Yamaha CSF1M Review – A Modern Classic Parlor in the Making!

Whether a high-end dreadnought or an affordable travel guitar, you can always rely on Yamaha to have a model to offer – and the parlor guitar market is no different. Part of the newly released CSF Series, the CSF1M is an affordable electro-acoustic parlor guitar that is well on its way to becoming one of the most popular parlors on the market. Let’s see why.

Body & Neck

There is nothing particularly flashy about the CSF1M, yet it’s a very good-looking instrument with classic Yamaha style and a few appointments that suggest it’s a step above some of the more budget parlors. It comes in either a natural glossy finish or the more interesting Tobacco Brown Sunburst for a little extra vintage vibe. Either finish is completed with attractive black and white body binding along with a simple abalone rosette. The build is also classic Yamaha. The brand uses their own parlor design, with slightly fuller sides to offer a more full-bodied sound. They make use of a quality solid Sitka spruce on the top, featuring scalloped X-bracing, along with a laminated mahogany on the sides and back of the guitar. The reduced parlor size and 23.6” scale length makes it comfortable for smaller players and those wanting a more compact playing experience (beginners, we’re looking at you). Moving up to the neck and you’ll find this is made from solid nato, with a 20-fret rosewood fretboard. For what is still a very affordable guitar, this neck is delightful to hold and play, with a comfortable C-shaped profile and a semi-gloss finish. The playability could benefit from a good setup, but it’s not too bad straight from the box.

Hardware

For an affordable midrange parlor guitar, the hardware on the CSF1M is standard, yet it does deliver a few nice surprises. One thing that’s not immediately apparent when you pick up the instrument is that it’s an electro-acoustic. With no preamp panel on the side bout, it’s understandable to completely miss the electronics, which are tucked away in the soundhole. This is a passive SRT Zero-Impact piezo pickup, which is a fine addition, although no preamp means all sound shaping must be done from the amp. Elsewhere, there’s a solid rosewood bridge with a unique offset design, with a urea saddle and a matching urea nut. Meanwhile, the closed gear diecast chrome tuning machines are reliable and precise, as we’d expect from a Yamaha in this price range. Finally, it comes fitted with a good set of Elixir NANOWEB 80/20 Bronze Light strings – so a string change won’t be necessary for some time – as well as its own hard case, which is another welcome addition.

Sound

For a midrange parlor, the CSF1M sounds lovely. The combination of solid spruce and laminated mahogany makes for a warm and well-balanced tone with surprisingly good low-end for a small guitar. This is partly due to the slightly bigger waist, which also helps with the unplugged projection. The sound through an amp is pretty good too, although, as it’s a passive pickup, the output isn’t as punchy or loud as you may expect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6AyxpS93fA

The Verdict

Even though it’s not been around long, it’s easy to see why the CSF1M has become a go-to parlor guitar for so many players – there is little to dislike. Striking the right balance between price, quality and extras, it is a great option for everyone from beginners and players on the move, to full-sized singer-songwriters who just want the classic sound of old America at a price that doesn’t take much consideration. For more info about the Yamaha CSF1M, click here. For more Acoustic Parlor Guitars you might like, click here.