Guitar Reviews and Demos

Dreadnought

Review: The Collings DS1 A Hill Country Is a Different Kind of Dreadnought

This modern take on the nearly century-old 12-fret dreadnought offers expansive low end, clear mids and highs, and impressive responsiveness across a wide dynamic range.

Greg Ruby July 29, 2026

Preston Thompson 0000-EIA acoustic guitar, Photo: Kimberly Teichrow

Gear Reviews

Review: The Heirloom-Worthy Preston Thompson 0000-EIA Pairs Dreadnought Power with OM Clarity

This light and balanced guitar marries the 16-inch lower-bout girth of a classic dreadnought with the slim waist and narrow body depth of a 000.

James Rotondi April 22, 2026

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Review: The Collings DS1 A Hill Country Is a Different Kind of Dreadnought

This modern take on the nearly century-old 12-fret dreadnought offers expansive low end, clear mids and highs, and impressive responsiveness across a wide dynamic range.

Greg Ruby
July 29, 2026

Review: The Heirloom-Worthy Preston Thompson 0000-EIA Pairs Dreadnought Power with OM Clarity

This light and balanced guitar marries the 16-inch lower-bout girth of a classic dreadnought with the slim waist and narrow body depth of a 000.

James Rotondi
April 22, 2026

Collings-AustinCity-Limits-C10-guitar-Joe Bastura/Collings Guitars

Great Acoustics—The Collings Custom ‘Austin City Limits’ C10

Built with salvaged stage wood and Texas tonewoods, this one-of-a-kind commemorative guitar has a built-in history.

Adam Perlmutter
January 21, 2026

Taylor-Gold-Label-814e-SB-Koa-1209194082-gallery-06-2024

Review: The Taylor Gold Label 814e Koa SB Explores New Tonal Territory Without Losing Brand Identity

From the first chord, the 814e Koa SB had the refined playability Taylor is known for, paired with a warmer, fuller voice.

Emile Menasché
December 10, 2025

Iris Guitar Company MS-00, Photo: Mathilde Sauve

Review: The Iris Guitar Company MS-00 Is a Custom-Made Boutique Flattop with Vintage Flair and High-End Tonewoods

The MS-00 is a guitar that’s straightforward, well-balanced, and built to be played, not pampered

Greg Ruby
August 13, 2025

Review: Martin’s New D-28 and D-X2E Billy Strings Signature Models

Inspired by two of Strings’ longtime musical companions, the stage-worthy D-28 and the road-ready D-X2E reflect the flatpicker's fast rise and deep roots.

James Rotondi
June 25, 2025

Great Acoustics—Gordon Lightfoot’s 1967 Gibson B-45-12: The Guitar Behind “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”

Open up a copy of ‘Sundown,’ his 1974 best-selling record, and you’ll see this prized guitar by Lightfoot’s side.

David McPherson
June 6, 2025

Martin 0-17, George Aslaender/Retrofret Vintage Guitars

Great Acoustics: Jason Isbell’s 1940 Martin 0-17

Isbell owns some prized vintage guitars, but when it came to recording his latest solo acoustic album, the singer-songwriter turned to this smaller and plainer 0-17.

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
April 20, 2025

L.R. Baggs AEG-1 acoustic-electric guitar, side/control panel view. Courtesy of L.R. Baggs

Review: L.R. Baggs’ AEG-1 Is a Stage-Ready Acoustic-Electric with Innovative Construction and a Finely Tuned Pickup System

After spending time with the AEG-1, I found it to be a well-executed blend of comfort, playability, and a remarkably natural amplified tone.

Doug Young
March 16, 2025

Closeup of a Cort Modern Black acoustic guitar's sideport.

Review: The Cort Modern Black—A Contemporary Guitar Blending Bold Looks with Great Playability and Sound

The instrument takes a conceptual approach to guitar design that somehow balances the radical with the comfortable and practical.

Emile Menasché
January 31, 2025

Taylor's 50th Anniversary 614ce (whiteburst) LTD and 858e LTD

Review: Taylor 614ce LTD and 858e LTD Golden Anniversary Guitars

Taylor's 50th anniversary lineup revisits some of the brand’s most iconic designs, blending the character of the originals with modern innovations.

Doug Young
December 4, 2024

The FT340 BS model, Courtesy of Takamine Guitars

Review: The Takamine FT340 BS—a Quality Modern Dreadnought Primed for the Stage or Studio

The Takamine FT340 BS is a versatile axe for the gigging acoustic guitarist who needs a consistent sound at a variety of volumes in a variety of venues.

