YAMAHA AES ELECTRICS HIT ROCK HEAD ON

—AES820 and AES820D6 Debut—

BUENA PARK, CA (January 17, 2002)—In today's musical landscape, the growing emergence of hard-edged, guitar-driven rock demands an instrument that can cut through and be heard—whether playing lead or rhythm, live or in the studio. Yamaha Corporation of America, Guitar Products, answers the requests of young guitarists for axes with a characteristic massive sound, fast feel, and an edgy, standout appearance with the introduction of the AES820 and AES820D6 electrics.

Rock With The AES820

Designed at Yamaha's USA Custom Guitar shop, the AES820 features a highly contoured, lightweight solid Alder body with a fast, Black Satin-finished 24 3ž4" scale Maple neck and Ebony fingerboards (no inlay markers). Electronics include neck and bridge direct-mounted, custom design DiMarzio humbuckers, two Volume controls and a 3-way passive rotary tone switch. Innovations continue with a low mass Tun-O-Matic style bridge, chrome independent tail pieces, and custom design chrome Sperzel Trim Lok tuners. Available finishes include Black, Light Brown, Metallic and Flat Blue.

"The new AES820 models pick up where the AES800 left off, with some really extreme body contours and new appointments," states Ken Dapron, director, Yamaha Guitar Development. "They're the best looking, feeling, playing and sounding 2-humbucker rock guitars available anywhere."

A Drop 6 version, the AES820D6, contains all the features of the AES820, with the addition of the longer 26 1ž4" scale and special string gauge for down-tuning to A or B. Both models will ship in April.

"These guitars can meet any musical genre head-on—especially what's happening in rock right now," adds David Bergstom, director of marketing, Combo Group, Pro Audio & Combo Division. "The look is bold and classy. The new 3-way rotary tone circuit is simple and extremely effective, and the sound is loud and tight. They're winners."

For more information on AES820 and AES820D6 electric guitars, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Pro Audio & Combo Division, Guitar Products, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; email infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com or www.yamahaguitars.com.