Best Semi Acoustic Guitar (2024 Update)

For what it is – a very cheap, small, travel guitar, this is great. You'll need a strap as it doesn't sit high enough on your leg to be comfortable to play. Also – the action was high, but a bit of adjusting with a belt sander on the saddle and that came down well. The scale length is short, but plays OK – takes a bit of getting used to from my full-sized acoustics. Putting a capo on it and making chords further up the neck is tight, but OK. Sound is very good for a travel guitar of this size. This would be a great kids guitar or even for an adult beginner. I did put 11s on it – sounds a bit weaker, but is fine, and that's what I use on my other acoustics. I had a washburn rover before – this is better, though not as small, but worth the extra size, I think. I have a GS Mini, which is much better, but a good bit larger, and much more expensive. Tuner works good, haven't tried plugging it in yet. Bought this for the boat – seems pretty sturdy.Alexander

I bought this guitar because I have chronic pain and am a small lady and found that even smaller acoustic guitars are too big and bulky and unplayable. I like to play high up on the neck so wanted a cutaway and occasionally perform so having an electro-acoustic version means it ticks all the boxes. When play acoustically it does sound really tinny, there's not getting away from that. It also tends to be unbalanced toward the neck end, so I need a strap to keep it in place. But it is much more playable for practice and I am almost managing to play bar chords again. Not chance on a normal size guitar. It has a full fret board just smaller but not too small.Michelle S.

I ordered this for my pastors wife who wanted to learn a new instrument. She is tiny ( less that 5 ' tall) and a full size guitar would not fit her body type. I was shocked when the guitar came in. The photos on line do not do the finish justice. I was even more shocked when I played it. Most student guitars in this price point have horrible action. The set up on this from the factory was great. It was very easy to play and the sound was extremely good for a thin body acoustic . Then we plugged it in. I could not believe the sound quality of the electronics in this guitar. On Sunday, I pulled out after church and let the music team take turns with it. Everyone that played it raved about every aspect of this little guitar. The instrument also came with a quality gig bag. The material was thick, padding was good, the zippers and hardware appeared to by sturdy. Even more importantly, she loved the guitar. I highly recommend that you consider this one for your beginner or intermediate guitar student. Both Children and small adults should be pleased with this one.Greg H.

I bought this to use in a duo (sometimes piano/guitar, sometimes two guitars) and it was a great choice. I actually tried a very expensive Taylor T5 Deluxe/Koa first, and this Godin A6 is better. You don't buy a guitar like this for a collector's piece. You want something to play. It's great in my duo because I run it through a pedalboard and then into my Roland AC-60 amp. It has a nice acoustic sound and we can play James Taylor, Jim Croce, or Gordon Lightfoot, then right into Allman Brothers, rocking Eagles or Eric Clapton, with nice rich leads. Sure, I have an American Professional Telecaster that is a better standalone electric guitar, and a Martin HD-28 that is a better standalone acoustic guitar — to say the least. But this thing is actually better for a duo setup because I can play acoustic and electric, even within the same song. This is an excellent guitar for a working musician. Oh, and you will read about a thousand different opinions about the best strings and setup for this. I tried the Jazz Strings this comes with but finally settled on the Elixir bronze acoustic, 80/20, which is fine . It's important to have a decent wound g string to make the A6 work as an acoustic guitar, but the strings are still light enough to rip on some leads. There are two outputs on the guitar, one for both pickups, and one specifically designated for the humbucker. I just go the easy route and play with the output that runs both pickups, but some people use the dual output function, running one cable directly into the PA or an acoustic amp, and the humbucker output into an electric amp. I'm getting great sounds just with the dual output jack. Nice guitar.Dave from Atlanta

I received the Guitar and upon inspection found the build quality to be excellent. The set up was playable, better than other new guitars I have purchased. I bought it with the idea it would fit me better than my Acoustic and be easier to play. Bingo it was almost as easy to play and comfortable as my Strat. The neck was very comfortable making even barre chords easy to play. It was everything I had hoped for in the physical sense. There was something about the strings I didn't like, and this affected the strum slightly. Where I ran into trouble was the sound. The sound un-plugged is too trebelie, then you plug it in and it goes to the bass side. So this doesn't get too long, if I turned my amp up good and loud I dug the sound, but since I am using it for practice I turn the volume down, and the problem with that is I was hearing the "unplugged sound" which I don't like. So if I could have practiced with the volume up, I would have kept it instead of taking it back. It is a great Guitar just not for me. I think it sits in the middle between the Taylor T5 and Fender Acoustasonic having played all 3. IMHOColt

