Yamaha FS-TA

first play
YAMAHA FG-TA AND FS-TA
26
Guitarist april 2018
there is sufficient quality to record and gig
with here – though you’ll need to pay out extra
for a gigbag to take either model out and about
as they’re not included in the price.
Verdict
There is, understandably, a premium to be paid
for this unique technology. The equivalent
spec FG-820 and FS-820 models
without
TransAcoustic retail at £335 and £346… you
can see where we’re heading with the math.
For the extra outlay you’re getting both
Yamaha’s SRT passive pickup and the
TransAcoustic actuator built in. While the
worth of that to any given player can only truly
be settled by trying it, we think that the
experience really could seal the deal.
It’s also worth noting that if you want a
higher basic spec in the guitar itself while
keeping TransAcoustic aboard, there are
options on hand. The earlier LS-TA and LL-TA
models, with solid rosewood back and sides,
Engelmann spruce ARE-treated tops plus
ebony ’boards and bridges (and a hard bag),
can now be found on the market for
competitive prices, making them even more
compelling propositions for the money.
Having spent a good amount of time with
both of these guitars, we can again affirm that
this technology is not a gimmick that quickly
5. While the two
TransAcoustic launch
models had gold tuners,
these models have die-
cast chrome TM29Ts
6. The LED indicator on the
control panel is to warn
of a low battery level, so
there’s no visual sign the
TransAcoustic mode has
been activated – you can
only be sure by playing.
The compartment for
two AA batteries to
power the electronics
can be found close
to the jack endpin
and they’ll provide
around 10 hours of
power in TransAcoustic
mode – two more than
ToneWood’s retro-fi t
amp that offers built
-in effects
7. Like the fretboards,
the bridges here are
rosewood. Bridge pins
are ABS plastic
5
GIT431.rev_yamaha.indd 26 22/02/2018 14:44