Vintage Acoustic Guitars Review
- The Vintage V300 Parlor
The V300
Parlor from Vintage was recently
voted "The Best Guitar Under £1000"
by Acoustic Guitar Magazine and you can believe it. For a cheap guitar, it has an amazingly good tone, with a mature sound. The wood is good quality The top is spruce with a neck of nato which is fast to play. The bridge is rosewood and it has twenty frets but 14 accessible frets.The action
wanted some adjusting because I found it too high but this was not such a big
deal it depends on your left wrist strength and your overall style of playing. It came delivered in a card board carton, but was very well protected.
My initial impression was that the guitar is well made and looked really handsome (I went for the cherry sunburst model).
I additionally opted for the VE300, which sports Fishman electronics and a tidy little on board tuner, which is an essential for me.
The sound is surprising. I found that the high end is more dominant, which is great for cutting through noise if you're playing acoustically, but I prefer more bass. Still, for the price tag it over delivers.
V300 Review - Acoustic Natural Parlor
The Vintage V300 is a standout in the world of acoustic parlor guitars, known for its exceptional build quality, rich sound, and affordability. This guitar has garnered a deservedly good reputation among musicians and reviewers alike, making it a popular choice for both beginners and seasoned players.
Features of the Vintage V300
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Top | Solid Spruce or Mahogany |
| Back & Sides | Eastern Mahogany |
| Neck | Eastern Mahogany |
| Scale Length | 642mm / 25.3" |
| Machine Heads | Chrome |
| Strings | High-quality USA made |
| Binding | Multi white/black |
| Fingerboard | Bound with dot inlays |
| Bridge | Eastern Mahogany |
| Finish Options | Natural, Vintage Sunburst, Black, Mahogany, Antiqued |
V300 Sound and Playability
The Vintage V300 is celebrated for its warm, mid-range focused output and dynamic delivery. The solid spruce or mahogany top provides a bright, clear tone, perfect for big chord projection, solo note runs, and intricate fingerpicking. The Eastern mahogany body and neck contribute to the guitar's rich, resonant sound, making it a joy to play whether you're strumming or fingerpicking.
Design and Aesthetics
Visually, the Vintage V300 is reminiscent of guitars that cost three times as much. It features a palm-friendly neck, a super smooth, bound fingerboard with dot inlays, and a decorative soundhole rosette. The multi-ply body bindings add to its aesthetic appeal, making it not just a great sounding guitar but also a beautiful one to look at.
Celebrity Endorsements
The Vintage V300 has caught the attention of several notable musicians. Paul Brett, a renowned guitarist, has been associated with the Vintage brand, particularly its signature series. His endorsement adds significant credibility to the V300, underscoring its quality and playability.
Popular Parlor Guitars and Prices
When considering a parlor guitar, the Vintage V300 is often compared to other popular models. Here's a list of some of the most popular parlor guitars along with their approximate prices:
- Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy - $169
- Fender CP-60S Parlor Guitar - $199
- Ibanez PN1MH - $149
- Benton CLP-15M - $179
- Kala Solid Cedar Top Parlor Guitar - $349
- Alvarez AP66SB - $399
- Guild P-240 Memoir - $799
- Blueridge BR-341 - $899
User Reviews and Feedback
The Vintage V300 has been extensively reviewed and has consistently received high praise. Users appreciate its rich sound, comfortable playability, and attractive design. It's often described as "a heavy little guitar" due to its solid build and substantial tone. Many reviews highlight its exceptional value for money, noting that it competes with guitars that are significantly more expensive.
Versatility and Use Cases
The Vintage V300 is versatile enough to be used in various musical settings. Its compact size makes it an excellent travel guitar, and its rich sound ensures it performs well in both solo and ensemble settings. Whether you're playing folk, blues, or any other genre, the V300 delivers a satisfying performance.
Accessories and Maintenance
To get the best out of your Vintage V300, it's important to use high-quality guitar strings and maintain it properly. Regular cleaning, proper storage, and timely string changes will keep your guitar in top condition for years to come. The Vintage brand offers a range of accessories that complement the V300, ensuring you have everything you need to enjoy your playing experience.
Conclusion
The Vintage V300 is a remarkable acoustic guitar that combines quality, affordability, and aesthetic appeal. Its deservedly good reputation is backed by numerous positive reviews and endorsements from notable musicians. Whether you're a beginner looking for your first guitar or an experienced player seeking a reliable parlour guitar, the Vintage V300 is an excellent choice. Its rich sound, comfortable playability, and attractive design make it a standout in the crowded market of acoustic guitars.
For those interested in exploring other options, the Vintage brand offers a range of electro-acoustic guitars and signature series models, ensuring there's something for every player's needs and preferences.
Additional comments from Jim
The sound
is really rich at the price. It's not to be faulted really. Amplified, it delivers
a solid sound with bags of class.
The finish doesn't appear to mark easily if banged - an inevitable side effect for the traveling musician, and it stays in tune well enough. The tuners are Grover clones and seem high quality. This is the sort of thing that becomes apparent after time.
The V300
shouldn't really be compared to an expensive Taylor or Martin. Guitarists having any
of these will hear immediately that the Vintage is missing something in the
bass department,
but of course you could pay twenty times more for one of these classy
instruments.
The question is - is the difference worth the extra money? As is normal, it depends on your needs and what you are willing to pay. For me, this is a fantastic blues guitar for around £180, a price tag that I still find incredible.
I
bought the Vintage award winning six string guitar after playing blues
guitar on the street (it was my job!) and someone ran off with my
Martin! Now, I did get it back after a chase, but I realized I need
something cheaper with a good sound. This guitar fit the bill perfectly
and I used it for a long time before giving it to my son (who gets all
of my old guitars.)
It's a great guitar for learning how to play the blues - it's easy to fret and if you string it up with a good string, such as Martin SP might gauge you will be amazed at the tone. Try some fast ragtime blues and you'll see what I mean. It doesn't lend itself to delta blues, because the basses aren't there, but with a bit of amplification, it doesn't really matter.