Brownsville Acoustic Electric Guitar For Sale (2024 Update)

First of all, this is a gorgeous guitar. It looks just great. It has a big, rich sound even moreso than other larger bodied guitars I've seen. The tuner works great. I love playing it. A few minor issues. First, I find the action high, & the bridge is not adjustable. 2nd, the complaints others have offered about the fret edges being VERY rough are entirely true: you can practically leave your hand bloody, I'm sure, if you play long enough, just from being roughed up by the fret edges. I'll try filing them down & refinishing them, as some have suggested. Finally, you'll want to get rid of the strings & go with a lighter gauge, partly to alleviate the high action issue. I'd get this guitar again. I think it is a $500 – $600 guitar lurking for only a little more than half that price. But before recommending it to a friend, I'd point out these couple issues.DET

Poor quality control! Neck is a mess with all of the fret ends protruding and sharp. One fret is noticeably higher causing all kinds of issues. Inside edge of the sound hole is poorly finished and some of the ribs look rough, like they weren't sanded smooth. This one's going back!Bill

Good sound and feel, especially for the price. I honestly really enjoyed playing this guitar. However, it is quite disappointing that the craftsmanship was lacking, since I always took great care with handling it, and the bridge snapped in half. I was using it very often, so it may be best for beginners or for only periodic use.Nick

I bought this guitar because it was the cheapest acoustic in the store and I wasn't sure I'd stick with playing. I have had so much fun with it a year later I feel compelled to write a review! This guitar looks, feels, and sounds great, and mine rarely needs a tune-up despite regular use. Folks are saying the action is too high but I haven't noticed (and as a newbie maybe that's helped me build finger strength more quickly, who knows.) The only con I can think of is the sound is a tiny bit thin, but for a casual player like myself, that's no big issue. Anyway, I love this guitar and would absolutely recommend it for newbies/casual players. This is a great value instrument!Nomi

I have always had trouble with guitars. My hands are small and not very strong, so I've never had good luck trying to get good, consistent sound out of a guitar. It's just been too frustrating for me to continue. I also have a hard time feeling comfortable with the size and shape of most guitars I've tried. I've got limited funds to invest in an instrument and I wanted to make sure it was going to be an instrument that would let me play the things I wanted to play, and give me the range I was looking for. I've looked at banjos, classical guitars, and even junior guitars. But I always came back to the acoustic guitar in terms of sound and range. So when this guitar went on sale, I took the plunge and placed the order (after watching numerous video reviews, of course). I couldn't be happier! This is a gorgeous guitar that feels great, and it doesn't take much pressure at all to get a beautiful sound from it. It is wonderfully constructed. I had mine shipped to the store, which may have protected it. Either way, I didn't experience any of the construction issues I read in some of the other reviews, but also I was confident in the purchase guarantee of Guitar Center, and I knew I would have received a replacement if anything was wrong. It's definitely why I purchase through Guitar Center. Now I'm so excited about playing this guitar that I practice twice a day because it's so much fun and it sounds so great. As a new player, I simply couldn't be happier about this purchase. The onboard tuner makes it very easy to tune quickly. When I first tuned it, I used my Super Snark tuner to check the accuracy and they both matched exactly. I also purchased the Fender 20 watt amp and plugged it in. Wow! What a fun set-up! This is definitely a purchase I will treasure forever.Kristin

Great for the price. It is a good idea to change the strings right away though. The guitar is playable from the get go however I did some adjustment on the rod to make it perfect. Its design allow for easy reach of the highest notes close to the body and the tuners and the electronics are good enough for a beginner to intermediate player. It comes with an entry level amp that outputs strong and high volume it is small but powerful enough for practicing indoors. All in all a great package for the money. I got this jewel from SamAsh for my daughter and cannot be happier. Hope this comments help you on your decision to buy. Cheers, JB from Coconut Creek.JESUS

This is a great guitar! I would honestly recommend it to relatively anyone. It has a great feel to it that would be exceptional for young players, but also has a good sound that's great for those more experienced. Anytime I let someone play this guitar, they ask so many questions because they love it so much. They're always super surprised to learn the price. Definitely worth the purchase if you're thinking about it.Brittany Colvin

