Yamaha EZ-AG Self-Teaching Guitar
The excitement of a guitar without the sore fingers, broken strings, poor tuning and tedious exercises. 6 lighted frets.
Overall User Ratings (based on 224 ratings)
Submitted November 13, 2007 by a customer from aol.com
"Great knock around toy. I love being able to use the capo in either direction."
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I just bought another one.
Sound
Twenty sounds are built in. Six string & twelve string guitar sounds are excellent. Piano, shamisen and slap bass are good. The rest are marginal.
Features
Always in tune of course. The action on the right hand string portion is very good for finger picking. Also most useful is the ability to capo down as well as up. No need to transcribe chords to lower the key to fit your voice. Can't do that with a real guitar.
Again with finger picking this flexibility allow me to stick with chord fingerings I'm most comfortable with. So if you are composing or trying to find the right key for your voice all you need to do is press a button to raise or lower the pitch till you find the right fit. The most annoying feature is the pre programmed songs. Hit the wrong button and the thing goes right into playing "Tears in Heaven", which might leave you in tears if you happened to be performing at that moment. If I could figure out how to kill that feature I surely diable it. The built in speaker is adequate for practice but probably not for performance. Also has built in modal & drop tunings available.
Ease of Use
Again, no tuning needed. No strings to change. Turn it on and pick the sound and the key in seconds. Can't beat that. As far as the buttons on the neck are concerned, the action isn't bad, but if you're used to sliding your left fingers down strings while pressing down on them well, you can't do that so well with buttons. The smaller size of the unit took some time for me to get used to. Still can't find a comfortable and stable position for the thing while playing sitting while sitting. The small size though does make it possible to play in unusal positions, for example in a car or lying on your back while sunbathing. Also can be played fairly easily while lying on your back in the dark, which is also interesting since the buttons light up in red when you press them.
A simple 3/4 backpack bag gets it done for travelling. Haven't tried taking it on a plane, but it might be acceptible as a carry on.
Quality
It's held up fine after a good deal of use. They could have done a better job on the plastic molded neck. They molded actual frets in the neck. The frets don't do anything because there are buttons. They could have made them a bit lower. Frustrating sometimes to get my finger stuck sliding over a useless fret. Most frustrating thing though is that after you play this for awhile you thing how great it would be if they made a more expensive high quality model. I would be interested if they did. They could make the button action much smoother. I bet they could also design the neck so that you could remove it for travel. If so the thing would just about fit in a gym bag.
Manufacturer Support
The manual is OK. Haven't bothered them for any support. These days one doesn't expect much TLC over a $200 item.
The Wow Factor
It's so ludicrous it's sexy. Sexy like walking around with a pen holder pouch in your pocket or wearing a slide rule on your belt. If you're idea of the ideal mate is someone like Velma from Scooby Doo it might be just the babe magnet you need.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist songwriter singer
Musical Style:
Alt rock & folk, finger picked guitar,
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Submitted December 26, 2012 by Gregory D in Fredericksburg, VA
"MIDI Controller Dream"
I found the built in sounds to be low quality, such as one might expect from a $100 keyboard. But one thing that is ridiculously awesome is using this guitar as a MIDI controller. I have successfully used it to control virtual instruments in Protools and Sony Acid 7. I have also plugged it into my Roland JX305 (vastly superior sounds) and controlled the keyboard.
When not being used as a MIDI controller this device sounds decent plugged into an amp/fx emulator or pedal. I use an Korg Ampworx amp/fx device. I just play the raw acoustic sound into it (the default sound on the EZAG) and the output is pretty good. Still, I prefer the sounds of my better keyboards and using the EZAG as a controller is pretty easy.
I can never remember what button I hold down and press the up and down buttons to change the EZAG to external mode (so that it does not use its built in sounds). But I always figure it out pretty quickly. There's only so many combinations you can do with the buttons.
I like the hand-mute pad at the bridge. I can silence sustained notes by using the edge of my hand like on a real guitar. Also, I can play sounds by just pressing the 'fret' keys without plucking and I get a pretty good aproximation of a hammer-on effect like a real guitar.
The strumming is quite adequately responsive and I get reliable chords even when getting fancy with my up-strums.
So if you want a MIDI controller that you can play like a guitar, get an EZAG. If you play guitar far better than you play piano, get an EZAG and control a piano sound (either internally or using a virtual synth or external sound module).
ANOTHER great use for the EZAG is for BASS. Not only can you transpose directly on the device, in addition to using the built-in capo function, but you can obviously use it to MIDI control a bass synth or bass guitar sound. Boom. Instant bass guitar without the cost. And given the simple needs of most that need a bass guitar, the EZAG actually performs better as a bass guitar than a rhythm guitar.
You won't shred with this device, but even sliding up and down the fret keys produces a nice, albeit digital, glissando.
