Guitar Review Ninja

With the simply decorated Martin D15, Martin has reintroduced the Mahogany-top acoustic that was so popular in the 1940’s (currently their most affordable guitar). The D15’s solid, genuine Mahogany construction produces exceptional tone.

About the 15 Series

Martin’s 15 Series allows you to satisfy your desire for a more easily affordable all solid wood Martin guitar – and they offer these guitars to you in all shapes and sizes.

These instruments feature richly stained solid Mahogany top, back, and sides to give it the distinctive look along with the recognizable Martin sound – features that mark it one of Martin’s most attractive values.

Standard features for the 15 Series generally include solid Mahogany top, back and sides, herringbone decal rosette, satin finish, patented neck mortise, and “A-frame” X-bracing which enhances the rich, bright sound inherent in mahogany.

Martin D15 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar (with Case) Features…

Model: D-15

Construction: Mortise/Tenon Neck Joint

Body Size: D-14 Fret

Top: Solid Sapele or Genuine Mahogany

Rosette: Gold & Black Style Herringbone

Top Bracing Pattern: D1 (A-Frame)

Top Braces: Sitka/1 Style/Non-Scalloped

Back Material: Solid Sapele or Genuine Mahogany

Back Purfling: none

Side Material: Solid Sapele or Genuine Mahogany

Endpiece: none

Endpiece Inlay: none

Binding: none

Top Inlay Style: none

Side Inlay: none

Back Inlay: none

Neck Material: Solid Genuine Mahogany

Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval

Nut Material: White Corian®

Headstock: Solid/6 String No Diamond/Standard Taper

Headplate: Solid East Indian Rosewood /Gold Foil Logo

Heelcap: none

Fingerboard Material: Solid East Indian Rosewood

Scale Length: 25.4 in.

# of Frets Clear: 14

# of Frets Total: 20

Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1 11/16 in.

Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2 1/8 in.

Fingerboard Position Inlays: Style 28

Fingerboard Binding: none

Finish Back & Sides: Satin/Mahogany Stain/Dark Filler

Finish Top: Satin/Dark Filler

Finish Neck: Satin/Dark Mahogany Stain/ Dark Filler

Bridge Material: Solid East Indian Rosewood

Bridge Style: 1 Style Belly

Bridge String Spacing: 2 1/8 in.

Saddle: Compensated White Tusq

Tuning Machines: Chrome w/ Small Knobs

Recommended Strings: Martin SP 4200 Medium Phosphor Bronze

Bridge & End Pins: White w/ Black Dots

Pickguard: I-01 Tortoise Color

Case: 345 Hard Shell

Interior Label: Paper Label

Buy Martin D15 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar (with Case)

No experience with sound.

New acoustic Dreadnaught. No electronics. D-15 series exclusivc product made for MusiciansFriends. Custom with solid spruce solid top and solid rosewood back and sides. No Bindings.

No experience with action, fit and finish.

Customer support at Musiciansfriend.com was unacceptable. Their website description states that delivery date was Feb. 20, 2006 when I ordered it on the 19th. I phoned on the 20th and was told that inventory will be received at their Kansas City warehouse on the 20th and that it will be shipped out on or before the 22th. I received an email on the 22nd stating that no inventory will be available until March 10th. I checked their website description today and it states that expected delivery date is Feb. 24th. I had eamiled Musciansfriend regarding my frustration but no answer. I phoned today and asked to speak a supervisor and was told none was available. I attempt to purchase a good guitar has been foiled by indifferent customer service and misleading advertising. I cancelled my order with Musiciansfriend. I asked that I be taken off their email mailing list. NEVER AGAIN Musiciansfriend. You're no friend at all.

Patrick T. (02/24/2006)

It's a tone monster, a cannon. This guitar pops like high end instruments. Incredible Bass and midrange. At times the midrange can be overpowering, and sometimes you have to hit the highs a little harder to get the sounds you want. I love to play fingerstyle on this guitar. Flatpicked bluegrass runs sound great, and even better with a capo. Warning, you will zone out into Euphoria while playing this guitar.

This guitar produces unbelievable tone, but you have to lay into the highs and go easy on the midrange.

Satin Finish, Dreadnought, Martin Factory Tuners, Modified low oval neck, nice TKL case included with Gold Martin label, 14 fret to body, Solid Spruce top, Solid Rosewood Back and sides, no electronics

Action was set up Medium per Martin Specs. I think they set these things up for bluegrassers that flatpick alot. I think most players will lower the action a little.

