Yamaha L series label question.

[pdx]

So I just recently found a great LS-10 while on a road trip to Idaho and have become a little bit enamored with these finely made Japanese acoustics. While I initially could not find much information on the model, I soon realized that this same guitar was under the LS-400 label for the US market. In my reasearch I noticed that the LS-400 and 500 models, equivalent to the LS-10 and 20, do not have a signature on their labels. From what I have read, only the 56 and up are single luthier made instruments. Does anyone know, or have a good idea on why 1) the LS-10/20 get a signature while the LS-400/500 do not, and 2) of these models are not single luthier built, why is there a signature on the the label?

I have noticed the same signature for all LS-10’s and it would seem the same signature for 26/36 guitars.

[247hoopsfan]

I don’t know about your label question, I have never heard that the LS10/20 were the same as the 400/500 models. I have a LL500 and it has a leather label with handwritten serial#. The LL500 was the top of the handcrafted L series from 1999-2003. I don’t know if they were single luthier instruments, but they were made in the custom workshop in Hamamatsu, Japan. when I bought mine I compared it to an LL36 and the LL500 was superior. The craftsmanship, tone and sustain is amazing.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Rf6zy4][/url

[owm]

1. It is unclear why the Japan market LS-10 and LS-20 are signed but the export market LS400 and LS500 aren't. They are the same instruments. Same goes for the LL400 and LL500 too which have no Japan domestic versions. They are however based off the older Yamaha LA and LS models.

2. The signature on the LS-10/20 leather label is Fumio Naruse's, who was part of the original L series production team and oversees the classical guitar division. He isn't the builder but the signature is a sign/proof of Yamaha hand-craftmanship and QC check. It is also a tradition as previously for high end Yamaha acoustics that came out of Hamamatsu, the signature on the leather labels was Terumi 'Terry' Nakamoto from 1971 till late '80s. The LL/LJ/LS series since 2004 sports Hiroshi Sakurai's signature who is the current design head of Yamaha acoustic guitars.

Unlike Yamaha classical guitars, the names of the luthier(s) that build handcrafted Yamaha acoustics remain largely unnamed/unknown. I only know of two, Michio Seki and Masashi Nakabachi. However they have also left Yamaha employment and should still be working/building guitars under Terry Nakamoto's brand, Terry's Terry, today.

Originally Posted by pdx

So I just recently found a great LS-10 while on a road trip to Idaho and have become a little bit enamored with these finely made Japanese acoustics. While I initially could not find much information on the model, I soon realized that this same guitar was under the LS-400 label for the US market. In my reasearch I noticed that the LS-400 and 500 models, equivalent to the LS-10 and 20, do not have a signature on their labels. From what I have read, only the 56 and up are single luthier made instruments. Does anyone know, or have a good idea on why 1) the LS-10/20 get a signature while the LS-400/500 do not, and 2) of these models are not single luthier built, why is there a signature on the the label?

I have noticed the same signature for all LS-10’s and it would seem the same signature for 26/36 guitars.

[Proclaimer888]

Great info! keep this tread going with more Yamaha Acoustic Guitar L series info please! Anyone know how many of the LL series being made each year?

[owm]

Don't think there are actual production figures released but for the top end LL86 Custom ARE, to-date, the latest serial number is 23x only so on average, 10 units are made per year.

Supposedly new production of the following LL models have been suspended since Oct 2022 (from an announcement on the Yamaha webpage) which affect the following products: LL86CUSTOM ARE, LL56CUSTOM ARE, LJ56CUSTOM ARE, LS56CUSTOM ARE, LL36ARE, LJ36ARE, LS36ARE, LL26 ARE, JL26 ARE, LS26ARE, LLX36C ARE, LJX36C ARE, LSX36C ARE, LLX26C ARE (NT/BL/TBS), LJX 26C ARE (NT/BL/TBS), LSX26C ARE (NT/BL/TBS)

But I have seen a Feb 2023 LL56 Custom ARE for sale in Japan so perhaps this suspension has been lifted.

Originally Posted by Proclaimer888

Great info! keep this tread going with more Yamaha Acoustic Guitar L series info please! Anyone know how many of the LL series being made each year?