Yamaha NCX1C Classical with Pickup

The Yamaha NCX1C is an acoustic-electric classical guitar from Yamaha's NX Series, designed for traditional nylon-string players who also need excellent amplified sound for performance. The "C" in "NCX1C" specifically denotes a solid Western Red Cedar top, which is a popular choice for classical guitars.

This model is part of Yamaha's modern NX Series, which offers two distinct body and neck profiles:

• NTX models: Thinner body, narrower nut width, and a more rounded fingerboard radius  designed for electric and steel-string players seeking a nylon-string sound with a familiar feel.

• NCX models: Traditional classical guitar body depth, standard classical nut width, and a flat fingerboard radius  designed for experienced nylon-string players who want a traditional feel but with modern electronics and performance features.

Here's a detailed breakdown of the Yamaha NCX1C:

• Body:

  • Body Shape: Traditional Classical guitar shape with a single cutaway. The cutaway provides easier access to the upper frets for soloing and intricate playing.

  • Top Wood: Solid Western Red Cedar. This is a premium feature for its price point. Cedar is highly prized for its warm, rich, and mellow tone, quick response, and excellent projection, making it ideal for classical and fingerstyle playing. Its tone tends to "open up" and become more complex with age.

  • Back & Sides Wood: Nato or Okume. These tonewoods offer a balanced and warm sound, similar in characteristics to mahogany, contributing to the guitar's overall resonance.

  • Body Depth: Standard classical guitar body depth (typically 94-100mm / 3 11/16" - 3 15/16"), providing a full acoustic voice.

  • Bracing: Features an advanced NX bracing pattern. This system is optimized to enhance low-frequency response and draw out more of the natural character of the selected tonewoods, without compromising durability.

  • Finish: Gloss finish (typically Natural), providing a classic and polished look.

  • Soundhole Inlay: Features a unique circular rosette with Mahogany + Padauk inlay, adding to its aesthetic appeal.

  • Binding: Black + White body binding.

• Neck & Fingerboard:

  • Neck Material: Nato, known for its stability.

  • Neck Profile: Traditional classical guitar neck profile, which is wider and flatter than steel-string acoustic or electric guitar necks. This wider spacing and flat radius is ideal for classical and fingerstyle techniques, allowing for precise articulation.

  • Neck Finish: Matte finish on the back of the neck for smooth playability.

  • Scale Length: 650mm (25 9/16), a standard full-size classical guitar scale length.

  • Fingerboard Material: Walnut.

  • Fingerboard Radius: Flat, consistent with traditional classical guitars, which aids in accurate finger placement for classical repertoire.

  • Frets: 19 frets.

  • Nut Width: 52mm (2 1/16"), which is the traditional wide nut width for classical guitars, providing ample string spacing.

  • Nut & Saddle Material: Urea, a durable synthetic material.

• Electronics:

  • Pickup System: Equipped with an advanced Yamaha undersaddle pickup system with a SYSTEM73 preamp. This system is designed for high-quality amplified sound, ensuring that the guitar's natural acoustic tone is faithfully reproduced through an amplifier or PA system.

  • Controls: Includes Volume, a 3-band EQ (Bass, Mid, Treble) with an adjustable mid-frequency control, and a built-in chromatic tuner. This comprehensive control set allows for flexible tone shaping and convenient tuning on stage.

  • Connections: LINE OUT for direct connection to mixing consoles or amplifiers.

  • Strap Buttons: Performance-friendly strap buttons are included, making it easy to play while standing.

• Hardware:

  • Bridge Material: Ebony + Walnut.

  • Tuners: Chrome with Matte Black Shafts (RM1188NB-B06), offering reliable tuning stability with a modern aesthetic.

  • Strings: Comes strung with Yamaha S10 Medium tension nylon strings.

• Included Accessories: Typically comes with a Hex Wrench and 2 x AA batteries for the preamp. A case or gig bag is sold separately.

The Yamaha NCX1C is a well-rounded acoustic-electric classical guitar, offering a traditional playing experience with the benefit of modern, reliable electronics for amplified performance. Its solid cedar top provides a rich and warm acoustic tone, making it suitable for a wide range of classical, flamenco, jazz, and world music styles.