I knew I was going to buy a second guitar. I needed one, to cut down on onstage tuning. I had an FG Yamaha but the change in quality of sound between the two guitars was dramatic.
the CPX8 has a fairly tame sound acoustically. A couple of guitarists have told me it is overbuilt - too much strutting inside - but Yamaha apparently make them like that so that they can be transported safely all round the world. However when plugged in, it has a beautiful smooth creamy sound. there is a mic under the sound hole and a piezo mike under the bridge and you can mix the two sound sources. very effectively and easily - also it is versatile - you can use less mic when you want something a little racy like deep chorus or long delay.
I like a narrow neck.
A few months ago I did attended a workshop with Ken Nicol, (guitar picker in Steeleye Span. terrific player - I never realised DADGAD was such a great blues tuning). Despite the fact that he is a million times better than me, our styles are quite similar. Ken talked enthusiastically about cedar tops. So I thought I'd get one
I tried maybe a dozen different guitars at at the acoustic avalon - probably the best guitar show in the midlands. Turner, Lowdens, Avalons, Takamines - the yamaha seemed the best (neckwise and soundwise and set up wise)by a country mile. It was a very good price - not as cheap as in the USA , but by English standards pretty good.
so I went for it, and now I'm wondering if anybody knows how to get the best out of it.