GLARRY AEG-Green-69 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

to the GLARRY Acoustic Electric Guitar

GLARRY is a relatively new brand that specializes in budget-friendly musical instruments and accessories. Founded in 2008, GLARRY has quickly grown in popularity thanks to their commitment to making quality gear accessible to all levels of musicians.

While they may not have the prestige or legacy of older brands, GLARRY has earned a reputation for manufacturing solid, dependable instruments at extremely affordable prices. This makes them an ideal choice for beginner and intermediate players who want good value without breaking the bank.

The GLARRY acoustic-electric guitar embodies this accessible, value-focused approach. It delivers an impressive list of features and appointments rarely seen at this low price point. As we'll explore in this review, it makes an excellent choice as a starter or backup acoustic-electric for players on a tight budget.

Overview

The GLARRY AEG-Green-69 is an affordable acoustic-electric guitar well suited for beginners and students. It features a standard dreadnought body shape made from laminated linden with a glossy green finish. The guitar comes equipped with a built-in preamp and pickup system, allowing it to be plugged into an amplifier or PA system.

Specifications:

• Body: Linden
• Top: Linden
• Neck: Nato
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Frets: 19
• Tuning Machines: Open Gear Chrome Tuners
• Electronics: Piezo Pickup, 2-Band EQ
• Finish: Glossy Green

The guitar has a total of 19 frets and a full scale length of 25.59 inches. The neck width at the nut is 1.69 inches. It comes strung from the factory with steel strings. Overall the GLARRY AEG-Green-69 provides an affordable option for new guitarists seeking a playable electric-acoustic with a stylish look.

While the GLARRY AEG-Green-69 is a great starter guitar for beginners, more advanced players may want to consider investing in a higher-end acoustic-electric guitar like the Martin Guitar OMJM John Mayer signature model. The Martin OMJM features solid wood construction with a sitka spruce top and east indian rosewood back and sides. It has a slightly smaller auditorium body shape compared to the dreadnought design of the GLARRY. The craftsmanship and attention to detail on the Martin guitar is noticeably superior. It also comes equipped with a Fishman pickup and preamp system, which provides excellent amplified tone and control over EQ shaping.

While the Martin OMJM carries a significantly higher price tag than the GLARRY, the jump in quality is clear. Everything from the tonewoods to the fretwork is more precisely executed. The rich, balanced acoustic voice of the Martin is ideal for fingerstyle playing and will age beautifully over time. While the GLARRY AEG-Green-69 is perfectly suitable for new players, the Martin OMJM John Mayer signature model represents the next step up for serious guitarists looking to invest in a lifetime instrument.

The Martin OMJM has a list price around $2,999, quite a big jump from the sub-$100 GLARRY model. However, buying a Martin represents an investment that will hold its value and potentially appreciate over decades of ownership. The company has been crafting world-class acoustic guitars out of Nazareth, Pennsylvania since 1833. Owning a Martin has long been a badge of honor among acoustic guitarists. While not cheap, Martins like the OMJM John Mayer model deliver the kind of tone and playability that can inspire musicians through an entire lifetime.

Build Quality

The GLARRY Acoustic-Electric Guitar features a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, giving it a balanced and full-bodied tone. The neck is also made from mahogany with a rosewood fretboard, providing smooth playability.

The hardware is chrome diecast tuners, which hold tuning reliably. The nut and saddle are both made from synthetic bone. While not as premium as real bone, the synthetic materials still provide decent transfer of vibrations.

The craftsmanship is reasonable for the price. The joints and finishes are clean with no visible flaws. The action came well set up out of the box, requiring minimal adjustments.

Overall the build quality is quite good considering the affordable price point. While it may not have the immaculate attention to detail of a high-end instrument, it's very well constructed with quality woods and hardware. The materials and craftsmanship should provide years of enjoyment for a beginner or casual player.

When comparing the build quality of the GLARRY to other acoustic-electric guitars in a similar price range, the Yamaha APX600FM AM is worth considering. Yamaha is known for their high standards of quality control and the APX600FM AM delivers a solid top spruce and nato back and sides. The neck is nato wood with a rosewood fretboard for smooth playability.

The hardware includes diecast chrome tuners and a preamp system designed by Yamaha with 3-band EQ for shaping your amplified tone. The nut and saddle are urea giving efficient transfer of vibrations. Overall the build quality of the Yamaha APX600FM AM is very good for an affordable acoustic-electric guitar. While the GLARRY offers comparable specs like the solid spruce top, the Yamaha may have a slight edge when it comes to fit and finish. However, either model would make a great choice for a beginner looking to learn on an acoustic-electric guitar.

Sound Quality

The GLARRY Acoustic-Electric guitar produces a balanced and rich tone, which can be attributed to its combination of solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides.

Spruce is a popular choice for acoustic guitar tops due to its resonant properties that emphasize the mid and high frequencies. This lends brightness and clarity to the GLARRY acoustic tones. When coupled with mahogany back and sides, which offer warmth and low end, the result is a very balanced and rounded acoustic voice.

The guitar features a built-in EQ and tuner, powered by a single 9V battery. The 3-band EQ gives you some control over toning the amplified sound, adding more brilliance or low end as desired. The tuner is handy for keeping the guitar in tune.