. Now let me set the scene… I am a guitar lover (I can even play a little too) and a quality professional so My expectations are somewhat higher than most looking at this product. An absolutely beautiful instrument, this is my second SA360 and although they are no longer. Made in Japan, be assured they have not lost any of the build quality or attention to detail. The guitar was really well set up, is great to play, feels good in the hand and sounds the bee’s knee’s. If you are looking to start out in guitar playing get yourself an Ibanez Gio to start as a first upgrade from that, then the SA series is where you want to be at.Timbo

I had two of these guitars one in vintage sunburst and the other in natural. I found their build quality to be very similar to each other. The natural one (bought second hand) didnt sound that great, it seemed to have a missing mid range and no bottom. The strings seemed to buzz also. I bought this one second hand so it may have been set up by one of these many "guru" luthiers out there that seem to think they know it all. The sunburst one sounded much better. The mid and lows were there and no buzz. This guitar was new, unlike the other so I'm confident it had a factory set up. Just be aware that when buying these guitars second hand, they could very well have fallen into the wrong hands that try to lower the action or whatever else. Probably best to try before you buy. The one I'm keeping really is a keeper of an acoustic guitar. Intonation is dead on. The neck is very very flat with little relief and all the while the string buzz is almost non existant, so the frets are quite level. Hardware is all pretty decent. Onboard electronics work well and sound good. Can't beat this guitar for the price. The neck feels very flat and fast.SuperLead

I researched and researched before plunking down cash on my very first guitar. All you have to do is a cursory google search to see the glowing recommendations for this guitar. I wanted something I wouldn't outgrow and this fits the bill perfectly as a lot of expert musicians, claim this rivals guitars costing $2,000-$3,000 range. All I know is it sounds amazing, looks fantastic and has so many features associated with the classic dreadnoughts of the past. I saw an ad on Reverb for one of these being sold through Sam Ash of Tampa and I called the store to make sure it was available. I spoke with George Savvas and after searching the web, he found the ad for the guitar, but informed me it was unfortunately no longer in the store. He asked for my number and said he would calm me back. Within 2 hours, George called me back, said he located another guitar that was exactly the same (model, finish, condition, etc…), and that he would honor the price advertised on Reverb. He shipped it out that day to my home in Las Vegas (free of charge) and it arrived a few days later packed well and in pristine condition. The guitar is everything I hoped for in my first guitar (wanted new not used). Thank you Sam Ash, and thank you Gorge Savvas for making a pleasurable shopping experience. D.Davis

I literally searched for almost 6 months before purchasing what is my first guitar (no wisecracks!). Guitars built with these standards do produce a quality of time that you just won't get with laminated woods, and cheaper components. Although I'm a new player, I know a lot of "veteran" players who until now have always fallen back on Martins, Gibson's, Taylors, etc…I say until now as 2 of my friends have purchased this same guitar after playing mine. One bought it for his son's first guitar, and another bought one because he wasn't crazy about dragging his $4,000 guitar around with him everywhere he went. It seems that it's maybe hit or miss on setup right out of the box, but mine was perfect. The sustain, the tone, the clarity…all superb. To get an all solid wood guitar built with hide glue, dovetail jointing, etc…is usually reserved for guitars costing for more than the DR500MCE. You will have to look at buying a used guitar to get these type of attributes for the money. Don't hesitate in buying this guitar, one generic google search will bring you all the info you need, and tons of happy consumers who have been surprised by, and converted to Epi"fans"Dave

It's a beautiful guitar that has a wonderful, rich tone. Right out of the box, it required no setup, just tuning. Love the Fishman electronics as well. It sounds great in any setting. I'd put it up against Mid-level Martins and Taylors all day long. In short, a great guitar at an affordable price.gman1967

I've been playing guitar for 12 years and this is definitely the most rich, beautiful sounding guitar I've played in a long time. Not to mention it's equally as beautiful on the outside, I mean look at it. I was hesitant to buy it because it only had a few reviews on multiple different sights and about 1/3 of those were negative, but I have no regrets. If you're thinking about buying this, just do it! Definitely the best guitar I've ever purchased.Shawn shawn

