A Gigging Workhorse With a Solid-Top Voice
There's a certain kind of acoustic-electric that just makes sense for working musicians — one that sounds genuinely good unplugged, holds up on stage, and doesn't require you to coddle it between gigs. The Yamaha A1M VN is that guitar. Part of Yamaha's A-Series lineup, built around a solid Sitka spruce top, a cutaway body for upper-fret access, and Yamaha's SRT (Studio Response Technology) pickup system, it's a thoughtfully put-together instrument that covers a lot of ground without a lot of fuss.
The Vintage Natural finish keeps things organic and warm-looking — no flashy binding or exotic inlays, just clean lines and wood grain doing the work. The A-Series aesthetic is deliberately understated, and the A1M wears it well. Whether you're playing a coffeehouse set or running through a PA at a bar gig, this guitar looks right at home.
If you've been searching for a solid-top acoustic-electric that punches above its price point and feels genuinely playable out of the box, the A1M VN deserves a serious look.
This item is a B-Stock guitar sourced directly from the manufacturer. It is new and has never been previously owned. The photos shown are of the exact instrument you will receive. Before shipment, our licensed technician will inspect and professionally set up the guitar to ensure it is playing its best. During our inspection, we noticed 3/4" scratch on back body, black paint discrepancy on back body, flaw on the lower bout edge of guitar, pick guard is slightly lifting, finish cracks noted under pickguard. (see pictures) Please note, these may not be the only cosmetic imperfections. As a B-Stock instrument, there may be additional minor blemishes that are small in nature and do not affect playability or performance.
A Solid Sitka Top With Scalloped Bracing
The foundation of the A1M's acoustic voice is its solid Sitka spruce top, braced with Yamaha's custom scalloped bracing pattern. Solid Sitka spruce is the tried-and-true choice for acoustic guitar tops — stiff enough to project clearly, elastic enough to respond across the full dynamic range from a whisper-quiet fingerpicked passage to a hard strum. The scalloped bracing lets the top move more freely than standard ladder or even standard X-brace patterns, which translates to a stronger, richer sound with more low-mid presence.
The mahogany back and sides add warmth and focus to that spruce brightness — a classic pairing that tends to produce a balanced, even tone with good note separation. It's a combination that works well for singer-songwriters, strummers, and players who need clear note definition in a live mix. The dreadnought body with single cutaway keeps the low-end projection strong while the cutaway opens up the upper register for lead work past the 12th fret.
The Neck: Comfortable From the First Chord
Yamaha put real thought into the A1M's neck. It's a 3-ply African mahogany neck with a slim, tapered profile and — importantly — hand-rolled fingerboard edges. That last detail matters more than it might sound: hand-rolled edges smooth out the sharpness where the rosewood fingerboard meets the binding, so the side of your fretting hand glides rather than catching. Players who switch between electric and acoustic often appreciate this, since it gives the neck a "played-in" feel right from the start.
The 25.5-inch scale length and 43mm (1.692") nut width land in familiar, comfortable territory for most players. The rosewood fingerboard has a 15.75-inch radius — relatively flat, which makes chord grip comfortable and lets you dig in on bends without fretting out. Twenty frets, with the cutaway putting the upper ones well within reach.
Plugged In: SRT Pickup and System 72 Preamp
The A1M's onboard electronics are where Yamaha's engineering investment shows. The SRT (Studio Response Technology) piezo pickup is designed to replicate not just the string vibration, but the full acoustic resonance of the guitar's body — the idea being that what comes out of the PA sounds more like what you hear standing in front of the guitar, not just a thin piezo signal from the saddle. It's a more natural starting point than a standard undersaddle pickup.
The System 72 preamp runs the show on the A1M VN, offering volume control, a built-in chromatic tuner, 3-band EQ, and a midrange frequency control for on-the-fly tone shaping. The battery compartment is mounted separately on the shoulder, keeping the controls accessible without cluttering the upper bout. Die-cast chrome tuners keep the headstock clean and functional.
Product Features:
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Top: Solid Sitka spruce with custom scalloped bracing for enhanced projection and low-mid richness
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Back & Sides: Mahogany, delivering warm, balanced tone with good note separation
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Body: Traditional Western Body Cutaway (dreadnought with single cutaway) for full acoustic volume and upper-fret access
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Neck: 3-ply African mahogany, slim tapered profile with hand-rolled fingerboard edges
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Fingerboard: Rosewood, 15.75" radius, 20 frets
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Scale Length / Nut Width: 25.5" (650mm) scale / 43mm (1.692") nut width
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Electronics: Yamaha SRT piezo pickup with System 72 preamp — volume, 3-band EQ, midrange frequency slider, and built-in chromatic tuner
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Tuners: Die-cast chrome (TM29T)
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Finish: Gloss Vintage Natural
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Strings: Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 Bronze Light
Brand: Yamaha
Model: A1M VN
SKU: A1M VN-2ND|ILP040771
Condition: B-Stock
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.
