Composite Acoustics XCE-RT

The XCE-RT model I have has a carbon burst with a road tuff finish, is very durable and almost impervious to scratches and dents. This is a 2008 slimline cutaway with 20 frets, a 25 1/2" scale and no neck block to impede access to the upper frets. A Fishman Matrix VT is used for the electronics and it's made in Lafayette, LA.

The entire guitar is made of carbon fiber, is light weight and super comfortable with amazing power and tone for its size. It's braced with optimized Performance-Tuned lightweight carbon fiber bracing to give a very quick and clean response. It comes with Gotoh tuners that hold their tunning very well.

I had originally ordered the Cargo Travel guitar but the Music store was clearing this one out and the price was right. A padded gig bag was included that more than protects the guitar.

I own a number of high end wood guitars including a Morgan, Martin and a hand made boutique guitar by Mark Kett. I "love" wood guitars and never would have imagined I'd own something like this made of carbon fiber.

The sound is equal across the strings with not a huge bass response on the low E, but good enough. The mids and highs shimmer and there is great clarity for each string. I mainly flat pick and strum and the response and sound are what sold me on this guitar. I would not recommend this guitar for finger picking as the volume is quite low acoustically. However, the Matrix system makes this guitar come alive. As good as it sounds acoustically with only a 3" body, plugged in, it sounds fantastic and you would never know it was made of carbon fiber.

Apparently CA has voiced these guitars to sound like vintage instruments. I'm not sure what they voiced this model to, but it sounds great for jazz, (nice warm overtones), Rock, Blues and just about anything else. Now although the sound on these guitars will never improve with age, it will never change either and that's OK with me as this model sounds fantastic and is delightful to play.

There is no truss rod in this guitar because the action will never change. The company supplies a second saddle if needed, for alternate action, but the neck on this is slim, fast and I couldn't imagine changinging it. I'm perfectly happy with the way it shipped from the factory.

I own 6 other guitars and have had to adjust the action on all of them from when I bought them and also as they have aged and settled in.

I originally thought of buying a CA guitar because they are unaffected by extreme cold, heat and moisture. I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada and the temperatures dip to -40C. This guitar is built like a tank and I can't see how it would become damaged.

I would not hesitat to use this in a gig, or as a back up on a gig

I emailed them for some information and they got back to me within 24 hours. The company prides itself on customer service.

I gave them a 10 overall because it really is fantastic value for what you get. A great sounding, super playing instrument that you don't have to "baby".

I have been playing over 25 years and am primarily a Singer/Songwritter. I bought this guitar for travelling, but may end up using it locally on gigs. It's "not" a wood guitar and I wouldn't trade my other guitars for this one, but it's a great guitar and it sounds like a wood guitar...much better than others I tried.