Bought a Yamaha L8-12A twelve-string in 1991. It's got a solid top - I think the rest is probably laminate. It's got a great ringing sound - very full with heaps of response and sustain. I keep it tuned down a tone. I love it, and feel that it was a really good buy. As I recall at the time the choice was between the Yamaha or Takamine - and I felt the Yamaha had a fuller tone.

When I went guitar shopping recently I tried several Yamahas first, thinking that I would probably choose one of them, but wasn't overly impressed. Eventually my choice came down to Maton or Seagull and I finally bought a Seagull Artist mahogany/cedar model.

I think Yamaha make good guitars - but in the end you pick the guitar you like best (and can afford) at the time.

David