
( Brand: Yamaha ), ( Model: APX 500III ), ( Part Type: Acoustic Guitar ), ( Dexterity: Right-handed )
The Yamaha APX500III is a compact, elegant, and powerful electric-acoustic guitar that offers an exceptional playing experience for musicians seeking versatility and portability. The body of the APX500III is constructed with a solid Engelmann Spruce top and Meranti back and sides, providing a well-rounded tonal balance and impressive projection. This guitar boasts an ART (Acoustic Resonance Technology) pickup system, ensuring an authentic and natural amplified sound, capturing the nuances of the instrument's voice while minimizing unwanted feedback.
A key feature of the APX500III is its versatile control panel. Situated on the upper bout is an easy-to-use contour control, which allows players to fine-tune the bass, mid, and treble frequencies. Additionally, there is a built-in tuner, making quick and accurate tuning a hassle-free process. The guitar comes equipped with undersaddle piezo pickups and a 3-band EQ with built-in chrome control knobs, offering an array of tonal variations that cater to varied playing styles.
Boasting a symmetrical narrow-taper neck and a 21-fret fingerboard, the APX500III allows for smooth and comfortable playing, especially for those with smaller hands. The fretboard is made of Rosewood, maintaining durability and imparting a rich, warm tone. The guitar features a conventional scalloped bracing pattern that further enhances the resonance and overall volume of the instrument.
Versatility is at the core of the APX500III's design. Its body shape is an Advance X, which provides both a traditional dreadnought sound and the added advantage of easy portability due to its compact size. Furthermore, a rosette design made up of abalone and maple inlay completes the refined look of the guitar.
The Yamaha APX500III is a must-consider option for guitarists seeking a dependable and authentic electric-acoustic guitar that is perfect for practice, performance, or studio recording sessions. With its natural, rich tone, easy playability, and advanced features, this instrument is guaranteed to accommodate the diverse needs of contemporary musicians.
The Yamaha APX500III is an electric-acoustic guitar designed for versatility and power. It features a solid spruce top, meranti back and sides, and a screw-in pickup system. In this analysis, we will discuss the pros and cons of buying a Yamaha APX500III electric-acoustic guitar.
Pros:1. Versatility: The Yamaha APX500III can function both as an electric and an acoustic guitar. You can plug it into an amplifier for bigger, amplified sound or play it acoustically. This flexibility is ideal for performances and practices in various settings.
2. Solid Spruce Top: A solid spruce top contributes to a vibrant, clear, and resonant tone compared to laminated tops. This feature makes the APX500III a great choice for guitar players looking for an enhanced acoustic sound.
3. Screw-in Pickup System: The screw-in pickup system allows you to easily install, remove, or change pickups to adapt to different playing styles and amplification needs. Furthermore, this feature ensures that the guitar maintains its aesthetic appearance.
4. Meranti Back and Sides: Meranti is a good choice for the back and sides of an acoustic guitar because it is resilient, light, and sustainably-sourced. It provides a balanced mid-range tone and a decent amount of bass response, contributing to the overall tone of the guitar.
5. Slim Neck Profile: The APX500III has a slim neck profile, which helps players with smaller hands or those preferring a more comfortable playing style. This neck profile offers quicker reach to the higher frets and can reduce hand and wrist fatigue.
Cons:1. Plastic Bridge: Although the plastic bridge on the APX500III is durable, it may affect the overall tone by being less resonant than a traditional wood bridge. Some players reported a slightly deadened sound when using the guitar acoustically due to the bridge's material.
2. Limited Fingerboard Radius: The guitar features a smaller 15.7-inch radius fingerboard that might not be comfortable for some players, particularly those used to a larger (12-14 inch) radius. A smaller radius makes bending strings more challenging and might require a longer period to adjust for players accustomed to larger radii.
3. Limited Customization Options: The APX500III offers fewer customization options compared to high-end electric-acoustic guitars. Yamaha does not offer optional bindings or unique finishes. This could be a drawback for players looking for a personalized guitar or prefer a more visually appealing instrument.
Conclusion:The Yamaha APX500III electric-acoustic guitar is a versatile and powerful option for musicians seeking flexibility between amplified and acoustic sounds. It provides a solid spruce top, screw-in pickup system, slim neck profile, and durable meranti back and sides. However, it comes with limitations such as a plastic bridge, limited fingerboard radius, and limited customization options.
Considering the pros and cons, the Yamaha APX500III electric-acoustic guitar is a decent choice for musicians who prefer an affordable, versatile guitar with a clear sound, easy portability, and a slim neck profile. However, those in search of a more traditional tone, a customized look, or a larger fingerboard radius might look elsewhere.
Recommendation:Based on the analysis, the Yamaha APX500III electric-acoustic guitar is recommended for players who value flexibility, ease of use, and a slim neck profile. It suits beginners, travelers, or musicians who want an affordable guitar without fretting about extra customization features or extensive tonal variations. If you are a professional player, already have a standard acoustic guitar, and prefer a more traditional tone, you may want to consider other options with more significant customization possibilities and better wear-resistant materials for the bridge.
Plays great, low action, quieter than a solid top or larger guitar when played unplugged, fantastic tone plugged in, Yamaha electronics are very good and the tuner works well. The Allen wrench still fits fine and I see nothing flawed with neck, its straight not twisted at all guitar plays great. The guitar does have one noticeable imperfection, truss rod nut not perfectly with cutout in bracing block see photo.
Yamaha apx 500III acoustic electric guitar, great condition, played lightly for only a few months. I didn't notice this until decided to adjust the action with a small turn truss rod nut.