Yamaha & EV 2023 Gig Rig

Well another year with the globe spun. I’ve been trying to get lighter and smaller rigs to travel with. Hear they are the Yamaha NCX3 and SLG200NW guitar with a Line6 HX Stomp to a EV Everse

So I’ve had my Yamaha NCX3 for just about 6 months I thought it was time to write a review. I have come to really appreciate the design and the electronics in this guitar as it allows me to use all of the gear that I own as well as others when I’m in situations where I may not have the gear that I’m used to.

That being said, this has to be the easiest guitar to gig with . It’s pretty much plug and play simplicity. While it may take a little bit of time to get used to having a 3 knob system for electronics mic blend, volume knob, and then treble adjust it’s definitely feature rich and not like any other guitar that I played that has active electronics in the nylon construction build with active electronics. Now that being said, I have to share that I personally use EV amplification for 95% of all my gigs using the EV Evovle 30m and Everse 8’s. When I’ve needed to I’ve used the Grace Design Felix2 or the Line 6 HX Stomp. But many times I just use a Rupert Neve RNDI straight to a EV Everse 8 and get the job done. I am a huge fan of Yamaha and the service they give after the sale as well. Not to mention the great service from Sweetwater as well.

My NCX3 came in excellent condition all set up and ready to play. I did do a little saddle adjusting and brought he action down to 2.4mm. I’ve tried a few different brands of strings but have landed on DAddario EJ45 and the guitar seems to respond well to the tension and feel of these strings. The guitar sounds great acoustically with these strings too. If I go to much higher in tension it seems to choke the tone/openness of the guitars vibrating top tone. I’ve played 5 hours on gigs with this guitar and my hands feel fine after my gig. The looks and craftsmanship are stellar. The build is sold and no flimsy trim or aesthetics. It comes with strap pins already installed. It sounds great to just play acoustically but the real magic is once you plug in. For years I’ve been eqing my live sound with expensive eq’s and racks of gear etc. This guitar is not like others I’ve used the “AtmosFeel” electronics which consist of a blend of three systems. A mic, UST, and body sensor are able to capture the guitars tone with out really needing outboard gear to sculpt a usable professional gigging tone. So for quick setup and easy travel as well as light this has become my go to live performance gigging guitar. I can even just plug in directly in to my EV’s and sound fantastic with no eq or high pass filter. Just add a bit of soft hall reverb on EV’s and I’m all set. Even the case is well designed which in my opinion is a type of hybrid hard case, combining the best of soft case design with a harder shell interior that really protects the guitar while transporting it from gig gig, as well as keeping it safe. It’s light light and looks great. I play a wide style of music from Flamenco, Latin, Jazz, World, music and this guitar covers them all. I did instal a glopador/ tap plate on mine so my right hand technique wound not damage the finish. I used a 3m clear sheet and cut it to fit. It’s a great workhorse guitar. I’ve ben gigging with it since I’ve received the guitar. Everybody that has played it or heard it loves it too. Thanks to all at Sweetwater Chris M x1328, Set Up, Photography and Shipping.

EV Everse and Yamaha NCX3 w Line 6

Line 6HX Stomp and Morning Star Engineering MC6

EV Evolve 30m with Everse

EZ gig rig

All packed

All set up with Grace Felix2

Yamaha SLG200NW w Grace Felix2

Yamaha SLG200NW w EV30m

Yamaha SLG200NW

Yamaha SLG200NW

Easy Gig Rigs

As I have gotten older, more experienced and easier to get tired I’ve learned a lot about gear and what works for me. I won’t compromise tone either. So what I have come to learn. If I don’t require body taps, glopes for my performance I’m using the Yamaha SLG200NW guitar.

Yamaha SLG200NW

if I do need body percussion then the Yamaha NCX3.

Yamaha NCX3

From there I plug into my simple pedalboard which gives me a high pass filter and eq with limiter and tuner it’s the Source Audio EQ2 with a Source Audio Tap/Temp Switch for the Tuner and Mute functionality, A Boss Reverb RV-6, Boss Loop Station RC-5 all housed in a Boss Pedalboard BCB-30X.

Simple Pedalboard

Now for amplification I am using 3 various stems depending on needs of clients. I can cover audiences from 50-500 with the gear I have. For 70% of the gigs I do I use the EV 30m I have been able to use this system with no problem for 250

EV 30m

I also like the QSC CP8 in Mono or Stereo and can cover 100-300 people with this setup

QSC CPS on Ultimate Support TS-110B Extra Tall Lift-Assist Speaker Stand with a K&M Speaker Tilt Adapter – Black

Then for intimate performances or where no AC is easy to access I use 1 Bose S1 Pro. I’ve also used a Bose S1 Pro as my monitor and preamp w reverb and then an additional speaker like the QSC CP 8.

2 Bose S1 Pro Speakers

I have other gear that I use when I add a mic like the DPA 4099 G to use with my Culpepper. The Grace Design FeliX 2 when I just use my guitar and preamp out to a Front Of House (FOH) set up

Grace Design Felix2

Grace Design FeliX 2 with EV30m

Grace Design Felix2

I also like the sound of a saturated preamp like Neve 511 or Chameleon Labs 7603 but this moves out of the easy set ups.

