Gear Review: Guild D-55
This rejuvenated version of Guild's classic D-55 dreadnought captures many of the details of the original while offering a few enhancements.
8 Dreadnoughts Around $500
The dreadnought is big. Outside of its portly proportions, this form remains a top-seller a century after its birth.
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Taylor 10e and 12e Academy Guitars Review
If I hadn’t had their spec sheets in front of me, I might not have known that a pair of new Taylor guitars were affordable instruments. The new Taylor Academy 10e dreadnought and 12e Grand Concert each sell for well under a grand with a deluxe padded gig bag. Both…
Video Review: Seagull’s Coastline Momentum Offers an Affordable Workhorse of a Dreadnought
This slope-shouldered dreadnought sports Adirondack spruce bracing, a compound-curve top that increases structural integrity, an Indian rosewood fingerboard, a compensated TUSQ saddle, a custom-polished finish, a double-function truss rod, and a set-neck system that resists warping and changes due to climate.
Video Review: The D-1 Authentic 1931 Is a Note-Perfect Replica of a Rare Martin Dreadnought
The D-1 is one of the latest members of Martin’s Authentic lineup, in which the company recreates its prewar designs in highly accurate detail
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GEAR REVIEW: Martin Guitar Introduces 3 New Electro-Acoustic Models in Its Popular 16 Series [VIDEO]
C.F. Martin & Co. has added three new models to its popular 16 Series.
Review: Preston Thompson Makes a Killer Dreadnought Inspired By the Late Bluegrass Master Charles Sawtelle
The Thompson has a huge velocity of sound and great clarity, whether strummed or fingerpicked
VIDEO REVIEW: The Stalwart Taylor 410ce-R Is the Latest Iteration of a Classic Dreadnought
Nothing is more traditional than a dreadnought-sized guitar, but add a slim-neck profile, an elegant Venetian cutaway, and an innovative pickup system that accurately represents the true acoustic nature of the guitar in an amplified setting, and you have the Taylor 410ce-R, a modern acoustic guitar that speaks to a wide spectrum of players.
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Video Review: There’s a Lot to Love About the Maple-Top Fender T-Bucket 400CE
Fender Guitars, long known for its iconic Strats and Teles, may turn a few heads with the flame-maple-topped, dreadnought-sized T-Bucket 400CE, which is not only good looking, but sounds good and, most importantly, is affordable.
Video Review: Guild’s D-40 Is a Rebirth of a Made-In-America Classic
The Guild D-40 has a long history of producing an iconic sound. Much of the desirable tone heard on 1960s folk-revival recordings is compliments of a Guild D-40, which was introduced in 1963.
Video Review: Martin Custom’s Limited-Edition CS-Bluegrass-16 Dreadnought Delivers the Goods
The CS-Bluegrass-16's sound is nicely split between robust fundamentals and shimmering overtones. It’s everything a fine dreadnought should be—and then some.
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Gear Review: Yamaha TransAcoustic Guitar Offers Innovative Built-In Effects [VIDEO]
Though the actuator is the main selling point of the LL-TA, the instrument is a nicely made guitar by any yardstick, built entirely from solid woods.
Gear Review: Martin DCX1AE Macassar Is Built of Laminate, But it’s Unmistakably a Martin [VIDEO]
With a street price of just under a grand, this Macassar is one of Martin’s least expensive guitars, but it’s not an inferior instrument. A solidly built guitar with a winning personality and Fishman Sonitone electronics, it’s a smart choice for a beginner or a cost-conscious pro.
Gear Review: The 2016 Gibson Hummingbird Vintage Model Is a High-Flying Acoustic Guitar [VIDEO]
It’s not just one of the best Hummingbirds I’ve played, but an excellent flattop by any yardstick—one as graceful and nimble as its name suggests.
Review: Gibson’s J-45 Vintage Is a Winning Workhorse [VIDEO]
Some skeptical guitarists might see phrases like “thermally cured” and “hide glue” as mere marketing tools, but there’s no denying that the J-45 Vintage has a full, rich voice with excellent definition and note separation. When I play it in the Carter style, I’m struck both by the depth of the bass notes and the crispness of the chordal accents. When I pick some G runs, I’m taken with the string-to-string balance and the thickness of the single notes.
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Review: The Cole Clark Fat Lady FL2EC-MMAH
With its high-quality build and lovely sound, the Fat Lady definitely recommends itself as a fine modern acoustic-electric dreadnought.
Review: Guild’s Orpheum Series Slope-Shouldered 12-fret Dread Sets a New Standard
A Vintage Guitar That Never Existed Creates a Cool Blend of Influences
Review: Martin D-35 Brazilian 50th Anniversary is an Instant Collectible
This special guitar is one of Martin’s finest D-35s to date
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Review: Takamine GD20-NS T is a Dream Come True For the Newbie Guitarist
With a cedar soundboard and limited lifetime warranty it's almost inconceivable that this is a $250 guitar.
Gear Review: New Hummingbird Flutters to Life
In late 2013, Keith Richards told the Wall Street Journal how he came up with the right textures for one of the Rolling Stones’ most famous riffs: the intro to “Street Fighting Man.” He’d been experimenting with open tunings, recording his ideas on the fly on an early Philips cassette…
Review: Epiphone’s “Inspired by ‘1964’ Texan” has Classic Sound with Modern Updates
The instrument has vintage looks, classic Texan sound, great playability, and easy-to-use electronics.
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Review: Martin DCPA4 Siris Has a Modern Look and Versatile Sound
The DCPA4 Siris’s feel reflects its fusion of traditional and contemporary specs.
Review: Martin’s DRS1 is a Solid Dreadnought Designed For the Working Musician
Luckily for those unable to afford a D-28, Martin recently unveiled the DRS1—a guitar with many similarities to the American-made D-15, but built in Martin’s Mexican facility.
Yamaha A3R Review
One of the noteworthy aspects of the A3R is its playability. Our review guitar arrived strung with light-gauge strings that feel as close to the ebony fingerboard as the strings do on a typical electric guitar. I found the mahogany neck to be very playable in all positions and it was easy to bend strings.
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Review: Cort MR710F is a Lot of Guitar for Under $400
Cort’s MR710F is a cutaway dreadnought with built-in electronics, genuine bone nut and saddle, and scalloped X-bracing.