Kadence A06-EQ Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Kadence Acoustica A06-EQ is an affordable acoustic-electric guitar that combines solid construction with great electronics. Its stylish cutaway design and EQ system provide flexibility for players who need amplified acoustic tones on stage or in the studio. Despite its lower price point compared to premium models, the A06-EQ delivers professional features like electronic tuning and a built-in EQ, while maintaining impressive build quality and resonant tonewoods. Between the robust electronics and artful craftsmanship, the Kadence Acoustica A06-EQ punches well above its weight, providing an outstanding option for gigging musicians.

Physical Features

The Kadence A06-EQ has a stylish grand auditorium body shape with a cutaway that allows comfortable access to the upper frets. It is constructed with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, which produces balanced tone and good projection.

The top is gloss finished, while the back and sides have an open pore semi-gloss finish that enhances resonance. The neck is made of nato wood with a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. The nut and saddle are synthetic bone.

The A06-EQ comes equipped with a built-in equalizer and tuner. The equalizer allows you to shape and enhance the overall tone with bass, mid, and treble controls. The tuner makes keeping the guitar in tune quick and easy.

Electronics include a Kadence preamp system and piezo pickup that delivers natural amplified tone. Die-cast chrome tuners provide smooth and accurate tuning stability.

If you're looking for a high-quality acoustic-electric guitar with modern appointments, check out the D'Angelico DAPD500VNATAPS. This guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides for balanced and articulate tone. The hand-carved dreadnought body provides booming bass, sparkling highs, and excellent projection.

Some other great features of the DAPD500VNATAPS include the cutaway for easy upper fret access, 25.5" scale length, and adjustable truss rod for optimized action and playability. It has a smooth satin finish on the back and sides that looks elegant while allowing the wood to vibrate freely.

For amplified tone, the DAPD500VNATAPS is equipped with a built-in preamp system and piezo pickup that accurately captures the natural acoustic sound. The preamp has volume and tone controls right on the guitar. It also includes an onboard tuner for quick tuning on the go.

The neck has a comfortable medium profile with a pau ferro fingerboard and bridge. Die-cast chrome tuners provide precise and reliable tuning stability. This is a fantastic acoustic-electric guitar that is well-suited to a wide range of musical styles and playing techniques.

In summary, the D'Angelico DAPD500VNATAPS offers pro-level features, electronics, and craftsmanship in an accessible price point. If you want a great acoustic-electric guitar with excellent amplified and acoustic sound, the DAPD500VNATAPS is an option worth serious consideration.

Sound Quality

The Kadence Acoustica 06EQ acoustic-electric guitar produces a warm, balanced tone that faithfully captures the natural resonance of the solid spruce top. The EQ-preamp allows you to shape the EQ, adding sparkle to the highs or boosting the low-end. It's a very versatile guitar tonally.

When unplugged, it has a rich and full acoustic voice. The solid spruce top delivers excellent projection and resonance without being overly bright. The mahogany back and sides provide a balanced warmth. Together they create a nicely balanced acoustic guitar tone.

Plugged in, the onboard preamp lets you tweak the EQ to craft your ideal amplified tone. The 3-band EQ allows boosting or cutting the lows, mids, and highs. This makes it easy to get a tone suited for your individual playing style, whether fingerstyle or strumming. The preamp also has built-in tuner and phase controls.

The Kadence Acoustica 06EQ is a great choice for guitarists looking for a warm acoustic tone with the flexibility of plugging into an amplifier or PA system. The EQ controls give you excellent tonal shaping options.

The Ortega Guitars R122-1/2-L is another quality acoustic-electric guitar worth considering. It features a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, similar to the Kadence model. However, it utilizes a slightly different preamp and electronics system.

This Ortega acoustic-electric has a Custom Direct Injection preamp system designed specifically for the guitar. It aims to accurately capture the true acoustic tone and voice of the R122-1/2-L. The preamp has a built-in tuner and simple bass/treble EQ controls.

When unplugged, this guitar produces a balanced and resonant acoustic tone. The spruce and mahogany body generates rich lows, sparkling highs, and strong projection. Many reviewers praise the quality of sound for an instrument in this price range.

Plugged in, the Direct Injection preamp delivers a very natural amplified tone. The EQ provides some tonal shaping but focuses on transparent amplification. It's well-suited for live performances or recording direct to a PA or audio interface.

The Ortega R122-1/2-L is an excellent choice for those seeking an acoustic-electric in this price tier with quality electronics and amplification. Between its solid top, comfortable neck, and direct injection preamp system, it hits all the right notes.

Both the Kadence Acoustica 06EQ and Ortega Guitars R122-1/2-L are great options in the mid-range acoustic-electric market. The Kadence offers more advanced EQ controls, while the Ortega focuses on a transparent amplified tone. Evaluating your needs and preferences will determine which is the better fit.

Playability

When it comes to playability, the Kadence A06-EQ really delivers. The action and string height are set up nicely right out of the box, so there's no need to adjust the truss rod or saddle height before getting started. The medium jumbo frets are smoothly finished and thoroughly polished, allowing for comfortable and fast chord changes up and down the neck.

The neck has a comfortable C-shape profile that fits nicely in the hand. It's not too thin or chunky, providing a good balance of grip and quick playability. The nut width is standard for a steel-string acoustic at 1 11/16 inches, so those with smaller hands shouldn't have any issues. Overall the neck is fast and allows you to move around easily during lead or solo playing.

The cutaway provides excellent upper fret access, allowing you to hit those high notes with ease. Whether you're performing chord melodies or playing intricate solos, this guitar gives you the playability you need to execute a variety of techniques cleanly. The A06-EQ is an excellent playing instrument right out of the box, requiring little to no setup before hitting the stage.

