The Builder’s Edition 717e Grand Pacific sounds and plays like a very high-end, hand-built – the type that’d cost substantially more if it had been made by an artisan luthier. There isn’t a harsh tone to be heard, the sonic character is bold and assertive and there are plenty of dynamics and tonal variations.
Ed Sheeran partnering with Lowden s was by far the biggest story from NAMM 2019. These made-in-Northern Ireland acoustics promised to capture the crispness and refinement of Lowden’s higher-end instruments – at under £1, 000. And they delivered.
The DT30D’s soundboard is a three-layer construction, but it’s not plywood. Instead, we have two very thin layers of Sitka spruce sandwiching a Nomex ‘honeycomb’ core. The idea is to achieve a far higher strength-to-weight ratio than is possible with a single spruce layer; Eastman claims that its double tops are 30 per cent lighter than conventional tops.
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Tone-wise, we hear something smoother, far more balanced and – dare we say it – refined. Addressing the frequency extremes first, the bass is solid, but it doesn’t produce the chest-filling thump that most associate with dreadnought tone. At the treble end, there’s no trace of the metallic ping and brashness that so often accompanies fresh spruce and rosewood constructions.
Fabulous build and playability, great looks and gorgeous tone make the Crossroads – the more affordable sibling to the Private Build Caletta – hard to fault. It generates far more volume and bass than we would have anticipated. There’s nothing boomy or overblown and the response is nicely extended in the treble, but the overall frequency balance is even and stable. Having said that, the response is extremely quick and there’s a willing liveliness that gives the Crossroads a vibrancy and power that isn’t always present in similarly constructed vintage acoustics.
Combining a forward and articulate midrange with harp-like trebles, the Dearnaley Natural effortlessly spans rootsy Americana and ambient Celtic-tinged folk. It has an Alpine spruce top, fiddleback maple back and sides, and an X-brace pattern comprising mahogany and spruce braces.
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There’s also the clarity, treble sparkle and a feeling of effortless power. The Natural does not need to be played hard to generate a lot of sound, and there’s considerable dynamic range to go with the lightning transient response.
At Summer NAMM 2019, Taylor announced it was adding V-Class bracing to its 12-string instruments for the first time, with the 562ce among the first few models. The innovative bracing solution offers greater pitch accuracy and harmonic agreement between notes, which are factors even more significant on a 12-string.
With this Modern Deluxe D-28, Martin has managed to bolster the mids and even out the string-to-string response – in a way that seems quite in vogue – without losing what we like about the company’s traditional dreadnought sonic signature. It’s not excessively bright, the bass is effectively de-boomed without sacrificing power and the sustain is remarkable.
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Lowden’s F models have been popular since their release in 1982. They were tweaked in 2003 with a smaller soundhole for extra projection and focus, and this F32 sits at the top of the range. It combines a Sitka spruce top with rosewood back and sides and as usual, there’s a five-piece neck of laminated mahogany and rosewood, with an ebony ’board and a top-loading rosewood bridge.
In terms of frequency range and definition, the F32 compares to certain classic acoustics in much the same way high-end hi-fi systems compare to computer monitors with an added subwoofer. The phrase ‘harp-like’ seems more apt than ‘piano-like’; the F32 has a mysterious and ambient quality.
Billed by its UK makers as a “great songwriter’s ”, the Artist Mahogany Julia has an open-pore satin finish that lets it project far louder than its small body may suggest. It has an AAA spruce top, African Mahogany back and sides, an ebony fretboard, and maple/mahogany/abalone detailing.A hollow box, a neck and six strings – you can’t change anything about a guitar, you think. But in detail there are improvements, innovations or the rediscovery of old treasures. And then there’s the look: options for finishes, colour and wood types. Here are 5 examples of what has happened this year in the acoustic guitar world…
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After the bankruptcy in 2018 many Gibson fans had already given up. Enough of that! With the J-45, among others, the traditional manufacturer is making an impressive comeback to the scene. The back, sides, fretboard and bridge are made of walnut in keeping with the current rosewood restrictions. This wood could take on the heritage of rosewood in almost every respect, and Gibson is far ahead in its usage. The shape and scale are in accordance with its own specifications, and the finish is flawless. Gibson has obviously rediscovered the joy of making guitars.
And then there is a completely new development, because with the 717 Taylor launches a bevelled-edge dreadnought invented by Andy Powers, which is also equipped with a completely new V-Class bracing. Many additional ideas like adjustable neck angle or their own pickup system lift these (and other Taylors) directly into the 21st century, although the underlying “ideal” sound is about 100 years old. A great new idea can also be found in the neck, which has something like a combined profile: from a slight V shape to a nice round C shape at the higher registers.
We can be proud of the fact that our own brand performs excellently, regardless of the sensational price. The Delta Blues MJCE is a completely straightforward and robust instrument with the “Mini Jumbo” body shape (which is actually a contradiction). And even though it is made of mixed woods, it can convince with its sound – and also visually . A built-in pickup completes this package. So if you’re looking for a handy and robust instrument that won’t let you down in the Mississippi Delta or the Mojave Desert – here it is.
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Classical guitars have wide necks, light tops and dark bodies. Boring! With the La Mancha Granito we finally have a nylon string guitar of a different kind. With a width of 48 millimetres, the neck is much more comfortable than the usual classic neck, and the completely dark body, painted with a matte mahogany burst, is much more modern than the traditional “chiaroscuro” version. This way, learning to play the guitar is fun even for small hands and students who may have been impaired by tradition.
If there’s an unknown champion among guitar builders, it’s Yamaha. The company covers virtually every type of instrument and is one of the largest, if not the largest, manufacturers of instruments, all with a reputation for being indestructible workhorses. This is also true of the new FGX800C. The dreadnought with the bulky name scores with its chic sand burst look, solid spruce top for dynamic sound and built-in pickup system with tuner. No frills and guaranteed to last long.
What did you think of our Top 5 acoustic guitars of 2019? Would you add any others? Have you tried any of the ones we mentioned? What’s your favourite? Let us know in the comments! ✍️
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Joe has been singing since he can remember and started playing guitar when he was 10. He's been using it as a songwriting tool ever since. He is passionate about melody and harmony and admires musicians who create these in unique ways. Check out his alternative / indie projects Best of Feelings and Zef Raček.
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