Mantic is a relatively new guitar brand that was founded in 2019 in Indonesia. Despite being a newcomer in the industry, Mantic has quickly made a name for itself by producing high-quality yet affordable acoustic and electric guitars.

The M01DCESB is one of Mantic's acoustic-electric guitar models. It features a durable mahogany body and neck, onboard preamp and pickup system, die-cast chrome tuners, and other hardware designed to offer excellent playability, tone, and versatility at a budget-friendly price point. This makes the M01DCESB an appealing option for guitarists looking for an acoustic-electric that can handle both live performances and practice sessions without breaking the bank.

Body & Neck

The Mantic M01DCESB features a solid spruce top paired with sapele back and sides, delivering a balanced and articulate tone.

The body has a classic dreadnought shape with a width of 16" and length of 20", providing excellent projection and volume. Despite the large size, the comfortable cutaway allows easy upper fret access.

The neck is made from mahogany for stability and sustainability. It has a U-shaped profile that's comfortable for chording and transitions smoothly along the 25.6" scale length. The C-shaped neck offers a slim and sleek feel.

The neck is topped with a rosewood fingerboard featuring dot inlays. Rosewood is a dense, oily wood that helps produce clear, articulate tones. The fretboard has a 12" radius for comfortable chording and fast playing. It's paired with medium jumbo frets for enhanced sustain and easy bending.

Other high-quality hardware includes a compensated bone saddle and nut to improve intonation, and sealed die-cast tuners designed for accurate and stable tuning. The guitar comes equipped with Fishman electronics including an undersaddle pickup and preamp with tone shaping controls.

For players seeking a premium acoustic-electric guitar with exceptional playability and resonant tone, be sure to check out the Ibanez RGT1221PBDTF. This impressive guitar combines a solid spruce top with rosewood back and sides for a dynamic range. It has a slim Wizard III maple neck for fast playing across the 22-fret fingerboard. The dual humbucker pickups can handle anything from pristine cleans to high-gain tones. Other great features include a tremolo bridge, locking nut, and 5-way switching system. The Ibanez RGT1221PBDTF is perfect for players that want an acoustic-electric crossover with amazing tone and top-notch performance.

Electronics & Controls

The Mantic M01DCESB features a versatile pickup and preamp system that provides quality tone and control options for playing live or recording in the studio.

It comes equipped with a Fishman Sonitone pickup mounted under the saddle. This pickup accurately reproduces the guitar's natural acoustic tone and resonance. The controls include a volume knob, bass/mid/treble EQ knobs, and a built-in tuner.

The volume knob allows you to easily adjust the output level of the guitar. The 3-band EQ gives you tonal control over lows, mids, and highs. This is useful for shaping your tone when playing through an amp or PA system. The tuner knob activates the chromatic tuner, making it quick and convenient to tune the guitar on the fly.

Overall, the electronics and controls offer versatility without being overly complicated. The Fishman pickup captures the true acoustic sound, while the EQ knobs and tuner provide customizable tone shaping and tuning convenience during performances or recordings.

Hardware

The Mantic M01DCESB comes equipped with quality hardware to provide durability and reliable tuning stability.

• The bridge and saddle are made from rosewood which is known for its resonant properties that help transfer string vibrations efficiently. Rosewood is also moisture resistant which prevents swelling and maintains intonation.

• The tuning machines are open gear with a butterbean style knob. They provide precise tuning and are finished in an elegant antique brass. The tuners are mounted on a natty mahogany headstock that matches the body and contributes to the visual appeal of the instrument.

Overall, the hardware components are thoughtfully designed to not only look good but also enhance the musical performance and lifespan of this acoustic-electric guitar. The materials used for the bridge, saddle, and tuners are high quality and built to last.

The Mantic M01DCESB offers great electronics, controls, and hardware for an acoustic-electric guitar in this price range. It provides the key features most guitarists need for amplified performances and studio work. Another comparable option to consider is the Ibanez PS60SSL. This is a stylish single-cutaway acoustic-electric with mahogany top, back and sides. It features an Ibanez AEQ2T preamp system with onboard tuner and 2-band EQ. The hardware includes chrome die-cast tuners and rosewood bridge and saddle. While the Ibanez has a slightly different look and electronics package, it offers similar quality and versatility as an acoustic-electric guitar. The Mantic and Ibanez models both give players great amplified tone and flexibility at an affordable price point. Comparing specs and reviews can help narrow down which specific features are most important for your needs when choosing between these solid acoustic-electric options.

Sound & Playability

The Mantic M01DCESB produces a rich, warm acoustic tone thanks to its solid mahogany top, back and sides. The guitar has a well-balanced tone across the frequency range, with tight low end, pronounced mids, and crisp highs.