You get a 3/4 size acoustic guitar, of course, for the size. I already had the Yamaha APX500III which is a truly magnificent price-point instrument. The thinlne body moves you away from the bloat of a regular size dreadnought. All of the features of the larger brother are implemented in the APX Thinline 3/4: built-in tuner, volume and tone controls. The reason I wanted a comparable guitar in 3/4 size was to have it in my office nearby, ready to pick up at a moment's notice and for that it serves me perfectly. You can sit in an executive swivel chair and play this guitar comfortably. Do not delude yourself into thinking the big sound of the bigger thinline will transfer to the smaller guitar when play unamplified. When amplified the difference is slight. So now I have what I wanted – a quality price point smaller guitar that sits on a stand in easy reach for those moments when you need to reach out and find a way to explore a musical idea, run some scales, etc. Perfect solution!Jerry

Although I bought this guitar online from PMT (excellent service) I also posted a detailed review on Amazon UK where I also counselled against paying the stupid prices being charged by some of their affiliates. The PMT price was excellent. There were a few negatives with my guitar, all of which I was able to cure or tweak: the action was ridiculously high and until I altered the battery holder, the pickup and tuner wouldn't work. However, they were hopefully one-off problems. The guitar has far better tone that you might expect from an all-laminate guitar, especially if you play above the soundhole or at the end of the fretboard at around the 17th fret. Played with a hard pick it can sound a bit 'thin' but played with fingers or with a less aggressive 'attack' it has a really sweet sound. I am 75 with normally sized adult hands and do not find any problems with the fretting or scale length. Having made the adjustments, it's become my go-to acoustic guitar . . . and as I also have a GS Mini, that it is praise indeed. If you buy this guitar, I'd suggest changing the strings although the generic type which are fitted are OK. I changed them whilst shaving the saddle and fitted D'Addario 10's. This guitar is ideal for adult 'noodling' + a beginner of any age + a travel guitar. It has proved to be an excellent buy . . . for more detail, check out my review on Amazon UK but I doubt you'll find a better price or service than PMT.Alan S.

Funny thing about this world is that, a perfectly shaped, and sized acoustic guitar with modern electric pick-up and built-in tuner. The maker gives you a gigs bag, which is not much thicker than double bags from your local grocery store. And you must become religiously pious and pray that every time you go out of the door, that free gigs bag is gonna protect your $200 investment. I ended up purchased in extra, a Gator Hardshell case, GWE-acou 3/4. The case is still big, so I use some swimming noodles to pad up and cradle the guitar in full protection. The plush liner inside the hardshell case can be peeled up, so I can tuck in the noodles to form a snug fit. I also purchased an Amplifier, for practices and maybe buskering later. My setup of the case is not flight luggage safe, so if you are a frequent flyer, better ask nicely if you can give it to the cabin member to stow in the closet for you. I am personally happy with the sound range and volume, very little difference when compared with a full-sized guitar. The human comfort is better under your right elbow. The deal I got comes with a tuner, but the guitar already has a built-in unit running on 2 AA batteries. The free stand is ok.djadtoys

Having relatively recently started learning guitar on an electric stratocaster-style guitar this was a great transition to the acoustic segment. The thinner body makes it much more comfortable to play than say a dreadnought and the neck is comfortable to transition too, yet the guitar doesn't seem to sacrifice as much sound as you'd expect from a thinner guitar. The finish of the guitar is that of a more expensive guitar for example the rosewood finger board. On arrival I actually thought the guitar looked better than the pictures on the website suggest but do note that because of the finish it is prone to showing finger marks which would need cleaning time to time. I would highly recommend this guitar.Richard P.

After suffering a permanent back injury I could no longer play my elictric guitar as it was too heavy or my acoustic electric guitar because it felt like it was twice it's normal size because I could no longer find a comfortable position for myself to play it. I bought a keyboard thinking that I could still play music. Afterv two weeks of playing around with the keyboard I gave up pllaying. Then I saw on the internet one night an advertisement for a 3/4 size Yamaha acoustic electric guitar guitar with a slimline bosy which looked like a nice guitar so I checked out males and females playing it and sounded very nice so I bought one. Man am I'm so glad I did. I got the sunburst like this one on sale. I was excited as l took it out of the box and went straight to my mancave and started playing it. It was perfecty in tune and for a guitar of this size it's got such a beautiful tone playing ACOUSTIC. So I plugged it in and it's as good as it sounded on YouTube. As an 67 yesr old man who started playing guitar when I was 16 years old, this is a beauty. I recommend this guitar to beginners, anyone with small hands and even people who want a good guitar to take with them without taking up much space in your car. Yep, it's a beaty.Deano

