Introduction to the Yamaha A-Series A1M Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Yamaha has built a reputation for quality and innovation across many musical instrument product lines, including their acclaimed acoustic guitars. With over 50 years of experience making acoustics, Yamaha has continually pushed the boundaries of guitar design and craftsmanship.
The A-Series line exemplifies Yamaha’s focus on all-solid wood construction paired with modern appointments for the discerning guitarist. The A1M model introduced in this series pays homage to vintage acoustic guitar design while incorporating Yamaha’s sophisticated electronics and playability enhancements.
Crafted with a solid Sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides, the A1M delivers the balanced, organic tone that made dreadnought guitars famous. The large dreadnought body provides booming projection balanced with warm low-end, ideal for guitarists who need to cut through a mix.
With its exquisite craftsmanship and blend of traditional and contemporary features, the A1M continues Yamaha’s legacy of outstanding acoustic guitar value. This review takes an in-depth look at the specs, sound, and real-world performance of this impressive instrument.
Build Quality
The Yamaha A1M features excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail that contributes to its high-quality sound and playability. The guitar starts off with a solid Sitka spruce top, which provides warmth, resonance, and excellent projection. Sitka spruce is a popular choice for acoustic guitars due to its balanced tone.
The back and sides are solid mahogany, which adds midrange focus and sweetness to the overall tone. Mahogany is a classic tonewood that helps provide the A1M with a vintage acoustic flavor.
Adding to the playability is the comfortable rolled fingerboard edges, which make it smooth and enjoyable to play up and down the neck. The frets are also precisely cut for maximum comfort. It’s clear that care went into ensuring premium fit and finish throughout the guitar.
The History of the Dreadnought Guitar
The dreadnought is one of the most iconic acoustic guitar shapes, known for its big, booming sound. The first dreadnought guitar was developed in 1916 by the Martin Guitar Company. Martin set out to create a guitar with a large body that could provide greater volume and projection than existing acoustic guitars.
The resulting dreadnought shape featured a wide lower bout, narrow waist, and large round shoulders. This body shape was designed to push a lot of air to produce loud volume. Martin named their creation the Dreadnought guitar, after the British Royal Navy’s HMS Dreadnought battleship, which was the largest battleship of its time.
The dreadnought quickly became a favorite for flatpicking, bluegrass, country, and many singer-songwriter styles. Its punchy bass, strong mids, and clear treble notes cut through the mix. The large body provided excellent projection, allowing the guitar to be heard over other instruments. Even today, the dreadnought remains one of the most popular choices for musicians who need volume to play with bands or cut through a crowded mix.
Yamaha A1M Specifications and Dimensions
The Yamaha A1M features the traditional dreadnought body shape with impressive dimensions that provide full, rich acoustic resonance. It has a total length of 41 inches, body length of 20 inches, width at the lower bout of 16 inches, and body depth of 4 5/8 inches.
With its 25 1/2 inch scale length, the A1M has the same familiar feel and spacing as most acoustic guitars. The fingerboard has a radius of 13 3/4 inches and contains 20 frets. The nut width measures 1 11/16 inches, with string spacing at the saddle of 2 1/4 inches between the bass strings and 2 1/16 inches between the treble strings.
For amplification, the A1M comes equipped with Yamaha’s SRT Zero Impact pickup system. This utilizes a 3-band EQ with volume, bass, and treble controls, allowing you to shape your amplified tone. The SRT pickup aims to capture the nuances of your acoustic sound without impacting the guitar’s natural resonance.
Sound and Playability
The Yamaha A1M produces a rich, resonant acoustic tone with excellent projection thanks to its all-solid wood construction. The solid Sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides deliver a balanced sound across the tonal spectrum – strong bass response, warm midrange, and clear treble notes.
When plugged in, the SRT pickup system accurately translates the A1M’s lively acoustic tone. The SRT system uses multiple proprietary sensors to capture the guitar’s natural dynamics and resonance. Through an amp or PA, the A1M retains its acoustic character with no harshness or quackiness often associated with lower quality pickups.
Overall playability of the A1M rates very high thanks to its comfortable neck profile, low action, and hand-rolled fingerboard edges. The frets are precisely leveled for smooth transitions up and down the neck. Whether playing intricate fingerstyle passages or strumming open chords, the A1M feels natural and responsive. The balance and comfort make it easy to play this guitar for extended periods without fatigue.
Is the Yamaha A1M Good for Beginners?
The Yamaha A1M provides excellent quality and value at a very affordable price point, which can make it appealing for beginner guitarists. However, there are a few considerations when it comes to recommending the A1M for new players.
First, the full-size dreadnought body produces a very loud, booming tone. While this is great for stage use and playing with others, it may be overkill for a beginning student just learning in their bedroom. The large body size could also feel uncomfortable for smaller players, especially younger children.
