Yamaha L Series Club

[L20A]

So who owns an L series Yamaha?
What year and what woods?

My L20A is from 1981.
I have not heard of anyone else ever owning one of these.
All solid wood with Rosewood B&S and Sitka top.
This is an amazing guitar. Much more than I ever expected it to be.

I see that Yamaha also produces some guitars that were LL series.
What would be the difference in an L series and an LL series?

How do newer L series Yamaha guitars differ from the 70's and 80's L series?

[rroodd]

This is my Yammie LSX36C I owned a few years back.
Highest end model they make ( modern era ).






Solid Sitka/EIR, and a bit of bling to go with it.
Absolutely amazing finish quality - right up there with some of the best I've seen.
Unfortunately neck just a little too narrow for my hands , so she had to depart ways...
Brilliant body size though, just right for my taste.

[L20A]

That is a beautiful guitar.
Where was it made?

[leatherguy]

Shore is purdy

[leatherguy]

Originally Posted by L20A

How do newer L series Yamaha guitars differ from the 70's and 80's L series?

Here's a great deal on one you should check out.
I have one of these and it's great.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=307781

[thiseas]

Hi,

I'm another happy Yamaha customer.
I own a LS16 model with solid engelman top and solid EIR b&s. I bought it in 2011, new from ebay.

I dont have pictures but you can watch her in action here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvxy22PQfuQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dk3Ezy7cnE
I like especially how it sounds on the first clip.
I have never played a guitar anywhere near this price range(450 euros) that made me think about replacing my trusty Yammie.

Up until now the only guitar that made me sigh with envy, is a 5400 euros worth, redwood/cocobolo Lowden

Theo

[clintj]

I have an LL16 I got last year, Engelmann spruce over East Indian rosewood. I've only found two guitars so far I like better, a Taylor 814 and a Martin HD-28. Not bad for a sub-$800 guitar.

[247hoopsfan]

Here is my LL500, made from 1999-2003. All solid woods spruce/EIR. Very intricate bindings, high quality craftmanship. This was the top of the handcrafted line, made in Japan. Today's equivalent model would be LL36.
The LL500 sounds better than any Martin or Taylor I have played. It even gives my brazilian Larrivee a run.

[leehop71]

I believe the L series is still their best!!

[yammieplaya]

I have five. Where to begin? I'll go in the order in which I acquired them:
Got a new LLX-6 in 2008 or so. I already had 2 FG-340's made in 1980 or so. I tried a bunch of inexpensive guitars at a Tom Lee store in Hong Kong. The LL-6 really stood out - huge, rich sound with lots of overtones and sustain. I'm not crazy about the yellow top, so I leave it out near a window in hopes that a lot of indirect sunlight will age it. Great guitar and a great deal.
Plugged in it keeps the huge sound, dwarfing many nice guitars that have mediocre pickups.

Well then I was fully hooked on Yamahas. Watching eBay everyday, I saw an L-15A come up. Made in 1981. A little research told me that it would be the greatest thing ever, so I bid it up like a drunken sailor and won. And it IS the greatest thing ever. Like L20A says, except a two piece rosewood back. It sounds to me like a hand made. Beautiful marquetry all around. Seriously, get one.

When my cousin showed me how to play Melissa I knew I needed a 12 string. Naturally, I looked into Yamahas and won an LL-5-12 on Ebay. 1985. Spruce top, mahogany back. Thunder and lightening. Forget about it. Basic but nice appointments. The top has darkened beautifully.

I'd coveted an LL-500 for a while and stepped up and bought an immaculate one on eBay. 2002, rosewood. Beautiful guitar, I love the appointments. Love the clear pickguard. But I have had the wrong strings on it the 8 months or so that I've had it. Too heavy. In a week or two I'll put on some EJ16s and I'll have yet another L series beast on my hands. The LL-500 is a bunch easier to play, but honestly I think the L-15A has a much finer tone. 500 for strumming and 15 for the rest, although of course they are both great for everything.

In conclusion, (sarcastic applause), in conclusion I recently got an LLX-5 on eBay. Same trim as the LL-5-12. Hog back. We don't know what the X in LLX-5 means. I'm quite sure this guitar never had a pickup in it. I don't know when it was made. LL-5's were made in the late 80s, but this guitar doesn't seem that old to me. It sounds and plays great. Maybe a little non-descript in that no aspect really jumps out at you. Just a really nice guitar for an unbelievable price.

So those are my 5 L series. All solid woods all around (except for the LLX-6). All really nice guitars for a great price. The LL-500 is the only one made in Japan. All the others were made in Taiwan.

[L20A]

I would love to play an L series 12 string. I have not seen one of them that I could try though.

I'm trying to locate a site that offers more info on the L series Yamaha guitars.
If you know of one, please post it here.

[yammieplaya]

I have not seen a site with a lot of L series info.

[Bubba Blues]

I have five and love them all.


From left to right.
LS-400BL
LL-400
L15A
LL-500
LS-10BS

[L20A]

Very nice collection Bubba Blues.
I would love to play them. Which one:
1- Is loudest
2- Has the deepest bass
3- Is the best balanced
4- Is your favorite

[YamaYairi]

I have a 1977 L6. All solid woods; Ezo spruce top, Indian Rosewood back and sides, ebony fingerboard and bridge. It is simply a wonderful guitar. Plays like butter, sounds so sweet and powerful. I don't have any photos of the guitar itself but here is one of me playing it.