Great sounding and playing guitar, I replaced the synthetic saddle for bone, original was to tapered on the high E new saddle took care of that. Buy the epiphone or roadrunner jumbo case, nothing else fits, make sure if the guitar comes straight from the factory you use a humidifier in your case for at least 6 months. Especially in colorado. Then if you leave it out without a humidifier that you dont have forcrd Heat or air conditioning vents close to the guitar. This guitar has great projection.Kenny

After purchasing this guitar from American Musical Supply, I was really nervous awaiting its arrival because this was actually my first time purchasing an instrument online. I’m used to going inside music shops and trying out different gear and playing guitars before I buy them so I know that what I’m taking home with me already feels comfortable and right in my hands. This guitar in particular, however, is not a style that is normally kept stocked in the stores for customers to test drive before they purchase. Similar models are available in stores near me but I think anyone who has ever wanted this particular model from Epiphone knows that they have heard and felt the beautiful sound that projects from this big guitar and I am here to tell you that my “leap of faith” online purchase was nothing more than a huge win in my book! This guitar looks, sounds and plays just as I expected it would with much more to offer once it’s actually in your hands! I’m personally a country/blues guy so this guitar definitely fits right up that alley in my opinion. It feels so solid in your hands and the tone is just plain awesome! The Jumbo body allows the sounds inside the guitar to reverberate through your body as it’s pressed against you before making its way through the sound hole where it flourishes into that awesome deep, thick sound. From the factory the guitar is set up beautifully and very playable right out of the box. Quality parts, quality wood and quality electronics as expected from Epiphone and very well executed in this model. Definitely worth every penny for the undecided guitarist but hey, don’t take just my word for it! Pick up this awesome guitar from Epiphone through these good folks here at American Musical and set yourself up with one of their payment plans if that interests you! It’s an awesome way to be able to get the gear you need and the gear you’ve been wanting without breaking the bank right on the spot! Excellent Job by Epiphone once again and an excellent job by American Musical for supplying it at an awesome price and providing sweet payment options for your customers and future consumers!Billy

I once owned a Gibson J15, that I bought from Guitar Center, and I loved it, but I always wanted a J200, I just could never afford one. Well, I ended up having to sell my J15 to pay rent one month, and I ended up having some extra money from it, and thought why not give the Epi a try? It's closer to the Guitar I always wanted anyways. I was blown away. It has all the high end stylings of a Gibson J200, maybe even more if you consider the built in tuner and cutaway features for about 3000$ less. Well, unfortunately I only owned it for about a week before my car broke down and I had to return my Epi to pay for the repairs. I've regretted it ever since. I would have rather donated blood 50 times than have returned that guitar. (Fortunately I just got my tax return and repurchased it, and it seems like it sounds even better than before). As I was saying, it stacks up against s Gibson guitar nicely, the shadow preamp isn't as nice as any LR Baggs system but it will certainly give you lots of usable sounds. I think this is the best guitar in the 500$ price range and I'm disappointed in Guitar Center for not carrying it in store. I'm a firm believer in the fact that having a guitar you like, you like the looks of, you like the feel of, will make you a better guitarist, and that's what this beautiful, fat boy jumbo acoustic has done for me. I actually like mine so much I decided to put some money into it for upgrades, and I haven't been disappointed. I stuck some Grover Keystone tuners on it in gold of course ( had them on my Epi Les Paul before and thought would look cool so I just swapped them), some Martin ebony bridge pins, and some D'Addario EXPs and this thing sounds unreal now. So, if you're reading this because you're unsure as to whether you should buy this guitar or not, yes, you should absolutely buy this guitar and never look back.Anonymous

Overall: So, I have owned this guitar for several months now. It is without a doubt a very good sounding guitar, it's up there with my Gibson's and Martins. Strumming or finger picking it just sounds amazing. I did not love the string spacing, so I replaced the nut with a bit wider spacing for my style of playing. The whole point about me taking the plunge on this guitar was that it was all solid woods, ebony fingerboard and bridge, and one of Yamahas absolute best acoustics available. I have no regrets buying this guitar at all. My friends are amazed at the beauty and sound of this very well-built guitar. The electronics do a good job plugged into the PA for playing live, and it will amaze you how good it sounds unplugged all by itself. I never thought I would buy anything but Martin or Gibson's…. this changed my mind completely. if you're thinking about one of these just buy one!! My honest opinion is the price will go up on these as the solid woods and craftsmanship are stunning.Michael