A bought the Epiphone PR-4E LE in vintage sunburst for a good price as the SDOTD. I have been playing for over 40 years semi professionally and I own a number of higher end acoustics but I wanted to purchase a "beater" that I could break out at a party and not have to worry about one of my intoxicated friends bumping or scratching it. This guitar seemed to fit the bill. The reason I gave it three stars is that although the fit and finish seemed very good, this is supposedly a student level/beginners guitar and the action that it arrived with would be difficult and frustrating for anyone to learn on. I do my own luthier work and I had to spend about two hours to cut the nut, take some relief off of the neck and shave the bridge down to get it to play well. I do not know if my experience with this acoustic is an exception but at this price point I doubt it. With that said it is a nice beginner guitar with a nice build quality, it sounds surprisingly full and rich and if yours arrive like mine I would strongly suggest taking it to your local trusted luthier and spend the extra cash to have it set up properly and have the action lowered. Now mine plays wonderfully and is fun to play. If I didn't have to do all the work to get it playing properly I would have easily given this guitar 4 stars but at this price point I kind of expected thatG-Man

After trying to use a no-drilling-required pickup on my dreadnought and getting obnoxious buzzing noises, I saw one of these on the wall at my local Guitar Center. I liked the feel, and was really surprised at the sound when I tried it through a PA. I saw one in their Used section online and got it for a giveaway price. Like another reviewer said, this thing plays like an electric; a soft-V neck with great action. Big secret: Whether you pay $250 or $3,000, acoustic-electric guitars all sound about the same through a PA. So why bankrupt yourself? I'm going to open mics and playing next to people with very high-dollar guitars and sound just as good! Yamaha is also far and away my favorite brand of acoustic; I have five. Now, this thing DOES have a few finish flaws you don't see on my Yamaha FG730s guitars, like one speck under the finish and a drip on the upper bout. However this is their absolute entry-level electric acoustic so I guess they train new guys on this line, and for how well it plays and sounds, and the price I paid, I have no complaints. Thank you, sir, may I have another!Art's Tunes

Bad – This guitar came without the usual Yamaha Factory Box and Accessories (truss rod, inspection tag, instructions). It looked like it was 'reboxed' by Guitar Center to fulfill Musician's Friend's order. And it shipped from a Guitar Center store rather than a warehouse. This happens way too often with Musician's friend, and they never seem to label the guitar as 'open box' or 'used.' Although the guitar was re-packed with lots of bubble wrap, the guitar was obviously damaged at the store. There were cracks on the top and side of the guitar. That probably explains why Guitar Center repackaged the guitar-the original shipping box from Yamaha would have been an obvious clue to the damaged guitar. Good-All Yamaha guitars go through a quality control process. And when I purchase them from other retailers, they all come with the proper accessories and inspection tags and are factory-packaged in the sealed Yamaha boxes. So, just make sure you are getting a new product, not a showroom or return-recycle when you order a Yamaha product from Musician's friend. Ugly-This guitar has a laminate top and the tonal balance of the guitar isn't top notch. Plugged in for performance or recording *and* when just played unplugged you can hear the difference between a Yamaha laminate vs solid top acoustic. I would recommend going for the solid top. I'm not sure if the Musician's friend website clearly specifies this is a laminate top guitar. Okay, if you get a new one with the inspection tags and truss rod tool, it's good for learning guitar or campfire use, where you might get caught in a rainstorm or you might be gifting a guitar and aren't sure how it will be taken care of. Moving up to the Yamaha solid top guitars, you are going to be happier in the long run, if you are a serious guitarist. I recommend trying this guitar out in a retail store, to make sure you get one fresh from the factory with the inspection tags and barcode on the factory box to prove it.Seasoned Musician

Exceptional guitar for the money. I went into to guitar center for the fgx800c but it wasn't in stock. Came across this one and was satisfied with the sound. It plays well, sounds great, and won't break the bank. I do wish it had an onboard tuner though. Highly recommend!Richard

The CC 60sce has a more cheery upper range, great for folk or country songs. The tuner is accurate and easy to read. The colors of the guitar really shine in good lighting. I'm not sure if it's the strings being new or if it's just the guitar but they seem to need some frequent tuning. Other than that, this is a great guitar for beginners hoping to play for a small audience or jamming with friends at home. Finally, I noticed it has good response vibrations in the body when you strum a full chord. It reacts nicely against your body. Would buy it again.Kai

Great feel and sound. But the little $1.99 door that holds the battery for the Fishman electronics is or will break, and it's a non-repairable part. You have to return the guitar to repair it. Disregarding the battery, the guitar is great. And I would buy it again. It's not a top of the line $1000 guitar, but it is a top of the line $200 guitar (with an extra $150 added on for broken electronics). The overall size is good, and the neck and frets are a good size for my 12 year old daughter. The action feels good with little fret buzz and it seems to stay in tune all day. I've had 2 of these now. My first one had a broken batt door when opening the box. Per Fender's rules, I returned the whole guitar for a replacement. Great! Except on the 2nd one the little door is too wimpy to stay clipped shut. So the battery just falls out. Maybe I'll have to resort to a big strip of duct tape to hold the door shut. Yeah. That sounds like a good idea. Or just rely on the clip-on tuner I already have and use a Mic to amplify it.Ben (again)

Great guitar for a beginner like me. Shame that the plastic battery cover didn't fit properly and I broke it trying to install the battery on the first day. That said, this is a really nice guitar for any level player. Good quality guitar but Fender should spend a few more pennies on that battery cover. Brilliant delivery from PMT ordered late afternoon arrived first thing the next day.Stephen D.

