Two new guitars that stretch the parameters of the models they take after without abandoning their core sonic or build qualities.
James Rotondi October 6, 2023
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Are $45 Guitar Picks Worth the Cost? When boutique flatpicks first appeared on Adam’s radar, he was dubious of the concept, having been perfectly content with the standard, 30-cent variety that he’d used for decades…
The Bose L1 Pro16 is an amplification solution that combines clear sound, plenty of power, and uniform dispersion, while being portable and simple to set up.
The Beyerdynamic TG I51 is well-built, affordable, and has a very wide frequency response. For the acoustic guitarist, it has something to offer both on the stage and in the studio.
Fender’s American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster is a sleek, comfortable, stylish, and versatile instrument. This guitar has the iconic offset body style of its solidbody electric ancestors but is really a different animal altogether...
Doug Young tests the Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-1 magnetic soundhole pickup, a lightweight option for acoustic guitarists seeking natural, balanced amplified tone onstage or in the studio.
Cole Clark did not set out to build a guitar to compete with a traditional acoustic. Instead they designed the Angel to be the best-sounding amplified acoustic you’ve ever heard.
Augustine Strings has relaunched the premium Imperial and Regal classical guitar lines with new packaging to enable guitarists to easily identify which of the four sets will best serve them.
Guild pairs its classic jumbo guitar body with a long, 27-inch-scale neck and the more affordable production of its Chinese-built Westerly Collection. The idea is to offer an accessibly priced, fully featured instrument for players who know the satisfying, rafter-rattling power of a baritone and might be curious about exploring the low end.
The PRS Tonare Parlor SE P20E guitar evokes the spirit, sound & form factor of a classic parlor while bearing the imprint of PRS’ signature aesthetics and playability.
The guitar has a soft, warm tone that works great for fingerpicked chord patterns and breezy strumming. When strumming chords with a pick, I found it definitely sounds best to approach the FGX3 with a more delicate touch—a thinner pick and a soft strum can go a long way—while heavy-handed strumming and picking tend to get harsh. Approached with a light to medium touch, chords sound rich while maintaining a clarity that allows individual notes to shine.
Fishman’s new PowerTap series mates either a soundhole or undersaddle pickup to its new TAP (which stands for Touch, Ambience, and Percussion) body sensors. The sensors are designed to capture percussive elements, body resonances, and performance dynamics that pickups alone tend to miss.
The Boss Acoustic Singer Live LT lets you tap into a certain live electricity at apartment volumes, in kitchen-sized spaces, and at motel room locales. That's creative gold right there. It's true that the amp won’t supply the audience for you, but on second thought, the version of you that passes through its circuit board may well help you find one.
I auditioned a pair of Revelation Mini FETs by recording several different acoustic guitars using a spaced pair arrangement, and also with some basic vocal tests.
In the midst of a global pandemic, the guitar market soared with high demand for a range of offerings. Here's the best acoustic guitars and accessories of 2020.
The new 50s LG-2 is no exception. As soon as I picked it up, this guitar felt instantly familiar, and it was easy to imagine that I was holding a new old stock guitar, straight from the 1950s. After years of trying out heavily played vintage models, I feel like I know well just how this guitar will age after years of playing.
The F-6 is a reimagination of the older mando-guitar. It promises a little more room to move, as well as a comfortable playing experience, all at an affordable price.
Even though there are many options and tons of controls, I found the MS-2 to be well laid out, easy to understand and use, and just fun to fool around with.
What sets Breedlove's Organic Collection guitars apart apart from other entry-level models is their lightly built, solid-wood construction with thin UV finishes.
Based on Gretsch's Rex guitars from the 1930–1950s, the Gretsch Gin Rickey is a low-cost parlor guitar that would serve as a cool entry-level instrument.
The second offering in the new line, the American Acoustasonic Stratocaster is a double-cutaway variation that, like its predecessor, is equipped with Fender/Fishman-designed electronics and is capable of delivering a range of convincing acoustic and electric tones in a single package.
When amplifying an acoustic guitar, there’s often a tradeoff between the portability of a small acoustic amp and the power and full-range sound of a heavier and more expensive PA system. JBL’s new IRX line of Bluetooth-enabled powered PA speakers offers flexibility and power in a surprisingly lightweight and affordable…
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