YAMAHA NTX5

PRICE: £1,786 (inc soft case) ORIGIN: Japan TYPE: Medium-bodied cutaway, nylon string electro with 14-fret neck joint TOP: Solid European spruce BACK/SIDES: Solid walnut MAX RIM DEPTH: 90mm MAX BODYWIDTH: 380mm NECK: African mahogany SCALE LENGTH: 650mm (25.6”) TUNERS: Classical style 3-a-side with black rollers, gold-plated with black marble-like buttons NUT/WIDTH: Bone/48.3mm FINGERBOARD: Ebony, 600mm (23.6”) radius, no position markers except side dots at 5th and 7th frets FRETS: 22, medium/small BRIDGE/SPACING: Stained walnut with ebony topped tie-block/53mm ELECTRICS: Yamaha Atmosfeel with under-saddle, contact sensor (top) and internal mic. Preamp with master volume, mic blend and treble EQ quick-release battery holder endjack/strap button WEIGHT (kg/lb): 1.86/4.09 OPTIONS: See NCX5 RANGE OPTIONS: The NTX3 (in natural or brown sunburst) costs £940; the NTX1 (natural, brown sunburst, black) costs £423, again with different pickup/preamp and laminate back and sides LEFT-HANDERS: No FINISHES: Natural (as reviewed) – gloss with satin neck and headstock face

PROS Excellent contemporary design like the NCX5 and its ‘crossover’ style has more general appeal; hard to fault on any level

CONS Very little, although again the NTX3 has very similar specs and is considerably less expensive