If you want a travel that fits in overhead compartment on planes, this is it. For the price of it being compact and preamp sound, you can't beat it. Stays in tune, no sharp edges on frets, feels good, finish is good, very well constructed guitar. Light weight and handles well. Take my advice, buy a case for it, the gig bag does no justice for protection, canvas material only, no padding.Buckeye10

This will be your best buy for a travel guitar. Comes with preamp while others don't. Well constructed, stays in tune, nice wood and finish, no sharp edges on frets. Easy to play with room for your fingers on the fret board. Set up was good and preamp sounds great. Gig bag is just ok but I would invest in a case. Perfect to take along on trips and camping. You can't go wrong with Luna.Buckeye10

I have been playing for 36 years and own many nice high end guitars. I live in Switzerland and travel back to California usually twice a year to see friends and family. It's getting more strict traveling with a guitar and the airlines are starting to make you check in guitars. No longer allowed to carry on my instrument and not trusting airlines with my irreplaceable babies I decided to buy a cheap guitar for when I'm in America and bought one at guitar center. I already have a couple of amplifiers and microphones here so I can tell u this thing sounds like a much more expensive guitar either plugged in or acoustically. Maybe I got lucky but the model I bought has great action and not a single fret buzzes. This is a really nice sounding guitar and easy to play. The neck is on the fat side but the action is really low so it's great for my small hands. It's also beautiful. My only problem is I'm liking it so much that I'm tempted to take it back to Switzerland as my camping guitar now. Best guitar I played for the price tag by far. We will see how it holds up over time but I easily recommend it to others.Ha ha

I am a beginner so I purchased a guitar that looks awesome, sounded good to my untrained ear and was inexpensive. But I have some issues with it. First, every peg as broken and had to be punched out and replaced which was multiple trips back to the store which isn't close for me. It is never in tune. I tune it and play a few chords and then retune it. The string adjusters (not sure if that their technical term) are not snug and move around a bit, I notice this real bad when replacing strings. I get a lot of buzzing, my instructor does when he plays it. All that and my biggest problem is the graphic on mine is nothing close to the graphic see in pictures. My graphic is a grainy, obvious graphic and doesn't have any of the cool swirls as seen in the pictures. I like the feel and the glossy texture. Now that I have taken a few lessons I really would like to return this guitar.Big B

I bought this guitar as a novice, and not having a well developed ear, I thought it was pretty good. As my ear developed over the years, I've come to the conclusion that this guitar is mediocre. The way the bass is projected is very weak, and the highs are way too dominant. Along with that, it just doesn't have the depth many high quality guitars, and even some beginner guitars, such as the Yamaha F335 have. I'd recommend buying this guitar for three criteria: for beginners, for looks, and for the acoustic-electric feature. The intonation does get a little off too, especially when getting to the higher frets. The neck however earned this guitar a star though, because it fits me well, and that's my preference. I've had other people say opposite about the neck of this guitar, so the neck is really up to you to decide if you like it or not. All in all, I've had many hours of fun with this guitar, but don't expect to have a life changing guitar in your hands.The Archive Master

A lot of value, especially at the discounted sale price. Handsome design. But… Where is the quality control? Sharp fret ends, action set waayyy to low. major fret buzzing. several of the tuners were sticking. Rough edges on wooden bridge, strings are "rough" and lifeless. Pre-amp works well, but the tuner is inconsistent. Fretboard wood was really dry… did they store it dry storage? If you are willing to invest some time and effort like I did, filing the fret ends, raising the bridge, conditioning the wood, etc. it can serve as a first beginner guitar or a beater that I wanted. I'm no expert, but one can't expect a novice to take care of these issues. Getting a luthier to fix things properly, and you've doubled the price of the guitar. I've been spoiled. My other 4 guitars are medium to entry-level Yamahas, and none had these type of issues. BTW. the finish is not black, it is a charcoal grey and is distinctive. The neck is easy to play, but the sound and resonance is typical for a thin-bodied guitar. But, with a built-in tuner pre-amp, it's a decent value.Lawrence

