Introduction to Yamaha TransAcoustic Technology
Yamaha’s innovative TransAcoustic technology takes acoustic guitars into exciting new sonic territory by producing lush, spacious reverb and chorus effects without needing any external amplification or effects pedals.
The secret behind TransAcoustic guitars is an actuator installed on the inner surface of the guitar body, usually the back. This actuator vibrates the entire body of the guitar, resonating through the solid wood construction to create immersive reverb and rich chorus textures. Even when playing completely unplugged and acoustic, TransAcoustic guitars deliver studio-quality ambience and modulation effects.
The FS-TA model embodies Yamaha’s TransAcoustic breakthrough in a compact, comfortable concert-sized acoustic-electric guitar. Constructed with a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, the FS-TA produces a balanced and nuanced acoustic voice. It also incorporates a passive undersaddle piezo pickup, so you can plug into an amplifier or PA system. Onboard reverb and chorus controls allow shaping the built-in effects to match your music.
With its innovative integration of acoustic engineering and digital processing, the Yamaha FS-TA TransAcoustic guitar brings new creative possibilities to the table. The ability to immerse your acoustic playing in lush ambience without requiring any additional gear makes it easier than ever to explore dynamic soundscapes and find inspiration.
Yamaha FS-TA Guitar Specs & Construction
The Yamaha FS-TA features a concert-sized body shape that provides a comfortable and balanced feel. It measures 20 1/2" wide x 4 5/8" deep x 15 3/4" long. The more compact concert body style allows for easier playability compared to larger dreadnought sizes.
For the top wood, Yamaha selected solid Sitka spruce which is a popular choice for its strong projection and bright, articulate tone. Sitka spruce provides a balanced tonal response across the frequency spectrum. The back and sides are made from mahogany, which adds warmth and sweetness to the overall acoustic voice.
The neck is constructed from nato wood and topped with a rosewood fingerboard. Nato has a similar look and tonal qualities as mahogany. The neck has a comfortable slim taper profile that makes playing along the lower frets easy. The rosewood fingerboard further enhances the warm, rounded tones.
In terms of electronics, the FS-TA comes equipped with Yamaha’s SRT Passive undersaddle piezo pickup system. This allows the guitar to be plugged into an acoustic amplifier or PA system to project its acoustic sound in live settings. The pickup captures the guitar’s natural tone and dynamics well.
Overall the FS-TA features a high quality all-solid wood construction with tonewoods tailored towards balanced, warm acoustic tones with great projection – an ideal platform for the TransAcoustic effects. The comfortable neck profile also makes this a very playable instrument.
FS-TA TransAcoustic Built-In Effects
The FS-TA’s innovative TransAcoustic technology allows it to produce beautiful reverb and chorus effects without needing any external gear or electronics. The secret lies in the actuator that is installed on the inner surface of the guitar’s back. This actuator vibrates the back and sides of the guitar to simulate the sound of a large, reverberant space.
When you engage the TransAcoustic effects, the actuator resonates the body of the guitar to create a lush, ambient reverb that seems to hang in the air around you. There are also three different chorus effect types to choose from, each with its own character and modulation speed. An adjustable reverb control lets you dial in just the right amount of space and decay to suit your playing style and the song.
The really unique benefit is that these effects are produced entirely acoustically. The reverb and chorus resonate through the physical body of the guitar itself, rather than requiring any external amplification. This means you can enjoy the TransAcoustic ambience whether you’re plugged into an amp or just playing unplugged. It’s an incredibly inspiring way to play that adds new dimensions to your acoustic tone.
Playing Experience and Sound
The FS-TA has a very playable neck and comfortable action right out of the box. The satin-finished nato neck has a slim, modern profile that feels great in the hand. The action is set low but there is no fret buzz or rattles. It’s easy to play fast riffs and licks up and down the neck.
When played unplugged, the FS-TA has a balanced, clear acoustic tone with nice projection thanks to the solid spruce top. It has the typical warm, rounded tone you’d expect from a mahogany-backed acoustic. Notes are articulate and defined. There’s good resonance across the tonal spectrum.
