Big APX Energy in a Smaller Package
There's something genuinely fun about pulling out a guitar that fits anywhere — overhead bin, backseat, corner of the couch — and still sounds like a real instrument when you plug it in. That's exactly what Yamaha built the APXT2EW to be. It's a 3/4-size, thinline cutaway acoustic-electric based on the long-running APX series, and it brings that same shallow-body feel and plug-in usability down to a more compact scale.
The EW in the name stands for Exotic Wood — and it shows. The mango veneer top over a meranti body gives this guitar a grain pattern and warm amber-to-brown depth that makes it stand out from the usual beginner-tier look. The Tobacco Brown Sunburst finish deepens that effect nicely, adding a rich gradient that suits the natural wood character underneath.
Whether you're picking it up as a travel companion, a couch guitar, or a comfortable option for someone with smaller hands, the APXT2EW earns its keep. The onboard electronics mean you're never just stuck going acoustic — plug into a PA or an amp and you get a surprisingly full, natural tone courtesy of Yamaha's System 68 ART-based contact pickup.
A Top That Tells a Story
The standout feature of the EW variant — compared to the standard APXT2 — is the top. Where the regular model uses a spruce top, the APXT2EW swaps in a mango veneer over meranti for a distinctly different look and feel. The exotic grain pattern on each instrument is unique, so what you get is genuinely one-of-a-kind in its figuring.
It's worth being accurate here: this is a laminate construction, with mango veneer over a meranti core. That's the right material for a guitar at this price point and size — it's durable, consistent, and handles travel conditions better than a thin solid top would. Meranti backs and sides round out the body, contributing warmth to the overall acoustic character.
Scale, Playability, and the Neck You'll Actually Use
The APXT2EW runs a 22-13/16" (580mm) scale length — noticeably shorter than a full-size guitar's 25.5" or even a short-scale 24.75". That shorter scale means lighter string tension, which translates to easier fretting and more comfortable bends. The nut width is 1-11/16" (43mm), which is essentially full-size — so players with wider fingers won't feel cramped.
The rosewood fretboard sits on a hardwood neck with a matte finish, keeping things smooth under your fretting hand. The fretboard radius is 15-3/4" (R400mm), which is on the flatter side — comfortable for both chord work and single-note runs. With 21 frets and a cutaway body, you've got solid upper-fret access for a guitar this size.
Electronics: The System 68 ART Pickup
This is where the APXT2EW separates itself from a purely acoustic 3/4 guitar. Yamaha's System 68 electronics combine an ART-based contact pickup with a one-way active preamp that includes volume, tone (with mid-boost EQ), and a built-in chromatic tuner — all on the side of the body. The contact pickup is designed to capture the natural resonance of the top directly, which keeps the amplified tone from sounding processed or thin.
The built-in tuner is genuinely useful in practice. No clip-on needed, no extra gear to pack. Players who use this guitar on the road or at rehearsal appreciate not having one more thing to lose. The LINE OUT connection works with any standard guitar cable, so you're ready for any amp or PA setup you encounter.
Product Features:
- Body: 3/4-size thinline single-cutaway APX-shaped body — compact and travel-ready
- Top: Mango veneer over meranti — laminate construction with distinctive exotic grain pattern
- Back & Sides: Meranti — consistent warm tone with durable construction
- Neck: Hardwood neck with matte finish for smooth playability
- Fretboard: Rosewood, 15-3/4" (R400mm) radius, 21 frets
- Scale Length: 22-13/16" (580mm) — shorter scale for reduced string tension
- Nut Width: 1-11/16" (43mm) — full-size nut width despite compact body
- Electronics: System 68 ART-based contact pickup with one-way active preamp
- Controls: Volume, tone (mid-boost EQ), and built-in chromatic tuner
- Bridge & Fretboard: Rosewood — warm, familiar playing surface
- Finish: Gloss body, matte neck — Tobacco Brown Sunburst
- Tuners: Covered chrome
Brand: Yamaha
Model: APXT2EW
SKU: APXT2EWTBS
Condition: New
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