Yamaha APX Series Acoustic Guitars 6 Models Comparison

Hello there, back again with another review, this time it’s the legendary Yamaha APX series electro-acoustic guitar!

Even though some of the older APX models are not in production anymore and have been replaced with other APX models, I would like to mention all models here as I saw how they performed when plugged in and played as a thin-line body acoustic guitar with my own eyes!

It’s one of the best-selling series of Yamaha guitar lines. APX series stands out with its unique features and design that result in one of its own kind acoustic guitars while being affordable all the time!

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Firstly, it’s a cutaway electro-acoustic guitar but with a thin body design! This means Yamaha APX series guitars are very lightweight and extremely easy to control.

If you are not a huge guy, you will probably need to get used to standard dreadnought and jumbo-body acoustic guitars. But with thin-line guitar bodies, it’s way easier to get used to the instrument.

On top of that, it also features a very slim neck that provides the utmost comfort in any register. Almost feels like an electric guitar!

Before we dive into details, here is my first encounter with a Yamaha APX500II, played by Selçuk Uzunhasanoğlu at MyDukkan (2014). Note that this model has been replaced with APX600, please keep watching and reading 🙂

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*Did you know the Yamaha APX series first appeared in the market in 1987? It was marketed as a hassle-free solution for the live acoustic guitar needs of 80’s guitar players!

Even though, it has been redesigned and evolved through the years, the core of APX design has remained the same.

Another unique feature of the APX series is their easily recognizable original oval soundhole design.

Yamaha claims this oval soundhole design strengthens low-mid frequencies and more clear and open low-end.

Every APX series guitars come with a different version of Yamaha’s System series preamps and SRT or ART piezo pickup system.

Yamaha has segmented APX series electro-acoustic guitars by different types of tonewoods and preamp systems. You will have all the details regarding tech specs and a comparison table for every APX series down below so please bear with me! 🙂

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APX series thin-line bodies come with uniquely designed, non-scalloped X-type bracing that helps to maximise body resonance for a fuller tone.

Note that all Yamaha APX series guitars are designed in Japan and manufactured in Indonesia.

You might think “Wait! It’s not a Japanese-made guitar?”, but do not worry! Yamaha’s design and quality control capabilities are beyond anyone’s imagination!

You will probably be shocked when you see the level of craftsmanship and build quality. There’s no other way to main these price segments while providing a huge value instrument to the musical instrument market.

There are actually a couple of different models from the same series. Yamaha APX600, APX700II as well as APX700II-12 which is a 12-string version, APX1000, APX1200II and last but not least the travel guitar version APX T2.

In the below comparison table, you will be able to compare every APX model side by side with their tech specs. Let’s have a look at them all in one place!

*Visitors on mobile devices; Did you know that you can scroll the comparison tables horizontally? Try yourself with the below table!

As you can see in the table above, Yamaha has done an excellent job on the segmentation of the APX series. Within the same series, you will have the same playing comfort with different tonewoods, hardware and electronics used.

On top of that, you will have a travel guitar option APX T2, a 12-string version APX700II-12 and a left-handed version APX700IIL.

Every guitar comes with either Yamaha FS50BT or D’addario XTABR1253 (ex EXP11) set of strings except the 12-string version which comes with D’addario XTABR1047 (ex EXP36).

Also, every preamp system offers a built-in tuner. However, only APX1000 and APX1200II offer additional Focus-Mic type select (mic modelling), Wide/Resonance/Blend/AFR controls.

The comparison table clearly portrays every tech spec that you need for considering your purchase.  If you aim to have the best tonewood with the most elegant cosmetics and the highest quality preamp, you will need to go for at least APX1000 or APX1200II.

Here’s a very nice video of the Yamaha APX1200II by Yamaha Music London.

Yamaha APX1200II Sound Demo

APX700II is the all-around, mid-way model that Yamaha has cleverly designed and based on production options around (left-handed and 12-string version).

But of course, if you are on a tight budget, you may prefer Yamaha APX 600 or the travel version APXT2. Hope this brief review and comparison of every Yamaha APX series guitar has been helpful for you and I would be really glad if you can benefit from this while choosing your APX!

By the way, if you want to know more about the different types of woods, components and parts of an acoustic guitar, I highly recommend you to check out my “25 Best Selling Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars for Beginners & Intermediate level“.

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