Guitar Review Ninja

An ultra-fine layer of D’Addario’s exclusive EXP Coating is bonded to the 80/20 Bronze wrap wire which is then wound onto the hex-shaped core wire, resulting in a built-in barrier against corrosion and wear. Strings retain their inherent extra-bright tone and natural feel, yet last 3-4 times longer than traditional strings. These are D’Addario’s brightest-sounding extended play strings.

D’Addario EXP12 Coated 8020 Bronze Acoustic Strings (Medium, 13-56) Features…

E – 0.013

B – 0.017

G – 0.026

D – 0.035

A – 0.045

E – 0.056

Buy D’Addario EXP12 Coated 8020 Bronze Acoustic Strings (Medium, 13-56)

"Perfect Strings"

These strings will not easily rust, they never show dirt or grime and never flake.

The strings are a bit pricey, BUT you must realize that they pay for themselves around the 1st month you've had them. Because you don't have to change the strings, you're saving money.

The quality of the strings are extreemly high, as I stated before they have never slipped on me after first tuning. A capo will not cause need for re-tuning on these strings and they're very easy to put on your guitar, clearly labled and packaged.

I feel confident in using these strings on ANY of my future guitars, and they do make me have a bit more faith in the company.

a customer from aol.com (8/27/2005)

Martin Marquis Strings are specifically designed to give you excellent tone, clarity, and response. The Marquis silk-wrapped ball end helps reduce wear on the bridge and bridge plate, making them ideal for valuable, vintage instruments. Martin also recommends them as the top choice for restringing your guitar for daily use.

Martin Marquis 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings Features…

M1000 Extra Light: .010, .014, .023w, .030w, .039w, .047w

Tension: 130.2

M1100 Light: .012, .016, .025w, .032w, .042w, .054w

Tension: 160.5

M1200 Medium: .013, .017, .026w, .035w, .045w, .056w

Tension: 181.1

Buy Martin Marquis 80/20 Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

Jim Worley (08/15/2008)

Lovely tone. Deep bass, mids are clear and seperation is great, highs are sparkly without being too sharp. Dig in and it responds beautifully, especially with a flat pick. It projects well and is is very loud – deceptive for this slim body style. Altogether, this is the perfect tonal package as far as I'm concerned.

A functionally-appointed guitar with Indian rosewood back and sides, Adirondack (Red spruce) top and Ebony bridge/fingerboard. The Adirondack top is the twist to the tale, this type of spruce top was used mainly pre WWII and if you want a new guitar with that vintage pre-war sound and don't want to go to a custom shop, then take a look at this model – it's simply brilliant.

Action was set up really well, no buzzing, no cosmetic flaws, just great Martin build quality and craftsmanship.

Jim Worley (11/16/2007)

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)

It's a Martin, what else can I say. I was never interested in a Martin because of the price. Muscians Friend had a 45 day trial period so I had them send me this one. After 30 minutes of playing it and hearing it's voice, I knew someone will have to pull it from my cold dead hands. Full , rich, deep yet bright on the higher strings. It's got it all. They may have skipped on the looks but not the sound.

I've had it close to a year so it is a recent made Martin. Dreadnsught body style, spruce top, rosewood back and sides, solid wood. No electronics. Nothing fancy about this guitar. Very plain jane looking. Finish is satin. Martin enclosed tuners that seem to keep this thing in consistent tune. Neck is slender. Came with a hard case.

Action was pretty good right ut of the box. Someday want to upgrade to bone bridge and saddle. The back is one piece dark stained rosewood that is wonderfully aromatic each time you take it out of the case. As I said before, the finish is satin. I'm not sure how it will wear. Where I place my arm to play already has a discolored look. It's from my arm buffing the finish. Don't care one bit though, one of my kids or grandkids will get this when I'm gone. I beleive the finish is one reason the sound is so full.

Haven't had to use them yet.

wldcat (01/06/2006)

I use to own a Martin DM and 000M. I've played D1's-D16's-D18's (mahogany models). This sounds fantastic. It's a canon and it's balanced from high to low. I would sound this right under a D18. This instrument is worthy of a saddle upgrade (bone or better)

2004 Martin D15 Custom

CONSTRUCTION: 1 Style; Ply Blocks; Mortise/Tenon Neck Joint

BODY SIZE: D-14 Fret

TOP: Sitka Spruce

TOP BRACES: D1 A-Frame Sitka/1 Style/Non-Scalloped

BRIDGE PLATE: Maple

TOP BINDING: Tortoise

ROSETTE: Single Ring (B/W/B/W/B)

PICKGUARD: Tortoise

BACK: Solid Genuine Mahogany

BACK PANELS: 2 Pc.