I’ve had my A3M for three years now. I still look at mahogany wood grain in awe. This guitar has a nice rounded tone that can compete with Taylor and Martin guitars made from mahogany. Plugged into an acoustic amp sounds even better. I notice the price point has increased $100 (not sure of due to inflation) which shows that it is a respected instrument. I spent months spinning around for a acoustic guitar and I was truly pleased with the Yamaha A3M. I think it can keep up with Martin and Taylor on stage as a reliable gig machine.bryan nuñez

I use the guitar mainly for practice. Currently I do not have a band or know any people personally to have jam sessions with but I truly cannot wait to play in a group or a band. The guitar overall sounds amazing with pretty bright tones. This guitar is great for fingerpicking style rather than strumming but it still sounds great for strumming. The pickups are fantastic on this guitar and have a great sounds connected to an amp as well. I simply love this guitar and would highly recommend for any chords that may require "thumb-overs" the neck feels nice and is really easy to wrap your hand around. I do not have anything bad to say about this guitar!Aaron, Chaser of Christ the Lord

There’s a lot of products, items, tangible man made things in this world, and most things I would give a 4 star rating TOPS! But this guitar? This damn Taylor 214ce guitar? Bro, it’s a no brainer. 5 stars all day through and through with no hesitation. Let me just say, if you are even remotely considering buying this guitar, I will tell you as a proud owner, just buy it and rip the band-aid. I promise you it will be 100% worth it and you will thank me later. I’ve actually owned a Taylor 214ce 5 years ago and I had to sell it due to unforeseen circumstances in my life at the time and I will tell you I’ve been kicking myself in the ass up until 3 days ago when I finally got the money to get my hands on one again. So basically, I’ve bought this guitar 2 times because I love this guitar and cherish it like none other. Matter of fact, I’ll take an ass beating by saying I like this guitar much more than all the other Taylor models period. I owned a Taylor 814ce which is a $3,500 guitar and it was a colossal disappointment compared to this Taylor 214ce. Yes, for me, the cheaper $1,000 guitar is better than their higher end models. In conclusion, but the damn guitar.Vic

This is my first Taylor guitar and what a guitar it is. The set up was to the tee right out of the box. A quick tune up and it was ready to play. The action is totally amazing and so easy to play whether regular or bar chords. As far as lead runs it is amazing and the tone and projection are out of this world especially for a guitar in this price range. I have a Martin, Guild, Fender,Luna,Briarwood acoustic electric guitars and this is my new favorite. Acoustic guitars all have their own special voice, some low and some high but the Taylor's is just about in the middle which is perfect for most of the music that I play. My brothers I jam with all want to take turns playing this guitar and have decided to invest in their own. Whether this is your first guitar or an addition to your collection, you can't go wrong . I would reccomend this guitar to anyone who loves to play a beautiful sounding instrument.Steven Card

If you're looking for the best acoustics, best pre amp, best build quality and everything you look for in a guitar this is the one. The acoustics are the best i've heard in any 12 string and would purchase this guitar over and over again. This is a very good guitar for all your uses. Very comfortable and has great resonation.This is my favorite guitar in my collection.alex

I typically play steel string acoustics. I wanted a quality nylon string guitar without the wide flat neck of a standard classical guitar. This is it. Extremely well made with quality woods (no laminates) that has a great sound (both amplified and unplugged). It does not have a large body and projection is somewhat limited when playing unplugged but has incredible sound both amplified and not amplified. Can be played quietly when everyone else has gone to sleep, or can flood the house with music if they're awake. The action and intonation on this guitar was fabulous right out of the box and I didn't have to make any setup adjustments. This is an awesome guitar and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a nylon string acoustic.John

