Ever heard of Crafter guitars? No?
Well, you're not the only one.
Ever tried out the Taylor 100 series acoustics (you know, the ones they consider "affordable") and just not really been too impressed? Especially when you look at the price tag...Since when was "affordable" in the $700 and up price range?
This is where Crafter acoustics enter the picture. Solid tops on EVERYTHING, solid backs and sides on upper scale models, too many options to list, and most of all- consistently great tone and playability on every single guitar. With an average price of well below $600. Many less than $400.
That doesn't exactly suck, now does it?
Personal favorites currently in stock are:
An amazing triple 0 Martin style (model TA-050 AM) that plays and sounds fantastic. Slotted peghead, gorgeous amber finished spruce top, body joins at the 12th fret (like I said, total vintage Martin vibe) rosewood back and sides with a mahogany neck. I'm in love with this guitar, but if you can pry it from my fingers, it's yours.
In the event that you may want to plug in, there's the GAE-6, which again has a solid Sitka spruce top, laminated Mahogany back, sides and neck, and an excellent Crafter under-saddle pickup and preamp that sounds remarkably like the Fishman Prefix plus. Yes, I said "laminate," but before you start rolling your eyes and grumbling, consider this: the top generates the majority of what we perceive as the acoustic guitar's tone. Laminated woods may not vibrate the way solid woods do, but they're sure as heck less susceptible to humidity and temperature changes than solids. Between the two, it seems to me you get the best of many worlds- an excellent piece of wood for the top, sturdy construction for the body, and great electronics. Need a workhorse gigging guitar? This is the one.
For simple, unardorned dreadnought goodness there's the DV/200. Big ol' guitar, solid Sitka top with the tonal benefit of solid mahogany back and sides. Top it off with a classy tortoise shell pickguard- it's the whole deal. Sounds great, plays great, and the price is even better.
But the simple fact of the matter is that all of these guitars, least expensive or most, represent one the best deals I've ever seen on the market. And I'm a picky guy about guitars. But don't take my word for it- hop over to www.harmonycentral.com and read what the people that actually shelled out some cash for a Crafter guitar have to say. Then stop by IYE and play a few. You'll probably find one you gotta have... I know I did.
Later-
Chris Cooper
Official Guitar Nerd at IYE