Category: Gear Reviews

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

Gear Reviews

Review: Fishman Fluence Acoustic Pickups Offer Tone-Targeted Models and Real-Time Voice Switching

While most acoustic soundhole pickups are one-sound-fits-all generalists, the Fluence series instead targets specific sonic goals.

Emile Menasché July 19, 2026

Gear Reviews

Review: Grace Design’s MOXi, a Two-Channel Instrument Preamp, Offers Pristine Sound and Streamlined Features

A rugged, reliable, preamp with all the essentials for high-fidelity acoustic amplification.

Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers June 1, 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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2021 Acoustic Guitar pickup and microphone roundup

A Roundup of Acoustic Guitar Pickups and Microphones

This roundup includes reviews of three pickups and two microphones specifically tailored to the needs of acoustic guitar players.

Nick Grizzle
August 13, 2021

Cort Gold-Edge acoustic guitar flamed myrtlewood back and sides and triple bevel cut

Review: Cort Gold-Edge Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Cort's Gold-Edge acoustic guitar is a lovely grand auditorium that stands out as an instrument designed with vintage feel and sound.

Kate Koenig
July 25, 2021

Gear Review: L.R. Baggs’ Voiceprint DI Captures Your Guitar’s Unique Acoustic Sound

The L.R. Baggs Voiceprint DI uses Impulse Response (IR) technology and has the ability to make your pickup sound like the natural acoustic sound of your guitar.

Doug Young
June 8, 2021

Furch Blue MM mahogany dreadnought acoustic guitar on a black background

Guitar Review: Furch Blue MM Dreadnought Offers Warm and Surprising Tonal Colors

If I had to pick two words to describe the Furch Blue MM, they would be “Play me!” Right out of the box, this mahogany acoustic-electric dreadnought felt ready to make music.

Emile Menasché
May 26, 2021

Guitar Review: Martin’s New GPC-13E Is a Fine-Sounding Acoustic-Electric That’s Ready for the Road

The Martin GPC-13E acoustic-electric guitar is an easy choice for players needing a reliable, handsome instrument that sounds good acoustically and plugged in.

Greg Olwell
May 17, 2021

Gear Review: Bose’s L1 Pro16 Is a Refined and Affordable Amplification Solution for Acoustic Guitarists

The Bose L1 Pro16 is an amplification solution that combines clear sound, plenty of power, and uniform dispersion, while being portable and simple to set up.

Doug Young
May 14, 2021

Gear Review: Fender Preverb and Smolder OD Stompboxes Bring Practicality and Fun to Acoustic Players

The Fender Acoustic Preverb and Smolder Acoustic OD are practical preamp/reverb and overdrive pedals designed especially for acoustic guitarists.

Nick Millevoi
May 14, 2021

Side view of Beyerdynamic TG i51 dynamic instrument microphone

Gear Review: Beyerdynamic TG I51 Dynamic Microphone Delivers Onstage or in the Studio

The Beyerdynamic TG I51 is well-built, affordable, and has a very wide frequency response. For the acoustic guitarist, it has something to offer both on the stage and in the studio.

Emile Menasché
April 29, 2021

Guitar Review: New Fender Acoustasonic Jazzmaster Is a Sleek and Versatile Workhorse

Fender’s American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster is a sleek, comfortable, stylish, and versatile instrument. This guitar has the iconic offset body style of its solidbody electric ancestors but is really a different animal altogether...

Mark Goldenberg
April 14, 2021

Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-1 acoustic guitar pickup in guitar

Review: Mojotone’s Quiet Coil NC-1 Acoustic Guitar Pickup Avoids Common Tonal Pitfalls

Doug Young tests the Mojotone Quiet Coil NC-1 magnetic soundhole pickup, a lightweight option for acoustic guitarists seeking natural, balanced amplified tone onstage or in the studio.

Doug Young
March 30, 2021

Guitar Review: Cole Clark Angel Delivers Brilliant Acoustic and Electric Tones

Cole Clark did not set out to build a guitar to compete with a traditional acoustic. Instead they designed the Angel to be the best-sounding amplified acoustic you’ve ever heard.

Matt Blackett
March 22, 2021

Gear Review: Augustine’s Imperial and Regal Nylon Strings Receive Colorful New Packaging

Augustine Strings has relaunched the premium Imperial and Regal classical guitar lines with new packaging to enable guitarists to easily identify which of the four sets will best serve them.

