GEAR REVIEW
[ YAMAHA LJ16BC LIMITED EDITION BILLY CORGAN SIGNATURE ACOUSTIC ] Michael Hodge
KEY FEATURES
• Limited Run
• Brass Bridge Pins
• TUSQ Bone and Nut
• SRT Peizo Pickup
Yamaha has been perfecting acoustic guitars for 50 years . Billy Corgan is the lead guitarist and singer of the band Smashing Pumpkins . The two of them have teamed up to create a limited-edition guitar , adding several cool customizations that Billy has had done to his own guitar . Yamaha is building a limited run of 400 signature guitars , with 100 of them sporting a classic Sunburst finish .
OUT OF THE BOX : The LJ16BC comes in a solid , hard-shell case . Inside are care manuals , registration info , an Allen wrench , and case key .
The review model has the Sunburst top . Size wise , the LJ16BC is considered a Medium Jumbo . All of Yamaha ’ s L series use Topboard wood that has been treated with A . R . E . ( Acoustic Resonance Enhancement ). By controlling temperature , humidity , and atmospheric pressure , the wood has enhanced properties normally found in aged guitars . The top is Solid Engelmann Spruce , with a modified non-scalloped bracing design . The back and sides are Solid Rosewood , and the neck is 5-ply Mahogany and Rosewood . The Fretboard is Ebony with dot inlays . The Binding uses a combination of Black & Maple striping , and the Soundhole inlay adds a touch of Abalone . The LJ16BC comes stock with Gotoh tuners , brass bridge pins , Billy Corgan ’ s big “ zero with a slash ” logo on the headstock , a TUSQ nut and saddle , and no pick guard . It also has a unique passive SRT Piezo Pickup . It comes set up with Elixir light gauge strings .
IN USE : The first time I picked up this guitar it felt like home . The shape of the neck is amazing . It feels like a very expensive instrument and is super easy to play . The action is fairly low , but at that sweet spot right before any buzzing . I checked every note on every string and the neck is nailed . The TUSQ Bridge is slightly compensated , and the tuning is solid going up the neck . It ’ s plenty loud acoustically , and recorded well in the studio . It kind of has that great classic Gibson Jumbo-ish sound to me , with better intonation , in my opinion . Being a studio guy , keeping the guitar in tune is super important , and can be a pain sometimes . This guitar doesn ’ t disappoint .
It just so happened I was at an arena size gig that needed me to play some acoustic . I had the perfect chance to see what the guitar would sound like , so I brought the review model just for fun . I was curious to hear how that passive pickup would hold up . I expected it to be plain and kind of dull , since you normally crank the hiend with on-board preamps . Surprisingly , there was plenty of high end , and the whole thing sounded really cool . I asked the FPH engineer what he thought and he gave it two thumbs up . We were on in-ears at the gig , and I had no issue at all with feedback . The pickup is high impedance , so you could still add your favorite acoustic pedal if you like . The Brass bridge pins surely add to the zing factor , making the guitar bright , yet balanced .
CONCLUSION : Yamaha makes undeniably great guitars . I ’ ve been a fan and player for a long time . They ’ re an amazing company , taking pride in their workmanship across all their instrument lines . This guitar almost plays itself . I fell in love as soon as I picked it up , and so did the players I showed it to . Don ’ t be surprised if the limited edition LJ16BC model actually increases in value over time . It looks cool , plays like a dream , and has a great sound acoustically and plugged in . I ’ m still a little baffled at how that passive pickup can sound so good . Check it out if you can find one . I ’ d love the feedback .
$ 1,600.00 usa . yamaha . com
Michael Hodge : Producer , writer , studio musician , and staff guitarist at Lakewood Church , Houston TX . Owner , Gman Productions film music .
MichaelHodge . com
16 Sep � Oct 2017 GearTechRec . com