Samick ASDML1-CE

This review is of a Samick ASDML1-CE, which is a new-for-2007, all-solid wood model dreadnought acoustic guitar, featuring a cutaway and a Fishman pickup system with preamp and built-in tuner. This guitar is made up of a solid Sitka Spruce top, and Solid Mahogany back and sides. It features an abalone rosette around the sound hole and an inlaid rosewood "pickguard" which is actually under the finish, although it is quite pretty, but not functional, nonetheless. This guitar has Grover tuning machines and a gloss lacquer finish instead of poly. Hardware is gold, and it has a rosewood fingerboard. It was made in Korea. Oh, it comes with ebony tuning pegs, which I changed out in favor of some D'Andrea brass EZ pegs. Lots of features here, all of them good, although I would prefer the guitar had a clear pickguard over the inlaid one, just for a bit of protection of the finish, because it's such a pretty instrument. If it had the clear pickguard I would rate it a 10, that's the only thing I can fault at all.

I play worship music in my church and I also play in the pit band on occasion with a local community college, which can range all sorts of styles. I also do an occasional coffeehouse gig. This guitar fits what I do to a "T". It has a loud, well balanced sound. Lots of bottom end for a guitar in this price range. More, in fact, than the Taylor 700 series that a guy from my church has. Plugged in, it sounds as it should, noting that I don't think ANY pickup system really does a nice acoustic guitar justice like a good condensor mic does. It takes to both fingerstyle and using a pick quite well. It does not compress if I am using a pick and really get on it, it holds up quite well. I used to own a Larrivee' Om-02E and I honestly like this guitar better. I sold the Larry to a friend and I got to try them side by side the other day, which was a real eye-opener. I think the dreadnought shape just fits my playing better than the Om size does, which is I'm sure part of the reason I like this better, as the Larrivee' is obviously a fine instrument in it's own right. I won't rate this a 10, however, as I think there is always room for a tad of improvement. For my own use, though, I think this is as good as it can get.

This guitar's fit and finish are superb, no noticeable glue drips or anything of that sort, and I can't find ANY flaws in the finish. This is, however, the uber-high-end for Samick/Greg Bennett Signature guitars, so I would expect no less. This is a company that has really taken great strides over the last 3 or 4 years to get their name out there and that includes really upping the quality control. The finish is beautiful and I can find no flaws in it at all. Setup was a tiny bit high for my liking, however, it was not all that bad. The nut is a tiny bit too tall, which I will adjust next time I change the strings. I will vote this a 9, because the set up merits an 8, but the finish merits a 10, so I will average them.

This guitar has a lifetime warranty, so I don't think getting it repaired, if it were ever to need it, would be a problem. That said, this guitar seems very solidly made, and it stands up to live use with no trouble at all. I got a bunch of compliments on it the first time I played it at church. The hardware should be no issue since it's all top-notch stuff (Grover and Fishman), so I know I can depend on it. I use it without a backup at church all the time. If I were playing a different venue I would likely bring my other guitar just because in those situations if I were to have a problem I would not have time to solve it during a show. I don't think this guitar will ever let me down, however, the build quality is absolutely top-notch.

Lifetime warranty. Our local dealer is a service center for them so I don't think it would be an issue. Having had this for two months now, I have not had to get it repaired, and I don't think that'll happen anytime soon. I do know a guy who got a whole new preamp on his Samick acoustic bass when the battery clip broke on his, so I think that would indicate that the customer service would be good.

I have been playing for just over 25 years now, and I've owned a LOT of different acoustics and electrics during that time. This guitar stands up to anything I have played or owned. I would absolutely buy it again if it were stolen. I love the tone, it just sounds very rich and full, and holds up very well to other guitars I have compared it to, and frankly, it has blown away a couple that were a LOT more expensive. The only thing I can fault is no clear pickguard over the decorative inlaid one. For me, this guitar is a 10.