Yamaha NTX3: Top Nylon Acoustic-Electric Guitar Review

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Yamaha NTX3 is a versatile nylon-string acoustic-electric guitar with premium features and appointments. As part of Yamaha’s NX Series lineup of classical and nylon-string guitars, the NTX3 offers an all-solid wood construction in a comfortable thinline body with a cutaway for easy upper fret access.

Key features of the NTX3 include its solid Sitka spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides, which provide rich acoustic resonance and projection. It has an elegant aesthetic with abalone rosette and binding details. The NTX3 is equipped with Yamaha’s Atmosfeel pickup system and preamp, allowing for natural amplified tones through an amplifier or PA system. Overall, it provides the construction and electronics discerning players expect in a professional-quality nylon-string acoustic-electric guitar.

Design and Construction

The Yamaha NTX3 features an all-solid wood construction, with a solid Sitka spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. This gives the NTX3 a full, rich, and resonant acoustic tone. The thinline body depth and single cutaway design offers comfort and easy access to the upper frets while retaining the guitar’s acoustic projection.

Visually, the NTX3 has an elegant and modern aesthetic. It features a simple rosette and body binding in a tasteful abalone, along with chrome vintage-style tuners. The ebony fretboard is smooth and fast, providing clarity in the notes. The neck has a comfortable profile that feels great in the hand. Overall the NTX3 combines traditional nylon string elements with a refreshing contemporary look.

Sound and Electronics

The Yamaha NTX3 produces a rich, warm acoustic tone thanks to its all-solid wood construction. The solid Sitka spruce top resonates brightly with complex overtones, while the solid rosewood back and sides add depth and projection. Together, they create a balanced and nuanced nylon-string acoustic sound.

The guitar is also equipped with Yamaha’s Atmosfeel pickup system, designed specifically for nylon-string guitars. It uses three compact piezo pickups built into the bridge to capture the guitar’s natural acoustic sound. The pickup is connected to an onboard preamp with a simple 3-band EQ and volume control.

When plugged in, the Atmosfeel system produces a very realistic amplified nylon-string tone. The EQ provides effective tone shaping to dial in just the right amount of bass, mids, and treble. The amplified sound is very open and responsive, with the guitar’s dynamics shining through. The Atmosfeel system is transparent enough for live performance, while also providing excellent amplified recording tones direct into a mixer or audio interface.

Playability

The Yamaha NTX3 has a comfortable and responsive playing feel thanks to its nylon strings and smooth neck profile. The neck has a nice rounded "C" shape that fits perfectly in the hand. It provides a natural feel that facilitates intricate classical guitar techniques like vibrato and string bending.

The ebony fretboard is flat and smooth, which allows for both speedy soloing as well as comfortable chord voicings up and down the neck. The scale length of 25 9/16" (650mm) is ideal for nylon strings, providing just the right tension and spacing between notes. This makes complex chords and quick runs easy to play.

The nut width of 2 1/8" gives ample room for the nylon strings to vibrate freely without feeling too crowded together. This improves the overall resonance and projection. The factory setup provides a nice low action, which makes the NTX3 very playable right out of the box. The action can also be easily adjusted to suit each player’s preferences.

Overall the NTX3 offers a premium playing experience that makes it comfortable and inspiring to play for long practice or gigging sessions. The neck design, nut width, and scale length all cater to the unique needs of nylon string guitars and players.

Yamaha NX Series and the NTX3

Yamaha’s NX Series encompasses their lineup of nylon-string acoustic guitars. The series includes models like the NTX700, NTX1200, and NTX5000 which feature all-solid wood construction with a solid European spruce top paired with rosewood or cypress back and sides.

The NTX3 fits into this premium NX lineup as an all-solid wood nylon-string acoustic-electric. It sits below the top-of-the-line NTX5 but above the NTX1 which has laminated back and sides. With its solid Sitka spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides, the NTX3 provides an excellent balance of warm, rich nylon-string tone and stage-ready amplified performance.