Chameleon Labs 7603 and TC Electronic MOne-XL

Neve 511 Preamp, 551 EQ, 545 Primary Source Enhancer.

Rupert Neve RNDI

For a DI nothing beats the Rupert Neve RNDI

I’ve tried lots of gear and guitars but for the daily giging nylon string guitarist this is what I’ve concluded in 2022 works best for me and I hope it helps you get you best Nylon Live Sound. I purchase my gear at Sweetwater Sound, American Musical and Russo’s Music Store.

Yamaha SLG200NW Guitar Rack Update

Updated Streamlined Rack for Yamaha SLG200NW Guitar a Chameleon Labs 7603, TC Electronic M-One XL, Sennheiser EW-G4 Wireless in a Gator 3 Space Rack #livemusic #professionalmusician #guitar #electricguitar #acousticguitar #nylonguitar #workingmusician #production #producer #sessionmusician

Easy to travel with. Fits great in the trunk with EV30M, lights, cables and accessories.

Yamaha SLG200NW Pedalboard update

Yamaha SLG200NW Pedalboard

The Pedalboard starts with a Boss Wirless Reciver on the far right then a TC Electronic Spark (Booster), Source Audio EQ2, Boss RV6 Reverb, Boss FS-7 (Switch for Looper) Boss RC-5 Looper, Radial Engineering Pro 48 DI.

Yamaha SLG200NW Silent Guitar, Wide Nylon-String – Natural a gigging guitarists guitar

I’m am so happy with my Yamaha SLG200NW Silent Guitar, Wide Nylon-String – Natural from Sweetwater. I have tried it with my Bose S1 Pros, EV Evolve 30m, QSCP8, Neve Preamp, Grace Designs Felix2 and it sounds fantastic on all of my live platforms as well as in the studio with my UA Apollo gear. Yamaha hit a home run with this guitar. It come’s ready to play out of the box. If you need to lower the action it’s as easy as adjusting the saddle. The tone and feel are fully resonate and respond to playing nuances/ technique. So easy to travel and gig with using the included gig bag. I have gig with the guitar last weekend and loved it. I have some very high end flamenco guitars like DeVoe, Culpepper, and others. I have wanted a practice guitar as well as a guitar to do local gigs with. This is that guitar. It’s so well built and perfect for the traveling nylon string guitarist. It really produces a fantastic believable tone. The Preamp and mic blend/ EQ and reverb on the guitar are stellar I have tried a wireless with Sennheiser XSW that worked well but the x3 Evolution 3 seemed to have a few issues. The feel look and quality of the guitars build are top notch. I have not put it down since it arrived. I’ve had others say they are very impressed with the tone/sound sound of the guitar as well. The guitar is a keeper. I am working on getting a glopadore/ tap plate to work in conjunction with the Preamp. I like the medium tension DAddario EJ45 strings on the guitar. Sweetwater sent the guitar well packed and safe to me. They really do have the best customer service/support in the business and are hear to help musicians get the gear they need. Thanks Sweetwater & Yamaha.

Yamaha SLG200NW Review (Sent It Back)

I was recently told that the Yamaha SLG200NW has shipped and is in the USA. I have been waiting over a year for the release of the new model. I was told CITES confiscated the shipment. They are now in the USA this particular model has the wider nut 2-1/16" and for me that's very important. It also has Yamaha's SRT powered system that blends the UST pickup with a Mic sound, eq bass & treble, tuner, built in effects, MP3 jack, headphone output jack. The neck is an ebony fingerboard. The body is made from mahogany. Below are a few pictures. I will write more once I have played it for a bit and giged with it. This will be my outdoor wedding guitar.

Update #1 8/2/17 I have been playing it non stop since it arrived. I have waited over a year for this and for my needs it meets and exceeds my expectations. The neck 52mm is very comfortable. Once you get used to the size and playability I think you actually focus on you hand movement and this guitar polishes up your movements. I did need to polish the frets and put new strings on (DÁddarío EJ45). The mic modeling sounds great but when on more than 50% it needs some bass cut around 85-145Hz. I used the Grace Design ALiX to accomplish this. I plan on using the Grace Design Bix and use it to tame bass frequency. I have used the guitar with the Bose Compact, Bose L1S, Behringer B210 speakers, direct into Pro Tools on hear ttps://soundcloud.com/v2or/yamaha-silient-guitar-slg200nw The guitar tunes easy, the Preamp is very easy to use just bass and treble, tuner works great, effects are very nice I use reverb two which is a hall setting. The gig bag is nice and the guitar bracket for the top assembles very easy. I am very happy with the purchase and will be using the guitar for wedding, cocktail hr and outdoor gigs.

Update #2 8/3/17 Well I'm sad to say that while I like the concept of the silent guitar especially for practice I was not able to justify keeping it due to it sound quality live and direct into a sound board, mixer or DI like Grace Design AliX or BiX. I would not be able to trust the sound in a gig live where I would be paid to play. My clients & fans deserve sound that replicates the nylon string Spanish Guitar. It has been sent back.