Yamaha New GC series 2012 !

[Aram]

Hello!
Searching for Yamaha new models I found these Yamaha GCs.

http://europe.yamaha.com/en/products/mu ... uct_lineup

http://www.gear4music.com/news/article/ ... 2-Yamaha...
(You could search for Yamaha Gc32 on http://www.gear4music.com)

There is no much info about them on the net.I think they are the new Yamaha GCs.
Are there any members who have seen these models in presence?
Where they are produced,what features they own... are not revealed.

Aram

[GuitarVlog]

These look like they have the new headstock shape and a matte finish on the back of the neck. Both features were introduced in the revamped CG line. They don't have the Yamaha logo on the headstock as the CG series does.

The GCs in the 32, 42 and 82 models are marked as made in Japan. The new 12 and 22 models are probably made in Hangzhou China where the CG series is built. In fact, the specs of the 12 series (solid mahogany back and sides) remind me of the of the discontinued CG201S.

Only the 82 has a lacquer finish as did the old 70 and 71 models. The other new models use poly as their predecessors did.

[hyz]

I was told by someone who plays this the new series that there are big improvement over the old GC 41 etc... worth to take a close look.

Again, by marking Made In Japan does not mean everything is made in Japan.

hyz

[trufunk]

When and where are these going to be available for purchasing?

[sthugh]

I still play a 1977 Yamaha G-250S. It was the 2nd most expensive classical guitar they made back then as far as I know at $300. (The G-255S was the most expensive at $360.) $300 would be the equivalent of $1,127 today (based solely on an inflation calculator). The reason I still play it is because I've never found anything that could touch it yet for less than $3000. It's simply an outstanding guitar. I also owned a Yamaha SA2000 electric guitar that was the best ES-335 style guitar I've ever played (I've owned three). In fact, my main electric was a 1969 Gibson ES-340 that I played for around ten years. It was a fine guitar, but that Yamaha was better. Yamaha makes great guitars.

[bushweek]

Yamaha's GC series have always been very impressive. I agree with sthugh, some of the older models are particularly good instruments. The newer GC31/41 range are still good quality, but to my ear after a while I preferred my old 1981 GC, so sold my newer model. Maybe it's the 30 years of the sound opening up.
I wonder how the new top-of-the-line GC82 will compare to other concert guitars in a similar price bracket?

P.S. Interesting to compare the series 30 years ago with the new 2012 series:

http://www.oldguitar.jp/catalog/yamaha/ ... _03_06.jpg
http://www.oldguitar.jp/catalog/yamaha/ ... _03_07.jpg

Expensive guitars back then! GC60 (450,000 Yen back in 1984), GC70 (700,000 Yen back then)! Wish I could find an old GC70...

[Aram]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DqE7F6FM3Q

They're on the market.

[sthugh]

They also just put up a video showing the basics of how a GC series is made in the custom shop in Japan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VH5dQco ... re=related

[trufunk]

Nice video!

[LBrandt]

I don't understand something about the GC line. I was under the impression that the GC41 was their top of the line guitar. Now, I see GC 41, GC51, GC61, GC62, GC70, GC82. Does that mean that the GC41 isn't even close to the top of the line? Is each succeeding higher number better and more expensive than the previous number?

[GuitarVlog]

I was under the impression that the GC41 was their top of the line guitar.

The GC71 was the top of the line. The GC41 was the top of the line for those with poly finishes. They've apparently been replaced by the GC82 and the GC42.

I think the 70 and 60 series are French-polished (obviously the 80 series as well). The 50 series uses a lacquer finish The 40, 30 and 20 series use poly. That's my best understanding of the Japanese Yamaha site's specs.

The 70 series costs 1,680,000 Yen or $20,274. Its real street price might be in the range of $15,000. But that's still a huge premium compared to most luthier-built instruments that you could get.

I don't know who would buy a GC71 or GC82 at a price like that. Maybe Yamaha gives them to some performers for PR. They gave John Denver their top-of-the line custom L53 steel string and he loved it so much that he performed with it for several years and endorsed their guitars. That supposedly gave Yamaha a substantial boost in sales for their lower-end steel strings. Past recipients of Yamaha's high-end classicals supposedly included Narciso Yepes (10-string, Yamaha claims that he endorsed it over the Spanish-made 10-strings), Segovia (but he didn't endorse it), Paco de Lucia (he got a flamenco guitar but I don't know if he ever performed with it), Leo Brouwer (performed with it), Baden Powell (performed with it), Shin-ichi Fukuda (performed with it), Baden Powell (performed with it) and Liona Boyd (performed with it and endorsed it).

[hyz]

Obviously the GC41 is now becomes entry level guitar. I will not even call it a "concert guitar" simply because it is call "Grand Concert". I have a friend already trying to sell of his GC41. hyz

[Christopher Chew]

I came across the e - b a y selling the GC41 for only US1,599. Are they fakes, second hands, or old stocks or what? Can anyone shed some lights?

Thanks.....Chris

[hyz]

I came across the e - b a y selling the GC41 for only US1,599. Are they fakes, second hands, or old stocks or what? Can anyone shed some lights?

Thanks.....Chris

Chris, they are not fake, they are not second hands, they are not old stock. But there is a catch. hyz

[GuitarVlog]

I came across the e - b a y selling the GC41 for only US1,599. Are they fakes, second hands, or old stocks or what? Can anyone shed some lights?

That's about the right price for a new GC41 here in the US. I had a retailer offer me a new one for US$1,200. Of course, I wouldn't know anything about the specific sellers on e - b a y so do your research.

The models above the 40 series are in a different class and my understanding is that they have to be special-ordered.