When plugged in, the onboard electronics and EQ provide excellent amplification and shaping of the acoustic sound. The preamp has built-in chorus and reverb effects to add ambience and richness to the amplified tone. The 3-band EQ allows you to tweak the bass, mid, and treble frequencies to dial in your ideal amplified sound.

In terms of playability, the Mantic has a comfortable slim neck profile and low action that makes it very playable right out of the box. The rosewood fingerboard is smooth and comfortable. The wider nut width provides a nice fretting surface for fingerstyle playing. Overall the Mantic feels very comfortable to play both acoustically and plugged in.

Versatility

Despite being an acoustic-electric guitar, the Mantic M01DCESB is quite versatile when it comes to the genres and playing styles it can handle. The solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides provide a balanced tonal response across the frequency spectrum, making the M01DCESB suitable for playing anything from folk and country to jazz and rock.

The single-cutaway body shape also provides excellent access to the upper frets for solos and lead playing. Combined with the smooth satin neck and low action, the M01DCESB excels at fast lead work. The Fishman electronics make it easy to plug into an amplifier or PA system for live performances or studio recording. So whether you prefer the warm, natural sound of an acoustic or need the projection of an amp, this guitar has you covered.

Thanks to its well-rounded tone and playability, the M01DCESB transitions seamlessly between fingerstyle playing and strumming chords. It's a great choice for singer-songwriters who want one flexible, high-quality guitar to cover both accompanying and soloing duties. The versatile sound and feel of the Mantic M01DCESB make it suitable for a wide range of musical genres and playing applications.

Pros

• The Mantic M01DCESB acoustic-electric guitar offers excellent value for a guitar in this price range. It has a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, which provide good resonance and balanced tone.

• The slim neck and low action make the M01DCESB comfortable and easy to play, even for long practice sessions. The c-shaped neck and rosewood fingerboard facilitate smooth playing up and down the fretboard.

• The onboard preamp and pickup system deliver a natural acoustic tone when plugging into an amplifier or PA system. The 2-band EQ gives you some tonal shaping control.

• It's a visually attractive guitar with nice decorative touches like the multi-ply binding and detailed rosette around the soundhole. The sunburst finish and mother-of-pearl inlays provide an elegant look.

Cons

• The Mantic M01DCESB acoustic-electric guitar has a laminated top rather than a solid wood top. While laminate is more affordable, it doesn't resonate or project sound as well as solid wood. This can result in a thinner, quieter tone.

• The guitar has a wider nut width of 1.73" which may be uncomfortable for some players with smaller hands. The spacing between strings is also wider, making barre chords more challenging.

• The onboard preamp and EQ controls are relatively basic, with just volume, bass, middle, and treble adjustments. It lacks more advanced tweaking options like a phase switch, notch filter, or chromatic tuner.

• The overall fit and finish is decent but not on par with premium brands. Some owners report issues like sharp fret ends or improperly cut nut slots that needed adjustment. Quality control is not as strict.

Comparable Options

The Mantic M01DCESB stacks up well against other guitars in its price range and class. Here are a few comparable options to consider:

Fender CD-60SCE

The Fender CD-60SCE is another popular acoustic-electric dreadnought guitar that retails for a similar price as the Mantic M01DCESB. It features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and an easy-to-play neck with a rosewood fretboard. The Fishman electronics provide good amplified tones. The CD-60SCE delivers balanced sound and comfortable playability.

Yamaha FG-TA

Yamaha's FG-TA is an acoustic-electric transacoustic guitar designed to simulate natural reverb and resonance. It has a solid Sitka spruce top paired with mahogany back and sides. The FG-TA produces rich acoustic tones and lush effects when plugged in. The slim neck and shorter scale length enhance playability. Overall, the Yamaha FG-TA offers great bang for the buck.

Epiphone Hummingbird PRO

The Epiphone Hummingbird PRO is a premium option with solid spruce and mahogany construction, plus a Shadow ePerformer pickup system. It has a bold vintage look and full hummingbird tone when strummed unplugged. Plugged in, the Shadow ePerformer preamp provides distortion-free amplified sound. The Hummingbird PRO delivers impressive quality and craftsmanship at a lower cost than comparable Gibsons.

Summary & Recommendation

The Mantic M01DCESB acoustic-electric dreadnought guitar offers great value as an affordable entry-level instrument, but still delivers solid performance for new guitarists. The spruce top and laminate mahogany body paired with the slim mahogany neck provide a well-balanced and resonant tone. The onboard EQ and tuner allow you to dial in a variety of acoustic and amplified tones.

Overall, the M01DCESB is an excellent choice for beginners and recreational players looking for a versatile acoustic-electric guitar under $200. While it may lack some projection and sustain compared to premium models, it excels at this price point. The comfortable feel and quality construction also make it a reliable practice and jamming companion. Unless you need advanced features or premium tonewoods, the Mantic M01DCESB gets our recommendation as a budget-friendly acoustic-electric dreadnought.