Luna Guitars WABI E FOLK Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

Luna Guitars is a relatively new company founded in 2005 that specializes in building unique acoustic and acoustic-electric guitars with eye-catching designs. The company is known for using laser-etched artistic motifs on their guitar tops that are inspired by nature, folk music, and mythology.

The Luna Wabi E Folk is part of their Elements series, which focuses on earthy, natural themes. Wabi refers to the imperfect, ephemeral beauty found in nature that Luna tries to capture in their guitar designs and sounds. The Wabi E Folk model features Luna's Grand Auditorium body shape with a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It comes equipped with both a built-in preamp and tuner, making this an versatile electro-acoustic guitar option.

Body & Neck

The Luna Wabi E Folk acoustic-electric guitar features a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, which produces a balanced and well-rounded tone.

The top is made of solid Sitka spruce, which is a popular tonewood known for its bright and lively sound with good note separation. Combined with the mahogany back and sides, this guitar has a warm low end with nice sparkly highs.

The neck is made of mahogany, which contributes to the guitar's warm tone and also provides stability. It has a standard 25.5" scale length and a nut width of 1.69", making it comfortable for most playing styles.

The body has a natural satin finish which enhances resonance while still feeling smooth to the touch. Overall, the tonewood combination and construction of the Luna Wabi E Folk offers a versatile and balanced acoustic tone across the tonal spectrum.

Another popular acoustic-electric guitar option is the Yamaha FG820 12-String. This guitar has a solid Sitka spruce top, Nato back and sides, and a mahogany neck for a balanced and resonant tone. The 12-string construction provides a rich, jangly sound that's great for rhythm playing. It has a slightly wider 1.75" nut width which accommodates the extra strings while still feeling comfortable to play. The Yamaha FG820 12-String comes equipped with a System66 piezo pickup and preamp for amplifying your acoustic tone on stage. With its iconic 12-string jangle and Yamaha's quality craftsmanship, the FG820 is an excellent choice for any player looking to add that 12-string sound to their arsenal.

When comparing the Luna Wabi E Folk to the Yamaha FG820 12-String, they each have their own unique characteristics. The Luna has a classic folk guitar voicing with its spruce and mahogany body, while the Yamaha has the distinctive 12-string chime. The Luna may suit solo singers or folk players who want a balanced tone for chord strumming and fingerpicking. The Yamaha leans towards a jangly rhythm sound but can also handle melodic lead playing. The Luna has a comfortable 1.69" nut while the Yamaha is slightly wider at 1.75" to accommodate the extra strings. Both are quality acoustic-electric guitars with excellent electronics, so the choice comes down to the type of sound you want and your playing style.

Electronics

The Luna Wabi E Folk Acoustic-Electric guitar features upgraded electronics compared to Luna's previous offerings. It has a custom-designed piezo pickup with a 2-band preamp and built-in tuner for amplified performance.

The piezo pickup is located under the saddle and accurately captures the guitar's natural acoustic tone when plugged in. It produces a balanced, clear signal that retains the warmth and nuance of the all-solid spruce and mahogany body. The pickup doesn't color the amplified sound or produce excessive noise like feedback.

The preamp has dedicated bass and treble controls so you can shape the amplified tone. You can boost low-end warmth or add brilliance to the highs as needed for the room you're playing in. The 2-band EQ gives you flexibility without going overboard on knobs and settings. A convenient phase switch helps eliminate feedback issues.

An onboard tuner makes it easy to tune on the go without extra accessories. The tuner can be activated with a push-pull knob on the upper bout. It mutes the output so you can discretely tune in between songs at gigs. Other controls include a volume knob and battery compartment on the side of the upper bout. The preamp runs on a standard 9V battery so you don't need to worry about recharging.

Overall, the upgraded electronics on the Luna Wabi E Folk Acoustic-Electric provide stage-ready amplified tones in an accessible package. The simplified 2-band preamp and quality piezo pickup make it easy to get pro plugged-in sound at an affordable price point.

If you're looking for a great acoustic-electric guitar with top-notch electronics, be sure to check out the Altamira N100. This model features a L.R. Baggs Anthem pickup system for studio-quality amplified tone. The flexible 3-band EQ gives you even more tonal control compared to the Luna's 2-band preamp.

The L.R. Baggs pickup includes an integrated mic that captures the natural acoustic sound, along with an under-saddle piezo for the lows. Together they produce a balanced, realistic amplified tone. The Element VTC preamp has dedicated volume, bass, mid, and treble controls with notch filters to shape your ideal sound.

Additional features like a tuner, phase switch, and automatic feedback controls make the Altamira N100 stage-ready right out of the box. It's designed for quick and easy amplification, even in problematic live settings. The preamp runs on a 9V battery so you don't have to worry about charging between gigs.

Alvarez's expert craftsmanship also makes the Altamira N100 an excellent acoustic guitar unplugged. It has a solid spruce top and flame maple back/sides for a bright, balanced tone. The slim neck profile is comfortable for playing long sets. Overall, it's a great option if you want top-tier electronics in an all-solid acoustic-electric guitar.

The Luna Wabi E Folk Acoustic-Electric certainly provides quality electronics in an affordable package. But the Altamira N100 takes amplified performance to the next level. With pro-grade L.R. Baggs electronics and Alvarez's meticulous build quality, it's hard to beat for amplified acoustic tone and versatility.