Sounds good so far. First impressions: the "metallic black" is more metallic than black. It's really more of a shimmery dark grey than black; the pick guard which IS basically black contrasts more than product images suggest. Frets are a bit sharp at the ends, but otherwise, no major complaints.Jeff

The electronics didn't work well at all. I was able to sporadically interface with my Tonewood Amp, but it was hit-or-miss. I know it wasn't my TWA or cable that was the problem. I liked the sound of this guitar, and it was comfortable for my frame. The action was perfect for me out of the box…about as low as you can get without fret buzzing. However, all of the fret ends we're sticking out and would have needed filing. The fretboard and bridge wood seemed soft and rough. I suspect neither would wear well. There was a spot near the sound hole where it looked like glue had been smeared when the pick guard was placed on. That would not rub off. Gooey streaks elsewhere did clean off. There were some ripples in the finish around the sound hole. The color was more grey/gunmetal than black, and spray marks were visible in the paint. I got this guitar on sale at 40% off: $127.19, delivered. For that price I probably would have kept it had the electronics worked properly. I returned it.Regina

This is a great little guitar! I have had several travel guitars including the Martin and Taylor versions and I think this beats them hands down. You can’t find a better travel guitar especially for the price. This is the third one I’ve purchased as I’ve given them away and moved them on— people appreciate them very fast. I do recommend using a little pillow wrote a tale so you’re are mangoes are the same as for a regular size guitar Makes it much easier to play any small guitar.I do recommend using a little pillow or rolled up small towel so your arm angles are the same as for any regular size guitar. This makes it much easier to play any small guitar. Very lightweight. One came with perfect action, but the other two I had to do a truss rod adjustment to get the optimal action which can be very good. The adjustment was simple. Orangewood customer service is excellent .Thomas B.

Not just for the money, its just a nice guitar! So my packaging had a few issues, it looked like it had gotten hung up on a fork lift tyne and dragged across the floor, I was nervous about opening it. But it was very well packed, not even a blemish. Everything I ordered was there, the guitar itself coming from California to South Alabama, undoubtedly passed through abrupt temperature and humidity changes, yet it was almost in tune out of the box. So much so, that I could tell that it had been tuned properly, and the QC person rolled the heads back about a half, or maybe 3 quarters of a turn just to relieve stress from the rod and neck. The E. Ball strings are pretty nice, feels like standard Bronze Phosphorus strings. I wiped them down with a clean cloth, and no dust or anything whatsoever came from them. I had no loose bindings, no sharp fret wires hanging over, and the ride height is perfect. Its almost unbelievable to get such a nice guitar for what I paid. The gig bag is certainly not the worst one I've ever seen, its padded nicely and has the backpack straps which I like. I hope that you guys never change your core business model, of offering the add-on accessory pack separately, which in my open leaves more room for nicer details like good strings, and real bone. And also allows you to offer slightly higher quality accessories. Very nicely done. I understand that now that you're up and running good, I hope that you still offer a guitar like the Rey at that low price point, for those who may be like I was growing up, and just couldn't afford a decent guitar. They always sounded like crap, couldn't tune them…and for a couple decades I just gave up. I'm back into it again, thanks to this guitar, I'm going to be upgrading soon, but I will probably always hang on to this one…I like it that much. Thanks guys, no complaints from me…God Bless you all, – Jeff Andrews, Mobile AL.Jeffery A.

