Yamaha NTX5

97
SEPTEMBER 2021 GUITARIST
YAMAHA NCX5 & NTX5
resulting in a fundamental difference in
feel and sound, along with an approximate
10mm difference in body depth. Both use
a similar steel-string-like dovetail neck
join, and while both also have a pretty
traditional and light fan bracing, the main
cross bracings to both back and front seem
a little heavier here than you might expect.
Note the subtle additional rounding to the
binding in the forearm area of the NCX,
too, apparently suggested by Gabriela.
Feel & Sounds
A few hours’ playing reveals plenty
more differences, not only between the
previous guitars but the different styles.
Not surprisingly, it’s the NCX that comes
across as the bigger piece. Yet although
the nut width is just over 52mm, the string
spacing at the nut is 41mm and 58.5mm
at the bridge. Meanwhile, the neck has
what can best be described as a D-shaped
profile with pretty full shoulders and a
lightly flattened back. It measures 22mm
at the 1st fret and 24.5mm by the 9th,
before the neck moves into the classical-
style boat-bow heel. Our old NCX200R
has a very similar profile, but doesn’t feel
as big, measuring 21.3mm at the 1st fret
and 23.7mm by the 9th. As ever, these
small differences look almost irrelevant
on paper, but they are very noticeable to
your fretting hand.
2. The 12-fret NCX style
uses a conventional
round soundhole with its
very woody decoration.
It’s designed for the stage
so Yamaha also includes
a rubber soundhole plug
to alleviate feedback
3. Based on Yamaha’s
long-running APX design,
the 14-fret NTX5 has this
oval soundhole, albeit
with the same style
decoration as the NCX5.
It comes with an oval
soundhole plug, too
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 nylon-
strings is vast and well worth checking
out, particularly for guitars such as the
GK Studio (approx. £639). We also name-
checked Taylor’s Academy Series 12e-N
(approx. £679). Harder to find currently
are Godin’s more stylised Multiac models,
although the Multiac Encore Nylon (approx.
£1,100) is an excellent choice for the stage.
If you have a more specific classical style
in mind, there are plenty of European makers
to consider, many offering their own electro
styles. The German-made Hanika brand,
for example, now has its own UK website
conceived by Devon-based retailer Classical
Guitars Plus. Highly recommended.
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VIDEO DEMO http://bit.ly/guitaristextra
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