My guitar has a pretty good spruce top, but the solid rosewood back and sides have black marks running perpindicular to the grain. It looks a little weird. I rate my top a 8.5 and my back a 6.

The guitar has zero build flaws. It's a martin through and through. When you hold it in your hands it feels like a fine instrument, not merely just a guitar.

Martin usually tries to do the right thing within reason.

Be careful with Musicians Friend. I have had good and bad purchases with them. They may make you pay return shipping on an item that is flawed. They did that to me on one of those baby Taylors that had a broken nut.

Magic (01/20/2009)

Every Legend has a Great Beginning

A beginner’s guitar does not necessarily have to sound or act like a beginner’s guitar. In fact, many guitar manufacturers offer introductory instruments unworthy of even a student’s hands. The Alvarez Regent guitar is designed to turn aspiring students into great guitarists. Including a full selection of styles, sizes and finishes, this series offers quality instruments for every developing player.

Alvarez RD20S Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Features…

Body Style: Dreadnought

Back/Sides: Mahogany

Top: Solid Sitka Spruce

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Fingerboard Inlay: Dots

Body Binding: Multiple

Soundhole Rosette: Acrylic Pearl

Tuning Machines: Chrome Die Cast

Electronics: None

Buy Alvarez RD20S Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Alvarez Regent Series Axe

Good guitar, I bought it at a music store so I could try it out (very important to do because acoustic guitars are so diverse sometimes) and I bought it in the sunburst because I love color on my intruments. The sound is so good, real deep and glassy, but power chords are real punchy. The sound is also very clear. It's very beautiful up close except for some minor setbacks which were done to reduce the price. For instance, the "A" logo on the top is screened rather than inlayed, and the finish is very glossy, and the headstock even looks veneered in some spots, but this guitar is BEAUTIFUL. The mahogany has excellent figure, the sunburst finish is very well done, and the bridge is very attractive. The nut and the bridge nut are very cheap plastic and kind of take away from the vibe, but the guitar still looks and sounds great. The big drawback for me is the Made In China on the label inside the body. I wish it was made in North America, but oh well, it is a student model afetr all.
<p>Overall, you'll enjoy this guitar's deep sound and rustic look. A true Alvarez!
</p>

Guitar Player from Live Oak, FL (Nov 23, 2007)

I love to play this guitar. It has a really light but semi even sound. Alot of harmonics in the resonance of the tone. When I try and strum the guitar loudly, the sound muddles a little bit. I would say that it sounds best playing it with light strumming and finger style. The only thing that I don't really like about the sound is that the G (low E string) doesn't really seem to fit well in the sound when playing the G chord. Even if you were to tune harmonically with the other strings, it just doesn't seem to fit all the way with the other strings. The guitar just seems to lack a little bit of lower ended body… not quite the sound that I am looking for, but close.

This is just a plain guitar… no electronics, dreadnought style, thin neck, 3/4 size. From what I read it has laminated mahogany sides and spruce top. The sound hole is a shade smaller than full size dreadnoughts that I have seen. Made in china. It did not come with a case. Nothing on board except for the wood itself… haha, get it.. on board? I was trying to be funny.

The frets work was smooth, no rough edges. From the factory I thought that it was good for action… mostly because of the guitar that I was coming from. After a while I loosed the rod in the neck and also took the little spacer out from under the bridge saddle. There seemed to be quite a bit of space that I could take out from the action to where it played low without buzz. After a bit of adjusting… it seemed to fit and play a lot better. Not that it was bad in the first place… just needed a little bit of tweaking.

No experience in this area…

BlaineM (04/21/2007)

 Taylor Tech Sheet Symptoms of a Dry Guitar

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 Taylor Tech Sheet on New Strings Part 2

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The Taylor 200 Series redefines what a mid-priced guitar can be. A glossy, solid Sitka spruce top meets gorgeous Indian rosewood laminate back and sides, delivering an experience of sight, sound and touch that’s unmistakably Taylor. Plug in with the optional Taylor electronics and take your performance to the stage with confidence.