I really like guitars from Orangewood’s “Playa” collection including my mahogany Dana mini guitar. (I also own a mahogany Rey guitar and have examined a friend’s Victoria guitar.) I will outline my recommendation reasons below, but also will attempt to temper any unrealistic expectations. Size: The diminutive Dana guitar is IMHO a great instrument for hauling around outside the home or playing where space is tight such as on the couch, or at a desk or table, where larger instruments might more readily bump into things or make playing cramped. The shorter scale length might be helpful for those with small hands, but isn’t *that* much different from longer-scale instruments to make going back and forth a big problem. Sound: A small guitar won’t have the deep, resonant tone of a larger instrument no matter how much you pay. That said, after being used for a while, the Dana “plays in” nicely — the tone getting better than out of the box. It’s voice is completely loud enough and resonant enough to satisfy reasonable expectations. Materials & construction: The bracing and general construction seem to be good. Mine is a very handsome, rich honey-chocolate brown with contrasting off-white binding. The laminated materials are a good economical choice but also don’t sacrifice much sound quality. I think this is due to the clever design of these “Playa” instruments, which seem to have thin top, back and sides as well as light bracing and a thin finish; these things together, I think, make for louder, more resonant tone. A key benefit to the laminated wood of the guitar body is that it’s less sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature. I play my laminated guitars much more frequently because they are not so “fussy” — though I do nonetheless humidify them in the winter months. The light construction may benefit from lighter strings. I prefer electric-like playability, so I restring my guitars with 10-46 strings. This makes the instrument more player friendly and may also help the guitar to last by reducing string tension. The tuners are adequate, but have turning ratios that just require slow sneaking up on perfect pitches. Set up: Of the three “Playa”-collection guitars that I’ve examined in detail, NONE arrived set up to the standards of professional guitar technicians. I believe that Orangewood way oversells the “professional” set up on their “Playa”-collection guitars. However, my Dana arrived about a year later than the others, and was the best set up of the three. This guitar arrived at my doorstep with the neck having extreme forward bow. This was not just due to string tension. The double-action truss rod was actually adjusted to increase the neck relief, which was excessive to say the least. I had to tighten the truss-rod adjustment just to get to neutral tension engagement, then continue tightening to get the neck relief to an appropriate setting of about .006”. The set up required no additional adjustment. This was a big improvement over the other “Playa” guitars I’ve examined, which required both nut and saddle tweaking. I am a guitar-tech hobbyist, so I have the tools and knowledge to check out and set up acoustic guitars. My Dana had a fingerboard that was not straight from the factory. I know this because despite the slight waviness of the fingerboard when straightened as much as possible by truss-rod adjustment, the frets are surprisingly level — though they obviously vary considerably in height to compensate for the wavy fingerboard. But let me be realistic. To be able to sell a guitar at these prices, some corners will be cut when compared to the manufacture of guitars that cost five or ten or more times the price. This also applies to guitar set up, which may be the most time-consuming, and therefore expensive, single aspect of guitar creation. So, of course, the set ups on these economy guitars will be less than perfect. (Okay, that said, Orangewood might please stop way overselling their “professional” set ups done in the USA.) So my general recommendation regarding set up on these “Playa”-collection instruments is, upon delivery, to pay a good luthier/technician to check them over to assess keeping or returning, and, if a keeper, have him or her set them up for your level of play or personal preferences (that is, if you aren’t qualified to do it yourself). And that brings up my final, important set-up point, which is that the truss rod's purpose is to compensate against string tension. Action is properly adjusted at the nut and saddle. Bottom line: I have the Orangewood guitars because they are a good value, they sound good, they don’t require obsessive attention to humidity or temperature, and can be fun to play both for a beginner and a more experienced guitar player. The Dana fulfilled my final requirements, which were a guitar that travels more easily and doesn’t require quite so much space to play.Doug H.

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

The Maton 808 fits perfectly. Usually the 4" will fit most guitars but, not this one. I had noticed a few questions concerning this so I thought I would post this. A 4" cover can be ground down to size but, it's a chore that you may not want to tackle. The size here is actually pretty close to 3 3/4". The Maton is 95mm which translates very close to 3.75". A few thousands of inch at best. Pretty snug fit but, you don't want it slop around at all. Just FYI.Terry

I purchased this guitar twice because the first one had a bend to the neck, so the strings would buzz and not play properly on higher frets. I returned it and then ordered another one assuming the first was a fluke. The second one came in and was fine, but within a month the same issue occured. Still have it and just play the lower frets, but still was a waste of money. Looks amazing and sounds great when it works properly.Matthew

I played guitar for 15 years back in the day and owned 6 acoustic guitars in my lifetime. From mid-priced Takamines to cheap Washburns. I went to Guitar Center for a "learn how to play again cheap guitar" and tried all the cutaways in the $150-400 range. Fender, Yamaha, Alvarez, Ibanez and even above my price range. A salesman said one sentence. Try the Mitchell Guitars, they are the best bang for the buck. I went home that night and did my research. I looked at wood quality, body/bracing styles, neck sizes/wood types, hardware. Made a list and went back with 7 guitars in stock I wanted to feel/hear. Yes, Mitchell guitars absolutely had the best materials for the money. But how were their playability and actual sound? I tried a few models and they were either soft/flat sounding or had a sloppy fretboard. Other brands in the same price range had much cheaper materials. It came down to the Alvarez Regent (wish they had the Artist series to try) and this Mitchell guitar. I was able to buy the MX430QAB on sale but this guitar plays above its actual price. I tried a few $600 dollar guitars and the quality is much closer to those guitars. Bass tones are deep/rich/punchy (not dreadnought deep but enough). The mid-tones really shine and the highs pop without being too bright or overwhelming. A wide-ranging rich-toned balanced Orchestra guitar. The neck is so playable. I have read that about other guitars. The Talman series, or Festival series. Maybe they just needed to be setup. This guitar was set up perfectly. Going up and down the fretboard doing scales or chords was a total breeze even for someone who hasn't picked up a guitar in 5 years. It holds the tuning very well and I am sure this guitar will settle in and have an even richer tone over time. Guitars all have different personalities, so trying them out is recommended. But this is a good bet for the 300-400 price range.Myles