BACK BRACING: Sitka Spruce

SIDES: Solid Genuine Mahogany

RIBBONS: Spanish Cedar

SIDE BRACES: East Indian Rosewood

BLOCK: Strataply

TAG/PLATE: Maple

REAR: D Strataply

FRONT: D 14 Fret Adjustable Strataply

NECK: Solid Genuine Mahogany

NECK SHAPE: Mod Low Oval

HEADSTOCK: Solid/6 String No Diamond/Standard Taper

TRUSS ROD: Adjustable

NUT: White Corian

HEADPLATE: East Indian Rosewood

HEADPLATE DECAL: Raised Gold Foil

TUNING MACHINES: Ping Chrome- 18:1 Ratio w/ Small Knobs

FINGERBOARD: Solid East Indian Rosewood

RADIUS: 16''

ACTUAL SCALE LENGTH: 25.340'' (25.4'')

COMPENSATED SCALE LENGTH: 25.440''

WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/16''

WIDTH AT 12 FRET: 2 1/8''

LENGTH: 17.984''

FRET SLOT: .023

FRETS CLEAR: 14

TOTAL FRETS: 20

PEARL INLAY: Style 28

SIDE DOTS: White Boltaron

FINISH TYPE: Satin Finish

BRIDGE: Solid East Indian Rosewood- 1 Style Belly

STRING SPACING: 2 1/8''

SADDLE: 16'' Radius/Compensated/White Tusq

STRINGS: MSP 4100 Light Phosphor Bronze

BRIDGE PINS: White w/ Black Dots

END PIN: White w/ Black Dot

CASE: 345

Guitar is no frills as far as appearance (pearl-herringbone) Gave this a 10 for craftsmenship. The decor is secondary and does not effect the sound.

I bought this off the internet, and it arrived with a perfect action and fit. I was sceptical about ordering a guitar without inspecting the top grain (and playing it), and was prepared to send it back if it was too wide. The top was real nice.

It's CF Martin and it's in the USA

P Scott (05/16/2006)

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

For the price, this is a fantastic sounding guitar. It's got the resonance of a much more expensive guitar. Lots of harmonic overtones give it a unique voice. Fairly balanced, although for my tastes the treble strings are just a little bit weak. The bass is punchy–not as deep and rich as a Martin or Gibson, but decent.

Solid spruce top dreadnought, laminate mahogany back & sides. Closed grover-style tuners, medium-thin neck. The body of the guitar has that thick, glossy, plasticky finish that's become so popular, but fortunately the neck has a satin finish. Plastic nut and saddle. Rosewood fretboard. Plastic binding on the body, no binding on the headstock or neck. I'm not a fan of overly ostentatious guitars; I like 'em plain and simple. This guitar fits the bill on that account. Still, though, I'm going to knock off a few points for the fisher-price saddle and nut.

The action is set at about a medium level. The fit and finish is flawless. I looked all over trying to find some flaw to point out to the salesman for a discount, but there were none. This is a well put together guitar, and feels rock-solid.

N/A

Dorian Gray (05/03/2008)

Fell apart

Maybe I'm tough on guitars, but this guitar didn't last long. Within two years, a large crack developed from the bridge to the bottom. The neck warped considerably as well, so now I have very high action near the nut and a ton of fret buzz at the other end. On the other hand, it was cheap, got me started playing acoustic and looked great. I would recommend that you get somebody to make sure it is setup correctly if you buy it.

Anonymous Musician from Boston (Oct 16, 2007)

The Martin JC16ME guitar is equipped with a peerless electronics system offered by Fishman. The Fishman Aura system is fashioned by accurately capturing the sound of the guitar under different high-end microphones so you always receive the highest quality sound even when out of the studio and on the road. This guitar is made to play anywhere it’s made from a solid sitka spruce top and a unique solid European flamed maple back. It’s jumbo size especially aids those who need a full body guitar sound with plenty of projection.

