Yamaha FS-TA

first play
YAMAHA FG-TA AND FS-TA
24
Guitarist april 2018
24
Guitarist april 2018
plugging into an amp. The ability to do this
without any outboard equipment feels a bit
surreal – but also represents a ‘why hasn’t
anyone thought of this before?’ moment.
The outward appearance of the guitars is
perfectly traditional, so you’ll have to look
beneath the surface for clues as to how
TransAcoustic works. The onboard effects are
generated by an actuator that can be found on
the inner surface of the back of each guitar.
The TransAcoustic circuitry ‘listens’ to the
vibrations of the strings during unplugged use,
applies effects to that signal, then sounds the
effected signal through the guitar’s body itself
via the actuator, in effect using it as a speaker.
Initially only available in the higher-end
LS-TA launch model, TransAcoustic is now
available in these two, cheaper models: the
FG-TA dreadnought and the concert-size
FS-TA, based on the design of the company’s
FG-820 and FS-820. With a significantly lower
retail price than the LS-TA, there’s now extra
incentive for the curious to take the plunge.
But does the technology and the unique sonic
experience of these guitars offer add up
to a compelling proposition for the price?
Yamaha knows better than most how to
make quality acoustics at a wide range of price
points, and the Chinese build here is tidy in
1. The designs here are
based on Yamaha’s
FG and FS 820 spec
2. Three rotary
controls activate the
TransAcoustic mode,
giving you control over
its level, reverb types,
plus chorus effects
3. The Vintage Tint of the
FG-TA gives it more of
a played-in vibe and
the same fi nish is also
available for the FS-TA
4. Unlike the two initial
2016 TransAcoustic
models’ solid rosewood,
the FG-TA and FS-TA
have laminate mahogany
back and sides
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GIT431.rev_yamaha.indd 24 22/02/2018 14:44