Product: Garrison Guitars AG-500CE
Price Paid: US $161.00
Submitted
11/25/2004
at
09:11pm
by
Tom
Email: tpizzuti at peoplepcc<dot>com
Features
:
8
Bought in Sept. 2004 from Ebay. Got a good deal. Solid spruce top. Back and sides are sycamore - not sure if laminated or not. Made from Canadian woods. Cutaway dreadnought. Nice looking guitar and nice sounding electronics. Transparent finish.
Sound
:
9
The bridge had a professional reset from Joe's Axes in Colorado before I bought it. When I first received the guitar the sound was a little dull with not much resonance. I knew right away I was going to have it set up by a guitar tech. Also the action was high. The bridge , nut and saddle were plastic - not like with the g series Garrisons which are made of tusq. I also have the g-20 model besides this guitar which I feel was better setup and sound was good from the start. So with that said this guitar originally rated a 7 to my ears. After I had it setup with a bone nut and saddle it sounds much better so I am increasing it's rating. Now it fits my style well picking or strumming it sounds great.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
5
Like I said the guitar was setup poorly at the factory and action was very high. I did not expect the cheap plastic nut, saddle and bridge pins - I guess I expected more from Garrison. Also it's a little hard to bar chords with this guitar because the neck is a little wider than my g-20. The guitar seemed to be finished nicely with just a little glue showing on the inside. Aside from that it seemed to be put together pretty well.
Reliability/Durability
:
8
I belive this guitar would hold up well playing live - which I don't do much of, but it seems durable enough and well put together. The finish also seems durable. It's glossy but not overly glossy - just enough to protect it without losing resonance. Strap buttons are solid and feel I could depend on this guitar without a backup.
Customer Support
:
1
Emailed Garrison one time about this guitar and never received an answer. Never pursued it though I was disappointed that they didn't respond.
Overall Rating
:
7
I've been playing for 32 years. I bought this guitar because I thought it would be equal or better than my other Garrison. I also own an Alvarez Ad60ck, a Washburn d104sce, a Garrison G-20 which I mentioned, a vintage Ventura v-13, a vintage D'Augustino acoustic a vintage Global acoustic and an Aria pro II Strat copy electric. I mostly play my Alvarez and both my Garrisons quite a bit. I like the Alvarez and the Garrison g-20 the best though because they are easier to play than this guitar. But as far as sound quality goes I would rate them all a 9. If this guitar were lost or stolen I would be pissed - especially since I had all that work done to it to make it sound so good. I might buy another one - but then again I might not.