For kids and petite players first starting out, it’s usually better to begin on a 3/4 size or smaller body acoustic. Yamaha makes excellent starter acoustic guitars like the JR1 mini dreadnought and APXT2 3/4 size electro-acoustic that are specifically designed for younger students.
That said, the Yamaha A1M could make an excellent step-up instrument for an advancing adult beginner ready to graduate to a full-size acoustic. The quality solid-wood construction provides incredible value at this price point. And the playability is excellent right out of the box thanks to Yamaha’s meticulous attention to setup and finishing.
So in summary, while the A1M may not be ideal for complete beginners, it could be a great next guitar for advancing students looking to upgrade from their starter instrument. Yamaha offers a range of acoustic and electro-acoustic models suitable for all skill levels.
Comparisons
The Yamaha A1M compares very favorably to other acoustic-electric dreadnoughts in its price range.
Compared to the Yamaha A3M, the A1M uses all solid wood construction, with a solid Sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides. The A3M has laminated back and sides, so it won’t have quite the same resonance and projection. The A1M also has a slightly wider nut width of 1.75" compared to 1.68" on the A3M. This gives it a roomier feel for fingerpicking styles. However, the A3M does have a cutaway for easier upper fret access.
When looking at other major acoustic brands like Taylor and Martin, the Yamaha A1M punches above its weight. It has a build quality comparable to the Taylor Academy Series, with an all-solid construction Taylor can’t match at this price point. The Martin X Series has a similar all-solid dreadnought, the Martin X1, but it sells for around $100 more than the A1M. Overall, the Yamaha offers pro-level specs you’d expect in a guitar costing $600-$700 for only around $500.
Some notable artists who have played Yamaha acoustics include James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins, Phillip Phillips, and singer-songwriter Butch Walker. While not as ubiquitous as Taylor or Martin, Yamaha has earned a reputation for making quality, affordable instruments that sound and play far above their price tag. The A1M continues this tradition with its impressive value.
Where to Buy the Yamaha A1M
The Yamaha A1M is widely available from most major online and brick-and-mortar music retailers. Here are some of the best places to find the latest pricing and availability:
Online Retailers
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Amazon – The A1M can often be found with free shipping from Amazon. Be sure to check both new and used listings.
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Musician’s Friend – A major online musical instrument retailer that stocks the full Yamaha A-Series lineup. Frequent sales and coupon codes available.
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Sweetwater – Excellent customer service and free 2-year warranty make Sweetwater a great A1M purchase option.
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Ebay – Both new and used A1M guitars can be found here. Sort by price to find the best deals.
Brick & Mortar Stores
The Yamaha A1M is stocked at most guitar stores including:
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Guitar Center – The A1M can be found both in stores and on GuitarCenter.com.
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Sam Ash – Large selection of Yamaha acoustics available. Stores offer special financing.
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Local music shops – Check independent music stores in your area for personalized service.
Buying Used
Used A1M guitars can provide great value, but inspect closely before purchasing:
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Examine the guitar thoroughly for any cracks, repairs, or structural issues.
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Look down the neck to check for bowing or twisting over time.
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Test out all electronics and knobs to make sure they function properly.
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Minor cosmetic issues like pick scratches are normal, but avoid any with major dings or damage.
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Ask the seller about the guitar’s history and age.
Following these tips will help you find a quality used Yamaha A1M at a discounted price.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- All-solid wood construction with Sitka spruce top and mahogany back/sides provides excellent resonance and projection
- The combination of spruce and mahogany offers a balanced tone with warmth and sparkle
- Vintage-inspired looks with the satin finish give it an attractive, played-in appeal
- Rolled fingerboard edges and precise fretwork make it very comfortable to play
- Excellent value for the money considering the quality all-solid wood build
Cons
- The large dreadnought body may feel too bulky for smaller players
- Lack of a cutaway limits upper fret access
- The satin finish may not appeal to those who prefer a glossy look
- Not ideal for young beginners due to the large body size
Conclusion
The Yamaha A1M is an excellent choice for those looking for a quality all-solid wood dreadnought acoustic-electric guitar. It punches well above its price point in terms of materials, construction, and attention to detail. The combination of a solid Sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides produces a lively, resonant tone with rich lows and clear, projecting highs. It’s an incredibly playable and comfortable guitar thanks to the satin finish neck, low action, and rolled fingerboard edges.
While the dreadnought body may be too large for some smaller players, the A1M is sure to please flatpickers, fingerstyle players, singer-songwriters, or anyone needing a workhorse acoustic guitar with great plugged-in tone. The vintage-inspired satin finish gives it a classic, timeless look that will appeal to a wide range of players.
If you’re considering the Yamaha A1M, I strongly encourage you to visit your local music store to try it out in person. Play it acoustically to hear the dynamic projection and warmth. Plug it in to test the SRT pickup system. Put it through its paces to get a feel for the comfort and playability. There’s no better way to know if the A1M is the right guitar for you than taking it for a test drive. With Yamaha’s reputation for quality and value, you’re sure to be impressed.