Yamaha LL6 ARE: Premium Handcrafted Acoustic

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Yamaha LL6 ARE is a premium handcrafted acoustic-electric guitar that delivers impressive sound and playability. As part of Yamaha’s acclaimed L Series, the LL6 ARE represents the pinnacle of the company’s expert guitar craftsmanship.

At the heart of the LL6 ARE is its solid Engelmann spruce top, which produces a rich, resonant tone. This is paired with rosewood back and sides that add warmth and complexity. The combination of woods generates excellent balance across the tonal spectrum with crisp highs, pronounced mids, and tight low end.

With its traditional dreadnought body shape, the LL6 projects sound powerfully while retaining nuanced overtones. Yamaha enhances the guitar’s inherent acoustic properties even further through its specialized Acoustic Resonance Enhancement (A.R.E.) treatment on the solid spruce top. This helps achieve a vintage-like tone character.

Premium appointments like abalone inlays and wooden marquetry binding reflect the LL6 ARE’s status as a top-tier instrument. Yamaha’s meticulous handcrafted construction in Japan results in a guitar that looks, sounds, and feels like a masterpiece. For discerning players seeking the ultimate acoustic experience, the LL6 ARE delivers.

Yamaha LL6 ARE Specs & Features

The Yamaha LL6 ARE boasts premium tonewoods and appointments that make it stand out as a high-end acoustic guitar. It starts with a solid Engelmann spruce top, which is known for its complexity and vintage-like warmth. Yamaha further enhances this top with their Acoustic Resonance Enhancement (A.R.E.) technology, which ages the wood through a specialized treatment process. This results in a top that has the mature, seasoned tone you’d expect from an older guitar right out of the box.

Complementing the spruce top is a rosewood back and sides. Rosewood is prized for its rich overtones, pronounced midrange, and excellent projection. This all adds up to the LL6 producing a balanced and nuanced tone. The traditional dreadnought body shape further enhances projection and volume, making the LL6 ARE an ideal choice for flatpicking and energetic strumming styles.

The LL6 sports a 5-ply neck constructed from mahogany and rosewood for stability and sustain. It has an ebony fingerboard known for its crispness and clarity. Ebony is also used for the bridge, allowing for excellent transfer of vibration to the top. Finally, the SRT Zero Impact pickup system provides a natural amplified tone without feedback, perfect for plugging in on stage.

Sound & Tone

The Yamaha LL6 ARE produces a rich, complex tone thanks to its solid Engelmann spruce top and rosewood back and sides. The solid top allows the guitar to open up and blossom over time, while the rosewood provides a focused low end, sparkling highs, and excellent note separation.

Overall, the tonal balance is very even across the frequency spectrum. There’s plenty of warmth in the lows and low mids, but also enough crispness and articulation in the high mids and highs. Strummers will appreciate the punch and clarity when playing chords, while fingerstyle players can expect excellent note definition.

Volume and projection are also standout features of the LL6 ARE. It’s extremely responsive and dynamic, able to go from a whisper quiet passage to a roaring bluegrass jam at the turn of a wrist. The notes leap out of the soundhole with authority and the large dreadnought body throws sound with ease. Even in an ensemble setting, the LL6 ARE has no trouble cutting through a mix.

Lastly, the A.R.E treatment helps bring out the LL6 ARE’s vintage voice. It enhances the resonance and sweetness of the solid spruce top, giving it a nicely broken-in flavor right out of the box. Complex fingerstyle passages ring out with depth and shimmer. Overall, the A.R.E process helps the LL6 achieve a maturity beyond its years.

Playability & Feel

The Yamaha LL6 ARE is designed for smooth, effortless playability. It features a comfortable satin-finished mahogany neck that is meticulously hand-shaped in Yamaha’s workshops for optimal playing feel. The neck has a profile that most players will find accommodating, neither too chunky or too thin.

The guitar is also set up with low action right out of the box, allowing easy fretting across the ebony fingerboard without excessive pressure needed. This premium ebony fretboard not only looks and feels fantastic, but also enhances the bright tone and sustain. Overall the LL6 ARE plays incredibly smoothly, with its contoured body and carefully considered neck design allowing you to play for hours without hand fatigue. From intricate fingerstyle to aggressive flatpicking, this is an acoustic that handles fast runs with ease.

Build Quality & Aesthetics

The Yamaha LL6 ARE is meticulously handcrafted in Yamaha’s elite workshops in Japan using traditional techniques perfected over decades. This attention to detail is evident in the immaculate fretwork, precise neck fitting, and flawless finish.

Premium appointments like wooden marquetry rosette and abalone inlay fretboard markers give the LL6 ARE a truly high-end look and feel. It’s available in a flawless Natural high-gloss finish that accentuates the guitar’s tonewoods, or an elegant Black finish.

