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Yamaha's APX stage electros have undergone periodical revamps since their launch 20 years ago, and the company's mini-jumbo CPXs, debuted in 1998, have also seen various changes and model substitutions.

However, the new generation of each series is more concise than ever. The APX intros, replacing the entire previous line-up, number only three models, while the new CPX roster is just two strong (albeit supplemented by continuing production of the higher-end Jap-made CPX15 and its cosmetic variants).

Aside from the introduction of a lower-cost, conventional piezo-loaded APX500, the main focus of attention is on the new powering system for the other new guitars – the APX700 and 900, and CPX700 and 900.

Dubbed ART (Acoustic Resonance Transducer) and apparently three years in development, Yamaha's exclusive system is based around piezo crystal technology, but instead of a normal under-saddle strip pickup, it's incorporated into a multilayer contact sensor that's both body and string sensing.

The multilayer aspect, involving a sandwich of rubberised and metallic layers, is designed to achieve the optimum balance between a natural, dynamic, low-distortion sound and sufficient damping to stiife feedback.

ART comes in two forms. On the APX and CPX700, it's a single-unit dual sensor mounted just forward of the underside of the bridge and linked to a one-way, three-band, mid-sweepable preamp.

Overview

On the 900 models, this pair of sensors is augmented by two further single ones, either side of the rear of the bridge and specifically tuned for high- and low-frequency response respectively.

The companion preamp is a three-way affair, allowing individual gain control of these auxiliary sensors, plus there's a master arrangement of volume and three-band EQ. Both the new preamps include an onboard tuner.

According to Yamaha, one of the crucial facets of the systems' testing was establishing the best placement to hit the 'sweet spots'. Consequently, this part of the build process is aided by a simple jig to ensure that the sensors are located under the tops in exactly the same positions every time.

Aside from its three-way ART system and the fact that the guitar's back and sides are laminated flamed maple, not nato, the APX900 is essentially a deluxe version of the 700.

This entails gold rather than chrome tuners, and an upgrade of the bridge and fingerboard from rosewood to striped ebony, the latter carrying decorative split pyramid position markers borrowed from Yamaha's CJ jumbos.

Alternative colours are offered too, including our sample's fetching ultramarine blue. The instrument's System 57 preamp occupies the same size housing as the 56, the only layout difference being that the mid sweep is sacrificed to make room for the two rotary gain knobs that control the bass- and treble-side sub-sensors.

Sounds

Based on a quick strum, the APX900 sounds acoustically very similar to the 700. It's only with longer playing that subtle differences emerge.