Bought without trying it out because I had seen a photo and decided I would like to try it but was out of stock for many months. Then it became available for $79 off and I jumped. – It came well packaged and in perfect condition. 'Played as well as it looked and it looks even better than the photos show it. The finish is as deep and glossy as any I have seen, and even the fretboard is bound. It seemed a tad bass shy at first but over the last few weeks has bloomed and now sounds beautifully balanced with tight well defined tones throughout the octaves and plenty of shimmer up high. 'Have not plugged in yet but it projects well without amplification and should be just fine for a small stage like a church or coffee house. I highly recommend this guitar to any enthusiast.Steven

I went to the GC in Palm Desert CA with a five-hundred dollar budget for a new acoustic/electric. There were three guitars that I had to play, but I was open to checking out others. I didn't see the Hummingbird in the room so I asked the clerk to check for me … he found one. Before he got back with the Epiphone, I had a chance to play the Guild and a Fender that were on my list, as well as a few that were not. The Fender was winning … until the clerk showed up with the Epiphone. The craftsmanship/fit and finish, the feel of the neck/action, the sound projection/tone … Everything about the guitar was perfect for me! I could not be happier!John

Overall: I have had 2 Taylor's in the past 5 years. They always sound great. Back then I've bought the Taylor 224ce Koa deluxe twice in the past years. Even know I wanted to buy another one I wanted to save a little money this time and bought this Taylor 214ce deluxe with case. I wasn't real sure on how it would play and sound next to the higher end Taylor's I've had. I got it today and was amazed on how it fretted and played. The sound was awesome at the least. I started playing and the guitar took over. I got inspired and it took me back to where I want to play again. Very very happy with this guitar. You won't be disappointed if you are thinking about getting this guitar. All top notch.Robert

This is a beautiful guitar; the first time I played it, I got weak in the knees. With more playing, I just had to have it. When you understand the context of Taylor pricing, this actually is a pretty decent value. For a Grand Auditorium body, it has a LOT of low end; maybe not as naturally bright as some other guitars, but its tone is so warm and so honeyed, the mid-range so prominent, I consider it a strength. The neck feels like butter to me; this thing is so easy to play. It has the Expression System 2 electronics, which Taylor says are an upgrade. I think it sounds good through the PA and reflects its tone just fine. And of course the finish is unbelievable; the sunburst is beautiful. Aesthetically, I also love that the head stock face is black and not wood grain (didn't realize that'd be something I'd like until I saw it on this guitar). The only thing that Taylor adds to make it "deluxe" is the white binding and the diamond inlays; as in, nothing further different structurally to differentiate from other 214's. I was also not a fan of the venetian cutaway, which was another reason this model drew me to it. Lastly, it comes with a really nice hardshell case (as I believe all guitars at this price should). My only minor complaint is input jack strap button is a pain to get a strap on, but that's kind of always been the case with Taylors. So just bear in mind it's gonna take some cajoling. Overall, just a terrific sounding guitar that looks and plays beautifully. I can't put it down. This might be the last guitar you ever buy, because it's so versatile. So in that context, and in the long run, totally worth it.Music Guy

This is a beautiful guitar; the first time I played it, I got weak in the knees. With more playing, I just had to have it. When you understand the context of Taylor pricing, this actually is a pretty decent value. For a Grand Auditorium body, it has a LOT of low end; maybe not as naturally bright as some other guitars, but its tone is so warm and so honeyed, the mid-range so prominent, I consider it a strength. I had the chance to play a new one out of the box, and still bought the one off the wall in the showroom. The neck feels like butter to me; this thing is so easy to play. It has the Expression System 2 electronics, which Taylor says are an upgrade. I think it sounds good through the PA and reflects its tone just fine. And of course the finish is unbelievable; the sunburst is beautiful. Aesthetically, I also love that the head stock face is black and not wood grain (didn't realize that'd be something I'd like until I saw it on this guitar). The only thing that Taylor adds to make it "deluxe" is the white binding and the diamond inlays; as in, nothing further different structurally to differentiate from other 214's. I was also not a fan of the venetian cutaway, which was another reason this model drew me to it. Lastly, it comes with a really nice hardshell case (as I believe all guitars over $1000 should). My only minor complaint is input jack strap button is a pain to get a strap on, but that's kind of always been the case with Taylors. So just bear in mind it's gonna take some cajoling. Overall, just a terrific sounding guitar that looks and plays beautifully. I can't put it down. This might be the last guitar you ever buy, because it's so versatile. So in that context, and in the long run, totally worth it.Music Fan

