SeriesYamaha AEX

Purchased from Music Plaza in Singapore. It cost me $549 Singapore Dollars. (About $323US dollars) I purchased this one as it was such a bargain. It had what I needed - 2 mini humbuckers and it was a semi acoustic. I had been looking for a 335 type guitar and thought I'd give this a try. I am glad I did. Read on........... First thing that appealled to me about this single cutaway semi, was the finish, Orange stain. Also When I picked this up and played it acoustically off the peg, it just oozed quality in terms of feel and acoustic sound. Plugged in, the neck pick-up sounded warm and full. Just a perfect electric jazz tone. Then I cranked up the gain flipped over to the bridge pick up and this babe just gave the most awesome blues sound, bags of sustain. Tested through a Yamaha DG 60 Combo. (brillant little amp) I use this guitar for jazz and blues only. There is a version of it (AEX 502) which has P90 style pick ups. That is also very nice. It was a tough decision but the 520 I felt had a better jazz tone. I have however read lots of review and the 502 has got 5 stars every time so I guess I should have bought that one too !!! (Not enough spare cash though). The neck is very fast too. I seriously recommend you check out this guitar if you are on a budget and looking for a high class instrument. I owned a Yamaha SG 1000 in the 80's and it was good so I knew Yamaha were respectable. I cannot find one fault with this instrument. Listen its a Yamaha. Yamaha dont churn out junk. Go to even the cheaper Yamaha electrics PAC 112 and you'll see what I mean. Solid Alder body and maple top. Rosewood fingerboard. The whole instrument feels like something which should cost over 1000 dollars. Buy this guitar and you will not regret it. It can do all you need. Jazz, Blues, Rock you name it. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

(Originally written by devil-blues/translated from Audiofanzine FR) - Made in Japan - Frets: 20. Pickups: one mini humbucker, one piezo (bridge) - Bridge: floating bridge with great-looking trapezoidal tailpiece! - Settings: 3-way toggle switch, volume and tone controls for the mini humbucker, piezo/humbucker balance control, 3-band EQ for the piezo pickup. - Neck: set maple neck (extremely pleasant to play!) Wonderful-looking guitar! Just perfect. UTILIZATION Very pleasant neck, the hand slides smoothly. It's a real delight. - Difficult access to the upper frets (15th fret and above) because of the shape of the guitar, but you'll quickly get used to it. - Excellent playability. You can play two hours standing without getting tired! It's a real pleasure! Good unplugged sound! Just plug it in and have fun. You'll quickly get any sound you need thanks to the pickup configuration. SOUNDS - You can use it for all sorts of blues, and even for rock'n'roll but it is unbeatable for jazz! 70's hard rock is also not bad. - I use it with a Fender Jazz King amp and it's a true delight. Add delay and reverb pedals and you are in paradise ;) - You'll easily get a crystal-clear sound but you can also get a fat sound. - I love every sound this guitar makes! 10/10 without hesitation OVERALL OPINION - I've been using it for one year and it has never disappointed me! Pros: Neck, sound, looks! Con? Nothing at all... except the access to the upper frets (between the 15th and 20th frets) which is still possible (and don't worry I've got short fingers). - I tried out dozen of guitars (including two Gibson and two Fender) but this one is clearly my favorite instrument! - Unbeatable value for money! I think it's worth at least twice its price!! You have to try it out. I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again!