Yamaha NCX5

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YAMAHA NCX5 & NTX5

GUITARIST SEPTEMBER 2021

Redeﬁ ning

Nylon

Words Dave Burrluck Photography Phil Barker

Nylon

Back in 2009, Yamaha introduced its NCX and

NTX nylon-string cutaway electro guitars,

which helped redeﬁ ne the modern electro-

acoustic nylon-string. Just before the pandemic,

the company introduced new, updated versions

– and they are ﬁ nally available in-store

GIT476.rev_yamaha.indd 94GIT476.rev_yamaha.indd 94 05/08/2021 14:4905/08/2021 14:49

Summary of content (7 pages)

PAGE 1
YAMAHA NCX5 & NTX5 Redefining Nylon Back in 2009, Yamaha introduced its NCX and NTX nylon-string cutaway electro guitars, which helped redefine the modern electroacoustic nylon-string. Just before the pandemic, the company introduced new, updated versions – and they are finally available in-store Words Dave Burrluck Photography Phil Barker 94 GUITARIST SEPTEMBER 2021 GIT476.rev_yamaha.
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YAMAHA NCX5 & NTX5 YAMAHA NCX5 & NTX5 BOTH £1,786 CONTACT Yamaha PHONE 01908 366700 WEB http://uk.yamaha.com What You Need To Know 1 What’s the deal here? Simple: Yamaha wanted to create a nylon-string guitar that really worked plugged in. The NX series plays hard and fast with the construction style of the traditional Spanish classical guitar – of which Yamaha has considerable history – resulting in the ‘crossover’ style of the NTX models and the more classicalinspired style of the NCX.
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YAMAHA NCX5 & NTX5 1 1. The NX series has its own distinctive look, as Yamaha explains: “The striking head design blends traditional design with contemporary cues and powerful imagery setting the NX Series apart from the rest” Absolutely everything is considered, from the concept to the new battery holder. To say both guitars are well turned out is an understatement 96 the 22 of the NTX3 (and NTX1), while the NCX stays with 19 frets on all models. They certainly share more than not.
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VIDEO DEMO YAMAHA NCX5 & NTX5 http://bit.ly/guitaristextra 2 THE RIVALS Back in issue 473 we illustrated the diversity of the mainstream electro-nylon market with Auden’s York (£1,099) and Córdoba’s Fusion 5 (£450). Córdoba’s range of both acoustic and electro nylonstrings is vast and well worth checking out, particularly for guitars such as the GK Studio (approx. £639). We also namechecked Taylor’s Academy Series 12e-N (approx. £679).
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YAMAHA NCX5 & NTX5 VIDEO DEMO http://bit.ly/guitaristextra 4 4. There’s little tradition here, and the heel of the NTX5 is snub-nosed and square – all part of its ‘crossover’ style 5. If you’re crossing over from steel- to nylonstring, you’ll have to get used to tying your strings on. The bridges here appear to be stained walnut with an ebony facing to the rear area.
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YAMAHA NCX5 & NTX5 6 little fuller than the new NTX, and overall a balanced clarity. Both of the new guitars have quite a bit more output, too. Onboard mics, used sparingly, can add some realism, but they also increase handling noise and you have to watch your volume even more than you would do anyway. Both guitars come with soundhole bungs if you’re playing above the feedback threshold and, while they dampen the response and volume, they can also save a gig.
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YAMAHA NCX5 & NTX5 VIDEO DEMO 8 Pretty much every aspect of the design has been tweaked from the decade-old original models Verdict Yamaha’s considered approach to guitar design is very evident here. Outwardly, these new guitars look very similar to the original decade-old models, but pretty much every aspect of the design has been tweaked. For the better? Well, it’s doubtful these redesigns will have any less appeal.