Martin JC16ME Jumbo Acoustic-Electric Guitar Features…

Construction: Mortise/Tenon Neck Joint

Body Size: J-14 Fret Cutaway

Top: Solid Sitka Spruce

Rosette: Single Ring

Top Bracing Pattern: Hybrid “X” Scalloped

Top Braces: Solid Sitka Spruce 5/16 inch

Back Material: Solid European Flamed Maple

Back Purfling: Style 45

Side Material: Solid European Flamed Maple

Endpiece: White Boltaron

Endpiece Inlay: Black/White Boltaron

Binding: White Boltaron

Top Inlay Style: Multiple Black/White Boltaron

Side Inlay: Black/White/Black Boltaron

Back Inlay: Black/White/Black Boltaron

Neck Material: Select Hardwood

Neck Shape: Modified Low Oval

Nut Material: White Corian

Headstock: Solid/Square Taper

Headplate: Solid East Indian Rosewood /Raised Gold Foil Logo

Heelcap: White Boltaron

Fingerboard Material: Solid Striped Ebony

Scale Length: 25.4 inches

Number of Frets Clear: 14

Number of Frets Total: 20

Fingerboard Width at Nut: 1-3/4 inches

Fingerboard Width at 12th Fret: 2-1/4 inches

Fingerboard Position Inlays: Style 28

Fingerboard Binding: White Boltaron

Finish Back & Sides: Polished Gloss

Finish Top: Polished Gloss

Finish Neck: Satin

Bridge Material: Solid Striped Ebony

Bridge Style: Belly

Bridge String Spacing: 2-1/4 inches

Saddle: 16 inch Radius/Compensated/White Tusq

Tuning Machines: Chrome w/ Small Knobs

Recommended Strings: Martin MSP 4100 Light Phosphor Bronze

Bridge & End Pins: White w/Black Dots

Pickguard: Tortoise Color

Case: 380

Interior Label: none

Electronics: Fishman Onboard Aura

Buy Martin JC16ME Jumbo Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Big sound – good lookin !

I've had mine about eight months now. Great action right out of the box. Real good sound throughout the range.The maple back and sides are beautiful.The aura electronics are the best. I wasn't impressed with the case.The strap button/cord jack was loose when I got it. I'd like to hear this guitar in 20 years.

Bob G from British Columbia (Oct 3, 2007)

It's a beauty

I ordered this and was thinking that they just take pictures of one made with beautiful wood but the ones they ship are probably plain. Nope. The flame maple on the back and sides is top quality. The fit and finish is impeccable. The sound…well everything you'd expect and more with the onboard AURA. Amazing.

MtnSt8 from Charleston, WV (Feb 29, 2008)

Epiphone Masterbilt promo video (.wmv)

Epiphone Masterbilt guitars are built to such great specifications that they rival overly expensive “higher-end” guitars. The AJ500RE is crafted with a solid rosewood body and topped with solid sitka spruce providing both warmth and character that only gets better with age. A rosewood fingerboard on a mahogany neck provide smooth playability. Masterbilt guitars provide quality to last for years whenever, wherever, or however you use them.

Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500RE Acoustic-Electric Guitar Features…

Hardware: Gold

Scale: 25.5 in.

Nut width: 1.68 in.

Neck: Set

Neck material: Mahogany

Fretboard/Inlay: Rosewood/Dot

Binding: B/M/H

Body material: Solid Rosewood

Top: Solid Sitka Spruce

Pickup System: eSonic2

Buy Epiphone Masterbilt AJ500RE Acoustic-Electric Guitar

AMAZING SOUND.

I am truely amazed at the sound this guitar produces. Booming base and crystal clear higher end. I mean this baby is super loud unplugged. Really a beautiful guitar at a reasonable price. I really like the sound the jumbo body produces. It's like night and day compared to regular sized acoustic. And easy to play. Very smooth action. Another bonus is the outstanding case it comes with. Very slight buzzing in higher strings but the large sound really overcomes this pretty much. Haven't had the need to change strings, usually an automatic when purchasing a new guitar, but this baby sounded so good as is. I recommend the masterbilt jumbo. Best sound for the money. Why spend thousands on american made when you can get all the sound you need from the cheaper model? (cheaper in price not quality) The masterbilt series is definitely one of Epiphone's greatest achievement in a long line of excellent and affordable guitars.

EPI DOES IT AGAIN! from Dumas, TX (Jan 15, 2007)

This Guitar Has Heart

I have owned many guitars over the past 30+ years of playing semi-pro and I haven't found the full distinct tone of this Masterbilt in an acoustic near this price. No quality issues at all with mine, but it did need a bit of setup tweaking. I gave it a 9 on features because so many acoustic-electric guitars have tone controls or an eq. case is much cooler than I thought it would be.

Tonefreak from Midwest (May 11, 2007)