5 found helpful, 0 found unhelpful.
Great value, superior instrument
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by Sam M.
1/25/2006 11:26:51 AM
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Musical Experience:
35 years
Style of music:
folk, rock, blues
Hometown
new jersey
The DC AURA is one of the best-kept secrets in the acoustic-electric market today.
This is a superior instrument and value, even if it didn't come with the Fishman Aura system installed.
Indian rosewood back, spruce top, flawless abalone eye-candy and great action - married to a tone best described as Martin-mellow from day one. I can't wait to hear how this guitar breaks in and ages, as it's tone is comparable to several vintage Martin's I also considered in the price range.
It is definitely a 'looker', but what players will dig is the wonderful sound.
As a primarily electric (strat) player, I really appreciate the neck radius, and especially the uniformly easy action, all the way up the neck. Martin is really making a great 'out of the box' product here. I'm picky, and didn't tweak a thing.
The guitar, minus electronics, compares very favorably in tone, action, fit and finish with competitors products.
What puts everything over the top is the new Fishman Aura system. I've been dealing with amplified acoustics, and the related compromises, for over 30 years now, and NOTHING I've touched has had the tonal versatility and downright practicality of the Aura.
I really don't care which mic and what placement is 'modeled'. What I like is having a variety of quickly recalled tonal options (they are arranged usefully too, getting 'darker' at higher settings), all of which maintain the instrument's character, and are very evenly balanced across the range. VERY responsive to dynamics.
The anti-feedback circuit is very welcome, and does it's magic w/o damaging the selected 'sound', neat trick. Tuner is quick and easy, but I still refer to the trusty Conn for fine focus.
Martin has a real price/performance winner with this instrument, and it is well worth a test drive before you shell out in the under $3k market.
Personally, I'm pleasantly surprised, this matches up nicely against more expensive instruments, and that means you won't be afraid to use it as a gigging tool.
Sam
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