A Stage-Ready Acoustic in a Smokey Black Matte Finish
If you've ever wanted an acoustic guitar that feels almost as natural in your hands as an electric — one you can grab off a stand, plug in, and play without fighting feedback or spending ten minutes on a sound check — the Yamaha APX600M was basically designed with that exact scenario in mind. The "M" stands for matte, and that Smokey Black finish gives this already sleek guitar a cool, understated look that doesn't look out of place on any stage.
The APX series has been around since 1987, when Yamaha set out to build an acoustic that could actually function at volume without the usual headaches. The APX600M carries that same mission forward — a thinline single-cutaway body that keeps things comfortable whether you're sitting in on a couch or standing up for a full set.
With its spruce top, nato back and sides, and Yamaha's own SRT piezo pickup system on board, the APX600M is a genuinely gig-ready guitar at a price that doesn't require a second mortgage. Players who are comfortable on electric guitar and want an acoustic that matches that feel — or anyone who needs a dependable acoustic-electric for live use — will feel right at home here.
Thinline Body Built for Playing, Not Just Looking Good
The APX body shape is Yamaha's own proprietary thinline silhouette — shallower than a standard dreadnought, with a single cutaway that opens up the upper frets. That combination makes this guitar noticeably easier to hold close to your body, which translates to less fatigue on longer gigs or practice sessions. The 25" scale length and narrower string spacing keep everything feeling accessible, especially if you're coming from an electric background.
Inside the body, Yamaha uses a specially designed non-scalloped X-type bracing pattern to compensate for what a thinner body loses in natural resonance. The result is a fuller low end than you might expect from something this compact. The oval soundhole — a signature APX feature — further thickens the lower-mid response so the guitar punches above its size when you're playing acoustically.
The back and sides are nato, a tonewood Yamaha selects through their locally sourced sustainable procurement program. The neck is also locally sourced tropical tonewood, paired with a rosewood fingerboard and rosewood bridge. Nut width comes in at 43mm (1-11/16"), which is a comfortable middle ground — not as wide as many acoustics, but plenty of room to work cleanly.
SRT Pickup System: Yamaha's Stage-Focused Electronics
The electronics package on the APX600M is where it earns its keep as a live instrument. Yamaha equipped it with their SRT undersaddle piezo transducer — the same pickup technology found in the higher-end A Series guitars. Individual string elements deliver a cleaner, wider-bandwidth signal than a standard piezo bar, which means your amplified tone tracks the actual dynamics of your playing instead of sounding squashed or plasticky through a PA.
The System 65 preamp handles the controls: a volume knob, 3-band EQ, mid-frequency slider, and an onboard chromatic tuner. That tuner alone saves you from hunting for a clip-on every time you need to check your pitch between songs. The whole preamp runs on two AA batteries and outputs via a standard 1/4" line out jack.
Yamaha also offers the Player Port app (iOS and Android) as a companion resource — it includes tips, tutorials, FAQs, and a built-in tuner accessible without even registering your guitar.
The Matte Finish Difference
The standard APX600 comes in a gloss finish; the APX600M swaps that out for a smooth matte — hence the "M" suffix. In Smokey Black, the result is a guitar that looks almost monochromatic and purposefully low-key in the best way. Matte finishes also tend to feel less sticky under the picking arm for extended playing sessions, which is a real-world comfort detail that's easy to overlook until you've experienced it.
Whether you're running this through a PA at an open mic, plugging into a small acoustic amp at a coffeehouse, or simply practicing at home and occasionally noodling unplugged, the APX600M covers the bases without any fuss. It's a well-thought-out guitar that respects your playing time.
Product Features:
- Body: Thinline single-cutaway APX shape with nato back and sides
- Top: Spruce with non-scalloped X-type bracing for enhanced low-end response
- Scale Length: 25" (634mm) with narrow string spacing for comfortable playability
- Nut Width: 43mm (1-11/16")
- Fingerboard & Bridge: Rosewood
- Electronics: Yamaha SRT undersaddle piezo transducer with System 65 preamp
- Onboard Controls: Volume, 3-band EQ, mid-frequency slider, chromatic tuner
- Finish: Matte Smokey Black — smooth feel, understated appearance
- Neck: Locally sourced tropical tonewood with sustainable procurement
- Compatible with Yamaha Player Port app (iOS & Android)
Brand: Yamaha
Model: APX600M Smokey Black
SKU: APX600MSMB
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.
