A Workhorse Dreadnought That Plays as Good as It Sounds

There's a reason the Yamaha A1R keeps showing up on stages and in home studios alike. It's a no-nonsense dreadnought cutaway with real tonewoods, a pickup system that actually translates the acoustic character of the guitar, and a neck that disappears under your hand. Whether you're strumming campfire chords or reaching for notes up the neck at a gig, the A1R has the tools to do it.

The Tobacco Brown Sunburst finish gives it a warm, vintage aesthetic — think well-worn roadhouse rather than showroom gloss. It's the kind of guitar that looks like it has stories to tell, even before you play a note.

If you want a solid-top dreadnought with real rosewood back and sides and a giggable pickup system without stretching into the four-figure range, the A1R puts a compelling package on the table.

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 MINOR HEADSTOCK DENT IN TOP CORNER, LOWER BOUT TOP EDGE HAS MINOR DENTS, 1/4" DENT IN BACK CAUSING CRACK TO LAQUER. (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.

Solid Sitka Spruce Top with Scalloped Bracing

The A1R's top is solid Sitka spruce — the same tonewood choice found on far more expensive instruments. Sitka is stiff and elastic in equal measure, which means it responds well across a wide dynamic range: gentle fingerpicking, medium strumming, aggressive flatpicking. It holds up under all of it without sounding thin or forced.

Yamaha pairs the solid top with a custom scalloped bracing pattern developed through their acoustic analysis research. Scalloped braces are shaved down at the ends, which lets the top vibrate more freely. The result is improved resonance and projection in the low-mid frequencies — the sweet spot for strumming and chordal playing in a mix.

Rosewood Back, Sides, and Fingerboard

Rosewood back and sides complement the Sitka top with warmth and depth in the low end, and a brightness and clarity up top that keeps the overall tone well-balanced. Players often find that rosewood helps fill out the low-mid frequencies that give a dreadnought body its signature weight and presence.

The rosewood fingerboard and rosewood bridge keep the tonal theme consistent from neck to body. The 15.75" fingerboard radius (confirmed on Sweetwater's spec sheet) keeps chords comfortable and bends smooth, and the 43mm (1-11/16") nut width lands in a comfortable, not-too-wide middle ground. The 3-piece African Mahogany neck rounds things out structurally — a stable, proven build choice.

SRT Pickup System — Stage-Ready Out of the Box

The Yamaha A1R uses Yamaha's SRT (Studio Response Technology) piezo pickup paired with the SYSTEM72 preamp. The onboard controls include volume, a 3-band EQ, a built-in chromatic tuner, and a mid-frequency slider — everything you need to dial in a useful plugged-in sound at a gig without fussing through menus or apps. The line output keeps things straightforward for running into a PA or interface.

Yamaha designed SRT to capture the natural acoustic qualities of the guitar rather than producing a purely piezo-processed sound. For live use, that translates to a usable, organic-sounding direct tone that holds up in a mix.

Product Features:

• Body Shape: Traditional Western Dreadnought Cutaway — full dreadnought projection with upper fret access
• Top: Solid Sitka Spruce with custom scalloped bracing for improved resonance and volume
• Back & Sides: Rosewood — warm low end with balanced highs
• Neck: 3-piece African Mahogany, matte finish; 43mm (1-11/16") nut width; 15.75" fingerboard radius
• Fingerboard & Bridge: Rosewood; 20 frets; 650mm (25-9/16") scale length
• Electronics: SYSTEM72 preamp + SRT Piezo Pickup; Vol / 3-Band EQ / Tuner / Mid Frequency controls; LINE OUT
• Tuners: Die-cast chrome (TM29T)
• Binding: Mahogany + Cream body binding; tortoise pattern pickguard
• Finish: Gloss body, matte neck — Tobacco Brown Sunburst
• Strings: Elixir NANOWEB 80/20 Bronze Light

Brand: Yamaha

Model: A1R

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.