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Yamaha’s new FS9 concert-style acoustics are inspired by the intricate art of Japanese Kumiki woodworking
At $3,999 for the FS9 M and $4,099 for the FS9 R, the guitars don’t come cheap but you do get a bunch of top-shelf appointments showcasing top-level craftsmanship.
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Yamaha has announced two additions to its flagship acoustic lineup with the new FS9 M and FS9 R concert-style guitars.
To start, the FS9 features a compact body that’s “perfect for fingerpicking”, and is touted as the perfect model for singer-songwriters who value “expressivity” in their guitars.
Both guitars feature the same solid Adirondack spruce tops with differing back and sides materials – the M model uses African mahogany, delivering a warm, mid-focused sound, while the R model uses Indian rosewood to produce beautifully resonant overtones with deep lows and crisp highs.
Beyond that, the two models share similar specifications, including a bolt-on satin-finished mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard and bridge, bone and nut saddle, and scalloped X bracing designed using “cutting-edge acoustic and 3D structural measurement processes”. The instruments are also topped with a thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish.
According to Yamaha, the FS9 boasts a thicker backboard than previous FS models for a more powerful, resonant sound. The guitar’s newly designed slightly rounded V-shaped neck, meanwhile, offer exceptional playability.
At $3,999 for the FS9 M and $4,099 for the FS9 R, the guitars don’t come cheap but you do get a bunch of features that showcase luthier-level craftsmanship. The FS9’s fingerboard, for one, takes inspiration from traditional Japanese Kumiki woodworking for that extra bit of flagship-model flair. The guitar’s sound hole rosette and body purfling also feature a rope-shaped inlay that has deep roots in Japanese culture.
“Every detail has been meticulously engineered to deliver the ultimate expression of acoustic artisanry,” says the company.
Earlier this year, Yamaha launched four high-end versions of its popular Pacifica guitar. While the model has previously been regarded as an entry-level instrument, these new versions boast an array of upgrades including Reflectone pickups and newly designed alder bodies that were produced using Yamaha Acoustic Design.
Learn more at Yamaha.