Yamaha L-Series LL6 ARE Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

Yamaha has a long history of making high-quality musical instruments, and their L-Series line of acoustic-electric guitars upholds this reputation. The L-Series features all-solid wood construction with no laminate, yielding instruments with rich, resonant tone and articulation.

The LL6 ARE reviewed here sits at the higher end of the L-Series lineup. As Yamaha's flagship L-Series model, it brings premium appointments and electronics to match its impressive acoustic voice. This dreadnought remains lightweight enough for extended playing comfort. Overall, the LL6 ARE blends vintage aesthetic with modern playability.

Design and Build Quality

The Yamaha LL6 ARE features a solid Engelmann spruce top paired with nato back and sides. Spruce is a popular choice for acoustic guitar tops, providing brightness and responsiveness. The nato used for the back and sides offers a balanced tone with clear lows and articulate highs.

The LL6 has a natural gloss finish that allows the wood grain to shine through beautifully. From the abalone rosette around the soundhole to the chrome die-cast tuners, it's clear that Yamaha paid close attention to detail with regards to fit and finish. The binding along the body and neck is cleanly executed for a seamless look.

Overall, the materials and craftsmanship of the LL6 make for a handsome, well-built acoustic-electric that looks and feels like a more expensive instrument. The solid spruce top gives it the resonance and projection expected from a quality acoustic, while the nato back and sides provide tonal balance.

The Donner DST152-W is another quality acoustic-electric guitar that competes well with the Yamaha LL6. It features a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, resulting in a balanced and nuanced acoustic tone. The body binding and rosette are aesthetically pleasing, and the chrome tuners help maintain tuning stability.

While the Yamaha may edge out the Donner in some regards, the Donner DST152-W is an impressive instrument for the price point. The combination of solid spruce and mahogany produces dynamic resonance across the tonal spectrum. And the onboard preamp and tuner make it easy to amplify and control the guitar's sound in live performance settings.

When comparing acoustic-electrics, you'll want to evaluate the tonewood combination, electronics, playability, and overall fit and finish. The Yamaha LL6 ARE and Donner DST152-W are both compelling options. The Yamaha highlights premium appointments and craftsmanship, while the Donner offers great bang for your buck. Check out the Donner DST152-W if you want a high quality acoustic-electric guitar at a budget-friendly price.

Sound and Tone

The Yamaha LL6 produces a balanced, warm tone with nice bass, clear mids, and crisp highs that project well. The solid spruce top and rosewood back and sides deliver a rich, full-bodied sound.

The LL6 has impressive bass resonance thanks to its jumbo body shape. Low end tones ring out with a pleasing roundness and depth. Mids are vocal and articulate. Highs come through bright and defined without being overly harsh or brittle. Notes decay smoothly.

Whether strumming rhythm chords or picking lead lines, the dynamic EQ of the LL6 provides excellent tonal balance across the frequency range. There is enough crispness for articulate single-note definition, but still enough low-mid warmth for strumming rich rhythmic accompaniment.

The LL6 projects well whether you're jamming with friends or performing solo. It has enough body and volume to fill a room without getting muddy or losing clarity. The tone remains balanced when you dig in and play harder. Notes don't break up or get too brash.

Overall, the LL6 offers professional level tone in a price-friendly acoustic-electric package. The solid spruce and rosewood pairing produces balanced, rich sound suitable for a wide range of musical styles.

If you're looking for another quality acoustic-electric guitar option, check out the Alhambra 4Z-US. This nylon-string classical guitar produces a bright, resonant tone thanks to its solid cedar top and Indian rosewood back and sides. The slim neck profile and low action make it very comfortable and playable. The 4Z-US features an onboard preamp and piezo pickup for amplifying your sound through an PA system or amplifier.

Like the Yamaha LL6, the Alhambra 4Z-US is well-balanced across the tonal spectrum with clear treble, rich lows, and articulate mids. The nylon strings provide a softer, warmer tone compared to steel strings. Fingerstyle playing brings out the 4Z-US's dynamic sound. Strumming produces full chords with nice sustain.

