NAMM 2011 VIDEO: Yamaha A-Series electro-acoustic demoed

NAMM 2011: Yamaha Guitars has every reason to be excited about their brand-new A-Series of acoustic-electrics. When company Product Manager Armando Vega gave us a private look at one of the models, we knew we were seeing something special.

What Vega showed us was the gorgeous A3M, which features a solid Sitka Spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, ebony fingerboard and bridge, and a System-63 SRT preamp.

Stunning to look at? You bet. But how does it sound and play? Well, we were in for a rare treat, as finger style phenom Don Alder, who has been winning just about every award a guitarist possibly can of late, gave us a one-on-one demonstration. My oh my, how this guy can play? You might not have Don's command of the instrument (who does?), but with the A-Series of Yamaha guitars, you'll sound truly magnificent.

Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar WorldGuitar PlayerMusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.