Yamaha SLG110S Silent Guitar: Part One

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Overview

This Yamaha SLG110S Silent Guitar came in for a full refret. Well, it turned out to be a not quite so ordinary job, as I practically had to dismantle the whole instrument so as not to damage any of the fragile plastic parts or electronics. That being done, I was presented with the opportunity to 'peek under the hood,' so to speak. Based on my own observations as well as information from Yamaha Music London and the SLG110S Owner's Manual, I've put together a brief overview of this truly innovative and unique instrument.

Main Features
Neck: Mahogany
Body: Maple
Strings: Steel
Scale Length: 24 15/16"
Fretboard: Rosewood
No. of Frets: 22
Bridge: Rosewood
Frame Units: Maple (left frame is detachable)
Under-Saddle Sensor: LR-Baggs

Connectors
Aux In Jack
Line Out Jack
Phones Jack
DC-In Jack

Controls
Aux Vol
Volume
Bass
Treble
Effects Switch (Off/On - four selectable effects)
Phones Switch (On/Off)

SPX Digital Effects
Reverb 1/Reverb 2/Chorus/Echo

Power Supply
Standard 9V alkaline battery
AC Adaptor: PA-D012(A)/PA-130(A)/PAD09/PA-3C

Basic Operation
Right out of the supplied gig bag, you'll have to put this guitar together by reattaching the left maple frame to the main body. It's quite simple, actually. Loosen the two frame attachment screws (they double as strap buttons), insert the upper and lower frame rods into their respective brackets; and re-tighten the attachment screws.

The moment you plug a standard mono guitar cable into the Aux In jack, the Power LED should light up. That is, provided your 9V battery has enough juice left in it or you've plugged in and turned on your AC adaptor. Kindly note that Yamaha does not recommend using an AC adaptor while you have a 9V battery installed. In other words, if you want to use an adaptor, remove the battery; and vice-versa.

Plug the other end of the guitar cable into your amp, and you'll be good to go. The overall output of your guitar is controlled by the SLG110S' Volume knob. Bass and treble response can be tweaked by adjusting, you guessed it; the Bass and Treble knobs. Finally, you can run a dry signal, or add either reverb (two varieties), chorus or echo via the Effect knob.

If you'd like to jam to music from your CD/mp3 player/phone, connect a mini stereo jack from the device's headphone jack to the guitar's Aux In jack. The volume of the music from your device is controlled by the Aux Vol knob. Now, let's say you get the urge to play at 1 a.m. but don't want to disturb your roommate, family members; or neighbors. No problem. Just turn on the Phones switch and plug in a pair of stereo headphones.

That's about it for this overview. Here's a video on YouTube in which a certain Dave from Toronto closely examines the Yamaha SLG110S Silent Guitar. Do also check out Part Two, in which I outline the basic steps taken in re-fretting this guitar.