luthier opinion on Yamaha A3 Series Guitar Please

Hello all, first thanks in advance for your knowledge and opinions
I bought a Yamaha A3R all solid guitar, I absolutely love it. Sound, appearance and feel is just what I want.. I like it so much that I am thinking of buying the Solid Mahogany model, but something just dawned on me.....
Does anyone know or have any opinions on if Yamaha is using there mystery glue making separating the neck near impossible on this series? It is made in China. According to Yamaha they say it will remove with steam, but I expected them to say that!
At $800-$900 a pop, id hate to think im buying a throw away guitar.
I hang on to my stuff, and play hard so at some point Im sure I will need to reset the neck. Again, thanks for your knowledge and opinions.
It appears to be pretty well designed and made, so I cant see them using that epoxy crap, but what do you all think?

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Permalink Reply by LARRY KLOSE on February 24, 2014 at 8:34am

A local dealer I know and respect carefully checks out his new instruments on arrival, even the cheap ones, and returns those that don't make the grade. He's found cracks, bad intonation, poor neck sets, you name it. He doesn't sell new Gibsons any more because a lot of the not-so-cheap ones had to go back. This one probably would have gone back if he sold Yamaha. I'm sure other quality dealers do the same.

I'd venture to say that the dealer has a part in this problem, particularly on these inexpensive instruments. OTOH, I have no idea what the supplier does with the returns... .

Larry.

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Permalink Reply by Ken H on February 24, 2014 at 3:37pm

Thanks for your input all. Though I did purchase my guitars from a well respected online company, I did base my "love" for the A Series solely on the A3R Rosewood I bought a few months back, which I have no complaints.

My Mahogany A3 does sound good, I really cant complain about anything other than the surface cracks, which I notice every time I pick it up... I am a bit disappointed that my $299 FGX700SC appears to have better craftsmanship, though I understand it is a laminate. I guess I just expected more.

Funny part is I wasnt really bothered by those flaws until I tuned it up and the #4 plastic tuning peg washer broke after a slight turn! Had that not happened I likely wouldn't have became critical about it!!

Im still batting around sending it back for an exchange, getting a refund and saving for a Martin or Taylor, or just keeping it.

I appreciate your input as always all.

Thanks again.