Overall: I have had 2 Taylor's in the past 5 years. They always sound great. Back then I've bought the Taylor 224ce Koa deluxe twice in the past years. Even know I wanted to buy another one I wanted to save a little money this time and bought this Taylor 214ce deluxe with case. I wasn't real sure on how it would play and sound next to the higher end Taylor's I've had. I got it today and was amazed on how it fretted and played. The sound was awesome at the least. I started playing and the guitar took over. I got inspired and it took me back to where I want to play again. Very very happy with this guitar. You won't be disappointed if you are thinking about getting this guitar. All top notch.Robert

This is a beautiful guitar; the first time I played it, I got weak in the knees. With more playing, I just had to have it. When you understand the context of Taylor pricing, this actually is a pretty decent value. For a Grand Auditorium body, it has a LOT of low end; maybe not as naturally bright as some other guitars, but its tone is so warm and so honeyed, the mid-range so prominent, I consider it a strength. The neck feels like butter to me; this thing is so easy to play. It has the Expression System 2 electronics, which Taylor says are an upgrade. I think it sounds good through the PA and reflects its tone just fine. And of course the finish is unbelievable; the sunburst is beautiful. Aesthetically, I also love that the head stock face is black and not wood grain (didn't realize that'd be something I'd like until I saw it on this guitar). The only thing that Taylor adds to make it "deluxe" is the white binding and the diamond inlays; as in, nothing further different structurally to differentiate from other 214's. I was also not a fan of the venetian cutaway, which was another reason this model drew me to it. Lastly, it comes with a really nice hardshell case (as I believe all guitars at this price should). My only minor complaint is input jack strap button is a pain to get a strap on, but that's kind of always been the case with Taylors. So just bear in mind it's gonna take some cajoling. Overall, just a terrific sounding guitar that looks and plays beautifully. I can't put it down. This might be the last guitar you ever buy, because it's so versatile. So in that context, and in the long run, totally worth it.Music Guy

This is a beautiful guitar; the first time I played it, I got weak in the knees. With more playing, I just had to have it. When you understand the context of Taylor pricing, this actually is a pretty decent value. For a Grand Auditorium body, it has a LOT of low end; maybe not as naturally bright as some other guitars, but its tone is so warm and so honeyed, the mid-range so prominent, I consider it a strength. I had the chance to play a new one out of the box, and still bought the one off the wall in the showroom. The neck feels like butter to me; this thing is so easy to play. It has the Expression System 2 electronics, which Taylor says are an upgrade. I think it sounds good through the PA and reflects its tone just fine. And of course the finish is unbelievable; the sunburst is beautiful. Aesthetically, I also love that the head stock face is black and not wood grain (didn't realize that'd be something I'd like until I saw it on this guitar). The only thing that Taylor adds to make it "deluxe" is the white binding and the diamond inlays; as in, nothing further different structurally to differentiate from other 214's. I was also not a fan of the venetian cutaway, which was another reason this model drew me to it. Lastly, it comes with a really nice hardshell case (as I believe all guitars over $1000 should). My only minor complaint is input jack strap button is a pain to get a strap on, but that's kind of always been the case with Taylors. So just bear in mind it's gonna take some cajoling. Overall, just a terrific sounding guitar that looks and plays beautifully. I can't put it down. This might be the last guitar you ever buy, because it's so versatile. So in that context, and in the long run, totally worth it.Music Fan

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 love this little guitar. I bought mine from the GC store. I have Taylor GS mini for my RV, but it's still too big and too loud in a small rv with others. I saw the Traveller guitars and thought I'd go to a GC and try it out. I'm too new at this so got the GC sales person to play so I could hear the difference using a big amp. The ones with the pickups were hot and a little bitey for me as I only really play acoustic. The Piezo pickup acoustic sounded mellow and it was on the guitarathon sale for 100 dollars off. That tipped it for me. It's small, extremely light and when unplugged, extremely quite quiet. It's so small, I'm finding that I pick up this one more than the regular guitars. Bear in mind, it's not acoustic or electric, so it's not going to sound like anything else. I bought a headphone amp and also use a regular amp when I can be loud. When practicing unplugged at night, it's loud enough for me, but nobody else can hear it. Also, I've found that if I press it tightly to my side, the lower notes reverberate in my chest. With the acoustic pickup there is no tone or volume controls, so everything has to be done through the amp. I'm getting used to that. With no body and only the wire bottom, it takes a little time before it begins to feel normal. The only negative is if I don't hit the notes perfect, I can get some fret buzz. All in all, it's so different from any other guitar, I would suggest trying it in person first. You will either love it or hate it. And remember it's a small travel guitar you can also use regularly. Play it both amplified and unplugged and see if you think it will work for you.Mike

