Yamaha's Stage-Ready Thinline Designed for Electric Players
If you've ever wanted to take an acoustic on stage without wrestling with feedback, a bulky body, or a neck that feels nothing like your electric, the Yamaha APX600 was designed for you. Born in 1987 as Yamaha's answer to the electric guitarist who needed an acoustic that could plug in and perform at volume, the APX series has been a best-seller ever since. This Oriental Blue Burst model gives you that same stage-focused philosophy — a slim thinline body, a cutaway for upper-fret access, and a 25-inch scale length that sits comfortably between a Strat and a Les Paul. Whether you're gigging at a coffeehouse, jamming with a band, or just want a guitar that won't fatigue your fretting hand, the APX600 strikes a practical balance between comfort and sound.
The APX600 features a spruce top over a nato body with a non-scalloped X-bracing pattern that boosts low-end response despite the shallow depth. You get a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, die-cast chrome tuners, and Yamaha's System 65A preamp with an SRT piezo pickup — the same transducer used in their higher-end A Series. The onboard 3-band EQ, midrange frequency slider, volume control, and built-in tuner give you everything you need to shape your sound in the mix and stay in tune between sets. The distinct oval soundhole with an abalone rosette isn't just for looks — it thickens the lower-mid response and opens up the low end.
This guitar suits players who prioritize plugged-in performance and comfortable playability over unplugged volume. It's ideal for singer-songwriters, electric players adding an acoustic to their arsenal, and anyone who values portability and ease of play. The slim neck profile and narrower string spacing (10mm at the bridge) make chord changes and single-note runs feel natural, especially if you're coming from electric guitar.
Thinline Body and Stage-Focused Bracing
The APX's thinline body measures just 3-1/8" to 3-9/16" deep, significantly slimmer than a traditional dreadnought. This makes it sit closer to your body when you play, reducing shoulder strain during long sets and making it easier to move around the fretboard. The single cutaway gives you full access to all 22 frets. Yamaha uses a non-scalloped X-bracing pattern inside, specifically engineered to maximize resonance in this shallower body and deliver more bass response than you'd expect from a thin-profile guitar. The spruce top is paired with nato back and sides (sometimes called Eastern Mahogany), which contributes balanced tone with clear mids and warm lows. The body is finished in gloss, while the neck has a satin finish for smooth, fast movement up and down the fretboard.
Unplugged, the APX600 produces a clear, articulate tone with present highs and controlled lows — not as boomy or full-bodied as a dreadnought, but plenty loud for couch noodling or small-room practice. Where this guitar really comes alive is when you plug it in. The feedback rejection and mix-friendly midrange make it a reliable performer in live settings, and the thinner body actually works in your favor by reducing the tendency to feed back through a PA or amp.
System 65A Electronics with SRT Piezo Pickup
Yamaha's System 65A preamp is paired with their SRT (Studio Response Technology) piezo pickup, which uses individual elements for each string. This design captures a wider bandwidth and more dynamic response than a standard undersaddle pickup, giving you a natural, open amplified sound. The onboard controls include a volume knob, a 3-band EQ (bass, mid, treble), a mid-frequency slider for fine-tuning your tone, and a built-in chromatic tuner with an LED display. The tuner is a welcome addition for quick checks between songs or during soundcheck. The electronics run on two AA batteries (included), and the output is a standard 1/4" line out.
Players often find the SRT pickup delivers clarity and note definition that holds up well in a band mix. The EQ gives you enough control to dial back harshness or add warmth depending on the room and the PA system. It's a versatile, no-fuss setup that gets you usable tone without requiring an outboard preamp or extensive tweaking.
Playability and Hardware
The APX600 has a 25-inch scale length, a 43mm nut width (1-11/16"), and a rosewood fingerboard with a 400mm radius (approximately 15.75 inches). The relatively flat radius and narrower string spacing make it easier to fret chords cleanly and execute fast runs, especially for players with smaller hands or those accustomed to electric guitar necks. The neck itself is crafted from locally sourced tropical tonewood as part of Yamaha's sustainability efforts — the specific species may vary based on availability, but it's typically nato or similar hardwoods.
The rosewood bridge holds a urea saddle and black ABS bridge pins with white dots. The nut is also urea. Tuning stability is solid thanks to die-cast chrome tuners. The ivory and black body binding frames the Oriental Blue Burst finish nicely, and the ABS and abalone rosette adds a bit of visual detail around the oval soundhole. The guitar ships strung with .012-.053 gauge strings and includes a hex wrench for truss rod adjustments.
Product Features:
- Spruce top with nato back and sides for balanced, clear tone
- Thinline body depth (80-90mm) for exceptional comfort and reduced feedback
- Single cutaway design with 22-fret rosewood fingerboard
- 25-inch scale length and 43mm nut width for easy playability
- System 65A preamp with SRT piezo pickup and individual string elements
- Onboard 3-band EQ, mid-frequency slider, volume control, and built-in tuner
- Non-scalloped X-bracing pattern for improved bass response
- Die-cast chrome tuners for stable tuning
- Oval soundhole with abalone rosette for enhanced lower-mid response
- Oriental Blue Burst gloss finish with ivory and black binding
Brand: Yamaha
Model: APX600
SKU: APX600OBB
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