Small touches like the wooden binding and bridge pins made from buffalo bone demonstrate Yamaha’s commitment to using top-shelf components. Each LL6 ARE is crafted by master luthiers and undergoes rigorous quality control checks before leaving the factory.

Overall, the LL6 ARE’s build quality and refined aesthetics are on par with elite luthier-built guitars costing twice as much. It’s clear that no compromises were made in constructing this exceptional instrument.

Value

The Yamaha LL6 ARE commands a premium price point, which is to be expected for a meticulously handcrafted guitar of this caliber. Though not an entry-level model by any means, the LL6 ARE is competitively priced compared to similar high-end acoustic-electrics.

At around $1500-2000, the LL6 sits in the upper tier of Yamaha’s L Series lineup. However, it represents an excellent value in the broader market of all-solid wood guitars. Models from Martin, Taylor, and other boutique brands with comparable features and woods often retail for $2000-3000+.

Considering the LL6’s solid Engelmann spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides, the quality is remarkable for the price. Factor in the elegant appointments like abalone inlays, and it’s clear you’re getting a lot of guitar for the money. The included hardshell case only adds to the overall value.

For players seeking the tone and craftsmanship of a premium handmade acoustic-electric, the LL6 ARE provides fantastic value. It’s built to the same exacting standards as Yamaha’s more expensive L Series models, making it a smart buy. Ultimately, it’s an investment that will reward players with better sound over time.

Who It’s For

The Yamaha LL6 ARE is an ideal choice for intermediate to advanced players looking for a premium handcrafted acoustic-electric guitar. Its quality construction and versatile sound make it suitable for a wide range of playing styles and ability levels.

Specifically, the LL6 ARE is great for:

Intermediate to advanced players – While beginners could certainly enjoy the LL6, its premium price point and nuanced tone are better appreciated by more seasoned guitarists looking to invest in their next great instrument. The smooth playability and hand-shaped neck also cater to intermediate and pro players.
Versatile playing styles – With its balanced tone and crisp projection, the LL6 excels at both fingerstyle and strumming approaches across genres. The solid spruce top handles delicate fingerpicking while the rosewood back/sides provides the punch for enthusiastic flatpicking or strumming.
Quality stage performance – Thanks to the SRT Zero Impact pickup, the LL6 ARE is ready for the stage. It reproduces the guitar’s natural acoustic tone without feedback issues. The excellent projection also helps the guitar cut through a mix in a live band setting.

So whether you’re a fingerstylist looking for more dynamic range, a strummer wanting bold jangly tones, or a gigging musician needing a quality amplified sound, the LL6 ARE is a phenomenal choice. Its versatility and refined construction make it suitable for most playing applications.

Alternatives & Comparisons

The Yamaha LL6 ARE sits at the higher end of Yamaha’s L Series lineup. Those looking for a more affordable L Series model may consider the LL6 ARE or LL16 ARE. Both offer similar build quality and tonewoods like solid spruce tops, but with laminate rosewood back and sides.

Compared to premium offerings from Martin and Taylor, the LL6 ARE is very competitively priced. Martin’s D-18 and Taylor’s 514ce both retail for around $2000-2500, often using similar tonewoods like solid spruce and rosewood. The LL6 ARE provides comparable build quality and tone at a more accessible price point.

In terms of tone, the LL6 ARE stands up well against guitars even double its price. Its solid Engelmann spruce top and rosewood body produce a rich, complex sound with vintage warmth and excellent projection. When it comes to playability, the LL6 ARE’s hand-shaped neck and low action setup make it effortless and comfortable to play.

Overall, the LL6 ARE provides professional level tone, playability and craftsmanship at a reasonable price point. For players wanting a handmade acoustic without breaking the bank, the LL6 ARE represents excellent value compared to many premium competitors.

Conclusion

The Yamaha LL6 ARE stands out as an exceptional handcrafted acoustic-electric guitar that delivers on all fronts. Its solid Engelmann spruce top and rosewood back/sides produce a rich, complex tone with vintage warmth and excellent projection. The playability is buttery smooth thanks to meticulous hand-shaping of the neck and premium ebony fingerboard. Visually, the LL6 oozes quality with abalone inlays, wooden marquetry, and flawless finishes.

Overall, the LL6 ARE provides phenomenal value as a premium all-solid wood guitar made to exacting standards in Yamaha’s Japanese workshops. The quality of craftsmanship is evident in every aspect, from its resonant tone to its comfortable feel and stunning aesthetics. For discerning players wanting the very best in a lifelong acoustic guitar, the LL6 ARE is easy to highly recommend. Its exquisite tone and playability will satisfy even the most demanding guitarist.