Yamaha APX500II

$299.99 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (21)

5 Reviews

Newer option

Yamaha APX500III

$325.00

4.0 (14)

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Page last updated Jan 16, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 30, 2025.

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Price

5.0 (2)

$299.99 1 available Used

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Average Price: $300

Standard/Professional

$200

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Acoustic-Electric Guitars category, Yamaha APX500II is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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The Yamaha APX500II is the perfect blend of comfort, style, and sound for musicians seeking a versatile acoustic-electric guitar. With its thinline body design, this guitar is crafted to sit comfortably against your body, making it an ideal choice for both stage performances and casual jam sessions. The spruce top and nato back and sides work in harmony to produce a rich, resonant tone that stands out whether you're playing unplugged or amplified.

A standout feature of the APX500II is its advanced piezo pickup system, which ensures your natural acoustic sound translates beautifully through a PA system. The built-in tuner allows for quick and accurate tuning adjustments, keeping you performance-ready at all times. Meanwhile, the rosewood fingerboard and bridge not only add to the aesthetics but also enhance the playability, providing a smooth and responsive feel that both beginners and seasoned players will appreciate.

From coffeehouse gigs to full-on stage shows, the Yamaha APX500II delivers a sound that’s as eye-catching as its design. Whether you're a singer-songwriter or a band member, this guitar will elevate your musical expression and connect you with your audience.

Key Features:

Thinline body for comfortable playability
Spruce top with nato back and sides for rich tonal quality
Built-in tuner for quick tuning adjustments
Piezo pickup system for natural acoustic sound through amplification
Rosewood fingerboard and bridge for enhanced playability
3-band EQ for personalized sound shaping

Product specs

Brand	Yamaha
Model	APX500II Thinline Acoustic/Electric Guitar
Finish	Old Violin Sunburst
Year	2010s
Categories	Acoustic-Electric Guitars, OM and Auditorium Acoustic Guitars
Active Preamp	Yes
Back Material	Laminated Hardwood
Body Shape	Auditorium
Color Family	Brown
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Number of Frets	20
Number of Strings	6-String
Pickup	Undersaddle Piezo Pickup
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Sides Material	Laminated Hardwood
String Type	Steel
Top Material	Laminated Hardwood

FAQs

What are the main features of the Yamaha APX500II guitar?: The Yamaha APX500II is a thinline acoustic-electric guitar featuring a comfortable auditorium body shape, an active preamp, and an undersaddle piezo pickup. It has a laminated hardwood top, back, and sides, a rosewood fretboard, and die-cast chrome tuners.
Is the Yamaha APX500II suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Yamaha APX500II is well-suited for live performances due to its built-in active preamp and undersaddle piezo pickup, which provide excellent amplified sound quality. Its thinline body design also makes it comfortable to play on stage.
What type of strings does the Yamaha APX500II use?: The Yamaha APX500II uses steel strings, which contribute to its bright and clear tone, making it suitable for various music styles.
How does the Yamaha APX500II compare to other acoustic-electric guitars in terms of playability?: The Yamaha APX500II offers superb playability with its thinline body and comfortable neck, making it easy to handle and play. It's designed for players who prefer a more compact and accessible guitar without compromising sound quality.
Can the Yamaha APX500II be used for fingerstyle playing?: Yes, the Yamaha APX500II's auditorium body shape and responsive tone make it suitable for fingerstyle playing, providing a balanced sound that highlights individual notes and chords.

Videos

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Rob Chapman

Yamaha APX500 II & APX700 II Acoustic Guitars

Rob Chapman

Yamaha APX500II Acoustic Electric Guitar At Hammond Organ World

Hammond Organ World

Yamaha APX500 II Guitar Demo

GigGear

Yamaha APX500II Demo

Coleman's Music

Yamaha APX500II Electric Acoustic Guitar

Yamaha Music Australia

Yamaha APX500ii Demo

expressmusicstore

Yamaha apx 500II

Eiland Muziek

Yamaha APX500II Test

Guitar Joint

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha APX500II.

