The Yamaha APX500 has perennially been one of our best selling acoustic guitars. It's simple, sounds great and plays excellently for a very good price. As such, it has been updated so we now have the APX500 mark II or APX500II for short. The new APX500 acoustic guitar features the same high quality build and materials as its predecessor and now comes in new colours with a System 65 preamp system which offers better ergonomics compared to the previous APX series preamps, and even includes a built-in tuner.
Yamaha design these guitars specifically for electric guitarists so that the feel is much closer to what you know. Since many other acoustic guitars seem designed to eat your fingers with huge strings and bulky body sizes the APX500 is ideal for electric players who want to grab something for the softer moments but still want a feel closer to their axe.
APX500 is playable all the way up to the upper frets thanks to a thin-line body and cutaway. It sounds balanced with a restrained bass end and detailed treble articulation. This red metallic version is outspoken yet classy.
Yamaha APX500II Guitarist Magazine Review
"Aided by a fine set-up, well-dressed fretting and a shorter 634mm scale length, this is eminently playable and comfortable."
"The guitar is a decidedly capable performer. Acoustic volume, if not blastingly loud, is up to par for the body size, with reasonable dynamics and sustain, and the tone is smooth and fluid with an agreeable degree of lower-end warmth and sweet-edged highs."
"Pros: Knock-out performance for the money. Cons: Close bridge string spacing. Non-muting onboard tuner."
"Verdict: Guaranteed to keep APX high up the stage-electro charts."
Jim Chapman - Guitarist Magazine
Here's what Yamaha say about the APX500II acoustic guitar
The world most sold electric acoustic guitar, 500 series now reveals its upgraded version.
Cosmetically stage-aggressive attitude with refined hue is totally new to classic rock generation as well as live fanatic new comers. This is an excitement generator with Yamaha's own upgraded electric system and excellent playability.
APX's thin-line body combines incredible comfort, easy top-fret access and a sound perfectly suited to on-stage use with bright, clear mids, balanced highs and controlled lows. Specially designed non-scalloped X-type bracing allows the guitar's top to sing and maximizes the resonance of the unique body shape for a full, natural tone. With dynamics, sensitivity and clarity built into the design from day one, APX is a guitar not to be underestimated.
Specifications
- Top: Spruce
- Back: Nato
- Side: Nato
- Neck: Nato
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Bridge: Rosewood
- Body Depth: 80-90mm (3 1/8" - 3 9/16")
- Nut Width: 43mm
- String Length: 634mm
- Tuners: Die-Cast Chrome
- Preamp: System 65
System 65 features an under-saddle piezo pickup developed by Yamaha. Controls include a 3-band equalizer, an adjustable mid-range frequency control, and a precision chromatic tuner for optimum sound tailoring. The system is powered by easy to obtain AA-size batteries that provide a stable power supply for improved sound quality.