Greg Ruby
October 13, 2024

Review: Collings Debuts New Series with the Striking OM1A Hill Country

Designed to be "just a guitar—simply in its purest form, open and woody,” every inch of the OM1A HC speaks to lutherie at its finest.

Greg Ruby
August 14, 2024

Gruhn Versitar, Photo: Eric C. Newell/Gruhn Guitars

Review: Vintage Guitar Authority George Gruhn Rewrites the Rulebook with His Bold New Versitar Design

Based on the Tacoma models that Gruhn designed back in the 1990s, the Versitar series deconstructs and reconstructs many of the touchpoints of traditional flattop design, like the neck joint, fret count, bracing, soundhole position, and more

Emile Menasché
July 3, 2024

Martin-GPCE-INCEPTION-maple-acoustic- guitar-back

Review: The Martin GPCE Inception Maple Looks to the Future of Tonewoods and Guitar Design

Using sustainable domestic tonewoods paired with an innovative bracing design, the Inception is a great-sounding instrument that is easy to play.

Greg Ruby
April 7, 2024

Taylor Builder's Edition 814ce acoustic guitar

Review: Taylor’s Flagship 814ce Builder’s Edition Sees New Boutique-Approved Variations

With its perfectly dressed frets, spot-on neck relief, excellent action, and smooth joints and edges, the build quality on the 814ce is simply unimpeachable.

James Rotondi
March 6, 2024

A guitarist plays a Fender Highway Series Parlor acoustic-electric

Review: Fender’s Highway Series Parlor—A Thinline Acoustic-Electric Engineered to Sound Big

With its fast-playing neck and thin, flattop-shaped body, the Highway is ideal for electric guitar players looking to add some acoustic vibe to their sound.

Emile Menasché
February 7, 2024

Preston Thompson PKT D-EIS dreadnought acoustic guitar

Review: Preston Thompson’s PKT D-EIS Is a Flatpicker’s Dream and More

This visually stunning, well-rounded flattop is ideal for a variety of musical styles and contexts.

Greg Ruby
January 24, 2024

Review: The Yamaha FG9 R Boasts Boutique Specs and a Vibrant Tone

This limited-edition beauty feels like a bespoke guitar, and it truly shines whether flatpicked or fingerpicked.

Emile Menasché
December 6, 2023

C.F. Martin and Co. Custom Shop Super D (left) and D-18 StreetLegend acoustic guitars

Review: Martin’s Super D and D-18 StreetLegend—Two Bold New Takes on Classic Dreadnoughts

Two new guitars that stretch the parameters of the models they take after without abandoning their core sonic or build qualities.

James Rotondi
October 6, 2023

Córdoba Stage nylon-string guitar front view

Review: The Córdoba Stage Is a Gig-Ready Nylon-String that Plays Like an Electric Guitar

With its C-shaped mahogany neck and radiused fretboard, the Stage handles more like a semi-hollow electric than a traditional classical or flamenco guitar.

Greg Ruby
August 25, 2023

Gibson J-45 50s Faded and Keb Mo 3.0 12 Fret J-45

Review: Gibson’s J-45 50s Faded and Keb’ Mo’ “3.0” 12-Fret J-45 Are Two New Takes on the Classic Workhorse

Both models stick to the strengths and depart from the script in terms of our preconceived ideas about the J-45 shape.

James Rotondi
July 14, 2023

Breedlove Artista Pro Series Concert CE guitar

Review: Breedlove’s Artista Pro Series Concert CE Is a Compact Acoustic-Electric with a Full Dynamic Sound

The Pro Series Concert includes some of the maker’s signature touches in a well-made instrument that’s ready for the stage or studio.

Greg Olwell
June 29, 2023

Review: Taylor’s AD12e-SB Provides Walnut Warmth in a Small Footprint

Part of Taylor's relatively affordable American Dream series, the $1,999 AD12e-SB covers a lot of bases. Taylor calls its Grand Concert shape compact, and I think that’s a good way to describe an instrument whose tone belies its size.

Emile Menasché
June 15, 2023

Review: Bourgeois’ Touchstone OM Vintage/TS is a Brilliant New Guitar with an Old Soul

The Bourgeois Touchstone OM Vintage/TS is a collaboration with Eastman Guitars that has resulted in an excellent tradition-inspired guitar with a relatively affordable price.

Kate Koenig
April 16, 2023