Body Style & Playability
The Yamaha LS16 ARE features a compact concert body shape that offers comfortable playing feel and excellent ergonomics. Measuring just under 16 inches across, the concert body is smaller than a dreadnought yet still provides balanced resonance.
Despite the modest size, the LS16 has a very playable 25.6 inch scale length along with a slim neck profile that makes it easy to fret chords and notes up and down the rosewood fingerboard. Yamaha designed the neck to feel fast yet substantial, with a nut width of 1 3/4 inches.
The action on the LS16 is set exceptionally low for an acoustic guitar, thanks to the precision neck angle and bridge height. This makes the strings easy to press down without buzzing. Players can dig in without fighting the strings or worrying about sharp fret ends.
The cutaway on the treble side provides unfettered access to the upper frets, enabling guitarists to play lead lines high on the neck. The cutaway is gracefully sculpted, providing the perfect amount of opening without impacting resonance or aesthetics. Overall the LS16’s concert body size and neck offer outstanding comfort and playability.
Tone & Sound
The LS16 ARE delivers a beautifully balanced and rich acoustic tone, with sparkling highs and warm, resonant lows. The solid Engelmann spruce top provides crisp articulation and shimmer, while the solid Indian rosewood back and sides add depth and body to the low-end. There’s excellent separation across the tonal spectrum, allowing the LS16 ARE to produce complex and nuanced tones.
When plugged in, the SRT2 pickup system accurately captures the LS16’s natural acoustic dynamics. The under-saddle piezo pickup combined with body and bridge sensors ensures even and responsive amplification. Feedback is minimized, allowing for more gain before feedback at higher volumes. The onboard 3-band EQ provides tone shaping capabilities, with dedicated bass, midrange, and treble controls to dial in your amplified sound. An integrated tuner rounds out the useful electronic features.
Overall, the LS16 ARE offers exceptional acoustic tone that any player would love, along with stage-ready amplified performance thanks to Yamaha’s high-quality electronics. This is a guitar that excels equally well for fingerstyle playing, strumming, and live amplified gigs.
Appointments & Hardware
The Yamaha LS16 ARE concert acoustic-electric features premium aesthetic appointments that complement its all-solid wood construction and handcrafted detail work. It has an attractive high-gloss finish that allows the beautiful grain patterns of the tonewoods to shine through, along with elegant wood binding on the body, neck and headstock.
The abalone rosette inlay around the soundhole provides a touch of ornate flair, while the small mother-of-pearl dot inlays on the ebony fretboard offer a refined look. It’s equipped with die-cast gold tuners for smooth and reliable tuning stability.
The nut and saddle are both constructed from natural bone, which many guitar builders prefer over synthetic materials due to its resonant properties and ability to transfer string vibrations optimally. Overall, the LS16 ARE clearly stands out from the crowd with its meticulous attention to aesthetic detail that complements its exceptional tone and playability.
Value Proposition
The Yamaha LS16 ARE offers exceptional value given its meticulous handcrafted construction, premium all-solid tonewoods, and onboard electronics. At its price point, it competes with other high-end concert acoustic-electrics like the Martin 000C Elec and Taylor 714ce, both of which have a similar MSRP. However, the LS16 ARE punches above its weight class with its solid Engelmann spruce top and solid Indian rosewood back and sides which provide rich, balanced tone.
The handcrafted build is also a key selling point, with Yamaha luthiers carefully selecting and voice-matching the woods for each LS16 ARE. Details like the scalloped bracing and bone nut and saddle demonstrate the attention to detail. While some other concert acoustics in this price range rely on laminate back and sides, the LS16 delivers an all-solid wood instrument.
Lastly, the inclusion of the SRT2 pickup system gives players stage-ready amplified tone right out of the box. The 3-band EQ provides tone shaping, while the onboard tuner makes on-the-fly adjustments easy. Considering everything that comes with the LS16 ARE, it’s an incredible value for the money compared to other concert acoustics with all-solid construction and electronics. The perfect balance of premium materials, handcrafted quality, and versatile electronics cements it as a fantastic value proposition.
