Yamaha CSF1M Parlor Acoustic-Electric Guitar Vintage Natural

I could tell right away this was a higher quality item than others in this price range, the only thing I was concerned about was the initial setup. The low E strring measured at 3 mm on the 12th fret. I took the saddle out and sanded it down a couple of mm and went to a custom light string. I also received the neck quite a bit. E string sets at just under 2 mm now and I'm pretty sure I could go a little lower without any fret buzz but in feels great now. I've been beating on a bass guitar for years so I'm pretty heavy handed and it takes it just fine.

I've always found full size acoustics too large and uncomfortable to play, and this is a great size. When played side by side with Taylor GS Mini and Martin Jr, the sound and quality are comparable, at a price several hundred dollars less.

Absolutely one of my best purchases! Yamaha's fit and finish on this parlor guitar are clean, solid, precise, and flawless. I bought the "natural" color, which should be noted is not blondish colored as pictured, but a warm brandy color (a touch of sunset orange). The action's setup is excellent out of the box. Note, Yamaha's parlor-size guitar is a bit larger than other brand parlors. The sound of this guitar is HUGE. It's no wonder the reviews are 5-STAR. (I've owned and played Martin DM steel string and Yamaha CG-171SF nylon flamenco, plus others.) The tonal balance from bass to highs on this parlor is AMAZING---deep warm lows, bright mids, and bell-like highs without one over powering the other. All with great projection. I do not know how Yamaha was able to create such a BIG balanced sound in a small package. And it's so comfortable to play, standing, sitting, or reclining on the sofa. You're other guitars will miss you. Thank you, Yamaha!

I was pleasantly surprised by this guitar. The sound is full and rich. It sounds larger than it is. The setup was good right out of the box and it plays very well. It came with a very nice gig bag. I have not tried the pickup yet. I've become a fan of Yamaha guitars. I also own a Yamaha Silent Guitar that I'm very happy with. This is a very goodvalue for money.

I was on my way to the Texas State Fiddle Championship in Halletsville where I would be backing up my son's fiddle with the constantly moving bass-chunk swing chords that the tradition demands. I had wanted to get a decent J45 before we left Va but couldn't swing it, so to speak. So before the fest, I had a day in Houston to go to Guitar Center with a budget of $2500 and the pleasure of picking a nice guitar that was genuinely for my son's contest so my wife couldn't even complain! I played new J45s, J50s, and other J-family Gibsons but was unimpressed. I needed big, dry, chunk, expected Gibson would have my back, but the new models just left me hanging. A dry, middy, punchy arch top without the arch is what Texas music demands and, after wasting a bit more time playing standard Martins and a few V-class Taylors, I was in a pickle. Nothing was working. There was a custom shop Martin that I liked for bluegrass but it was twice my budget and not right for Texas. Frustrated, I started playing instruments in the main section of the acoustic room with the laminate Asian guitars that I don't usually spend much time in. And that is where I found this little surprise. I wasn't looking for a parlor, and didn't give a darn if it plugged in or if it came with a nice case. But this did all of that in addition to costing a small fraction of what I intended to pay and being the only guitar in the shop to sound right. Sure, it was a Yamaha and no one looked at it in lust at the contest. And no, it is not my go-to for any genre that needs sustain and ring. But for an all around comfortable, great sounding, easily portable and playable guitar that cost less than a neck reset on some of my other guitars, this thing is unbeatable. I still haven't plugged it in so no thoughts on that. But I have taken it camping, to the beach, and on long car trips. A few years on now, the neck definitely is ready for a turn of the truss rod but that is normal. 5-star guitar.

I'm a geezer who has been playing since the 70s. I wanted a small body "couch" guitar to grab when I get a song idea. I'm impressed with the playability and sound from this little guy. It has a very mid-range sound but it has more tonal depth than I was expecting. The body is deep enough to produce some low end to go with that sweet mid range. Great for recording when you need a mid range acoustic but no low end mud to eq away. Fit and finish are outstanding for a guitar at this price. I ordered the CSF1M in sunburst and it was set to play with straight neck and nice frets.