Plugged in, the undersaddle piezo pickup accurately translates the guitar’s natural acoustic sound. There’s no quackiness or harshness to the amplified tone. The midrange is smooth and detailed. The lows come through with enough body and punch. The piezo pickup is good at handling higher gain without feedback. This allows you to push the FS-TA into overdrive through an amp or pedal.
Here’s an audio sample demonstrating the FS-TA’s acoustic sound as well as the built-in reverb and chorus effects:
[youtube link to FS-TA sound sample]
Comparing the FS-TA vs FG-TA TransAcoustic
The Yamaha FS-TA and FG-TA are both TransAcoustic guitars, but have some key differences. The most noticeable is their body shapes – the FS-TA has a concert body, while the FG-TA has a larger dreadnought body.
The concert body of the FS-TA is smaller and more comfortable for seated playing. It produces a balanced tone across the frequency range, with clear mids and treble. The compact body can make the FS-TA’s built-in reverb and chorus effects sound more vibrant and pronounced.
In contrast, the FG-TA’s dreadnought shape has a wider waist and larger lower bout. This allows for louder volumes and enhanced bass response. The dreadnought produces a deeper, fuller sound that projects well for live performances. However, the larger body may absorb some of the TransAcoustic effects, making them sound more subtle compared to the FS-TA.
When it comes to playability, the FS-TA’s smaller neck width and string spacing may suit players with smaller hands. The FG-TA has a wider neck more typical of a dreadnought. Overall, the tonewood construction is very similar between the two models, so the body shape itself has the biggest impact on the sound and playing feel.
Both TransAcoustic models offer great value for money considering their innovative built-in effects. The FS-TA concert is ideal for fingerstyle playing and an intimate musical experience. The FG-TA dreadnought excels at delivering volume and low-end resonance for strumming and stage use.
FS-TA Available Finishes
The Yamaha FS-TA TransAcoustic guitar comes in three beautiful finish options – Brown Sunburst, Vintage Tint, and Ruby Red. Each finish has its own unique aesthetic that can complement different playing styles and genres.
Brown Sunburst
The Brown Sunburst finish has a rich, warm, vintage vibe. The brown hue graduates from a tobacco brown at the edges to a lighter brown in the center around the soundhole. This finish evokes a refined, classic, timeless look perfect for jazz, blues, folk, or country playing. The vintage tint amplifies the antique aesthetic.
Vintage Tint
As the name suggests, the Vintage Tint finish gives the FS-TA old-school appeal. This understated, mature finish lets the natural beauty of the wood grain shine through. The vintage tint is a translucent shading that enhances the wood’s inherent character. For those seeking a more traditional acoustic vibe, this finish is an excellent choice.
Ruby Red
The lively Ruby Red finish injects bold, vibrant color into the FS-TA’s aesthetic. This bright crimson red lacquer makes the guitar pop on stage. The glossy finish and striking hue are ideal for guitarists who want their instrument to command attention. From rock to indie to jazz, Ruby Red is versatile enough to complement many genres.
Yamaha FS-TA Review & Value for Money
The Yamaha FS-TA TransAcoustic concert acoustic-electric guitar has a lot going for it in terms of innovative features and overall quality. The built-in reverb and chorus effects produced by the TransAcoustic technology add rich, spacious ambience to the guitar’s natural acoustic resonance. This helps make the FS-TA an inspiring instrument for practice, songwriting, and performance. The effects are high quality and practical since they don’t require any external amps or pedals.
The FS-TA also delivers on construction value with its solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. This tonewood combination produces balanced, nuanced tones that complement the TransAcoustic effects. The neck feels smooth and comfortable thanks to its slim Nato profile and rosewood fingerboard. Overall playability right out of the box is excellent.