Taylor 214 Grand Auditorium Acoustic Guitar (with Case) Features…

Type/Shape: 6-String Grand Auditorium

Back & Sides: Indian Rosewood Laminate

Top: Sitka Spruce

Soundhole Rosette: Plastic

Neck: Tropical American Mahogany

Fretboard: Indian Rosewood

Fretboard Inlay: Pearloid Dots

Headstock Overlay: Indian Rosewood

Binding: White Plastic

Bridge: Indian Rosewood

Nut & Saddle: Tusq

Tuning Machines: Enclosed, Die-Cast Chrome Plated

Strings: Elixir Light Gauge Strings with NANOWEB Coating

Scale Length: 25 1/2 Inches

Truss Rod: Adjustable

Neck Width at Nut: 1 11/16 Inches

Number of Frets: 20

Fretboard Radius: 15 Inches

Bracing: Scalloped, X-Brace

Finish: Satin with Gloss Top

Cutaway: None

Electronics: None

Body Width: 16 Inches

Body Depth: 4 5/8 Inches

Body Length: 20 Inches

Overall Length: 41 Inches

Case: Taylor Hardshell

Buy Taylor 214 Grand Auditorium Acoustic Guitar (with Case)

 Taylor Tech Sheet Symptoms of a Dry Guitar

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 Taylor Tech Sheet on String Guage Info

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 Taylor Tech Sheet on New Strings

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 Taylor Tech Sheet Neck and Humidity Information

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 Taylor Tech Sheet on The Expression System

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 Taylor Tech Sheet Installing a New Saddle

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 Taylor Tech Sheet Truss Rod Adjustments

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Best tone for under a grand

I have had the 214 since 2003 and ever since have not regretted the buy. Anytime someone picks it up to play it, they fall in love. The tone is classic taylor quality and the price is unbeatable. Another cool feature is that with age, the spruce top turns somewhat of a rich golden color. Beautiful guitar, beautiful sound, and beautiful price.

Red from Texas (May 5, 2008)

Amazed

Needed an acoustic for summer campfires and was amazed at the sound. I have always been a fan of Taylor, and got a good deal on one used, though it was evidently not used much. Couldn't be happier with a non acoustic electric guitar.

Arthur from Kentucky (Feb 2, 2009)

Feel the resonance as you strum chords. Hear the sound as you use a pick or your fingers. Epiphone has built a winner here. The DR200S has a solid Spruce top, Mahogany back and sides, and a set Mahogany neck and a Rosewood fretboard with split diamond inlays. You can’t beat the price or quality of this guitar.

Epiphone DR200S Acoustic Guitar Features…

Hardware: Chrome

Scale: 25.5 in.

Nut Width: 1.68 in.

Neck: Set

Neck Material: Mahogany

Body Material: Mahogany

Top: Solid Spruce

Fretboard: Rosewood w/ Split Diamond Shaped Inlays

Buy Epiphone DR200S Acoustic Guitar

Epi Acoustic works

I have had a DR-200S for about a year and have used it just to play and for recording. I highly recommend it. It feels close to any Gibson or PRS electric neck (same width). The strap pin on the neck joint is great compared to not having one. Good looking acoustic, easy on the wallet for the tone!

Josh from Grand Rapids, MI (Apr 4, 2005)

Epiphone DR-200S

I have just received two of these guitars that I ordered for friends of mine. I have several much more expensive acoustic guitars myself. Overall I think them of exceptional build quality. There is however one caveat: They both came with extremely high action. (Im am a very experienced player and have done a lot of set-up on guitars and I know what players want. If chords played in the 1st position are out of tune because of the increased pull down to the frets, the action is too high.) I assume they are this way so that individuals can set the action where they want and some may want them high like this, but you should be aware that you'll probably have to spend some additional money to get them set up properly. Having said that, they are still great values, even after the set-up fee is added on.

addhocbflat from North Carolina (Jun 11, 2008)

A Mahogany Dreadnought with a solid Spruce top and White binding, the AD60S features a White Pearl soundhole rosette and Natural finish.

Artist Series

The Alvarez Artist Series brings together an impressive array of models, offering a variety of colors and a wide range of styles. Brilliant sunbursts, figured maple, and other exotic woods are finely crafted into guitars of uncommon beauty, in pure acoustic and acoustic/electric versions. Six-string, 12-string, cutaway, jumbo, classical the Artist Series has something for everyone.

Alvarez AD60S Artist Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Features…

Body Style: Dreadnought

Back/Sides: Mahogany

Top: Solid Spruce

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Fingerboard Inlay: 12 F Diagonal-White Pearl

Body Binding: White Multiple

Soundhole Rosette: White Pearl

Fingerboard/Headstock Binding: White

Tuning Machines: Nickel Die Cast

Electronics: None

Buy Alvarez AD60S Artist Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

good begginer guitar

i just bought this guitar it stays in tune well and sounds great its been easy for me to start learning guitar with this and it is also beautiful wood so overal a great guitar

spiderwebb48 from muskegon michigan (Dec 3, 2008)

WOW!!