Hardware

The Kadence A06-EQ acoustic-electric guitar features quality hardware that allows it to produce a balanced amplified tone.

Tuning Machines

The guitar has die-cast chrome enclosed tuning machines with pearloid buttons. These keep the guitar in tune well and allow for smooth and accurate tuning adjustments. The pearloid buttons add a touch of decorative flair.

Bridge and Saddle

It has a rosewood bridge and bone saddle which provide bright, balanced acoustic tones. The bone saddle in particular helps produce clear, resonant tones.

Electronics

The onboard electronics include an equalizer, tuner, and pickup system. The 3-band EQ allows shaping of bass, midrange, and treble tones. This lets you dial in your ideal amplified sound. The built-in tuner makes on-the-fly tuning quick and convenient. The pickup system accurately reproduces the guitar's acoustic tone through an amp or PA system.

Craftsmanship

Kadence clearly put a lot of care into the craftsmanship of this guitar. The matte finish and binding on the body show attention to aesthetic details, giving the guitar a refined look. The neck has a smooth satin finish that feels great to play.

The build quality seems excellent for the price. The tuners and bridge are solid and keep the guitar in tune well. The bracing inside produces good resonance without buzzing. There are no visible flaws in the materials or construction.

The company seems to have good quality control standards. Owners report receiving instruments free of cosmetic defects or setup issues. Each guitar seems to go through inspection and setup before shipping out. Overall the craftsmanship makes this feel like a more premium instrument than the price would suggest.

Value

When considering the Kadence A06-EQ acoustic-electric guitar, it's important to look at the value you get for the price compared to other similar models on the market.

At around $200, the Kadence A06-EQ sits at the lower end of the price spectrum for acoustic-electric guitars, making it a great choice for beginners or those on a budget. While you can certainly find cheaper acoustic-electric models, the Kadence A06-EQ manages to pack in some nice features and appointments you wouldn't expect at this price point.

The all-laminate construction helps keep costs down while still providing a resonant and balanced tone. You get a cutaway body for easier upper fret access, a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a 2-way preamp system with built-in tuner. These are all features typically found on more expensive models.

Considering the hardware, electronics, and overall playability, the Kadence A06-EQ represents an excellent value in its price range. The manufacturer also provides a 10-year warranty on the guitar, which is outstanding for an instrument at this price. Many other acoustic-electric guitars in this range will have a 1 year or perhaps 2 year warranty at most.

The combination of quality appointments, electronics, and an exceptionally long warranty make the Kadence A06-EQ a great value for those looking to get an acoustic-electric without breaking the bank. While paying more will get you premium tonewoods and even better electronics, the Kadence A06-EQ punches above its weight class in terms of value.

Alternatives

The Kadence A06-EQ is a popular mid-range acoustic-electric guitar from Kadence that costs around $200. Here are some alternatives to consider in the same price range:

Fender FA-115

Fender is one of the biggest names in guitars. The FA-115 is their entry-level acoustic-electric model that comes in just under $200. It features a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, 20 frets, and Fishman electronics similar to the Kadence. The tonewood combination gives it a balanced sound profile suitable for most playing styles. The build quality is not as refined as the Kadence but still decent for the price.

Yamaha FGX800C

This Yamaha is another competitively priced acoustic-electric with solid top construction. It has a solid Sitka spruce top, Nato back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, and a System55T 2-band EQ pickup. The tonewoods give it a bright, focused sound. Yamaha is known for quality construction and playability at budget prices. The FGX800C doesn't have as attractive looks as the Kadence but plays smoothly with a comfortable neck.

Epiphone DR-100

The DR-100 from Epiphone is a very affordable option under $150. It has a select spruce top, mahogany back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, and a Shadow ePerformer preamp. While it lacks the refinement of the Kadence, it delivers decent tone and playability for the incredibly low price point. The electronics and hardware are more basic but usable. Overall it's great for beginners on a strict budget.

Martin LX1E

On the higher end around $500, the Martin LX1E is an all solid wood acoustic-electric with excellent tone. It features Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, Richlite fretboard, and Fishman Sonitone electronics. The construction quality, sound, and playability rival guitars costing much more. The simple style doesn't have as much visual appeal as the Kadence but it excels at pure acoustic performance.

Pros & Cons

Pros: - Crisp and balanced sound across all frequencies - onboard EQ lets you shape your tone - Smooth satin finish on the neck is comfortable - Solid spruce top and mahogany back & sides provide full-bodied tone
- Lightweight and comfortable to play while standing up - Excellent value for the price

Cons:
- Not as loud as a pricier acoustic-electric
- EQ controls are basic compared to higher-end models - Electronics can feedback at very high volumes - Action may be too high for some players out of the box - Generic gig bag lacks adequate padding and protection

Overall, the Kadence A06-EQ punches above its weight class for an acoustic-electric in this price range. While it lacks some refinement in hardware and electronics, it excels with impressive sound and playability. The onboard EQ gives it versatility for stage use. For an affordable workhorse acoustic-electric, the A06-EQ is an excellent choice.

Conclusion

The Kadence A06-EQ acoustic-electric guitar provides a nice balance of quality and value for the price. It has a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, which give it a warm, balanced tone. The built-in EQ gives you some control over the tone, allowing you to shape the sound to your liking.

The playability is very good right out of the box, with low action and a comfortable neck profile. It stays in tune well even during longer practice sessions. The craftsmanship and hardware are decent for this price range.

Overall, the Kadence A06-EQ is an excellent choice as a first acoustic-electric or for intermediate players looking for an affordable workhorse guitar. The tone and playability rival more expensive models, and the onboard EQ gives you tonal flexibility.

If you're looking for an acoustic-electric with solid wood construction and electronics at an accessible price point, the Kadence A06-EQ is easy to recommend. It provides great value for the money and will serve you well for many years of playing.