In terms of potential weaknesses, the TransAcoustic system could be limiting for some players who want more control over effects. The chorus and reverb can’t be adjusted as precisely as with pedals, so guitarists wanting more customization may be disappointed. Additionally, while the piezo pickup allows for amplification, it doesn’t capture the guitar’s acoustic resonance as accurately as other pickup systems.
At around $700-$800 street price, the FS-TA offers solid value considering its unique built-in effects and quality materials. It costs a bit more than comparable concert-sized acoustic-electrics without effects, but the TransAcoustic features help justify the extra expense.
The Yamaha FS-TA would make an ideal choice for intermediate players seeking to add ambience to their acoustic guitar tone without external gear. Working singer-songwriters would appreciate the inspiring effects for composing. Performers wanting a grab-and-go acoustic-electric with built-in chorus and reverb will get excellent utility from the FS-TA. Overall, it’s a versatile concert-sized guitar with innovative sounds at a reasonable price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the FS-TA need batteries for the TransAcoustic effects?
No, the FS-TA does not require batteries to power the built-in reverb and chorus effects. The TransAcoustic system uses an actuator installed inside the guitar body to acoustically produce the effects, so external power is not needed.
Can you turn off or bypass the reverb and chorus effects?
Yes, the FS-TA has onboard controls that allow you to turn the reverb and chorus effects on or off. There is a 3-way switch for selecting between the different chorus types (chorus 1, chorus 2, chorus 3) or turning chorus off. There is also a reverb knob that can be blended from minimum to maximum effect level.
How does the FS-TA compare to other acoustic-electrics in its price range without built-in effects?
The FS-TA has excellent build quality with its solid wood top, back and sides compared to laminate models in its price range. Its electronics and piezo pickup deliver a balanced amplified tone. The unique addition of the TransAcoustic effects gives it an edge over standard acoustic-electrics by adding ambience and richness. However, non-effects models may offer more tonal control from external effects pedals.
Where is the FS-TA guitar made?
Yamaha FS-TA TransAcoustic guitars are likely manufactured in Yamaha’s factories in Indonesia or China, as is common for guitars in this intermediate price range. Yamaha maintains high quality control standards for their global production.
Video Demo
{%youtube%} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID {%endyoutube%}
This video from Yamaha’s official YouTube channel provides an excellent demo of the FS-TA TransAcoustic guitar in action. It highlights the key features like the solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, as well as showcasing the built-in reverb and chorus effects.
In the video, you can hear how the TransAcoustic technology allows the FS-TA to produce rich, spacious reverbs and shimmering chorus tones without needing any external effects or amplification. The demo cycles through the different chorus modes – from gentle and subtle to more prominent modulation effects.
Overall, this video does a great job demonstrating the warm, resonant acoustic tone of the FS-TA, complemented by the onboard effects. The ambience and dimension from the reverb and chorus can be heard clearly, even through the YouTube video. This gives viewers a good sense of how the TransAcoustic system can enhance the acoustic playing experience.
Final Thoughts
The Yamaha FS-TA TransAcoustic concert acoustic-electric guitar is an innovative instrument that offers a lot of value for players looking to add ambience and effects to their acoustic tone. Its built-in reverb and chorus delivered through the unique TransAcoustic technology allows you to immerse yourself in rich, spacious tones without requiring any external amps or effects pedals.
While the TransAcoustic system may be too subtle for some players, it produces studio-quality reverb and modulation effects that integrate beautifully with the FS-TA’s resonant acoustic voice. The concert-sized body provides balanced, focused tone perfect for fingerstyle playing across many genres from folk to indie. Topped off with high-end appointments like solid wood construction and a smooth neck profile, the FS-TA punches above its class with performance and innovation.
If you want to add new dimensions to your acoustic playing experience, the FS-TA is a versatile, inspiring instrument. Its refreshing take on acoustic sound gives you creative options directly from the guitar itself. For gigging musicians seeking an all-in-one amplified solution, or recording artists wanting to capture immersive tones easily, the FS-TA is a great choice. Yamaha has hit the mark in delivering an acoustic guitar that sounds as good as it feels.