The 4Z-US works well for classical guitar styles as well as for playing pop, rock, jazz, blues, and more on a nylon-string instrument. The slim neck and comfortable playability allow easy fretting and bending compared to many classical guitars. The built-in electronics give you stage-ready amplified tones.

Both the Yamaha LL6 steel-string and Alhambra 4Z-US nylon-string acoustic-electrics offer quality construction, balanced tone, and great playability. The LL6 provides crisp steel-string sound perfect for pop, rock, country, blues, and folk. The 4Z-US gives you softer nylon tones ideal for classical, jazz, Latin, and fingerstyle playing. Check them out to find your perfect acoustic-electric match.

Playability

The LL6 features Yamaha's tried and true NEX neck profile, which provides a comfortable and familiar feeling rounded "C" shape neck. The neck is crafted from quality nato wood and has a smooth satin finish that allows for fast and comfortable movement up and down the neck.

The string action on the LL6 is set very well from the factory, with low action and no buzzing. This makes playing chords and leads very comfortable without much finger pressure needed. The nut width is a comfortable 1 11/16", allowing ample room for fingering chords while not being too wide.

The fretwork on the LL6 is excellent, which is expected from a major manufacturer like Yamaha. The frets are nicely dressed and polished, providing a smooth playing feel. There are no sharp fret ends to snag on your fingers while playing. The fretboard edges are smoothly rolled for comfort. Overall the fretwork helps contribute to the easy playability of the LL6.

Hardware

The LL6 ARE features high-quality hardware that can stand up to regular use. The die-cast chrome tuners keep the guitar in tune nicely and allow for smooth tuning adjustments. The adjustable truss rod provides tension control over the maple neck and allows you to adjust the neck relief as needed.

The rosewood bridge and compensated saddle provide excellent intonation and transfer of vibrations. The white ABS pickguard protects the spruce top from pick scratches. Overall the hardware is durable yet functional, providing what you need without getting in the way of playing.

The chrome die-cast tuners are an upgrade from previous Yamaha acoustic-electric models, which had less precise tuners. The adjustable truss rod allows you to customize the neck relief, and the compensated saddle enables precise intonation across the fretboard. Altogether the hardware enables easy playability and reliability.

Electronics

The LL6 ARE features Yamaha's own System66 piezo pickup and preamp system designed specifically for their L Series guitars. This system is optimized for amplifying the LL6's solid spruce top and rosewood back and sides.

The piezo pickup utilizes 3-band EQ with bass, mid, and treble controls, allowing you to shape your amplified tone. There is also a built-in tuner with high visibility LED tuning indicators. Volume and tone controls are ergonomically designed and positioned near the bottom bout for easy access while playing.

The System66 preamp produces a balanced and natural amplified tone across all registers from thundering lows to shimmering highs. It captures the nuances of the guitar's acoustic voice and translates it into amplified sound faithfully and authentically. The onboard preamp also applies compression and limiting to prevent feedback at higher volumes. Overall the electronics package allows you to plug in and amplify your acoustic tone with ease.

Pros

The Yamaha LL6 ARE acoustic-electric guitar has several notable strengths that make it a great option for players looking for a quality dreadnought guitar at an affordable price point.

Great Sound Quality: The LL6 produces a balanced, warm tone thanks to its solid Engelmann spruce top and rosewood back and sides. It has a rich low end, clear mids, and crisp highs that come together into a very pleasing overall acoustic voice. The guitar projects well and has good sustain.

Playability: The neck has a comfortable, slim profile that makes it easy to play. It feels very smooth and inviting right out of the box. The action is also set up nicely from the factory, making it comfortable for both strumming chords and fingerstyle playing.

Electronics: The LL6 comes equipped with Yamaha's System66 pickup and preamp system, which accurately captures the guitar's natural acoustic tone. The controls are simple and intuitive to use. This is a great feature for amplified performances or recording scenarios.