Mark Small
March 19, 2021

Review: Guild BT-258E Deluxe 8-String Baritone Is Good, Loud Fun

Guild pairs its classic jumbo guitar body with a long, 27-inch-scale neck and the more affordable production of its Chinese-built Westerly Collection. The idea is to offer an accessibly priced, fully featured instrument for players who know the satisfying, rafter-rattling power of a baritone and might be curious about exploring the low end.

Greg Olwell
March 17, 2021

PRS SE P20E guitar in Vintage Natural finish

Guitar Review: PRS’ Punchy Tonare Parlor SE P20E Evokes a Bygone Era at a Budget Price

The PRS Tonare Parlor SE P20E guitar evokes the spirit, sound & form factor of a classic parlor while bearing the imprint of PRS’ signature aesthetics and playability.

James Rotondi
February 21, 2021

Guitar Review: Yamaha’s FGX3 Is a Modern Folk Workhorse Inspired by 1960s Classics

The guitar has a soft, warm tone that works great for fingerpicked chord patterns and breezy strumming. When strumming chords with a pick, I found it definitely sounds best to approach the FGX3 with a more delicate touch—a thinner pick and a soft strum can go a long way—while heavy-handed strumming and picking tend to get harsh. Approached with a light to medium touch, chords sound rich while maintaining a clarity that allows individual notes to shine.

Nick Millevoi
February 14, 2021

Get a Grip: Acoustic Guitar Capo Guides and Reviews

For such a simple device, there are a surprising number of brands, types, and subtle factors involved in choosing a capo.

Adam Perlmutter
February 10, 2021

Fishman PowerTap Rare-Earth and Infinity acoustic guitar pickup system

Gear Review: Body Sensors Take Fishman PowerTap Rare Earth and Infinity Pickups to a New Level

Fishman’s new PowerTap series mates either a soundhole or undersaddle pickup to its new TAP (which stands for Touch, Ambience, and Percussion) body sensors. The sensors are designed to capture percussive elements, body resonances, and performance dynamics that pickups alone tend to miss.

Emile Menasché
February 9, 2021

Amp Review: Boss Acoustic Singer Live LT Is a Compact and Versatile Creative Tool

The Boss Acoustic Singer Live LT lets you tap into a certain live electricity at apartment volumes, in kitchen-sized spaces, and at motel room locales. That's creative gold right there. It's true that the amp won’t supply the audience for you, but on second thought, the version of you that passes through its circuit board may well help you find one.

James Rotondi
January 28, 2021

MXL Revelation Mini FET bargain microphone

Gear Review: MXL Revelation Mini FET is a Solid Bargain Microphone for Acoustic Guitar

I auditioned a pair of Revelation Mini FETs by recording several different acoustic guitars using a spaced pair arrangement, and also with some basic vocal tests.

Doug Young
January 13, 2021

Top Gear: The Best Acoustic Guitars and Accessories of 2020

In the midst of a global pandemic, the guitar market soared with high demand for a range of offerings. Here's the best acoustic guitars and accessories of 2020.

Greg Olwell
December 30, 2020

Roadie 3 automatic guitar tuner surrounded by headstocks

Gear Review: Roadie 3 Offers Precise Automatic Tuning for Guitar and Much More

You can use the Roadie 3 for instruments ranging from guitar to bouzouki—basically, anything with a geared tuning machine.

Gary Parks
December 16, 2020

Guitar Review: Gibson’s 50s LG-2 Pairs Vintage Vibe with Modern Playability

The new 50s LG-2 is no exception. As soon as I picked it up, this guitar felt instantly familiar, and it was easy to imagine that I was holding a new old stock guitar, straight from the 1950s. After years of trying out heavily played vintage models, I feel like I know well just how this guitar will age after years of playing.

Nick Millevoi
December 9, 2020

Affordable acoustic guitar amplifiers and effects pedals.

Budget Amplifiers and Pedals for the Acoustic Guitarist

Here are some excellent, affordable amps and pedals for the gigging acoustic guitarist.

Adam Perlmutter
November 25, 2020

Body closeup of Gear Review: Gold Tone F-6 Mando-Guitar

Gear Review: Gold Tone’s F-6 Mando-Guitar Makes it Easy for a Guitarist to Sound Like a Mandolinist

The F-6 is a reimagination of the older mando-guitar. It promises a little more room to move, as well as a comfortable playing experience, all at an affordable price.

Nick Rossi
November 20, 2020

Big Fun, Low Price: Small-Bodied Acoustic Guitars Under $600

Here we'll be looking at some small-bodied guitars—instruments that our reviewers have scrutinized for your benefit, all priced at well under a grand.

Adam Perlmutter
November 6, 2020

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