Ideal Buyer
The Yamaha LS16 ARE is designed with the experienced, discerning guitarist in mind who appreciates premium appointments and rich, balanced tone. While suitable for all playing styles, it will especially appeal to fingerstyle players who can take advantage of the dynamic range and crisp note separation. The concert body style also makes it a great choice for seated playing.
With its solid wood construction producing top-notch amplified and acoustic tones, the LS16 ARE is an excellent option for recording and performing. The cutaway grants easy access to upper frets for guitarists who like to play solos and melodic lines up the neck. Overall, intermediate to advanced players looking for the build quality and tonal character of an all-solid wood guitar will find the LS16 ARE a fantastic choice in the concert body style.
Specifications
The Yamaha LS16 ARE concert acoustic-electric guitar has the following specifications:
Body Size:
- Upper Bout Width: 11 1/4"
- Lower Bout Width: 15"
- Body Length: 19 1/2"
- Body Depth: 4 5/8"
Neck:
- Scale Length: 25 9/16"
- Nut Width: 1 3/4"
- Fingerboard Radius: 16"
Electronics:
- SRT2 Pickup System
- 3-Band EQ with Tuner
Other Specs:
- Solid Engelmann Spruce Top
- Solid Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
- Ebony Fretboard & Bridge
- Bone Nut & Saddle
- Hand-Scalloped X Bracing
- Gloss Finish on Body
- Chrome Die-cast Tuners
- Tortoise Shell Pickguard
The concert body size provides comfort and balanced weight distribution, while the 25 9/16" scale length facilitates intricate fretwork. The SRT2 pickup and 3-band EQ give players great amplified tone control. Combined with all solid tonewoods and hand-scalloped bracing, the LS16 ARE delivers the premium sound and playability that discerning players expect from the L-Series.
Demo & Review
The Yamaha LS16 ARE’s premium build and versatile concert body style really shine through in video demos. Check out this product overview and playing demo to hear its balanced, rich acoustic tone and smooth amplified sound.
Pros:
- Handcrafted premium construction with solid woods
- Rich, nuanced acoustic tone from A.R.E. treated spruce and rosewood
- Quality amplified sound with flexible EQ shaping
- Excellent playability and comfort
- Great value for a solid wood concert acoustic-electric
Cons:
- Higher price tag due to premium materials and build
- Electronics may be more than beginners need
- Lacks the projection of larger bodied guitars
Overall, the Yamaha LS16 ARE is a fantastic choice for experienced players seeking a premium concert-size acoustic-electric guitar. Its all-solid wood construction delivers incredible acoustic tone shaped by Yamaha’s A.R.E treatment, while the onboard SRT2 system provides quality amplified sound for stage and studio. Excellent playability, beautiful appointments, and versatile sound make the LS16 ARE a winner. For fingerstyle players or anyone wanting a rich, intimate concert guitar, it’s easy to highly recommend the LS16 ARE.
Conclusion
The Yamaha LS16 ARE is a premium concert-size acoustic-electric worthy of consideration by discerning players. Its meticulously handcrafted construction with all solid woods treated with Yamaha’s A.R.E. technology delivers rich, balanced tone and great playability.
The guitar’s smaller concert body promotes comfort while still packing impressive projection and dynamics. The onboard SRT2 pickup system provides natural amplified tone shaping via the 3-band EQ. Visually, appointments like the abalone rosette and ebony fretboard give the LS16 an elegant, high-end aesthetic.
Given the quality of materials and workmanship, the LS16 ARE represents excellent value compared to rival premium models. For experienced players seeking a versatile, great-sounding concert acoustic-electric, the LS16 ARE is easy to recommend. Its premium construction will reward players with many years of musical enjoyment.