Category: Gear

The Latest

Review: The Breedlove Roots Concert RTC-MMe Is a Mahogany Lover’s Delight in a Concert-Sized Package

A member of Breedlove’s new US-made Roots series, the Concert RTC-MMe offers rich tone, versatility, and mahogany.

Emile Menasché October 14, 2026

Ask the Expert: Why Do Acoustic Guitar Bodies Taper from Heel to Tail?

Other than comfort, does body taper change the sound in a meaningful way?

Martin Keith September 2, 2026

Reviews & 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

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

Ask the Expert

Martin Keith is a luthier, repair and restoration expert, and working musician based in Woodstock, New York. He’s been answering your questions about guitars and gear for Acoustic Guitar since 2019.

All Gear Reviews and Stories

Alvarez AF70 Review

Alvarez AF70 acoustic guitar review.

Teja Gerken
February 11, 2013

Acoustic Guitar editor Teja Gerken holding guitar for 11 affordable small bodied flattop guitars

Seagull Maritime SWS Folk HG Review

Fueled by reader requests for an overview of currently available small-body guitars, Acoustic Guitar invited manufacturers to send us samples of their small-body instruments with list prices between $500 and $1,000. We ended up with 11 guitars that are surprisingly diverse in sound and feel, some inspired by vintage instruments and…

Teja Gerken
February 11, 2013

Review: Martin’s DRS1 is a Solid Dreadnought Designed For the Working Musician

Luckily for those unable to afford a D-28, Martin recently unveiled the DRS1—a guitar with many similarities to the American-made D-15, but built in Martin’s Mexican facility.

Adam Perlmutter and Scott Nygaard
January 13, 2013

DigiTech Vocalist Live 3 and TC Helicon VoiceLive Touch effects units

DigiTech Vocalist Live3 and TC Helicon VoiceLive Touch Review

These two new auto-harmony devices not only provide more power, but are easier to use and better organized.

Andrew DuBrock
January 5, 2013

Review: Martin 000C Nylon Has Familiar Steel-String Sound with Electronics and Some Unusual Features

The Martin 000C's strong lower mids combine with a crisp high end to produce a scooped tone completely different from the sound usually associated with classical instruments.

Doug Young
January 4, 2013

Godin Multiac ACS-SA Nylon USB Review

The ACS-SA/USB is about as easy to use as it gets, giving a convenient way to plug into a computer and get ideas down quickly with a pro-level sound and feel.

Doug Young
January 4, 2013

Review: Fender Passport 500 Pro is an All-In-One PA System Designed for Portability

Acoustic solo or small-combo acts will find plenty of use for it in everything from house concerts to cafés to small clubs.

Stevie Coyle
January 4, 2013

Review: Alhambra Crossover CS-1 CW E2

The Alhambra produces a rich, warm tone with good presence and definition

Doug Young
January 3, 2013

Review: The Differences are in the Details with Taylor’s 314CE-N Hybrid Nylon-String Guitar

The most obvious departure from Taylor’s steel-string grand auditorium design is the wider neck

Doug Young
January 3, 2013

Review: Martin 0-28VS is a 12-Fret Loaded with Character

This updated and reissued design is part of Martin's Vintage series.

Stevie Coyle
January 3, 2013

Yamaha A3R Review

One of the noteworthy aspects of the A3R is its playability. Our review guitar arrived strung with light-gauge strings that feel as close to the ebony fingerboard as the strings do on a typical electric guitar. I found the mahogany neck to be very playable in all positions and it was easy to bend strings.

Mike Levine and Teja Gerken
January 1, 2013

Alvarez AP70 Review

The AP70 is part of Alvarez's Artist Series of instruments, a comprehensive line of guitars that includes dreadnoughts, jumbos, folk guitars (slightly smaller than dreadnought, designated by other makers as 000), classical, 12-string, acoustic bass, and parlor models, many available with built-in electronics, some with cutaways, and all priced for the experienced, budget-minded player or beginning enthusiast.

Danny Carnahan
December 12, 2012

Review: Takamine’s TF77-PT Features Tube-Driven Electronics

This brand-new, all-solid-wood guitar is based on a 14-fret OM with a superb electronics package

Adam Perlmutter
December 12, 2012

Review: Santa Cruz OM Has a Unique Flavor That Somehow Oozes a “Vintage” Vibe

This OM is a slightly modified version of the standard Santa Cruz OM, featuring a top made of Italian instead of Sitka spruce, and the vintage-style “advanced” X-bracing option

Doug Young
December 12, 2012

Review: Collings Pete Huttlinger Signature OM 1

This signature model version is closely based on the OM1 that has been the Nashville-based fingerstyle ace’s primary guitar for many years.

Doug Young
December 12, 2012

Review: Bourgeois Custom Soloist

Immediately noticeable are the rich sound, excellent sustain, and abundant overtones that make it perfect for playing lush chords

Doug Young
December 12, 2012

Review: Huss and Dalton TOM-R Has a Warm, Rich Sound

The TOM-R mirrors the traditional look, feel, and construction of the classic OM.

Doug Young
December 12, 2012

Review: Martin OM-21 Keeps Characteristic Tone with Updated Features

The OM-21 has been part of Martin’s line for quite some time, but the latest version has some updated features.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
December 12, 2012

Review: Breedlove Master Class Atlantic Has Intimate, Pleasing Tones

The Atlantic takes a fair number of liberties with the OM, yielding a unique blend of old and new

Acoustic Guitar Editors
December 12, 2012

Review: Cort MR710F is a Lot of Guitar for Under $400

Cort’s MR710F is a cutaway dreadnought with built-in electronics, genuine bone nut and saddle, and scalloped X-bracing.

Adam Perlmutter
December 12, 2012

Review: L.R. Baggs M80 Builds on M1 Technology with New Features and Twists

New magnetic pickup technology senses body motion, creating a dual-source sound in a single pickup.

Acoustic Guitar Editors
December 12, 2012

Review: Fishman Loudbox Artist Amp Delivers Plenty of Clean Sound and an Array of Extra Features

The Loudbox Artist replaces the older Loudbox 100, bringing slightly more power, some subtle changes in features, and a redesigned appearance.

Doug Young
December 12, 2012

Review: Fender’s Acoustasonic 150 Combo Amp Has a Smorgasbord of Features in a Small Package

Fender had long been a revered name in electric guitar amplification when the company introduced its Acoustasonic line of acoustic guitar amplifiers in the mid-1990s. These excellent-sounding, smartly priced models finally granted acoustic guitarists access to what electric players enjoyed about Fender amps: consistently great sound in roadworthy packages. Building on…

Adam Perlmutter
December 12, 2012

4 Acoustic Guitar Myths Debunked

Well-intended bits of advice that aren't necessarily based in fact might (aka myths) range from merely overcautious to downright misleading.

Richard Johnston
December 3, 2012

Review: Simon and Patrick Woodland Pro Folk Guitar Incorporates Vintage Features

The instrument is made with great craftsmanship and boasts a versatile sound.

Adam Perlmutter
November 28, 2012