Most definitely rings loud. It fits my type of music well, i play folk/blues (fingerpick and slide) for the most part. It sounds very good though an amp, especially with reverb, when i plugged it into my friend's Fender amp ( I only own a 10 watt Fender practice amp, heh.), but gets feedback-y when you have the volume and eq knobs up pretty high, especially the mid. Has a very full sound, and with the EQ you can put it on mono for a middlrange sound, switch it one way for accent on the bass sound, and the other for accent on the treble. Without an amplifier, the guitar sounds beautiful. Very resonant on most spots on the fret board, and sounds excellent with slide.

• 9-12 Glen Beck

1. I've been flirting with the guitar for 40 years; I'm really a keyboarder at heart (explains a lot). Although, I own 5 guitars. My fav is a 1961 Gretsch FireJet.
2. The Yamaha APX 9-12 was made from the late 1980s until 1994.

The All New APX Series. For faithful tone reproduction, Yamaha’s advanced electronics are utilized to.

I love the volume this thing can put out acoustic, also. It's got a very great sound, i think. I've been playing for 3 1/2 years. Long time, eh?

I dont own much quality stuff besides what I'm reviewing. I've got a Cremona Violin, a Kentuky KM150 Mandolin, a squier strat, a Johnson JG650TN, a banjo I stole from a fat woman, and a ukelele a scary man gave me, not to mentoin a few other odds and ends. I think that's a decent amount, considering I'm 18. If this were stolen or lost, I'd be very unhappy. And you wouldn't like me if i were unhappy. Nor would I have suffiecient funds to buy another, but there'd be nothing I'd like more than to buy another if the occasion were to arise.

9-12 Glen Beck

I love the sound this thing puts out, and the ease of playing it gives me. Makes some Leo Kottke songs seem easy, haha (which usually is never the case). All in all, I love this thing. And I advise you get one too, my friends.

I've mainly used it for recording, song-writing, teaching and a little live performance & jamming, so it's suited all of my needs quite well and covered the stylistic gamut from multi-effected avant-garde being 'played' by an oscillating fan and running through a pitch shifter to basic finger-style folk. I usually keep it pretty simple: a stereo DI signal + a condenser mic for recording for a nice blend of acoustic & pick-up.

It does have a very distinctive character; some guitar purists would have issues with it as being a bit 'small' sounding acoustically (not a deep body) and depending on how the pick-ups are EQ'd and blended, it can have a 'snappy, bright' quality. Not a bad sound mind you, but simply a little electronic. I've heard it on a few APX models, though I fault the user more than the guitar. I usually roll-off the top a far bit and blend in a little bit more body pick-up than bridge; this seems to solve the problem to suit my taste. Using a properly placed live mic also adds to a nicer vibe. It can really shine. It has a wide tonal range.

14 years have not done much to this instrument - it's held up rather well, although I don't drag it out into the harsh live gig world very often, nor do I trust it in the hands of inexperienced players very often. I do need a little fret work soon, and the divided plastic bridge is giving some occasional sitar-like whine on my high E, hence a replacement is due, though a little, gentle filing has helped. The tuners, labeled YAMAHA have held up very well. The neck strap button is a little un-beefy but has stayed put.

The electronics have done well also, in part because the knobs are those cool spring-loaded ones that can be recessed once you set them. Pretty slick. I would use it on a gig without back-up - no problem. It's always been a consistent performer. However, it is important to note that the ample battery wiring inside can sometimes move into contact with the top or sides to create a little phantom buzz.

It's rare, but an easy fix on the fly. Like any acoustic (or instrument for that matter) it should be treated with respect & care. As a result, mine's had a good run. I've been flirting with the guitar for 40 years; I'm really a keyboarder at heart (explains a lot). Although, I own 5 guitars. My fav is a 1961 Gretsch FireJet - schweeet! As my main acoustic, I'm very happy with my APX, and I'd hate to ever lose her for a zillion reasons.

I'd try to replace her if possible, but they do seem a bit hard to find. The main thing(s) I like about it is its quirkiness. It has uncommon features and character.

Quite distinctive for my taste and full of flexibility to be 'different'. I was originally hoping to buy an APX 10N stereo nylon-string version as they were also being blown out for half the price. As I was initially prepared to spent $800 plus on the 10N, when I found the blow out for $400, I thought, 'WOW, I can get 2 for 1' so I pursued the 9-12 also. Sadly, the 10N ended up being unavailable.