Product: Walden Guitars Natura D550
Price Paid: Canadian 280
Submitted
08/08/2006
at
07:42pm
by
Kyle Fulton
Features
:
8
Satin Nitrocellulose Finnish
Dreadnought Style
Solid Top
Solid Sitka Spruce Soundboard
20 frets, maybe 15-16 playable ones.
Mahogany Neck
Rosewood Sides, Back, Fretboard and Bridge.
Came with a case, but Walden's also now come with humidifiers for their solid tops!
Sound
:
8
This guitar sounds real rich, the solid top really resonates deeply. Although with old strings, the sound can get a little too "bassy". I play acoustic blues, rock, and pretty much everything else, except country. It seems to fit everything pretty well.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
6
The guitar did need a setup when I bought it new. Although the action wasn't horrible, it wasnt great either. I knew a fair amount and had experience adjusting truss rods, so I fixed the action myself. Everything was together well, nothing loose, very tough and well built guitar. A semi-bad thing I noticed was around the neckjoint and up along the fretboard thats mounted on the soundboard, a little excess glue was showing but barely any at all, not noticeable unless you right up againt the guitar. The real killer on the finnish is the pickguard...its horrid. Barely staying on the guitar when I got it. It should definately be taken off and replaced with one from Martin.
Reliability/Durability
:
8
This guitar can take a beating for sure. I would have no fear taking it out live without a backup. The finish is great, a nice satin feel to it, really brings out the bright spruce grain as its solidtop. Unfortunately it only has 1 strap button, so you have to tie up the guitar.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Havn't had to deal with them. I can't see this guitar ever breaking.
Overall Rating
:
8
Ive been playing close to 5 years, and have played my fair share of acoustics. This is definately one of my favorites to play (not being biased because I own it, its just seriously fun to play, but then again....what guitar isnt....minus esteban =D). I love the sound, and its a solid top for an inexpensive price. If it ever got stolen would I buy it again? Nope, I would upgrade, but I would not do so without seriously considering Walden Guitars in my new price range, as they are excellent, and have a new customer for life. Would have given it a 9 if it had a better pickguard, but alas, it gets an 8.
