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Description

For guitar enthusiasts seeking the perfect blend of classic aesthetics and modern functionality, look no further than the Yamaha AEX1500. This semi-hollowbody electric guitar is a harmonious marriage of vintage charm and cutting-edge technology. Its arched sycamore top paired with maple back and sides not only provides stunning visuals but also delivers a rich, resonant sound. The set-in maple neck and 20-fret ebony fingerboard offer smooth playability, making it a delight for both rhythm and lead guitarists.

What sets the AEX1500 apart is its versatile hybrid pickup array. Featuring a floating mini humbucker for warm, soulful tones and a sophisticated bridge piezo system enhanced with a 3-band EQ for crisp, acoustic-like sounds, this guitar offers unparalleled tonal flexibility. A 3-position pickup selector, along with master volume and tone controls, gives musicians precise command over their sound, whether they're on stage or in the studio. The floating ebony and bone bridge, coupled with elegant gold hardware, adds a touch of luxury to this sonic powerhouse.

Key Features:

  • Arched sycamore top with maple back and sides
  • Set-in maple neck with 20-fret ebony fingerboard
  • Floating mini humbucker and bridge piezo system with 3-band EQ
  • 3-position pickup selector, master volume, and tone controls
  • Floating ebony and bone bridge
  • Gold hardware for a premium finish

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Yamaha AEX1500 feature?

The Yamaha AEX1500 features a floating mini humbucker and a bridge piezo system with a 3-band EQ, allowing for a versatile range of tones suitable for jazz and other genres.

Is the Yamaha AEX1500 suitable for jazz music?

Yes, the Yamaha AEX1500 is ideal for jazz music due to its archtop hollowbody design and the combination of a floating mini humbucker and bridge piezo system, which provide warm, rich tones.

What materials are used in the construction of the Yamaha AEX1500?

The Yamaha AEX1500 is constructed with a sycamore top and maple back and sides, along with a set-in maple neck and an ebony fingerboard, contributing to its robust build and resonant sound.

How many frets does the Yamaha AEX1500 have?

The Yamaha AEX1500 is equipped with a 20-fret ebony fingerboard, allowing for smooth playability and a comfortable range for jazz and blues solos.

Does the Yamaha AEX1500 have a pickup selector switch?

Yes, the Yamaha AEX1500 features a 3-position pickup selector switch, enabling players to easily switch between different pickup configurations for varied tonal options.

TINO KOLARIDES

TINO KOLARIDES

Someday My Prince Will Come - Solo Jazz Guitar - Yamaha AEX1500

Video thumbnail for Someday My Prince Will Come - Solo Jazz Guitar - Yamaha AEX1500 by TINO KOLARIDES

Someday My Prince Will Come - Solo Jazz Guitar - Yamaha AEX1500

TINO KOLARIDES

TINO KOLARIDES

Video thumbnail for Yamaha AEX 1500 Part1 (into Amp) by GregsGuitars

Yamaha AEX 1500 Part1 (into Amp)

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

Video thumbnail for Yamaha AEX-1500 acoustic sound by Dennis Wing

Yamaha AEX-1500 acoustic sound

Dennis Wing

Dennis Wing

Video thumbnail for Yamaha AEX 1500 Part2 (direct into Mixing Desk) by GregsGuitars

Yamaha AEX 1500 Part2 (direct into Mixing Desk)

GregsGuitars

GregsGuitars

Video thumbnail for Yamaha AEX-1500 Martin Taylor, electric flatwound strings. by krispood

Yamaha AEX-1500 Martin Taylor, electric flatwound strings.

krispood

krispood

Video thumbnail for Yamaha AEX1500 AEX 1500 Jazz Japanese Guitar - Flame Top MIJ Made In Japan by Essex Recording Studios

Yamaha AEX1500 AEX 1500 Jazz Japanese Guitar - Flame Top MIJ Made In Japan

Essex Recording Studios

Essex Recording Studios

Video thumbnail for Yamaha AEX-1500, Floating Magnetic Pickup only. by krispood

Yamaha AEX-1500, Floating Magnetic Pickup only.

krispood

krispood

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha AEX1500.

Build quality

  • The Yamaha AEX1500 may still feature a nitro finish from 3-4 years ago, as opposed to the newer poly finish.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners have upgraded with silk-wrapped strings, like La Bella, to eliminate unwanted overtones.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Eastman guitars provide a clearer, bell-like tone compared to the more acoustically dead Gibson ES175.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Yamaha AEX1500 comes with a fixed neck pickup, and some users consider replacing it due to personal technique issues.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • A user found the bridge can go out of tune when picking aggressively, suggesting a potential setup adjustment may be needed.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
robert_lutz

Quality jazz box with a second dimension

The addition of a bridge piezo to a mini floating humbucker gives this jazz archtop tonal possibilities way beyond the norm. Designed by Martin Taylor, this instrument really shines with finger-style playing where the brightness of the bridge pickup adds crispness and definition. With figured sycamore, an ebony fretboard and gold hardware, it looks as great as it sounds.

H

Excellent

Very well built, amazing Sound and easy to play. I have flat wounds on it and it sounds amazing. Not a big fan of the piezo but it’s deffinitely usable for jazzy stuff. I never perform live. Just studio sessions but I have heard this guitar can easily feedback. I saw a guy replacing the humbucker for a Seymour Duncan vintage mini humbucker to get a higher output but it’s not an easy mod cause the one fitted is a floating mini humbucker and you have to fit the Seymour in the casing of the original pickup.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Ángel Parra uses Yamaha AEX1500

Ángel Parra

Guitarist, Composer

Los Tres

...
Verified via Photo

In a photograph from an article on La Tercera, Ángel Parra can be seen using the Yamaha AEX1500 during the early days of his jazz trio. Link here: https://www.latercera.com/canal/culto/

See how Lionel Loueke uses Yamaha AEX1500

Lionel Loueke

Guitarist

The Chick Corea + Steve Gadd Band

...
Verified via Jazz Apparatus

Lionel Loueke is noted to use the Yamaha AEX1500 semi-hollowbody electric guitar, as detailed on Jazz Apparatus.

See how Romero Lubambo uses Yamaha AEX1500

Romero Lubambo

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

Toninho Horta plays with some friends in New York, at Cachaça, on August 6, 2007. Romero is playing a Yamaha AEX1500 archtop (and not a Yamaha AES1500).

See how Martin Taylor uses Yamaha AEX1500

Martin Taylor

Guitarist

Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings

...
Verified via Vintageguitar

This Model is the Martin Taylor signature model. Taylor mentions it in the article cited above “ On that show you were playing a large, blond archtop. What was the make and model?

The guitar I used was the prototype of a guitar I designed, along with Martyn Booth, for Yamaha. It’s called the AEX1500; in the U.K. it’s known as the Yamaha Martin Taylor. It’s now available in the States and I am very proud of it; it came out well.”

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Yamaha AEX1500, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Boss RC-20XL Loop Station
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Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler Delay Effects Pedals
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Pro Co RAT
Pro Co RAT Distortion Effects Pedals
1

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