Garrison Guitars AG-700-CE

This model is a cutaway deadnought (I think the lower bout may be a sliiiggghhht bit bigger than a normal dreadnought because of its boomy projection).

Gloss finish
Solid cedar top
Fishman electronics
Laminated rosewood b & s
Abalone inlays on rosewood fingerboard
Semi circle inlays around soundhole (absolutely beautiful!)
Matched rosewood bridge
Gold Grover tuners

First of all, like everyone who is reading this article, whenever I first picked up this guitar I first thought, "What is a GARRISON?? *Heh-heh*...probably some 2-nd rate company."

Nothing could be farther from the truth. These people know precisely what they're doing. The sound from the time my pick hit the low-e string was a well-balanced, very full sound. It projected way better than any dreadnought I had ever played, honestly. The sound was precisely was I was looking for.

I've recorded with it twice already and those 2 tracks instantly because 2 of my favorites. You can hear it on "Amazing Grace" at http://www.myspace.com/anthonyjohnson

AMAZING BALANCE!

The inlays and finish were very professionally done. I was very surprised at the quality of work that went into this $500 guitar. The solid cedar top glistened along with the abalone accents along with the rosewood b & s. No swirl marks that I could see. The action was great...it was just the right height :-)

I play "Americana" style stuff (kinda like country/bluegrass/contemporary fused together) and the guitar blows the competition away usually. Any style will definitely be better because of this guitar. It cuts through a mix like a hot knife through butter.

I dont know about the long-run durability as of yet since I've only recently discovered them. Its a very solid guitar due to the dovetail joint, solid woods, and grovers. There's no doubt in my mind this is a guitar that will last a long time.

The electronics are wonderful!

I've talked with several people from the Newfoundland district and I am extremely impressed with many things about them, but one sticks out above the rest: real people answer the phones! No automation...nothing...real people...real answers...and EXTREMELY friendly (Thanks, Wayne, for everything!)

I've been playing for about 20 years now and have played everything ranging from Gibson's to Larivee's, Martin's, and Taylor's. I cannot say that it beats them all because it's all about what your ears listen to...the small things that amount to alot of clout.

I can say, however, that this is my favorite guitar. The Gibsons...the Taylors...the Martins...yea, you have a name brand that'll have value later, but with this Garrison I have tone that will only get better with age and it's a tone all of its own. It sticks out. Its the underdog that always surprises people whenever it crosses the finish line in 1st place.

I can't say a cross word about a Garrison...I cant find any fault. Love is blind :-)

THE guitar comes with several nice features including gold grover tuners. Additionally the guitar has very nice inlay work. The neck is a traditional dovetail neck so that sustain is maximiced. The top is a spruce top for maximum resonance. THe undersupport for the top is completely radical and made of carbon fiber instead of traditional bracing. The back and sides are made of Indian rosewood. The electronics are supreme and sound great.

THe sound is truly remarkable for a guitar of this price range. I own a handmade Rhyne ($10K) and I'm not at all embarassed to play the Garrison after playing the Rhyne. The sound is full and balanced with some minor pronouncement in the midrange. THe bass is full and produces a pleasantly rounded sound.

WOrkmanship is fabulous and the carbo fiber under bracing seems to have been perfected.

Everything was realy solid with the guitar but I've only been playing it about 6 weeks now so I'm still getting it "broken in". TIme will tell on durability. I've used it in a variety of settings and it has performed flawlessly.

No need yet.

I've been playing for 35 years. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

Recently Purchased this guitar for my son- wanted a decent entry level guitar for him to "grow" with- I played numerious brands ranging from entry level Taylors - Martins (DX) and dozens of Ibenez, Takamines, Fenders - ect
The AG 700 CE is a serious "looker"- Solid Cedar Top and nicely finished Rosewood laminated back and sides- Garrison did a good job with finishing off the heads with gold Grover Tuners and there is some pretty Abalone inlay work up and down the neck that finishes in a semi-circle rosette around the sound hole - This is an acoustic electric cutaway that presents itself better than a lot of guitars costing twice as much.

I am a fingerstylist and the cedar top makes for exceptional tone and balance- what is most amazing- especially for the price- is the sustain and tone that comes from this guitar- this particular example, was far and above the other guitars in the same price range- and in some cases held up to other guitars costing much more- and the sound is just as balanced and warm even when "unplugged." Garrison claims that the "huge" sound comes from their "Active Bracing" technology- not sure what that is - or if it holds true- I just know that this guitar sounded incredible.

Quality workmanship throughout- I believe the 700 AG series is the top of the line of their entry-level guitars- these are the guitars that are made in Asia- the solid woods series are made in the Garrison factory in Canada- but don't let the "Overseas" label fool you- fit and finish on this guitar was top notch- the inside was as clean as my own Martins and Taylors

I expect the guitar will hold-up well- and will be very durable- especially when my 14 year old lugs it around- it is a bit on the heavy side

I haven't had any contact with the company-

The guitar is a bit heavy - but plays like a something lighter- I am an avid collector of guitars- and I've been lucky enough to own some great guitars representing various tonewoods and styles- Taylors- Martins- Santa Cruz, Lavaree and Tacoma-

This Garrison is about as nice an entry level guitar out there- If your looking for a guitar that has incredible sound and value - play one and see for yourself-