Wechter 1620 Ovankol

I purchased this guitar from Sweetwater (http://www.sweetwater.com/) for $225. The guitar i purchased has the basic electronics which allow you to "plug in" to an amp - nothing special.

This guitar has a spruce (laminate) top and ovankol wood bowl back/sides (laminate).

D'Addario strings... i think extra light.

A "man-made leather" padded gig bag with pockets was included. In my opinion, this is sufficient.

This is a SUPER guitar for a beginner! Put this guitar beside of a Baby Taylor or any other "student" sized guitar!

From the web site (http://www.wechterguitars.com/models/model-1620.htm):

Model Specifications:

Scale Length: 21 1/8"
Width at Nut: 1.687"
Fingerboard Radius: 12"
Number Of Frets Total: 20
String Spacing At Bridge: 2 1/8"
Body Width: 12"
Overall Length: 34"

I won't buy anything but a Taylor guitar... so i will be biased here.

This guitar is not a Taylor, BUT it is an excellent beginner guitar. I purchased this guitar to take camping, on the back porch, etc.

The sound was just as i expected for a smaller guitar, but it sounds a whole lot different when amplified. Keep in mind the strings are extra light and there is not as much volume as a dreadnought.

One cannot expect a WHOLE lot out of a smaller guitar...

The controls are sufficient and i am highly recommending this guitar.

The action was PERFECT!

The finish was PERFECT!

Keep in mind that i purchased this guitar for $200 and i expected a $200 guitar. My 8yr. old picked it up and played it with no problems (just like her Baby Taylor - which was "setup").

No setup will be required for this guitar. Again, i am highly recommending this guitar.

I don't play "live" and i don't think this is a gigging guitar. The hardware is built to last, sturdy construction, good setup - you cannot go wrong.

One thing i do not like about it:

1) The strap button is plastic. A cheap metal strap button only costs $1. Come on guys...

Is it sturdy? I just received it, but everything feels solid.

Again, i highly recommend this guitar for a student, back porching, etc.

After recieving this guitar, i called the company and spoke with Mr. Wechter. He was VERY courteous and i told him what i thought of the guitar.

I feel like he should advertise this guitar as a "student" model instead of a travel guitar. If your child wants to start guitar lessons, this is the guitar you should purchase (or a Baby Taylor). Side by side, you will not notice that much difference AND the Wechter comes with electronics.

I have been playing for 25+ years.

My only wish is that this guitar came with a metal strap button - that would seal the deal.

I love the price ($225), size and playability of this guitar.

This is not a first guitar for an adult! This is a PERFECT guitar for a child/student who wants to begin lessons. The action was perfect and the cost is right.

I have a Taylor 510, Baby Taylor and many others to compare this guitar to.

I highly recommend this guitar!

I was searching for a travel/practice guitar for more than six months. I'd tried many of the name brand manufacturers. Most of the prices for the travel size guitar rivaled the standard size models and were a disappointment considering the asking price.

I finally took a chance and I ordered the Wechter Maple Lake 1600 Travel Guitar. Each of the Wechter Travel guitars has their own "number" to indicate the color and woods used. My model is the ovankol which is number 1620.

Although the photos were extremely appealing I was still very skeptical because the guitar comes from a factory in China even though Wechter completes the final set up here in the U.S.

The Wechter 1600 is an acoustic electric go anywhere travel guitar. You'd have no problem taking this guitar aboard a plane and stowing it in the overhead rack. It has a cutaway bodystyle, with a solid spruce top, I chose ovankol for the sides and back, Natural Gloss Finish, Mahogany Neck trimmed with white binding, Dot Markers on the fingerboard and side of the neck, the bridge and fingerboard are rosewood, black and white binding trim the spruce top and ovankol sides and back, the guitar is amplified with passive Primier PS-600 Tone and Volume controls, the volume range is from: 0 - 10 and the tone control range is from : -15 + 15, non adjustable chrome economy tuners. The center of the headstock has an eye catching hologram design.