The device is made of light plastic and has a metal sensor on the back of the kneck and at the bridge. The strings feel like a nylon guitar (sort of). The fret keys are strong enough, though you can definitely feel the $200 lack of finish. Still, like most Yamaha products, you get a reliable device. The neck does bend slightly if you are heavy handed on a chord near the top. But the device inadvertently teaches you to use just the right amount of fret pressure to set a chord. Most people grip a guitar like they are choking a small animal to death. This device will break that habit.
Musical Background:
I have been composing music since 1995 and have experimented with several MIDI setups.
Musical Style:
Industrial, trance techno, house, dubstep, metal, instrumental.
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Submitted October 22, 2007 by a customer from yahoo.com
Yamaha EZ-AG Guitar Customer Review
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I struggled with traditional guitars in the past, I didn't have the time or patience. As a singer/songwriter (and midi composer) I just like having a reasonable sound to accompany my voice. This is easy for a novice to pickup.
Features
This is a wonderful musicial instrument which I have used on stage along with a midi autoharp from Suzuki (I have a collection of electronic musical toys so this was a nice addition). Many of the guitar players who have reviewed this guitar seem to have major issues with the AG-EZ, but all I can say is lighten up. Some of the guitar player have complained about the pricing and that is just plain silly (have any of you bought anything new from a guitar center in the past 5 years?). Some midi software sells for than this guitar, a small amp sells for more than this guitar, the cheesiest low end keyboard sells for more than this guitar, a good guitar cable runs about $40, etc. $200 for an "always intune" midi guitar with an awesome 12 string setting and electronic capo? That is a bargain for part-time musicians with real day jobs.
Someone wrote a comment about being laughed at if they were to play this on stage. That has not been my experience. When folks hear my singing and strumming on stage, all of the guitar slingers come up to me after the show to know more about the guitar, where they can get it, how much it costs, and if they can try playing mine for a little bit.
Ease of Use
I struggled with traditional guitars in the past, I didn't have the time or patience. As a singer/songwriter I just like having a reasonable sound to accompany my voice. This is easy for a novice to pickup.
Quality
Caveat. Be careful carting this around and handling it in generate. The plastic firm not designed for the road and dropping it on a hard surface would probably crack the guitar in half.
Download existing midi compositions into the guitar requires a few steps and special USB midi driver. If you try to create the special educational strum along version of your midi compositions (yamaha has a special version of midi for this purpose), it is a pain in the butt to figure out and after a few hours of trial and error (using their editing/conversion software) and gave up and stopped pursuing this feature altogether
Value
Very good
Manufacturer Support
I've had some dialog with the tech support folks and they are very responsive with regards to answering detail software issues..
Musical Background:
Gigging Musician, Singer/Songwriter
Musical Style:
Singer/songwriter
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Submitted February 9, 2007 by a customer from gmail.com
Yamaha EZ-AG Guitar Customer Review
Unless something goes wrong with this guitar, I don't see a need to replace it. Hope Yamaha is still making it. Many patients are quickly enchanted with how it teaches you to play, but also lets you feel like you're quickly successful due to the pre-programmed/strum options.
Sound
This digital guitar will never replace an acoustic or classical guitar. However, when using it in music therapy sessions, it's wonderful to change between the different guitar and banjo sounds.
Features
Most useful features are: never needs tuning; easy to hand off to patients (I'm a music therapist) "who've always wanted to play the guitar" and never had the opportunity or discipline. When they're able to strum to an already playing tune, they get instant gratification. Needs to have more updated and classic songs. Most people love "Tears in Heaven." Easy to wipe clean after patients have used it.
Ease of Use
This will never sound like an true acoustic or classical guitar, but for my needs as a music therapist, it works beautifully. I mainly play chords on it, and probably would find it difficult to play any kind of technical solo.
Quality
I've had this guitar for three years and it's held up fine so far. I have used it for approximately four hours daily for the last 1-1/2 years and it's done well. Uses batteries at about once a week, at above rate of playing.
Value
I feel like I've gotten my money's worth from this guitar and then some.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't yet had any difficulties or dealt with company.
The Wow Factor
I don't use sex appeal to rate guitars. Patients of music therapy are often quickly enthusiastic about the guitar and ask about how to buy one.
Musical Background:
Music therapist with psychiatric and hospice clients
Musical Style:
Classic rock, Christian, Country-Western, contemporary
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Submitted May 8, 2014 by Yolanda Balderaz in Hereford, TX
"Yamaha EZ AG"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I bought one and have friends that want one and want to buy mine, I recommended ordering one and we are so disappointed that it is discontinued.
Musical Background:
40 years
Musical Style:
hip hop, country, Christian, latin pop
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Submitted May 2, 2005 by a customer from hotmail.com
"It was love at first sight. More than acoustic, more than electric, it is a digital new paradigm. You should read this before b"
I expecto to ve satisfied for one year or less. I am afraid the technology would have better options, and if i have the money i would buy a next generation. I would look for another that saves the songs you play, and let you edit parts of it, with a conection with your computer with a software that lets you interact between your computer and your guitar, so you can edit songs in the computer or guitar to get new sounds, and save them; I would look for a guitar that lets you combine several instruments played and saved by yourselve, Wireless interfaces to digital or analog amplifiers, with a bigger bridge.