In 1981 I had three guitars, two of them acoustics, and one of those was an Ovation Country Artist–a nylon-string guitar with a 14 fret, comparatively narrow neck. It was my first good guitar, but when I left for grad school, I kept only a Martin OO-18, and sold the Ovation. In the 30 years since, I have been trying to find a replacement, I tried various Ibanez and Yamaha guitars, but they didn't have what it took. Then, a couple of months ago, needing a brain break, I left work and took myself to the acoustic room at Sam Ash. There was another guy in there playing, so I looked for a quiet instrument, and took this one down off the wall. Immediately, I knew that it was special. The clarity of the tone, and the richness of the bass, it was all there. The other guy liked the sound too, and soon we were jamming and telling stories. Both of us tried other neoclassical guitars, and agreed that this one was best. I loved the guitar at first note, but when I looked at the price tag, I knew I could never own it. So I bought (online) a similar guitar, but it lacked the feel and sound of this one. My wife heard me playing, asked what I thought about the similar guitar I'd bought, and I explained that it wasn't the same. Then she told me to buy this one. So I did, And I have been playing it daily since then. The OO-18 is still with me and still gets some time, but right now my fingers itch to play and hear this one. Did it replace my long-gone Country Artist? Not exactly–this Takamine is significantly superiod to the Country Artist in all respects. Even if I don't play it plugged in 🙂Andy M_S

It's an Ibanez. I am a long time Ibanez fan. Even when they started the Artcore series. I own for PRS CU24's; American Fender Strat Deluxe and Tele; Les Paul elegant and Explorer. Except when I'm playing with our group I'm usually on one of my Ibanez. If they are lower end units like this I expect to change the electronics, nut and tuners. I did the tuners and had planned on installing Seth Lovers. Mean while I put some A4 magnets in the pickups and… NO SETH LOVERS! I love the tone, the responsiveness/sensitivity. See can be smooth as silk with the volume back or nice and crunchy @ 10. Pinch harmonics reach out and grab you in a nice way. Other than the tuning pegs, nut and strap locks she'll stay this way for at least a while. I got her for the color (I'm not into green guitars or fade finishes but she caught my eye for some reason) and what a friend "the Pickle" has become.Mondron

This is an extremely nice guitar, especially for the price. Great action, set-up, and play-ability straight out the box. Humbucker pickups are nice and warm, giving a nice "dark" tone to the guitar (strong bass and mid-tones) to my ears. Good variation of range of tone from the bridge and neck pickups and so is quite versatile. Lovely overtones/ harmonics going through a Blues Driver into an Orange Micro Terror — you can rock with this! — and the guitar combined well with a Roland Jazz Chorus 22 cancelling out some of the brightness of this amp. Quality of components and finish is very good. It's also a light guitar in terms of weight, so it's a practical instrument to play on stage, especially if you have a long gig — and are starting to get on a bit, like me. Of course, it's green, which might put people off, I guess… Then again, it's very eye catching and people won't miss it on stage! In summary, a great guitar at a great price that provides a different blues or jazz tone in addition to your other instruments.Damian F.

After testing, buying and returning about 10 different guitars from Epiphone to Gibson to Martin to Collings to Taylor to Waterloo, I landed on this guitar. I bought on trial guitars from all of the above, but could not stop thinking about the J-45 Studio I tested. I love the Standard but my budget is capped around $1600. I ended up going with a J-45 Studio Walnut burst and have had it for about 5 days now. I have played it nearly on average of 6 hours a day because I cannot put it down. When I first tested and purchased the guitar, it had a very bright tone due to the walnut back and sides, but the more I play it in and listen, the warmer it becomes without losing the punch and clarity of the top end walnut tone. I recorded a track for a country song I was working on with this beauty and through a LDC mic, it sounded like a polished record without processing. This thing was built for the studio but projects for the stage. Can't say enough good things about this guitar.MotownFranz

The j45 studio is a hybrid of the j45 standard and the j15. The top (spruce), body (walnut) and bracing are identical to the j15. The neck (solid mahogany) is identical to the j45 standard and definitely superior to the j15's laminate maple neck. The studio's electronics are better than the j15's, having both tone and volume controls. And yes, the studio's body is a little thinner than that of the standard j15 and j45. The j45 studio sounds fantastic plugged in and unplugged, and the blend of scale and action make this a true Gibson acoustic, a unique blend of bright and dark. Having identical tops and bodies, you would think that the studio's sound and resonance would be more the the j15, but imo the 15's laminate neck takes a lot of depth out of the lows, which truly sets the studio apart and makes it a true j45, even if the studio's slightly smaller walnut body swaps some of the standard j45's warmth for a punchier, crisper sound. By my view, if you are thinking j15 but wouldn't mind throwing a couple hundred more at a guitar with a bit more growl, I recommend the j45 studio. It's also a fair compromise if you find the j45 standard's price tag off-putting. I tried out a number of other Gibsons, Martins, Taylors and Breedloves, but could not turn my back on the j45 studio. I'll get my hummingbird when I make my first million, but I'm very happy either way.Jay

