Yamaha SLG100N Silent Guitar with Headphones and Gig Bag

Feature:
Purchased used so the headphones were missing. Just fine the way it is. It does not need a built in tuner. Works nicely with the DC converter. There's even an anchoring tab on the back to secure the converter's cable. Nice touch.

Quality:
Since it was purchased used, it seemed to have held up fairly well considering the previous owner traveled with it a lot. I'm not a big fan of new Asian made guitars but the build of this Yamaha is quite good for a mass produced instrument. The fit and finish are impressive as is the electronics. As with anything, the guitar should last for decades with care. Because it's nylon stringed, there won't be that much wear on the frets and the nylon strings are very easy on the mahogany neck.

Value:
I think this guitar is worth every penny. I haven't heard other travel-type guitars but I'm very pleased with this Yamaha. I don't really think of it as a practice or travel guitar but instead a really exceptionally sounding amplified nylon string guitar that can be taken on trips.

Desirability:
It doesn't look like anything out on the market currently. Very 'artsy" with its outline frame, natural maple futuristic body and classic rosewood fingerboard and headstock shape. A nice styling touch is that Yamaha tastefully, did not plaster their name on the headstock. A lot of guitar companies put together really good looking guitars only to cheapen the appearance with a really tacky or ugly logo or brand name lettering. Yamaha instead has a little circular decal of their "triple tuning fork icon", which they also use on their motorcycles.

Sound:
Very impressed with overall sound. Bought it used and had problems with low output and 60 cycle hum. Turns out it was a bad under saddle transducer. Replaced it and it is now amazing. Very quiet, notes are very well articulated, and the reverb channels 1 and 2 work surprisingly well. Very natural sounding, no piezo "quack" common with other under saddle transducers and absolutely no feedback at all. String balance is very good, warm, natural, and a lot of sustain even on the dry channel. Very musical when going into an amp and very plush sounding when plugged into headphones.

Ease of Use:
Very easy to use. If you need instructions, then you probably shouldn't be playing this guitar. With the basic controls, lots of variation of tones available. Much more comfortable than a standard classical guitar. The neck is well shaped, the frets well dressed, and the overall feel is very playable due in part to its light weight and ergonomic lower bout. Be warned, this guitar's preamp will go through a lot of 9 volt batteries especially if you use the DSP reverb channels. I just keep it plugged in to the dc converter.

Support:
Yamaha had no real answers to the low output problem and the 60 cycle hum. They suggested authorized guitar repair shops in my area but that would be costly. I contacted B-Band Inc., the makers of the pick up system and they were the ones who recommended replacing the under saddle transducer pick up. It took about 15 minutes to install and it was the solution to the problem. The B-Band customer support was very helpful. BTW it was $39.00 for the replacement pick up.

Overall:
This one's a keeper. I've played the steel string version but I like this nylon stringed version much better. Because it's very tonal, it's great for performing with, Lee Ritenauer uses one. Very clean when plugged into a good amp. The main thing is no feedback, very natural sounding, comfortable to play, looks like no other. It also has an input with a volume control for connecting with a music source like a CD player, computer or Ipod to jam with. The black nylon soft case is very well made and well thought out with lots of useful compartments. Overall...well done Yamaha.

Feature:
The guitar is a quality design, and the electronics are functional for a practice instrument. However, those people who claim you "don't need a tuner" with it are just silly. Of course you do. At the price you pay for this thing, a tuner should be standard. This instrument is way to expensive for what you get, not to have it included.

Quality:
Very well made. I'm somewhat surprised that the B-Band electronics are as "quacky" as they are, but I assume that's what you get when you go with a solid chunk of wood, and no sound chamber.

Value:
This is the biggest disappointment. For what you are paying, I don't blame folks for wanting more than you get with this product. Better sound would be nice (but not fully necessary - it's a PRACTICE GUITAR). An onboard tuner is absolutely a must. As it is, this instrument is priced about $200 higher than I would have expected, given what you get.

Desirability:
I'm very busy, I work in an office, and time is of the essence. This is a great solution for someone like me who'd like to keep up his "chops" but doesn't want the inconvenience of a full-sized classical guitar cluttering up his office space. And of course, I don't disturb anyone when I'm playing it!

Sound:
I feel that the majority of other reviews of this product are misleading. Meaning no offense, but most of the people who consider that this instrument sounds "terrific," and "better than anything I've ever heard," have apparently little or no experience with a quality classical guitar. Very simply put, the Piezo "quack" on this instrument is undeniable. That's not to say that it's a bad product, it's just to say that I vehemently disagree with those who are "amazed" at the sound. I have owned about half a dozen classical guitars in my life, and have played a great many more. I currently own a nice little Washburn instrument with a solid Cedar top and B-Band electronics that cost me about $300 brand new, and sounds great for the price. That Washburn runs rings around my Yamaha SLG100N, plugged in OR unplugged. There's simply no comparison. The SLG100N has a nice neck, feels great and is a terrific choice for a rehearsal and travel instrument, which was my purpose in purchasing it. But I wouldn't even think of performing with it, the electronics are SO "quacky." Now, it may be that I just got a bad instrument where the electronics are concerned, but "Piezo quack" is a fact of life with all but the highest-end piezoelectric pickup systems - and this one has no "acoustics" that would allow for any other type of amplification - so I doubt it. I think it just is what it is. I advise NOT picking this thing up if you think it's going to be a versatile instrument to play out with, especially if you play a classical or jazz repertoire where sound quality is a must. This is a practice and travel guitar, period. You are sacrificing the qualities of a "real" performing instrument in order to be able to practice your scales and learn your pieces whenever and wherever you want. It's great for that, but nothing more.

Ease of Use:
It's reasonable, save for needing to put it together (that's a trade-off for what it's to be used for, of course), and it's awkward having to plug it in unless you go with the battery.

Support:
N/A

Overall:
Good for what you get - but not great.