Asmuse 1026988 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Asmuse Acoustic-Electric Guitar is an affordable entry-level model aimed at beginners and hobbyists looking to dip their toes into acoustic-electric instruments. Asmuse is a lesser known brand compared to big names like Fender or Martin, but they've carved out a niche for themselves in the budget guitar market.

This particular model offers players a chance to get started on an electro-acoustic guitar without breaking the bank. It features a conventional dreadnought body shape with laminated spruce top paired with basswood back and sides. The hardware and electronics are about as simple as can be, but the guitar still provides the ability to plug into an amplifier or PA system for more projection.

Overall, the Asmuse appears to offer a lot of value considering its very accessible price point. While it likely won't stand up to years of heavy use or compare sound-wise to premium instruments, it can serve as a useful starter acoustic-electric for beginners.

Body & Neck

The Asmuse acoustic-electric guitar has a traditional dreadnought body shape that provides balanced and full-bodied tone. It is crafted with laminated spruce on the top and mahogany back and sides.

The spruce top is lightweight and responsive, allowing the strings to vibrate freely. This results in a bright and airy tone with good volume and projection. Spruce is a common choice for acoustic guitar tops due to its resonant properties.

The mahogany back and sides offer a balanced tone, providing warmth and body to complement the spruce top. Mahogany is a very popular tonewood that helps bring out balanced and rounded midrange and low-end frequencies.

The neck is also made of mahogany with a rosewood fretboard containing dot inlays. It has a standard 25.6" scale length and a comfortable C-shaped profile that is easy to play. The rosewood fretboard is known for having a warm, rounded tone.

Overall, the combination of spruce and mahogany offers a versatile tonal palette suitable for various styles, from strumming chords to fingerpicking melodies. The materials give this acoustic-electric guitar a balanced and quality build.

For players looking for a great acoustic-electric guitar option, be sure to check out the Ashthorpe 21670568. This model from Ashthorpe Guitars delivers solid construction with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The cutaway dreadnought body style provides comfortable access to higher frets while retaining a full and balanced acoustic voice.

The Ashthorpe 21670568 is equipped with a built-in preamp and pickup system that makes it easy to plug into an amplifier or PA system. This allows you to maintain the rich acoustic tone and dynamics of the guitar while amplifying the sound for live performance. The preamp has tone shaping controls for dialing in your ideal amplified acoustic sound.

When it comes to playability, the Ashthorpe 21670568 has a slim mahogany neck with smooth satin finish that feels great in the hand. The rosewood fingerboard and bridge provide crisp note articulation while adding aesthetic appeal. This acoustic-electric is a versatile choice for guitarists who want the flexibility of both unplugged practice and amplified jamming or gigging.

In summary, the Ashthorpe 21670568 combines traditional acoustic guitar craftsmanship with modern electronics and stage-ready features. It delivers a balanced acoustic voice that projects with richness and clarity. The smooth neck and comfortable body size also make this an inviting guitar for intermediate players looking to advance their skills. If you're shopping for a new acoustic-electric, be sure to try out the Ashthorpe 21670568.

Electronics

The Asmuse acoustic-electric guitar comes equipped with a built-in preamp and pickup system that allows you to plug into an amplifier or PA system for playing live or recording.

The pickup is located under the saddle and uses a piezo transducer to detect the vibrations of the strings. This type of pickup is known for accurately capturing the true acoustic tone of the guitar.

The preamp features volume, bass, and treble controls allowing you to shape your amplified tone. There is also a built-in tuner with an LED display located conveniently on the side of the upper bout. The tuner mutes the output when engaged, allowing for silent tuning on stage.

The controls are easy to access and manipulate while playing. The preamp requires a 9V battery to operate (not included). There is an 1/4" output jack as well as an XLR output for flexibility in connecting to different gear.

The electronics package on the Asmuse is thoughtfully designed for both stage and studio use. The controls allow you to dial in your ideal tone whether playing through a PA or amp. The undersaddle piezo pickup combined with the 3-band EQ preamp produces a balanced, natural acoustic sound when amplified.