Sound
I dont know others. It is important to know it is not acoustical, neither electric, it is digital, it is a new generation a different paradigm. You need to practice to get the sound you want from your hands, because it has it own tricks. It is like the acoustic guitar in the sense you can stop the strings, but sometimes fails. If you are going to play it in front several people you will need an amplifier. You have to practice because have to play the strings in the right hand very strong to make it sound, i mean you can not play it soft. Yahama should improve it making the strings more sensible. It works like an acoustic guitar when you push one "string" with your left hand because it makes sound, but when you move one finger of your left hand over one "string" doesnt help you much with the sound.
Features
Does not include accessories. The most useful features are the diferent sounds an songs that brings. All features are useful. I would like it to have: options to save your own songs, options to combine instruments played by yourselve, more space to play, samples to show you how to play with fingers (i would like to have the right words in english), more famous songs, accesories like a wireless conection to the amplifier, digital amplifier that uses a non analog cable may be like usb cables. I should come with its own bag.
Quality
The product seems to be very weak, and i think it is. Anyway It fell down couple of times and it is still working. The bridge is very short and after playing, take note of this, your arm hurts because of this. I dont have support information from the vendor and they said no guarrantee is supplied with the product (I didnt like that, I hope wont need it. I have to say that strings seems to be very strong and I wont need to replace them in the mean time. I would like to be sure I could buy any replacement very soon if something fails, but better if it doesnt fails. It seems will last at list a year with no replacements, but I dont want to borrow it. I think is not to use it on the road, seems to be very weak.
Value
I was going to buy an acoustic electric guitar and i prefered this one. I paid almost -US$ 300.
Manufacturer Support
I have no dealt with Yamaha. But the vendors in dominican republic didnt help me much either.
The Wow Factor
I like its leds. Could change their colors acording to the song. Its color is nice, yamaha should provide more color options.
Musical Background:
hobbyst, chorus director.
Musical Style:
latin music, but like rock
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Submitted January 20, 2006 by a customer from sbcglobal.net
"not worth the money"
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waste of money
Sound
mattel or hasbro could make this for 29.99 except for midi connection save your money. buttons are weird neck is flimsy im a experienced player and im afraid of snapping neck from just aggressive fingering cant bend hammer on or vibrato sound quality really cheap . might have its ecclectic following of people who could learn this way but for most people who love the sound of an electric guitar this isnt the way to learn . would be better if it was 99.00.
Features
cheap , definatly not sexy want people to laugh at you , pullthis out and start playing. had accesory pack power adapter very sexy
Quality
cheap flimsy neck
Value
bad value worth 99.00
Manufacturer Support
i wont return it but i should no idea about support save the trouble dont buy it in the first place
Musical Background:
active musician
Musical Style:
rock / jazz/blues/ crossover country
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Submitted March 9, 2005
Yamaha EZ-AG Guitar Customer Review
You could get a decent real guitar for the price. If you need it for the midi then go with it.
Sound
It sounds ok not great but it is still fun.
Features
Some sounds are more usable than others
Quality
It is build like a toy with nice electronic innards
Value
If you need it to enter MIDI into a computer it looks like a decent way to do it for the money. I really think this product could get much better in the coming years if they keep developing it. It isn't quite a toy or a real instrument. That probably make it just perfect for some people. As long as someone understands that, they will probably be satisfied with it
The Wow Factor
If the price could stay where it is and the quality improved it would be more worth having down the road.
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Submitted January 5, 2005
"Fun, cheap way for guitarists to input midi to a sequencer."
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I'm not sure I would replace it if broken because I would probably break the replacement too.
Sound
The guitar has only 20 instrument sounds, but the midi files that you load into it have the full range of instruments and it sounds good through the little speaker.
Features
I've been playing a long time and I don't need the built-in beginner tunes. If, like me, you already play and need to input midi tracks to a sequencing program, this is a nice cheap way to do it. Also, the ability to load your own midi files for practicing, is way cool.
Quality
The neck is very, very flimsy. It appears to be hollow plastic with a metal bar on the back, with adds some strength. (You need to have some part of your left hand on this metal in order to mute strings.)
The first time I played it, I handled it like a normal guitar and I hear the creak of plastic about to break. Even still, when I play in the first position the neck literally twists (up and down, opposite direction of the strings.) I love this guitar, but I'm a klutz and I hope I don't break it someday. The neck is quite flimsy.
You can't do a pull off to an open string, but you can hammer-on from one.
Even though the neck is composed of buttons rather than strings, I like playing this thing. Fingerpicking this thing using the piano sound is neat, my wife had to look in the room to see what I was doing!
Value
If you price midi guitars & pickups, you'll see that this is a bargain.
Manufacturer Support
N/A.
The Wow Factor
I wanted to get this guitar a lot, and I'm happy with it, even if it is very fragile.
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