Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

[That90'sGuy]

... namely the AES-620

Anybody know if these can pull off the classic thick Les Paul tones and killer sustain? I have a craving for a wine red Les Paul and I'm thinking this Yamaha might actually do the trick (certainly looks like a cool guitar).

Anybody have any experience with these guitars and would like to share?

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

I've played one and really liked it. I also played another and thought it was pretty feh. On the one I liked, the tone was sort of halfway between a Paul and a Jnr, due to the all-mahogany body (the top is a veneer). The neck pick sounds very good and the JB gives the bridge tone quite a bit of push withot sounding too compressed.

Playability and construction was pretty good for the price. I thought it was a nice guitar.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

Don't know about the 620, but my 500 has killer workmanship on every aspect. Look at the higher end models. Those come with a real maple cap and a pair of 59's.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

They are quite good to say the least. I was very surprised. Their hollowbody model is great too.

 

[dani]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

i am not a lp fan but i must say the aes played really well for the money. nice build all around but the bridge is a tad dodgy. maybe a switch to tonepros will solve that.

 

[Jonny R]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

I heard one (not sure exact model) being played through a Bogner - sounded great, not surprisingly.

 

[Dan-ola]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

I had been looking at them for a while; the clincher? When I saw King's X and Ty played a 620 most of the night - instead of his signature model! After the show, he said he loved the 620 and was playing it on most of their set... I lucked out and found a 620HB, the semi-hollow model; little more open and airy than the solid but can still run from clean to blues to crunch to metal! Neck is good-sized but still plays fast, body is great shape and has good balence. Les Paul thick sound but with a little more twang... Fit and finish on mine was great too.

Sure stopped me from guitar GAS - now I can focus on amp GAS, or pedal GAS, or acoustic GAS :laugh2:

Dano

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

I've picked up a few and checked them out. Yamaha sure gives you a good guitar for the price, that's for sure. I can't say anything bad about them, although I'm sure they cut some corners on the electronics/pots/pickups, just like any guitar for under $650.

 

[Jeroen]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

I've picked up a few and checked them out. Yamaha sure gives you a good guitar for the price, that's for sure. I can't say anything bad about them, although I'm sure they cut some corners on the electronics/pots/pickups, just like any guitar for under $650.

Except for the bridge pickup, that is. There's an SH4 in there

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

Yamaha's value for money is bang on. I've heard that the 620 suffers a bit on clean tones but rocks like a b@stard with a bit of gain.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

I like what I'm hearing so far I just want something that sustains really well and lends itself to a nice thick and chunky sound (like a good les paul). Cosmetics do not have to be fancy (I just really wanted a dark red les paul this time ). I'm thinking of throwing in some PAF clones in there (probably some Lollar Imperials and this looks like a good base for them). I want a really thick sounding lead guitar for the band, so I may just have to spring for this.

Anybody want to warn me about anything before I take the plunge? Something like "what the **ll are you doin', get a REAL les paul or something"...lol?

 

[wildstar]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

I had been looking at them for a while; the clincher? When I saw King's X and Ty played a 620 most of the night - instead of his signature model! After the show, he said he loved the 620 and was playing it on most of their set...

I read an interview with Ty recently. He raved about these Yamaha guitars, and said he was barely playing his signature model anymore!

If it's good enough for Ty Tabor...

I've wanted to try one myself, but haven't yet.

 

[Dan-ola]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

The one thing Ty doesnt mention is the fact that he is using the pickups out of the 720; he loved the guitar but I guess switching to Randall tube amps (thank god!) he needed a different tone from the JB/Yamaha set in the 620; I talked to DiMarzio and the 720 pickups are special build for Yamaha but are very close to the Super III - so a bit brighter with a little more drive, probably not as sharp as a JB on the high-end... His tone sure was thick but bright and defined when I saw them - reminds me, KingsX is playing in town on Friday!!

I have been thinking about replacing the neck pickup but so far have been very happy with the sounds so why mess? Would be interested in before/after clips after switching to Lollars...

Dano

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

I like what I'm hearing so far I just want something that sustains really well and lends itself to a nice thick and chunky sound (like a good les paul). Cosmetics do not have to be fancy (I just really wanted a dark red les paul this time ). I'm thinking of throwing in some PAF clones in there (probably some Lollar Imperials and this looks like a good base for them). I want a really thick sounding lead guitar for the band, so I may just have to spring for this.

Anybody want to warn me about anything before I take the plunge? Something like "what the **ll are you doin', get a REAL les paul or something"...lol?

the only warning I have is that Yamaha likes to use nato on their midrange guitars, making some a bit darker than a mahogany LP. Play as many as you can and get the one with the most highs unplugged.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

From what I've heard they're more akin to an SG than an Les Paul construction-wise apart from the maple cap (mainly referring to body thickness, slight neck heaviness, etc) so that might be the case tonally as well.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

I used to own one (in blue) and it was simply a joy to play. I actually sold it in order to buy a Les Paul because the AES just made me want the real thing. Later, after playing the Paul for quite some time, I realized they were completely different guitars.

I kinda miss it sometimes, but you know, it's a guitar that's certainly worth missing.

The clean tone on the neck pickup is killer and when you turn down the bridge, if you're on the distortion channel, it cleans up really nicely.

The middle position, with the JB turned down just about half way and the neck eased off just a tad, is a ridiculously perfect blend of the two. The combination is perfect period. Takes the edge off the JB and adds a little grit to the neck. Plus, if you turn up the JB you get a nice solo boost!

I'd say, considering I've discovered the difference, the AES620 is a great guitar in its own right and certainly stands up against the Les Paul. The neck itself seems a little thicker than the average Les Paul and fits more into the "baseball bat" category of neck profiles though, so be warned.

 

[john5959]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

I used to own one (in blue) and it was simply a joy to itself seems a little thicker than the average Les Paul and fits more into the "baseball bat" category of neck profiles though, so be warned.

Yeah it's a great guitar but it's got one big-ass neck!

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Somebody fill me in on Yamaha's AES guitars

I used to own one (in blue) and it was simply a joy to play. I actually sold it in order to buy a Les Paul because the AES just made me want the real thing. Later, after playing the Paul for quite some time, I realized they were completely different guitars.

I kinda miss it sometimes, but you know, it's a guitar that's certainly worth missing.

The clean tone on the neck pickup is killer and when you turn down the bridge, if you're on the distortion channel, it cleans up really nicely.

The middle position, with the JB turned down just about half way and the neck eased off just a tad, is a ridiculously perfect blend of the two. The combination is perfect period. Takes the edge off the JB and adds a little grit to the neck. Plus, if you turn up the JB you get a nice solo boost!

I'd say, considering I've discovered the difference, the AES620 is a great guitar in its own right and certainly stands up against the Les Paul. The neck itself seems a little thicker than the average Les Paul and fits more into the "baseball bat" category of neck profiles though, so be warned.

Thanks for the review! I have huge hands so a wide/fat neck is probably just what I need (although I do like the 60's slim taper as well... I guess I just dig Gibson's necks all the way around).

As long as this guitar has good sustain and a naturally thick sound, I think I'll be happy with it. I certainly don't care for fancy inlays or names on headstocks as much anymore. I have to see if there are any Yamaha dealers in the area, because I haven't seen any in the stores I typically check out.