Sound & Tone

The Luna Wabi Folk has a warm, full-bodied acoustic tone thanks to its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The spruce produces bright, detailed treble notes while the mahogany provides a rich low-end with plenty of bass. It's an excellent balance of crisp highs and rounded lows.

When plugged in, the onboard preamp delivers a very natural amplified tone. It captures the nuances of the acoustic sound without excessive EQ coloration. The piezo pickup is transparent and balanced across the frequency spectrum. You can add some reverb/delay through an amp or PA system for extra ambience. Overall it's one of the better acoustic-electric preamp/pickup systems, accurately reproducing the unplugged tone.

Playability

The Luna Wabi E Folk acoustic-electric guitar features a comfortable and playable neck and fretboard.

Neck Profile

The Wabi E Folk has a slim C-shaped neck profile that is great for chordal playing and fretting notes up and down the neck. The profile is shallow enough to allow easy hand movement, while still having enough depth for a solid grip. This makes it a very comfortable and accessible neck for most players.

String Action

Out of the box, the string action on the Wabi E Folk is set up nicely for optimal playability. The action is low enough to allow easy fretting and barre chords, while still having enough height to avoid buzzing. Overall the action is very playable and accommodating for various techniques.

Fretwork

The fretwork on the Wabi E Folk is excellently done. The frets are smooth, consistent, and leveled well. There are no sharp fret ends to irritate your hands. G String binding is also avoided. This quality fretwork makes playing very smooth and comfortable up and down the rosewood fretboard.

Hardware

The Luna WABI E Folk features quality hardware that enhances its playability and tuning stability. The guitar has vintage-style open gear butterbean tuning machines with pearl buttons. These old-school tuners not only look great, but they help keep the guitar in tune smoothly.

For the bridge, the WABI E Folk uses a compensated rosewood pin bridge. The compensated design provides precise intonation, allowing each string to ring true up and down the neck. The pins are also made of rosewood, which matches the fretboard material for a cohesive look. Overall, the guitar's hardware complements its design aesthetics while providing the functionality needed for enjoyable playing.

Pros

• The Luna Wabi E Folk acoustic-electric guitar has a rich, warm sound that projects well unplugged or plugged in. The solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides produce a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum.

• The guitar's slim neck profile and shorter 24.75" scale length make it very comfortable and playable, especially for smaller hands. It's an accessible guitar for younger players or anyone looking for ease of playability.

• The built-in EQ and tuner provide great sound shaping and tuning convenience. The guitar's electronics allow for amplified performances without having to rely on external effects or tuners.

Cons

• The Luna Wabi E Folk has a wider neck than some acoustic-electric guitars, which some players with smaller hands may find less comfortable. It uses a 1 3/4" nut width, while many acoustics have a more standard 1 11/16" width.

• The onboard preamp only offers basic tone shaping controls - volume, bass, mid, and treble. It lacks more advanced EQ adjustment capability that some players desire. There is no onboard tuner or feedback control.

• The satin finish on the neck may feel too slick or fast for some players that prefer more grip and friction on the back of the neck. The smooth feel could lead to unwanted slipping during intricate solos and lead playing.

Who is it for?

The Luna WABI E Folk acoustic-electric guitar is best suited for folk, country, and Americana players looking for a durable workhorse guitar with a comfortable neck and bright, resonant tone.

Its smaller folk-style body makes it a great choice for singer-songwriters and musicians who travel frequently or play for long periods of time. The compact body contours nicely to the player's body whether seated or standing. The short 24.75" scale length facilitates quick chord changes and intricate fingerpicking patterns.

Younger players transitioning from a 3/4 size beginner acoustic to a full-size instrument will appreciate the Luna WABI E Folk's playability and lightweight build. The slim neck and smooth satin finish allow hands to glide up and down the rosewood fretboard with ease.

The built-in preamp gives players the flexibility to plug into an amplifier or PA system for live gigs or recording sessions. The upgraded electronics project balanced tone when amplified while retaining the rich acoustic resonance Luna Guitars are known for.

Overall, the spruce top and mahogany back and sides generate a bright, focused sound ideal for folk and country genres. The Luna WABI E Folk suits players who want an affordable, great-sounding acoustic-electric with comfortable playability perfect for genres like folk, country, Americana, indie, and singer-songwriter.

Verdict

The Luna Guitars WABI E Folk acoustic-electric guitar is an outstanding instrument for the price. It offers impressive bang-for-the-buck with its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The guitar produces a balanced, warm tone with plenty of volume and resonance.

The onboard preamp provides flexible tone shaping and makes it easy to plug into an amplifier or PA system. It plays very smoothly right out of the box, with comfortable action and an accessible neck profile. The hardware is decent quality, and the guitar seems well put together for its class.

Overall, the Luna WABI E Folk punches well above its weight. It's an excellent choice for any level of player looking for an affordable acoustic-electric with pro-level sound and playability. The stylish etched floral design is the icing on the cake.

Overall Rating: 4.5/5 stars

The Luna Guitars WABI E Folk receives a strong recommendation for those seeking an acoustic-electric in the sub-$500 price range. It outclasses most competitors, with impressive tonewoods, electronics, and playability. An outstanding value for performance.