Craftsmanship: As expected from Yamaha, the fit and finish on the LL6 is excellent. The tuning machines work smoothly and hold tune well. The bracing and construction contribute to the guitar's impressive resonance and sustain.

Value: Considering its solid wood construction, pickup system, and Yamaha craftsmanship, the LL6 ARE provides excellent value. It outperforms many guitars costing significantly more.

Cons

Overall, the Yamaha LL6 ARE is a fantastic guitar that lives up to Yamaha's reputation for quality and value. However, there are a few downsides worth noting:

• The LL6 has a laminated back and sides rather than solid wood. While laminate is more durable and affordable, some players feel it doesn't resonate as nicely as solid wood alternatives. The top is still solid spruce though.

• The electronics and preamp are decent quality but basic. You don't get the tonal shaping options of higher-end preamps. The tuner is also quite basic.

• The neck width is slimmer than some players prefer. Those with larger hands may find it a bit cramped.

• The factory strings aren't the best. You'll want to replace them to really hear the full potential of the guitar.

• It's made in China rather than Japan or North America. The build quality is still good, but some prefer Yamaha's Japanese models.

• No frills gig bag included. You'll need to buy a hard case for serious protection.

• No cutaway for upper fret access. The body shape is a traditional dreadnought.

So while not perfect, the LL6 ARE still represents a great value acoustic-electric guitar for a very reasonable price. A few minor compromises help keep costs down. More expensive models can improve on some of the shortcomings.

Competition

When it comes to acoustic-electric guitars in this price range, the Yamaha LL6 ARE competes with models from other major brands like Fender and Taylor.

The Fender CD-60SCE is a comparable dreadnought acoustic-electric with laminated mahogany back and sides. It comes in around the same $300 price point as the LL6 ARE. The Fender features a solid spruce top, mahogany neck, and Fishman electronics similar to the Yamaha. The CD-60SCE is known for its balanced tone and easy playability. However, it may not have quite the same level of refinement and build quality as the Japanese-made LL6.

Another competitor is the Taylor Big Baby. This is a smaller bodied acoustic-electric with a solid Sitka spruce top. It also has laminated sapele back and sides. The Big Baby has a shorter 24.75" scale length and smaller nut width, making it more beginner friendly. However, the tone may not have the same power and projection as the larger bodied LL6 ARE. The Taylor comes in a bit more expensive around the $400 mark.

Overall, the Yamaha LL6 ARE can hold its own against comparably priced models from Fender and Taylor. Yamaha's excellent build quality and the solid Engelmann spruce top make the LL6 a formidable competitor in the sub-$500 acoustic-electric category. While the laminated back and sides keep costs down, the guitar still delivers impressive tone and playability.

Summary

The Yamaha LL6 ARE builds upon the already impressive LL series by adding useful electronics while retaining the excellent sound and playability. The all-solid wood construction and scalloped bracing produce rich, resonant acoustic tones. The SRT piezo pickup and preamp system faithfully reproduce the LL6's natural sound when plugged in. At this price point, it's hard to find another acoustic-electric with solid wood construction.

The comfortable neck and superb intonation make the LL6 a joy to play. The onboard tuner, flexible EQ options, and discrete preamp controls provide functional stage-ready performance. While feedback can be an issue for acoustic-electrics at higher volumes, the LL6 manages it well. Overall, the Yamaha LL6 ARE is an outstanding choice for an acoustic-electric guitar that excels equally in acoustic and plugged-in scenarios.

Final thoughts and recommendations: For intermediate to advanced players seeking an acoustic-electric dreadnought with lush authentic tone, easy playability, and stage-friendly features, the Yamaha LL6 ARE should be on your short list. It punches above its price bracket. Unless you need premium all-solid-wood appointments like fancier inlays and binding, the LL6 provides incredible value without cutting corners on tonewood quality. Highly recommended for gigging musicians on a budget.