I've recently purchased this guitar and couldn't be more happy. I have found a guitar that i have to play; I am drawn to it. The action is amazing, the looks are amazing, and the sound beats Martin. I have recently play some Martins in the $1200 range and the ad60s simply blew them away. Buy this guitar please. You will not regret it. Amazing. Wow. I am going to go play it right now!!

B-182 (Nov 28, 2008)

The Gibson Hummingbird offers an unmatched combination of sound and style. With the broad tone of its square shoulder body and its bold visual statement, the Hummingbird has been one of Gibson’s most recognizable guitars for over 40 years. The Hummingbird led the way for an entire family of square shoulder models, and the body style became so popular that it was the only dreadnought shape offered by Gibson in the 1970s. The Hummingbird continues today as the leader of Gibson’s prestigous square shoulder line, which ranges from the fancier Dove to the affordable Songwriter series and includes historic signature models. Includes Gibson hardshell case.

Gibson Historic Collection Hummingbird Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar (with Case) Features…

Handcrafted in: Bozeman, MT

BODY

Body Style: Square Shoulder Dreadnought

Top Species: Solid Sitka Spruce

Back and Sides: Solid Mahogany

Body Binding: 6-ply top, 4-ply back

NECK

Species: Mahogany

Scale: 24-3/4 in.

Angle: 3

Joint: 14

Profile: Round

FINGERBOARD

Species: Rosewood

Binding: single-ply

Number of Frets: 20

Inlays: MOP Double Parallelograms

Nut Width: 1.725

Peghead Angle: 17

Other Inlays: MOP Crown on Headstock

BRIDGE

Bridge: Belly up

Bridge Inlay: MOP Dots

Pins: White

HARDWARE

Tuners: Nickel Grover Kidney

Pickguard: Tortoise Hummingbird

OTHER

Case: Hardshell

Strings: Gibson Masterbuilt Premium Phosphor Bronze Wound

Buy Gibson Historic Collection Hummingbird Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar (with Case)

Sounds great anyway you play it. It compliments a singers voice perfectly as well, making it ideal for a singer/songwriter. This guitar sounds terrific whether you are hammering on it or playing quietly late at night.

I am reviewing a 1990 Gibson Hummingbird, that was bought used in 2007. It has the J-45 style/colour sunburst and a classic black pickguard instead of the usual hummingbird guards. It has a spruce top with a mahogany body. MOP inlays all along the fret board. It has one of the biggest bridges I have ever seen on a guitar. Basically it looks like a square bodied J-45 that is all dolled up and ready for prom.

This guitar was 17 years old when I got it, however it is still the most gorgeous instrument I have ever seen.

N/A

Blair Mackay (09/30/2008)

I have four other top end acoustic guitars (no names but you can guess) but, have never been able to put this one away for safe keeping because it sounds so good. I reherse with it, gig with it and have even taken it on holiday with me! It has that beautiful mellowed sound without any faults. I get calls from fellow musicians asking to borrow it for recording sessions. That is how high this guitar is regarded!

This review is for my 1968 Gibson Hummingbird produced in Kalamazoo. It is the oval orange label model (one of the last great ones!). I have owned this one for ten years and bought it from the shop where Noel Gallagher (Oasis guitarist) bought many of his. The top is solid spruce and the back and sides are solid mahogany. It has an adjustable rosewood saddle sat on a rosewood bridge. This gave me a few problems when fitting an EMG active under-saddle pick-up as you can imagine, however, I'm glad that I did. It has all the original Kluson machine heads that have a gold finish to them (now faded). The neck is mahogany with rosewood fretboard (20 frets). The neck is very, very slim with double trapezoid MOP inlay and cream binding. The sctatch plate is the thick plastic variety and has lifted. It has been rather poorly fixed with small screws (I believe that this is not uncommon). The finish to the body is nicely glazed with checking and no cracks, splits or repairs evident. The neck has been refitted professionally at some time with a very slight fillet piece on the top of the body. the 9 score is for the slim neck lasting so long, as with the original case etc.

I was only born in 1968 so the guitar is as old as me! I therefore can't comment on what it was like from new, however, it is of typical quality Gibson materials and finish that have lasted so well. With the sound it has now, they must have done something right.

It's too old for this category.

Steve W (05/17/2005)