Build quality

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While praised for its overall build, the laminate top of the APX500II is noted as a potential drawback compared to solid tops in terms of sound quality.
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The FS800 is noted for its proper body size, which contributes to its better acoustic performance over the APX500II.
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Setup and maintenance

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Owners recommend getting the guitar set up post-purchase, noting that a $15-30 action/intonation adjustment can significantly enhance playability.
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Comparisons

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The APX500II is compared to Taylor and Takamine models in terms of value, with some suggesting looking at used Martin or Taylor guitars within the same budget for potentially better sound.
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The FS800's solid top offers superior acoustic sound compared to the APX500II's laminate, making it more suitable for primarily acoustic play.
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Features and functionality

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The built-in tuner is highlighted as a significant advantage for beginners, although some users prefer using external tuners like the Snark for better accuracy.
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User experience

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Some players prefer the natural finish as it offers a smoother neck feel, which can enhance the playing experience over the glossed black version.
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An owner with extensive experience with Yamaha models emphasizes the APX500II's thin sound acoustically, contrasting it with the FS800's fuller tone.
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Use cases and applications

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The APX500II's thinline design is better suited for amplified stage use, not purely acoustic sessions.
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 21 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

ttinari

8326

over 4 years ago

A perfect starter guitar!

This is the first guitar I bought with my own money, and it lasted me several years, from learning basics to live performances and recordings of my own music several years later. It's versatile, a great quality for the price, and no issues with cheap materials or anything like that became an obstacle for me through the beginning stages of guitar playing. In fact, these guitars are built to be quality at a lower price range, and presumably for beginning guitarists. A friend of mine who had the same guitar had similar things to say about it. It was tragically broken in a freak accident, so I'm on the market for another acoustic, but the APX500II gave me a high standard to seek out moving forward. Would've played it for several more years if I could've.

It's a bit more than some of the absolute cheapest acoustics on the market, but the slightly higher price is more than made up for in build quality and ease of playing. Amazing beginner-friendly guitar, but equally as good for a songwriter, an electric player wanting to try acoustic, an already-experienced musician looking to get a different instrument to learn, or anyone looking for a guitar in this price range.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Funk / Soul Alternative rock

sven_nouwen

almost 11 years ago

Brilliant small body guitar with a great sound.

Even though it's the entry level acoustic-electric guitar made by Yamaha, it comes with a great sound. It doesn't have a full-sized body (in terms of depth), which makes it easier to play for beginners.

hagop019

153

over 8 years ago

very nice guitar

it is a very nice acoustic, even on an electric amp. It is my only 6 string steel string acoustic, and i'm totally satisfied.

ksekerka

1367

about 10 years ago

(Oriental Blue) It's a decent acoustic electric, not the best sound quality or that great for wear and tear

(Oriental Blue) It's a decent acoustic-electric, not the best sound quality or that great for wear and tear. Tuning keys fall apart easily and the action causes a lot of buzzing around the frets playing open strings. Good for beginners and that's about it

telmo_jackson

122

over 10 years ago

Feels like an electric guitar

The feel is just like an electric, sounds soooo bright and not too powerful on its own. With amp sounds great.

Artist usage

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Fernando Cabrera

Singer, Guitarist

Verified via YouTube

Cabrera grabando su DVD "Fernando Cabrera Esencial" en Estudio ION, de Buenos Aires.

Album Usage

The Yamaha APX500II has been featured on the following albums:

Intro

Fernando Cabrera (2023)

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Rock

Pop

Folk, World, & Country

Similar

Add recommendation

1 alternative for Yamaha APX500II, curated by the Equipboard community.

Yamaha APX600 Acoustic-Electric Guitars

$299.00 - $369.99

5 available stores

5.0 (8)

newer similar sound high-end alternative

The APX500 and the APX600 apart in multiple ways. Their scale lengths are 25.6 inches and 25 inches, respectively. The string spacing has also gotten narrower. The APX600 has a new bracing set up that allows for better bass response and a new pickup system.

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