Yamaha LS26 ARE II

PRICE: £3,673 (inc case) ORIGIN: Japan TYPE: Concert acoustic TOP: Engelmann spruce ARE BACK/SIDES: Rosewood MAX RIM DEPTH: 120mm MAX BODY WIDTH: 380mm NECK: 5-ply rosewood/mahogany SCALE LENGTH: 650mm (25.59”) TUNERS: Open gear vintage style NUT/WIDTH: Bone/44mm FINGERBOARD: Ebony FRETBOARD RADIUS: 400mm (15.74”) FRETS: 20 medium BRIDGE/SPACING: Ebony/55mm ELECTRICS: None WEIGHT (kg/lb): 2.04/4.5 RANGE OPTIONS: Plenty to choose from: LS6M (£612), LS16M (£790), LS6 (£612), LS 16 (£923), LS36 (£4,587), LS56 Custom (£6,620) LEFT-HANDERS: No FINISH: Urethane gloss (as reviewed) satin finish neck

8/10

PROS Youthful enthusiasm and dazzling tonal presence combine with sublime build

CONS The price pits it against higher-cachet competitors