When looking for an acoustic-electric guitar with great electronics, the Cordoba C10 CD/IN is an excellent choice. This nylon-string guitar has a solid Canadian cedar top with Indian rosewood back and sides for a rich, warm tone. The undersaddle piezo pickup accurately conveys the true voice of the guitar.

The preamp is an Isys+ system designed by LR Baggs with a 3-band EQ and notch filter for controlling feedback. There is also a built-in tuner with a high visibility display. The preamp can run for over 100 hours on a single 9V battery. The output jack options include a 1/4" out for connecting to an amp or PA and an XLR out for recording direct to a mixing board.

The combination of quality tonewoods and electronics makes the Cordoba C10 CD/IN a great choice for nylon-string players who want the versatility of being able to plug in. The Isys+ preamp has easy to use controls and provides a very natural amplified tone. The tuner and dual outputs give you flexibility whether on stage or in the studio.

When comparing to the Asmuse model, the Cordoba has the advantage of an LR Baggs preamp which is highly regarded for its acoustic sound quality and nuanced EQ controls. The tuner display is also angled for better visibility while playing. While the Asmuse model certainly has quality electronics, the Cordoba takes it a step further for players who want the very best acoustic amplification.

In summary, the Cordoba C10 CD/IN nylon-string acoustic-electric guitar provides pro-level electronics letting you easily amplify your classical guitar tone. The LR Baggs preamp and undersaddle pickup accurately convey the true voice of the instrument. Plus you get great playability and gorgeous tone from the solid cedar and Indian rosewood construction. If you want the best of both worlds in a nylon-string guitar, be sure to check out the Cordoba C10 CD/IN.

Sound & Tone

The Asmuse Acoustic-Electric Guitar delivers a balanced, rich acoustic tone that projects well. The all-solid spruce top produces clear, bright treble notes with good articulation. The mahogany back and sides add warmth and bass resonance for a pleasing midrange.

When plugged in, the undersaddle piezo pickup accurately captures the guitar's natural acoustic sound. The EQ controls allow shaping the amplified tone, adding treble brilliance or bass boost as desired. The preamp has ample gain to get clean amplified tones at any volume level. The pickup and preamp perform well across various playing styles from fingerpicking to strumming.

The Asmuse sounds great for a wide range of musical genres from rock and pop to folk and country. It's a versatile acoustic-electric guitar that sounds fantastic plugged in or unplugged.

Playability

The Asmuse acoustic-electric guitar offers comfortable playability right out of the box. The neck shape and size will accommodate most hand sizes, with a modern C profile that's not too chunky yet substantial enough for solid grip. The nut width is a comfortable 1.69", enabling easy fretting without feeling cramped.

The string action is set up well from the factory, with a good balance between buzz-free notes and ease of fretting chords and single notes up the neck. The action at the 12th fret measures about 4/32" on the treble side and 5/32" on the bass side, which are optimal heights for most playing styles.

The fretwork is generally good, with smoothly finished medium jumbo frets that don't have sharp edges. The ends of the frets are neatly trimmed and unlikely to snag on your hands during play. The fretboard edges are rounded for comfort. There are no sharp spots along the sides of the neck that might irritate your hand.

Overall, the Asmuse acoustic-electric presents no major playability issues out of the box. It's comfortable to handle and play for extended periods, with optimal action and fretwork. Most guitarists should find this a smooth, enjoyable playing experience right away.

Hardware

The hardware on the Acoustic-Electric Guitar Asmuse 1026988 is high quality for the price point. The guitar features a rosewood bridge and diecast tuners that keep it in tune nicely. The nut and saddle are both made of synthetic bone, which helps transfer vibrations efficiently.

The tuners are chrome sealed tuners that feel smooth and solid when turning. They hold tune reliably, even during long practice sessions. The nut is cut well, allowing notes to ring clear up the neck without buzzing.

