Kent Unkown Acoustic

I bought this guitar from Mel Bay Music in Kirkwood Mo. (yes - THAT MelBay..) way back in 1976. I went in there to buy my first guitar - and the old guy (probably not Mr. Bay...) whipped this out and sold it to me for $40. I still have it. I just bought a new Seagull S6 to replace it - because the bridge has started to pull away from the body - along with the much feared bowing of the top.

For being an old beat-up guitar when I bought it(over 30 years ago!), it has surprisingly good tone - even now.

This guitar is a dreadnought style - laminate cedar top is nicely bookmatched. The facing bindings are a checkerboard edging - duplicated with a matching double ring around the sound hole. White binding is used to cover the edge of the sound hole - disguising the laminate top... The side bindings are black, as is the pick guard. The whole guitar (except fretboard) is a gloss lacquor finish. The fretboard and bridge appear to be rosewood. The neck/headstock is some painted wood. Not sure what type of wood is used for the sides and back - except it's a darker color (yep - voice of ignorance here!).

The neck has a very slight curve - almost flat. 25" from Nut to Bridge - 1-3/4" at the nut. No truss rod.

The most weird (and truly bad) thing about the neck are the fret markings - they're not right! There is a dot at the 5th and 7th fret, with double dots (octave??) at the 10th fret, single dot at the 12th fret, double dot at the 15th fret........

I replaced the existing open style tuners with an equivalent no-name after market type - which work well - keeping this guitar in tune is not a problem.

Because of the insane fret dots...lack of truss rod...I have to down grade the "features" of this guitar.

This guitar had/has a full clear sound. It has degraded some with the delamination of the bridge. The neck is not the easist to play - given the nominal curvature. The Seagull is much easier to play.

But - for the price - and the fact that even now, it sounds much better than the chinese junk at GC ... I'll give it 7.

This is an old, beater guitar. When I bought it, it had cracks in the side, gouges in the neck. Still does. That said - when new - this must have beeb a really nice guitar.

That accounts for the high rating....

Well - the old thing is dying. It looks the same as it did 30 years ago - except for the bridge pulling up. Otherwise - it'd be a 10 fer sure.

I will note that the Neck is still straight - the guitar is still playable.

If ya need a guitar to go on a float/camping trip - this is it!

Support?

Well - I learned guitar on this thing ("..in 6 months - I'm gonna play like Jimmy Page!!" - that's still the case....). I currently have a Gibson Victory electric - a newly purchase Seagull S6. I also play keys - and sax(all of 'em), oboe, flute. I've done rock - currently play Bari Sax in a swing band - lead the praise band at church (keys and the new guitar). Jack-O'-All-Trades-Master-of-None.

If ya find one in good shape - buy it!

Very nice entry level guitar.

Older model bought privately from collector of 60's 70's vintage guitars. Excellent shape and good sound. Stays in tune well. I am not sure of year, but the bridge has the adjustable saddle option which raises or lowers the action, although it's set perfectly right now.

Very easy to play and perfect as a learner's guitar or as a second guitar to bring to parties, camping, etc... Definitely a good investment as these guitars were imported into the USA under the name Kent but apparently are associated with the famous Swedish company Hangstrom.

I am rating it lower than I would because this is a no frill guitar (no fancy inlays or pickup)