Introduction
Yamaha has a long history of crafting high quality acoustic guitars, dating back to the 1960s when they began producing classical guitars in Japan. They quickly gained a reputation for excellent playability and tone thanks to their meticulous attention to detail and use of premium tonewoods.
In the 1990s, Yamaha introduced their A-Series as a line of premium all-solid wood acoustics aimed at pro musicians and discerning players. The A-Series guitars are constructed using a combination of traditional hand craftsmanship and modern techniques to achieve the perfect marriage of old-world sound and new-world reliability.
The A3R dreadnought is one of the standout models in the A-Series lineup. It’s an all-solid rosewood and spruce acoustic-electric featuring Yamaha’s A.R.E. wood torrefaction technology for enhanced tone, along with a high-end SRT2 pickup system. With its cutaway design and excellent playability, the A3R is built to deliver clear, balanced tone and buttery smooth feel whether you’re plugged in on stage or playing an intimate unplugged set.
A.R.E. Wood Torrefaction
The Yamaha A3R features an innovative wood aging process called A.R.E. (Acoustic Resonance Enhancement). This proprietary torrefaction technique artificially ages the solid tonewoods through controlled heating in a low-oxygen environment.
The process removes moisture and resin from the wood, opening up its cellular structure. This allows the wood to vibrate more freely, resulting in improved resonance, projection and openness.
On the A3R, the A.R.E. treatment is applied to both the solid Sitka spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. The aged woods have a more mature tonal character right out of the box, similar to a vintage acoustic that’s been played for years.
Many players feel the A.R.E. process brings the A3R closer to the coveted "golden era" Martin dreadnought sound. It exhibits impressive warmth, complexity and nuance for a guitar at this price point. The torrefied woods reward players with greater dynamics and responsiveness as the guitar is played-in over time.
Tonewoods
The Yamaha A3R features premium tonewoods selected for their acoustic properties and resonance. The solid Sitka spruce top is a popular choice among high-end acoustic guitars thanks to its balanced tone. Sitka spruce provides a clean, bright sound with excellent articulation and volume. The solid rosewood back and sides offer a deep, rich low end along with plenty of overtones in the midrange. This combination results in a guitar with impressive sustain and a very "woody" tone.
The all-solid wood construction allows the top to vibrate freely, resulting in excellent projection. Strummed rhythm parts are tight and focused while single-note runs ring out with clarity. The rosewood back adds warmth and body to each note. Together the spruce and rosewood create a guitar with sparkling highs, strong mids and round, full bass frequencies. It’s an extremely responsive and dynamic instrument.
Body Shape and Design
The Yamaha A3R features a classic dreadnought body shape with a single cutaway, providing the perfect balance of full acoustic resonance and easy upper fret access. The dreadnought shape produces a deep, booming low end and excellent projection – ideal for rhythm playing. The cutaway opens up the higher register of the fretboard, making it easy to solo, bend strings, and hit those high notes.
Visually, the A3R has elegant appointments that give it a refined, high-end look. The abalone rosette and body binding add a touch of class. The smooth, arched back provides playing comfort, while the satin finish lets the natural beauty of the tonewoods shine through. Overall, the A3R has a timeless and versatile body design suitable for any playing style or performance setting. The cutaway dreadnought shape gives players the best of both worlds – big acoustic tone and complete fretboard freedom.
SRT2 Pickup System
The Yamaha A3R is equipped with Yamaha’s SRT2 pickup system, which utilizes a blend of piezo and condenser microphone elements to accurately capture the guitar’s natural acoustic tone when amplified. This dual pickup design allows players to achieve rich, organic amplified tones comparable to the unplugged sound.
The undersaddle piezo pickup registers the guitar’s vibrations and resonance, while the condenser mic picks up the true sound emanating from the top. Players can blend between the two depending on their needs – the piezo delivers a focused, punchy sound perfect for live performance, while the mic provides a warm, woody tone ideal for studio recording.
The A3R’s preamp comes equipped with simple but effective onboard controls for shaping your amplified sound. A 3-band EQ allows you to dial in more brilliance, boost the low-end, or add sparkle to the highs. The volume knob acts as a master level control. There’s also a tuner out for connecting to an external tuner. Overall, the SRT2 system makes it easy to craft a balanced, feedback-resistant amplified tone.
Playability & Feel
The Yamaha A3R features a smooth and comfortable neck profile that invites relaxed, long playing sessions without fatigue. The neck has a modern slim taper design with a satin finish that allows your hand to easily glide up and down.
The action on the A3R is set exceptionally low right out of the box. You can fret chords and single notes with minimal pressure, allowing fast runs and intricate fingerstyle playing. The low action reduces buzzing and makes the A3R feel very playable to guitarists of all levels.
This guitar is highly responsive to different playing dynamics and techniques. When you dig into the strings, it reacts with a focused attack and singing sustain. More subtle, light plucking comes through with delicate nuance and articulation. This dynamic range allows guitarists to express themselves fully through the A3R.
The neck width and string spacing also contribute to the A3R’s stellar playability. At the nut, it has a spacing of 1 3/4 inches, while the bridge string spacing is 2 1/8 inches. This gives your fingers room to maneuver easily. Chording transitions are smooth, and single note lines have definition.
