Reviews

When is a J not a J?

Martin Modern Deluxe OM-28 Review

June 14, 2019

It’s new school. It’s old school. Medium school, maybe?

Taylor Grand Pacific Builder’s Edition 717 Review

May 30, 2019

A Taylor for guitarists who don’t dig Taylors?

Farida OT-65 Review

April 23, 2019

Vintage style and excellent build quality in an affordable, all-solid, slope-shoulder dread.

Takamine EF360SC TT Review

February 19, 2019

A torrefied top makes this classy and super-playable Takamine a sweet-sounding alternative to vintage.

Breedlove Pursuit Concertina E Review

January 3, 2019

Surprising dynamism, punch, and balance in a budget small-body flattop.

Fishman Matrix Infinity Mic Blend Review

November 9, 2018

A dual-source setup is extra terrific on one of Fishman’s finest amplification pickup/preamp systems yet.

Cort CJ Retro Jumbo Review

September 21, 2018

Style and plugged-in performance come cheap in Cort’s handsome and inexpensive big-body flattop.

Yamaha CSF3M Review

July 16, 2018

Silky playability, sublime sounds, and top quality add up to a small-body super value.

Blackbird Savoy Review

June 19, 2018

A flax-composite design marvel delivers wooden looks and tones in a near-indestructible instrument full of personality.

Quick Hit: L.R. Baggs Align Series Reverb Review

June 12, 2018

Jason Shadrick

A compact ’verb for acoustic players that bridges the gap between hall and plate.

Taylor Builder’s Edition K14ce Review

June 11, 2018

This Grand Auditorium-sized flattop boasts a new bracing system with instantly perceptible sonic consequences.

Quick Hit: Fishman Loudbox Mini Charge Review

June 8, 2018

Rich Osweiler

To misquote Timothy Leary: “Cut the cord, turn on, play wherever you want.”

PRS SE Angelus A40E Review

May 30, 2018

Upmarket looks and slinky playability come together in an affordable PRS flattop.

Quick Hit: Klōs Travel Guitar Review

May 28, 2018

Shawn Hammond

An impressive-playing carbon-fiber mini promises stability, extreme portability, and respectable tones for a host of road-tripping adventures.

Quick Hit: Fender CN-60S Review

April 11, 2018

Jason Shadrick

Nylon-string tones meet steel-string playability in this affordable entry-level model.

Mesa/Boogie Rosette 300/Two:Eight Review

February 28, 2018

Flexible EQ and lively sounds add up to a killer compact acoustic amplification solution.

Quick Hit: Guild Jumbo Junior Bass Review

February 4, 2018

Rich Osweiler

An acoustic bass that’s easy to transport, has big tones, is well constructed, and priced right.

Martin D-28 (2017) Review

December 15, 2017

An American classic undergoes a modest makeover.

RainSong CH-WS Review

November 24, 2017