should i get the maestro sa-3??

[lionboy!]

my friends say that its quite good, but i don't want to blow my budget hah. how much does it cost? i'm planning to pay around 400.

 

[EugeneSmasher]

The tonewood combo on the SA-3 (spruce top and rosewood back and sides) should provide a bright tone, if that's what you're looking for. Do note that a grand auditorium, due to the smaller size, will lack a bit in terms of low frequencies and projection, so you'd better try it first and decide if you like it. Just an idea what it would most likely sound like.

Thing is.. I haven't tried it myself, so perhaps it would be better if someone who owns this particular model would come in and provide feedback on it. Be patient. Generally I find Maestros to be impressive but sometimes, the quality control can be quite inconsistent so make sure you check it out first before buying.

 

[edyeo123]

maestro guitars are good but the S series comes with laminated top which is not as resonant as solid top.

with $400, you might as well get another brand guitar with solid top.

 

[Phil]

To be honest, the combination of the spruce top with the rosewood sides/back makes it the bassiest and fullest sounding of all the SA models.

Spruce is generally a very direct and punchy sounding tonewood as a top, that coupled with the rosewood back/sides give it both punchiness and a good low response as well.

The bright one would be the SA-1, spruce top with mahogany back/sides. Mahogany as back and sides give it the brightness.

 

[EugeneSmasher]

I thought spruce is the wood giving the brightness and mahogany the warmness? My all-mahogany Samick acoustic is very warm and bassy tone-wise whereas my Ibanez acoustic with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides is much brighter in tone.

 

[Phil]

I quote myself,

Mahogany as back and sides give it the brightness.

As a top, it's noticeably different. Tonally, mahogany is less projective than spruce, producing a more subdued tone, that is crisp and delicate with emphasis on the midrange

As backs and sides, it has a somewhat 'cutting' tone to it, which is why Doc Watson prefers it over Indian Rosewood for his lead playing.

Generally speaking, sitka spruce has a very bright sound and good projection, that's why it's sometimes described as 'direct'. That is probably why your Ibanez sounds brighter than your samick.

We are speaking in generalities here. There are plenty of other factors, like if one of your two acoustics is a solid top? Laminates generally sound brighter than solid tops.

 

[zhaf93]

or you could get a maestro sd-1 from me?

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Phil: Actually, they're both all-laminate if I'm not wrong. Maybe that's why I always thought my Ibanez lacked a bit of bass response, since it's very bright-sounding. So rosewood is warmer-sounding than mahogany?

 

[Phil]

Yeap, as far as back and sides are concerned. And also as far as my ears tell me, ;P

 

[isaiah]

my friends say that its quite good, but i don't want to blow my budget hah. how much does it cost? i'm planning to pay around 400.

Hello,

the sa3 is well within your 400 dollar budget. however i would advise you to try it first before you buy, rather than buy it based on your friend's recommendation as different players have different preferences when it comes to tone, playability and other dynamics such as articulation and projection. Do drop by and try it out for yourself. My retail staff will assist you, should you have any further queries. cheers!

Best Regards,
Isaiah Manivannan
Retail Manager
Maestro Guitars