The rosewood bridge has a compensated saddle that is intonated properly from the factory. Notes across the fretboard are in tune and chords ring out with good intonation. The synthetic bone nut and saddle both help project tone and sustain.

Overall, the hardware performs well above expectations for a budget acoustic-electric guitar. The tuners, nut, saddle, and bridge give this guitar the ability to stay in tune and produce quality acoustic tone.

Craftsmanship

The Asmuse Acoustic-Electric Guitar features solid craftsmanship and great attention to detail, especially considering its beginner-friendly price point.

The all-laminate construction is sturdy and durable. While not as resonant as solid wood, the laminate used is good quality and helps keep costs down while still providing a reliable instrument.

Hardware pieces like the tuners, nut, and saddle are installed neatly and function smoothly. The fretwork is also nicely done, with neatly finished fret ends and consistently leveled frets along the neck. This helps playability for beginners by avoiding sharp fret ends or uneven frets, which can cause buzzing.

The fit and finish is impressive overall, with clean binding work along the body, neck and headstock, and a glossy, attractive finish. The paddle-style tuners are chrome-plated, adding a little elegance.

While the materials and appointments are simple, the Asmuse shows care in the details. For a budget-friendly acoustic-electric, the construction quality exceeds expectations and provides beginners with a guitar built to last.

Value

The Asmuse Beginner Acoustic-Electric Guitar represents a great value in its price range. While not the cheapest starter acoustic-electric on the market, it is competitively priced compared to other major brands' entry-level models.

The all-laminate construction helps keep costs down while still providing good sound and playability. Many acoustic-electrics in this price range cut costs by using thinner tops or cheaper electronics, but the Asmuse does not compromise in these important areas.

It compares well to other major manufacturers' starter acoustic-electric models that can run $50-100 more. Considering the quality wood laminates, Fishman electronics, and overall playability, the Asmuse Beginner punches above its weight class and gives beginners a lot of guitar for the money.

The included gig bag, picks, strings, and digital tuner only add to the value. Aspiring players get everything they need to start playing acoustic-electric in one complete, affordable package.

Overall, for a beginning guitarist looking to buy their first acoustic-electric, the Asmuse Beginner model represents an excellent value choice. It competes favorably with the entry-level acoustic-electrics from more expensive brands.

Pros & Cons

The Asmuse Acoustic-Electric Guitar offers solid value at an entry-level price point, with a mix of strengths and minor weaknesses.

Pros

• Smooth satin finish on neck makes playing comfortable
• Electronics allow plugging into an amp
• Includes gig bag for protection and transport
• Classic dreadnought body shape produces full acoustic resonance
• Steel strings and laminated spruce top provide bright, projecting tone

Cons

• factory setup may require adjustment by a guitar tech
• electronics and equalization are basic
• laminated woods affect acoustic sound quality
• limited finish options compared to solid wood models

Overall, the Asmuse delivers very good bang for your buck if you're a beginner looking to go electric. With a few tweaks it can serve as a solid first guitar. The materials and craftsmanship represent the tradeoffs expected at this price point. Upgrading the electronics down the road could unlock more amplified potential.

Conclusions

When it comes to beginner level acoustic-electric guitars, the Asmuse 1026988 really hits a sweet spot in terms of features, sound quality, and value for money.

The combination of a linden top, mahogany back and sides, and rosewood fretboard results in a surprisingly complex and responsive guitar for the price range. While you wouldn't mistake it for a high-end instrument, the warm low end, balanced mids, and crisp highs are impressive. The onboard electronics also allow you to plug into an amplifier or PA system for larger performances.

The hardware and craftsmanship are decent, although there are some rough edges here and there. However, for a sub-$200 acoustic-electric, it's tough to complain. The action is set up well out of the box and remains comfortable during longer practice sessions.

Ultimately, the Asmuse 1026988 punches far above its weight class. While intermediate players may eventually want to upgrade, this is an ideal choice for beginners looking for their first acoustic-electric. The combination of features and sound quality make it easy to recommend for new players on a budget.