The NX Series as a whole aims to blend traditional classical and nylon-string design with modern enhancements like cutaway bodies and pickup systems. This allows the guitars to appeal to a wide range of players from classical guitarists to pop and Latin musicians. The NTX3 specifically hits a nice sweet spot in the lineup with its accessible price point considering its all-solid wood construction and quality electronics.

Who is the NTX3 For?

With its versatile design and premium features, the Yamaha NTX3 appeals to a wide variety of players. Here are some of the main types of guitarists who will get the most out of this model:

Nylon-String Enthusiasts

The NTX3 is an excellent choice for nylon-string enthusiasts who want to upgrade to an all-solid wood instrument. Its warm, rich acoustic tones and comfortable playability make it a joy to play for classical and other nylon-string styles. The cutaway and amplified capabilities also add nice versatility.

Multi-Style Players

Thanks to its thinline body and cutaway design, the NTX3 works nicely for various musical styles beyond just classical. The comfortable neck and accessible upper frets make it easy to play for styles like Latin, flamenco, fingerstyle, jazz, and more.

Gigging Musicians

With the built-in Atmosfeel pickup system, the NTX3 is ready for the stage. The natural amplified tones let nylon-string players shine in live and gigging situations where an acoustic-electric classical guitar is needed. It’s a reliable workhorse instrument.

Recording Artists

The onboard electronics also make the NTX3 a great option for studio recording work. Players can easily plug into an audio interface for versatile tracking and overdubbing. The Atmosfeel system accurately captures the acoustic tone.

Overall the Yamaha NTX3 is an excellent choice for players who want the best of both worlds – great nylon-string acoustic tone and modern amplified versatility. It suits the needs of diverse guitarists.

Accessories and Variations

The Yamaha NTX3 comes bundled with a few useful accessories right out of the box. It includes a padded gig bag to protect the guitar during transport and storage. For players wanting a more premium case, Yamaha offers an optional hard case specifically fitted for the NTX3 and other NX series models.

This guitar comes in two classic finish options. The natural gloss finish showcases the beautiful solid wood grain patterns, giving the NTX3 an elegant and organic look. For players wanting something more understated, the vintage tint finish has a matte satin look while still allowing the wood’s characteristics to shine through.

For left-handed players, Yamaha has thoughtfully created a left-handed version of the NTX3. This gives southpaw guitarists the chance to enjoy the same great quality and features as the right-handed model. The left-handed NTX3 has identical specifications and appointments, just in a mirrored configuration.

Pricing and Value

The Yamaha NTX3 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,099, placing it firmly in the premium category of nylon-string acoustic-electric guitars. At this price point, buyers can expect high-quality construction, appointments, and electronics.

Compared to other all-solid wood nylon-string guitars in this range like the Cordoba 55FCE ($999) or Alhambra 7P ($1,195), the NTX3 is very competitively priced. The addition of the excellent Atmosfeel pickup system and preamp also adds a lot of value, as it enables amplified nylon-string tones comparable to guitars costing much more.

Overall, the combination of all-solid wood construction, comfortable thinline body, smooth playability, and quality electronics makes the NTX3 an excellent value in its price range. It’s a professional-grade nylon-string acoustic-electric worthy of consideration by any player looking to upgrade without breaking the bank. Those needing an acoustic-electric classical guitar for stage, studio, or practice will find the NTX3 hits a sweet spot for both quality and affordability.

Conclusion

The Yamaha NTX3 stands out as a versatile nylon-string acoustic-electric guitar with premium construction and features. Its all-solid wood body delivers rich acoustic resonance, while the built-in Atmosfeel pickup system provides natural amplified tones. The single-cutaway design also boosts playability for any musical style.

Overall, the NTX3 hits a sweet spot between price and performance. While not as affordable as Yamaha’s entry-level nylon-string models, it offers noticeable upgrades like solid wood construction and stage-ready electronics. This makes it an excellent choice for nylon-string players seeking the next step up.

With its blend of warm acoustic tone, easy playability, and acoustic-electric flexibility, the NTX3 is easy to recommend. It’s a superb option for nylon-string guitarists playing live, recording in the studio, or just practicing at home. The NTX3 has the looks, construction, and features to satisfy even seasoned players looking to upgrade their nylon-string instrument.