I like the guitar and it sounds great. I would buy it again. My only complaint does not deal with the guitar but the advertising. A picture in the advertising shows the electronics mounted in the sound hole with a volume and tone. This guitar only has a volume control. Imagine my surprise. Exactly what I will do about it Imdon't know.Rodney

Very impressed with this guitar. Awesome build quality. Set up perfectly out of the box. Plays great, very rich, balanced and full sound for a parlor guitar. The pickup is awesome for dirty blues, it sounds great with overdrive or fuzz but it can also stay clean with the right pick attack and amp settings. Much more interesting and dynamic tone than a typical acoustic preamp/pickup or piezo. The construction, fret work, and finish are all flawless. Stays in tune. I would recommend this guitar to anyone. This is my first Gretsch and now I want more. The website said made in China but my guitar is made in Indonesia 🙂Adam, B

I have been wanting to buy a Gretsch for a couple of years, so did lots of research and looked at various dealers. Delighted with my purchase from PMT. The guitar has a lovely sound without the need for using the quality pick up which is also a lovely unique feature of this model. Since been to their local shop ( Cardiff) and purchased a cover bag – again great value and quality as is the guitarJeff L.

Just got the guitar yesterday, sat with it for about 40 minutes before work.I haven't plugged it in yet, ao I can't comment on the pick-up. For a $300 price tag, I'm blown away with the quality of this guitar. It plays very nicely, comfortable neck, sounds great as an acoustic, well set up out of the box. There are a couple of dull spots on the G string– I may take it to my local guitar guy to make adjustments; but, then again, I may not bother because they're barely noticeable and may work themselves out as the guitar ages/settles in. Just thought I mention it in case someone's expecting it to compare with a $3,000 Gibson. This is a budget guitar, for sure, but it's a GREAT budget guitar– very playable with a very good acoustic sound. Highly recommend.Walter R.

Great acoustic guitar! Has solid Sitka spruce top and plenty of punch in its tone. Very smooth satin mahogany neck and nice finishing. Also features cathedral scalloped bracing. Made acuostic guitar magazine's guitar of the year in under 1000 price range. The 20 series is solid top the 10 series is vaneered.davidorious

This is one of 2 different models of washburn acoustics I ordered. Each had a terrible neck set resulting in a super high action. No saddle to correct it, a necessity when the neck set is too high. Would have been a nice guitar if the neck was set correctly. If you buy one have it checked by a luthier or someone who knows what they're looking at within your return period. A chinese built guitar with a bad action and high neck set is totalled, worthless.th

Item arrived quickly. The carrier obviously handled it very roughly, so I had to contact customer service. They were great to work with and very helpful. The instrument itself is beautiful and comes in a decent hard case. I’ve owned multiple higher end martins (d35, hd28, 000-18GE) and Taylors (714ce, 814ce) and I can say that you’re getting comparable playability to those with great sound for finger style or light strumming. Can’t beat it for the sale price!John

This is currently my favourite electric guitar. It has such a wide tonal range. Play soft finger style and you can get soft blues tones. Pul on the strings and it really twangs! Played with a pick you can easily push it from teang to breakup. Overall volume overall tone and two independent volumes gives great range with even small twists of the dials. Playability is great if you prefer a wider Gibson style neck. Great for sweet clean slide playing too.Vincent

The bad – very thin packing material in the shipping box & it arrived with the box open. There was a nasty quarter size ding and cracked finish on the back. MF took care of that issue. The Good – came out of the box perfectly set up for my playing style – Classic style rock and Blues. I mainly play thru a Fender twin reverb & The P-90s sound amazing to my ears. The strings feel like 12s but not sure. I use a Ibanez overdrive and then a touch of chorus when playing clean. Stays in tune well and the bigsby works as it should. I'm semi-pro This is the first time in my adult life I've bought a guitar that didn't come with a case but I had a spare archtop case that works fine. All of my guitars are made in the U.S, but this one plays and looks just as nice ( except the ding) I can't imagine anyone kicking this guitar out of their herd. Good finish and seems to be well made, so far anyway.Mitchell

I went to guitar center looking for a professional ii telecaster in Miami blue, but saw this gem out of the corner of my eye in my way out. I picked it up and it was just the magic I was looking for. Absolutely stunning guitar! The p-90s are Hot and clear, really good low end response and the bridge is nice a twangy how I like it. So glad I bought it and the neck feels super great. The nick is a little chunky on the sides but nothing you can't get used too. Only complaint is the tuning stability, it isn't bad just isn't ideal. Nothing a little lube on the nut can't fix. Overall 9/10!!Isaac F.