When playing acoustically unplugged, the guitar offers good projection and sustain. The tones are balanced across the frequency spectrum, with clear articulation. Plugging in, the amplified tones retain the nice woody character, with the EQ providing further tonal shaping capability. The electronics don't detract from the inherent acoustic qualities, rather they complement them.

The combination of solid spruce and mahogany delivers quality wood resonance, while the electronics give you control over the amplified sounds. Overall an excellent sounding acoustic-electric for the price.

Playability

The GLARRY AEG-Green-69 acoustic-electric guitar features a slim C-shaped neck that is comfortable to hold and easy to play. The fretboard is made of rosewood which provides a smooth feel under your fingers as you play. The string action on this guitar is set low and comfortable right out of the box, making it easy to fret notes and chords even for beginner players.

The neck has a standard 25.5" scale length and width of 1.69" at the nut, giving you plenty of room for fretting and fingering chords and solos up and down the neck. The C-profile neck isn't overly thick so your hand won't get fatigued even during longer practice or gigging sessions. The smooth satin finish on the back of the neck also enhances playability by letting your hand glide easily up and down.

This GLARRY acoustic-electric presents no major playability issues. The action, neck width and profile, and overall construction are geared towards playability and comfort for guitarists of all levels.

Hardware

The GLARRY AEG-Green-69 comes equipped with die-cast chrome enclosed gear tuners that hold the guitar in tune well. The tuners have a smooth action and precise 18:1 gear ratio for accurate and stable tuning.

The guitar features a rosewood bridge and saddle, providing solid intonation and sustain. The rosewood matches the fingerboard for a cohesive look. The bridge utilizes a compensated design to optimize the string spacing and intonation across the fretboard.

For amplification, the GLARRY AEG-Green-69 has an onboard preamp and pickup system. It uses a 3-band EQ with bass, mid, and treble controls, allowing you to shape your amplified tone. The preamp also has a built-in tuner for quick on-the-fly tuning. The pickup and preamp system deliver a balanced and full-range amplified acoustic tone.

The Pros of the GLARRY Acoustic-Electric Guitar

The GLARRY acoustic-electric guitar has several noteworthy benefits that make it a great option for beginners and intermediates looking for an affordable, playable instrument.

• Quality Materials: The GLARRY acoustic-electric combines a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, resulting in a rich, balanced tone. The build materials punch above their price point.

• Playability: The slim neck profile and low action facilitate comfortable playing across the fingerboard. The guitar plays very smoothly right out of the box.

• Onboard Electronics: The built-in EQ and tuner allow you to plug into an amp or PA system for amplified performances. The electronics offer good versatility for the price.

• Eye-Catching Looks: Between the green burst finish, distressing, and decorative rosette, this GLARRY model has appealing visual flair that sets it apart. The aesthetics are a major plus.

Cons

• The factory strings it comes with are quite poor quality and will need replacing. They feel rough on the fingers and don't produce a great sound.

• The pickguard is made from a cheap plastic material that looks a bit tacky. A tortoise style pickguard would suit the guitar better.

• The preamp and EQ controls are fairly basic and don't allow you to shape the tone as much as higher end acoustic-electrics. There's no mid or presence control for example.

• The tuners work ok but can feel a little loose at times. Upgrading to sealed tuners would help keep the guitar in tune better.

• While serviceable, the nut and saddle are made from cheap plastic which affects sustain and tone. Replacing with bone would be an upgrade.

• The neck joint allows some movement which can affect tuning stability and intonation.

Who It's For

The GLARRY Acoustic-Electric Guitar is best suited for beginner and intermediate players looking for an affordable, entry-level acoustic-electric guitar. With its laminated spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and slim neck profile, this guitar offers a balanced tone and comfortable playability ideal for new players learning on an acoustic.

The built-in preamp and pickup allows plugging into an amplifier, making this a versatile choice for both practicing and performing. The cutaway body style also provides easier access to upper frets, expanding the guitar's musical range. With an attractive distressed finish and solid hardware, the GLARRY presents a stylish, quality instrument at a budget-friendly price point.

More advanced players may find the GLARRY lacking in projection and dynamic range compared to a premium solid wood acoustic. However, for aspiring guitarists starting out, the GLARRY is an excellent value that won't break the bank. It's built to last, sounds and plays well, and offers the flexibility of both acoustic and plugged-in tones. For any player looking to buy their first acoustic-electric, the GLARRY is a recommended choice worth considering.

Verdict

The GLARRY AEG-Green-69 represents an excellent value in an acoustic-electric guitar for beginners or casual players. Its affordable price and solid construction make it accessible for novices looking for their first guitar. The laminated spruce top and basswood back and sides produce a balanced, mellow tone suitable for various styles. While it may lack some projection when played acoustically, the built-in EQ helps shape the amplified sound, and the onboard tuner adds convenience. Overall, the AEG-Green-69 is recommended for its quality craftsmanship, playability, and versatility at a budget-friendly price point. The guitar does feel durable and capable of lasting many years with proper maintenance, so it's worth investing in for a first or travel instrument. For the money, it delivers everything a budding guitarist could want to start their musical journey. The friendly price tag makes the AEG-Green-69 a smart choice for beginners, or as an extra acoustic for more advanced players.