I had my eye on this since I got my first Epi, a Les Paul, a year ago. Just came today, apparently mine was mfg'd in Indonesia (some of the reviews mentioned made in China). The setup is great, nice low action but no buzzing on the fretboard anywhere. Stays nicely in tune (again it came earlier today but no issues so far!), and sounds great both unplugged and plugged into my Fender Acoustisonic amp. The fit and finish is quite remarkable for an instrument at this price point. The guitar is so much prettier in "person" than in the picture on the website or in the magazine. It's just….so nice and the wood is warm and rich looking, with nice tight grainy details as well. I am very happy with this purchase, only regret is having waited to do so! Been playing since 1973, so I guess that's 47 years if that helps 😉Rick

Beautiful guitar, plays great, and sounds perfect. The electronics are good. The finish is flawless, but mine isn't much of a burst, more of a solid tabacco. The frets are a gold color, not silver like the rest. I just love it. New strings and it was ready to go.Bill

Very nice playing guitar, sits right next to my Gibson LP and my Fender Stratocaster!!!! Plug it in to my Marshal amp and it will play and sound just great . I do think this was well worth every penny spent!!!! Best Regards Stevestepeye-0

I have 6 Other Guitars and have been playing for a number of years. The build quality is Okay but One Thing about the construction is the Machine Head mounting location for the "D" String and the "G" String are situated in such a way that the Strings run really Close to the Adjacent String. The Sound is also Very Bright and Lacks Warmth in Tone even with the Tone Control all the way Down. Having said that it has a Good Action but the Fretboard was really Dry. Not a Bad guitar for the Money.Mark K.

I love this guitar. It's such a joy to play and the tones are wonderful. The acoustic alone sounds fantastic, but the electric feature works awesome and the built in tuner is great! I am also impressed that the guitar came with two batteries, one of which was already installed. I am thankful to have my new guitar. To get the quality of a Fender guitar at this affordable price is a great way for me to get serious with my playing while I enjoy learning on it.michapicar

I have a number of acoustic type guitars – both steel and nylon strung. When playing these I rarely strum – it's a finger style combination of rock, flamenco, folk, blues and jazz ( a real mixture). The first thing I did was to change the strings (D'Addario Silk & Steel). As a result this little Fender beauty has turned into an excellent parlour guitar: it's responsive, lovely to play and remarkably loud for its size. Build quality is good and the sound projects well. If you're a chord strummer, I wouldn't suggest that the Sonoran is for you – but it responds superbly to finger style playing. It's subtle and responsive. For the money, it's very, very good. And of course, it's very, very easy to lug around. Love it!Gillian B.

Pretty nice sounding instrument! Way less money than most solid wood, small bodied shorter scale guitars, & stacks up decently against “higher end” offerings. As a traditionalist, the onboard electronics were an annoying detraction, but in practice the pickup system sounds far more natural than I was expecting. And as a couch/practice guitar, having a tuner on the instrument is handy, I’ll grudgingly admit. If I were the type to plug in an acoustic on stage, I’d get good use out of these features. There are a few other general things that caught my attention, listed in no particular order. The dynamic range is an interesting departure from typical full scale acoustics. It’s quieter when finger picked softly, but as loud or louder when dug into with a pick. Definitely doesn’t sound small when played with authority, & generally has great resonance. I’ve yet to try lighter strings, but with 12 gauge phosphor bronze, it doesn’t feel too slinky or incredibly different than a longer scale length acoustic. I do find it a tad more comfortable, but not a night & day difference. The only lesser aspect is mostly down to the stock setup. Action was a little on the high side, & the G# fret under the low E string was a little high, so G chords buzzed on that string. This doesn’t detract from my over all impression, as I’m imagining most folks buying a decent instrument will end up setting it up & leveling fretwork to taste. All in all, mine’s a very nice acoustic guitar by any measure, & its sound punches way above its weight class in terms of cost. I dig it.WJJ

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