This 79 buck guitar was the biggest surprise ever! I really didn't expect much, and was having second thoughts after I placed the order. I bought the sunburst version on a SDOTD as a total impulse buy. I have several expensive acoustics, and I don't need a cheap guitar. But I have to say, this is a really nice instrument. The fit and finish is above average, with relatively smooth fret ends and a huge sound. The tuners, however inexpensive, work as intended and stay in tune. The sunburst finish is lovely, with only one small thumbnail scratch. The neck joint is well done, and the neck has a comfortable full feeling. Epiphone has improved the "E" symbol on the pickguard, it is made into the plastic, and not glued on and wanting to fall off like on the older Epiphones. The rosette appears to be painted on, but it looks good regardless. The bridge (rosewood) is solidly attached to the top, with no lifting or gaps. The body has a white plastic binding front and back that is well executed. The rosewood fretboard is attractive with nice grain. And the sound! This guitar has a huge, loud sound for a laminate guitar. Tomorrow I plan to replace the original strings with some quality mediums, which can only make it sound even better. One odd feature is a false truss rod cover, held in place with three wood screws. There is nothing under it! The access to the truss rod is inside the sound hole. I did have to remove some glue from around the truss rod adjusting nut inside the guitar. Quite frankly, the quality and sound of the Epiphone just blows me away! If I had to sell all of my other acoustics and only keep this one, I would be content. It's that good!JimmyJ

Guitar works great and so do the electric components of the guitar (the tuner and volume). Would recommend. The guitar i received is a right-handed guitar.Michael

Great intermediate acoustic. Thinner, lightweight body that makes it very comfortable. Neck design more like an electric with rolled fingerboard edges and smooth frets. Cutaway enables a surprising amount of high end fret access. Piezo amplifier is really deep and rich sounding. Colours and design features convey nice 1950s vibe: well made and very good finish. Action a little high, but badly so, just that it could be lower – but a set up would rectify this. Overall a fear guitar at a superb price and inspiring to look at and play.Chazz

This Fender guitar is awesome. Out of the box it is almost perfectly set up. The intonation is off just by a little bit and only with 2 or 3 strings. The sound seems a little washed while playing chords, but single notes are loud and clear. All the frets have edge treatment, nice and smooth. The synthetic bone used for the nut and bridge are way better than plastic, allowing for a long sustain. The guitar could use better tuning keys, but the guitar stays in tune good enough. Over all my guitar was built well, and I'm glad it sounds good, too. I would recommend this guitar for all beginner guitar players because of the sound quality, and anyone else who don't have the money for their dream guitar.Tim

The pick guard is just a cheap adhesive sticker thingy and it was already damaged and peeling off when I opened the box. Not a great first impression. But I chose to take it off completely and thankfully, the glossy finish that's all over the body of this guitar is also underneath the pick guard, so it doesn't look too bad at all and I can always replace it if I want to. The "champagne" color looks champagne in the right light, but appears khaki or even greenish the rest of the time. I do love the shape though. It's smaller, lighter, and sleeker than most guitars I've handled, awesome for a more petite person like me. I'm 5 feet tall and 90lbs, so a lot of guitars have been too bulky and awkward for me. In that respect, the Newporter has made me a better player since you naturally do better when you're more comfortable. I also love the neck/head with the electric style shape and inline strings. I like the strings it came with a lot. It didn't come properly tuned, but that was a quick fix, especially since the tuner works so nicely. The sound is surprisingly rich. Great volume, especially with a pick. Overall, it's a really nice option at a really nice price, I just wish the quality control was better. Getting a new instrument with peeling parts is really disappointing, feels like I got it used or something 🙁 but if you're lucky and get a unit that is perfectly intact, you'll love this rich, beautiful, comfortable guitar. But if you can afford to spend about double, then I would suggest you do that so you won't be gambling with the quality as much.Trudy G