Overall, the A3R’s modern neck design, low action, and dynamic response make it an acoustic that feels incredible to play. It excels equally at both fingerstyle techniques and energetic strumming.
Sound Profile
The Yamaha A3R delivers a rich, full-bodied acoustic tone that showcases the guitar’s premium solid wood construction. When played unplugged, the A3R produces a wonderfully resonant dreadnought sound with impressive sustain.
The solid Sitka spruce top contributes to the A3R’s balanced tonal response, with clear and projecting treble, warm midrange, and tight bass frequencies. The solid rosewood back and sides add depth to the lows and lower-mids, while the scalloped X-bracing pattern allows the top to vibrate freely for excellent resonance across the entire frequency spectrum.
Whether gently fingerpicking or aggressively strumming, the A3R maintains its balanced and organic tone. Notes ring out with a piano-like sustain, especially on the unwound strings. There is enough headroom to handle heavy strumming without muddiness or breakup.
The A3R’s premium tonewoods and expert bracing result in a rich and lively acoustic sound that makes playing a joy. The impressive resonance allows the guitar’s natural acoustic voice to shine through in any playing situation or venue.
Value for Money
The Yamaha A3R offers tremendous value for money given its features, performance, and build quality. Within Yamaha’s acoustic lineup, it is positioned as a premium model, sitting above entry-level options but below elite signature and custom shop models. Its street price typically falls in the $1,200 to $1,500 range.
Compared to other all-solid wood acoustic-electrics in this price tier from major brands like Taylor, Martin, and Guild, the A3R competes very favorably. Most guitars around $1,500 will have laminate back and sides, especially from Taylor’s 100 and 200 Series lines. The A3R’s solid rosewood construction gives it a leg up in resonance and projection.
The A3R also goes toe-to-toe with Martin’s popular DRS2 dreadnought in terms of build, electronics, and amplified tones. However, the A3R pulls ahead with its torrefied wood construction that enhances tone and dynamics. Guild also offers some worthy competitors like the D-240E, but the A3R equals or surpasses it in most areas while costing $100-200 less.
Overall, the A3R clearly overdelivers on performance and quality for its accessible price point. The combination of premium tonewoods, elegant appointments, and Yamaha’s meticulous attention to detail make this an exceptional value. While not cheap, this guitar punches well above its weight class, making it easy to justify the investment for intermediate to pro-level players.
Ideal Player Profile
The Yamaha A3R is a versatile acoustic-electric guitar well suited for players of all skill levels and genres. Its premium tonewoods and quality craftsmanship make it an ideal choice for both gigging and recording applications.
Best Suited Genres and Playing Styles
With its balanced tone and comfortable playability, the A3R works well for a wide range of musical genres and playing styles. Its rich low end and focused midrange are ideal for folk, country, pop, and rock. The dynamic projection also allows it to hold its own in a full band mix.
Fingerstyle players will appreciate the A3R’s nuanced responsiveness, allowing advanced techniques to shine. At the same time, its dreadnought body provides the punch needed for enthusiastic strumming. Flatpickers can also take advantage of the cutaway for easy upper fret access when soloing.
All Skill Levels
From beginners to professionals, the A3R is playable and rewarding at any skill level. Its low action and slim neck profile are comfortable for newer players, while more experienced guitarists can explore the A3R’s full dynamic range.
As an all-solid wood guitar with expert craftsmanship, the A3R has the tone to inspire practice and continued progression on the instrument. Even as playing improves over time, the A3R still delivers satisfying acoustic and amplified tones.
Gigging and Recording Potential
With the SRT2 pickup system, the A3R works excellently for both live gigs and studio recording. The EQ controls allow shaping the amplified tone to fit in a mix or stand out during a solo. The cutaway design also provides unfettered access to upper frets for advanced soloing.
When recording in the studio, the A3R captures rich, warm acoustic tones. The optional blend between the piezo pickup and condenser mic provides flexibility for different recording needs.
The A3R’s quality build and components make it roadworthy for frequent gigging. It’s a reliable workhorse guitar that sounds fantastic on stage night after night.
Conclusion
The Yamaha A3R acoustic-electric guitar stands out as a top-tier instrument that punches above its weight class. Its combination of premium tonewoods, elegant aesthetics, and versatile sound make it a guitar that can excel in a wide variety of musical scenarios.
The A.R.E. wood torrefaction process gives the A3R’s solid Sitka spruce and rosewood a maturity and richness that belies its reasonable price point. It produces full-bodied, resonant tones with impressive projection and dynamics. Whether unplugged or amplified through the SRT2 system, the A3R provides an inspiring range of acoustic textures suited to any style.
With its comfortable neck profile, slick playability, and responsive feel, the A3R accommodates both beginners and seasoned musicians. Yet its flawless craftsmanship and appointments like the ebony fretboard indicate this is no entry-level instrument. The cutaway dreadnought body strikes an ideal balance between classic and modern design.
For guitarists seeking a quality all-solid acoustic-electric that can handle stage and studio duties with ease, the Yamaha A3R is a top-tier choice. It outperforms most rivals in its class and brings the value, tone, and reliability that Yamaha is renowned for. If you want a guitar that sounds as good as it looks for years to come, the A3R is a worthy investment.