The technical aspects are : Scale Length: 21 1/8"; Width at Nut: 1.687"; Fingerboard Radius: 12"; Total Number of Frets: 20; String Space at Bridge: 2 1/8"; Body Width; 12" Overal Length: 34"; Adjustible Truss Rod and Allen Wrench Included. Heavy Padded Gig Bag Included. The gig bag has a protective inner strip around the zipper to protect the guitar from scratches, an adjustable velcro strap to secure the guitar and a bottom bummper. The outside of the gig bab has a 12"L X 9"W Zipper pouch for accessories and a window with a tag for your name, address, etc. The gig may be carried 3 ways : the traditional side carry with padded luggage strap, a padded front to carry the guitar straight up and on the rear of the gig bag 4 D Rings to accomodate the additional adjustable nylon web strap to carry the guitar backpack style.

My music styles include : Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop, Motown, Fingerstyle, Country, Classical. For practice and small gigs I use the Roland Cube 30 watts with a 1X10 speaker. There are a lot of built in effects to this tiny amp which can compensate for the sounds and tones the little Wechter lacks.

I was really shocked when I experimented with the Wechter plugged in. I could get almost as many sounds and tones as I get from my Gibson 57' Les Paul Goldtop Reissue! I can even get some Fender Strat And Tele tones and sounds when plugged in.

This guitar plays solidly and smoothly on any and all frets. The set up was perfect right out of the box. D'Addario XL's came with the guitar.

The treble strings and bright and crisp in the acoustic mode. The bass strings are thinner sounding than a full size dreadnought but that's to be expected given the size of the guitar.

Personally I am delighted with this guitar it suits all my practice needs!

I was astonished how well made this guitar was for a China import! I expected far less because most of these imports are cheaply made. All I had to do was tune the guitar this was do to the new strings and bouncing around during shipping.

The electronics were perfectly intact. I went over the finish top, sides and back carefully searching for flaws and imperfections to my chargrin there none! The action was perfectly set up!I could find no fault or flaw!

The ovankol back and sides combined with the solid spruce top gives the Wechter the appearance of an instrument costing far more than $219.00!

This is a dependable guitar worthy of using at gigs either acoustically or plugged in.The finish and chrome will last indefinitely with a minimal amount of care. Wiping it down after each sesion will easily extends its life and its handsome looks. The strap buttons are solid and well placed.

Prior to purchasing this guitar I called Abe Wechter personally. Mr. Wechter was extremely patient, helpful answering any questions that I had pertaining to the Travel 1600. I also called Mr. Wechter when the guitar arrived to compliment on the fine workmanship.

It is very rare these days to speak personally to independent luthiers. I was so impressed with Mr. Wechter's knowledge and repututation I am ordering a custom made guitar for myself very soon.

The guitar comes with a lifetime warranty.

I've been playing more than 30 years. I've played professionally, I have done studio work and taught guitar. I'm always looking to improve my playing ability.

Currently I own : a Martin DM, Epiphone PR160, Fender American Deluxe 50th. Anniversary Stratocaster, Fender 52' Telecaster Reissue, Fender BG29 Bass Guitar, Gibson 57' Les Paul Goldtop Reissue, Carlo Robelli Manhattan D-120, Alhambra 5P, Alhambra India Luthier.

I compared the Wechter to the Martin Backpacker, Washburn Rover, Baby Taylor, Aria, Yamaha, Applause, Traveler. None of these appealed to me as much as the Wechter.

The ovankol is very attractive and compliments the guitar. the size, sound, and finish makes this an attractive package for a practice/travel guitar.

I highly recommend the Wechter 1600 Travel Guitar. Customer service is phenomenal. Mr. Wechter avails himself to answer any questions.Wechter produces fine guitars for a small company.
If the Wechter were stolen, lost or damaged I'd definitely replace it.